Tesla Says Model S Plaid Could Record 7:05 Nurburgring Lap Next Month

Tesla has made a lot of noiseafter bringing a couple of Model S prototypes to the Nurburgring for development of its new “Plaid” powertrain – and to chase down the Porsche Taycan’s electric sedan record.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the “chassis prototypes”, as the company calls them, had lapped the circuit in 7:20.

However, the electric car manufacturer doesn’t appear satisfied with that. In fact, it went as far as tweeting that the Model S Plaid may be able to record a 7:05 time when it returns to the German circuit for more testing next month .

Also Read: Tesla’s Super-Fast Model S Prototype Shows Its Gutted Interior In New Spy Shots

Until then, auf Wiedersehen Germany 👋

Here’s some of our initial Model S Plaid data to keep you buzzing until we return: pic.twitter.com/cWk9EModcM

— Tesla (@Tesla) September 19, 2019

Now, let’s imagine that the Tesla does indeed storm around Green Hell in 7:05. Where would that place it on the production car score board?

Only eight production, street-legal vehicles have lapped the ‘Ring in under 7 minutes; three Lamborghinis, three Porsches, and two Radicals (although those are actually race cars with number plates on – but anyhow). The next two fastest times posted are a 7:01.3 for the 2017 Dodge Viper ACR and a 7:04.632 set by the Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro. A time of 7:05 would put the Model S Plaid ahead of cars like the Nissan GT-R Nismo, McLaren 600LT and Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package and easily make it the fastest mass-production electric vehicle around the circuit.

The current street-legal EV record is held by China’s NIO EP9 at 6:45.90, and while that car is technically a production vehicle, only a few are believed to have been built.

It’s worth pointing out that the Model S test cars that have lapped the Nordschleife are modified over existing examples available to customers. Not only do they feature triple-electric motor powertrains that won’t be offered to the public for at least another year, but their chassis has been modified and their interiors have been stripped out.