Tesla ‘Plaid’ Model S seen running track tests again; four-door EV Nurburgring record attempts this week

Tesla ‘Plaid’ Model S seen running track tests again; four-door EV Nurburgring record attempts this week

Tesla has certainly been making the effort at the venerable European vehicle testing grounds, the Nurburgring Nordschleife, having previously run tests at the 20.6 km-long circuit. The American EV manufacturer has now been seen at the German circuit once again, this time with a blue ‘Plaid’ Model S.

The blue example seen here wears similar exterior fittings as the red car seen previously, namely the wheel arch extensions to go over the larger wheel and tyre combination. Similarly, the car here also has the larger front bumper intake as well as the clear spoiler Gurney flap extension on the bootlid. As before, the upsized wheels house a set of carbon-ceramic brakes.

The modified Teslas seen here were running as part of the circuit’s Industry Pool sessions, where lap timing by manufacturers is strictly forbidden, and drivers are required to join and leave the circuit from a pit area which negates a full flying lap.

An observer from Auto Motor und Sport managed to hand-time the Tesla’s run with a stopwatch, yielding a time of seven minutes 23 seconds, though admittedly with inaccuracies associated with the method. There’s potential for an even quicker lap time should an official timed session be conducted, as this run was held in traffic and with track layout restrictions.

Tesla ‘Plaid’ Model S seen running track tests again; four-door EV Nurburgring record attempts this week

This lap time puts the modified Model S comfortably ahead of the Porsche Taycan in the four-door EV ‘Ring lap time stakes, though trackside observers have also told Road & Track that behind the Teslas’ heavily tinted windows are fully stripped-out interiors, leaving just the necessary seats, harnesses and controls. The larger, aftermarket wheels seen here have also been reported to wear the recently introduced Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport RS trackday tyre.

The exact driver at the wheel during the 7:23 lap time was not known, although three professional racers with considerable Nurburgring experience have been seen driving Tesla’s development cars at the circuit. They are Thomas Mutsch, FIA GT and GT3-class racer, Andreas Simonsen, Nurburgring VLN Series racer, and Carl Rydquist, also a GT3-class racer.

Sources also report that the Tesla team have been testing at the Nordschleife daily, with the first of two timed-lap attempts to take place today; the second timed run is rumoured to be set for Saturday. For now, the American firm has claimed a run of the Laguna Seca circuit which clocked a time of 1 minute 36.555 seconds, which is one second quicker than that by a Jaguar XE SV Project 8.

GALLERY: Tesla ‘Plaid’ Model S prototype spyshots

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • panjang on Sep 18, 2019 at 11:52 am

    They should borrow Tony Stark arc reactor for the lap record attempt. Arc reactor vs tons of battery….they can forget all the arch extender and the non street friendly tire. They will meed more wings though.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Sedan on Sep 18, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    I wonder how motorheads will feel when a 7-seater sedan beats the official Ring record. Tesla naysayers now claiming since this is not production car, any record attempt is useless, eventhough Elon Musk already said these will be in market late next year.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • Then, it’s not a production car. The Taycan used by Porsche was available in production form to buyers now, not next year.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required