Tesla tested Model S prototype at Laguna Seca

SpaceX chief Elon Musk solutions questions after the 2019 SpaceX Hyperloop Pod competitors at the SpaceX headquarters in Los Angeles on July 21, 2019.

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In a not so humble brag on Wednesday night time, Tesla boasted that it beat the file for the quickest four-door sedan at Laguna Seca, the famed race observe in Monterey, California.

The firm drove the lap with a brand new, prototype model of its pure battery electrical sedan, the Model S, one with three motors and a brand new ‘Plaid’ powertrain.

The firm’s official Twitter account crowed: “We lapped Laguna Seca @WeatherTechRcwy in 1:36.555 throughout superior R&D testing of our Model S Plaid powertrain and chassis prototype (That’s a second sooner than the file for a four-door sedan)”

The subsequent closest file for a four-door was set by a 2016 Cadillac CTSV again in 2015.

A video that Tesla shared confirmed a driver taking a lap at Laguna Seca, going at speeds as excessive as 115 miles per hour and better on tough stretches of the observe. Tesla didn’t disclose the title of the individual behind the wheel, however mentioned in a subsequent tweet that they had been “A member of the Tesla development team (amateur driver).”

Elon Musk touted the lap as a “record” in an earlier tweet. He wrote on Tuesday: “Model S just set record for fastest 4 door ever at Laguna Seca, video tmrw.”

But a spokesperson for Laguna Seca wrote in an e-mail to CNBC: “We were not officiating while the Tesla was testing on the track. Official records only happen during sanctioned events where a sanctioning body is officiating.”

Tesla mentioned it had no additional data to supply concerning the Laguna Seca lap at this time.

The Plaid powertrain will finally be included in future variations of Tesla’s Model S, Model X and Roadster automobiles, however not its Model three or Model Y, based on CEO Elon Musk. He revealed that data, in addition to obscure pricing particulars, whereas chatting up his followers and followers on the social community, additionally on Wednesday night time.

Specifically, Musk wrote: “Yes. To be clear, Plaid powertrain is about a year away from production & applies to S,X & Roadster, but not 3 or Y. Will cost more than our current offerings, but less than competitors.” Answering questions from followers and followers on Twitter, Musk additionally revealed that the corporate plans to supply its Plaid powertrain for each “base” and the dearer “founders series” variations of the brand new model of the Roadster.

Last week, Musk mentioned he would ship a Model S to Nürburgring, referring to a famously difficult observe there, the Nordschleife a.okay.a. “Green Hell.” That promise implied that Musk believes the Model S can greatest Porsche’s new battery electrical providing, the Taycan, on its residence turf.

After a couple of mocking feedback concerning the Taycan, upon its debut, Musk did finally tip his hat, writing that the Porsche EV looks like an excellent automotive, and had made nice time at Nürburgring.

Since Musk threw out the Model S problem, Nico Rosberg — the professional race automotive driver — publicly provided his…

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/12/tesla-has-a-new-model-s-prototype-with-3-motors-plaid-powertrain.html

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