Tesla Has Left The 'Ring Without Posting A Time, Claims 07:05 May Be Possible
If you were excited to find out exactly how fast Tesla’s prototype Model S can go around the Nurburgring, prepare for disappointment. The manufacturer is no longer there, having left without posting a time.
One of the cars prepped for the Nordschleife was timed by an eyewitness at roughly 07:23, though, and Telsa itself is claiming the triple-motor ‘Plaid Mode’ Model S “can achieve 7:20,” according to “data from our track tests.”
Not only that, but in the same Tweet, the company said: “With some improvements, 7:05 may be possible when the Model S returns next month.”
It’s that “improvements” bit which piques our interest more than the target lap time - which is, by the way, three seconds faster than a Nissan GT-R Nismo with N Attack parts went a few years ago. The Model S Tesla has been sending around the Nurburgring doesn’t just use a prototype powertrain - it’s littered with special parts, most of which stand little chance of ever appearing on the options menu for the car.
It has lightweight wheels wrapped in wider semi-slick Goodyear tyres - either Eagle F1 Supersport RS or Supercar 3Rs - blistered arches, a big rear spoiler and vast carbon ceramic brakes. Tesla even completed gutted the interior before sending it out.
“Some improvements” seems to suggest the Model S Tesla will bring to the Nurburgring in October could be even further from standard specification. The Porsche Taycan, meanwhile, ran the Pirelli P Zeroes it’s fitted with from the factory and was unmodified save for a roll cage. Plus, it was only the Turbo model - the Turbo S is yet to go for a lap time at the circuit.
If Tesla can come back to the Nordschleife and beat the Porsche with a car on steel brakes and less aggressive tyres, a hat must be doffed. For now, it’s hard not to feel a little frustrated with Musk & Co’s first-ever ‘Ring stint.
Comments
if it does their quoted time, then I will be shocked
They’re probably gonna put the interior back together among other things and maybe refine it a little (make the duckbill actually part of the car) and send it back, sticky tires and brakes included
Yes, theyre running slick tyres and people are comparing it to the Taycan. What a joke.
“Some improvements”? It will have to look like this to get anywhere near 7-minute mark
Can’t wait to see the improved version in action. The model 3 Performance is already having seriously good track times without any mods
So the Model S is running full slick tires on the right and semis on the left side as can be seen at 3:30 in the video. Comparing this to a stock Taycan is a joke
Actions speak louder than words Tesla