A Tesla Model S prototype looks to have set a new EV production car lap record around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Last week, Tesla brought at least two Model S prototypes to the famed U.S. circuit. One of these prototypes was finished red and spotted with an adjustable rear wing and is thought to be either a Plaid or Plaid+ variant. The other black prototype could be the facelifted Dual Motor model or may be the entry-level Plaid.
Some of our favorite pictures from testing today and yesterday at Laguna Seca Raceway #ModelSPlaid pic.twitter.com/DiWVnihCtD
— The Kilowatts 🚗⚡️ (@klwtts) May 14, 2021
Video recently shot from the circuit shows the two prototypes being pushed to their limits and according to some very unofficial timing, The Kilowatts suggests that the Model S Plaid+ painted red may have lapped the circuit in just 1:29.9. By comparison, the black Model S prototype looks to have lapped the track in 1:32.6. For a four-door sedan, these are some seriously impressive times.
Read More: Tesla Is Testing The Model S Plaid At Laguna Seca And It Looks Very Fast
The outright production car lap record is held by a McLaren Senna with a time of 1:27.62, beating out the Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Other cars to dip below the 1:30 mark at the circuit include the Dodge Viper ACR, McLaren 720S, and Lamborghini Huracan Performante.
Importantly, car manufacturers don’t typically seek out production car lap records at Laguna Seca, hence why almost all of the fastest laps at the track have been set by Randy Pobst during testing for Motor Trend. With that in mind, Tesla’s apparent EV record is somewhat meaningless as it is a fully-backed factory effort and unless Pobst can match the claim 1:29.9, it’s simply not an apples-to-apples comparison to other production cars to have lapped the circuit.