MotorTrend Proves Tesla Can't Hit 60 In Under 2 Seconds

Tesla's Model S Plaid True 0-60 Time Is Actually 2.28 Seconds

Tesla claimed the Model S Plaid is the quickest production car sold today, and that it has a 0-60 mph time of under two seconds! One of those statements is true, now that MotorTrend has gotten behind the wheel of the Plaid and tested on a drag strip. As it turns out, when Elon Musk claimed the Model S Plaid would have a 0-60 of 1.96 seconds, "MotorTrend Spec," that doesn't hold up to MotorTrend's spec test of 2.07 seconds.

This video will deep dive into the testing procedures, how 0-60 is tested with and without rollout, as well as with and without VHT TrackBite, an adhesive used for drag strip track preparation. We'll cover what MotorTrend spec actually means, why rollout isn't a "standard," and why, even if it was, it doesn't make any sense. And, the best part, I'll admit I was wrong in my prediction of no car accelerating faster than it can brake. Turns out, Tesla destroys this theory - how exciting! Watch the video to learn more!

MotorTrend Article:

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[phileapdrive]

So my old 190d is faster, assuming we start mesuring at 55mph.

[almid]

EE 5 years ago: "how does a rotary engine work?"
EE today: "zero means zero" 😂

[bryanliunyc]

Breaking news! Usain Bolt’s 100 meter time is under 9 s with rolling start!!!

[RadicalEagle]

Engineers: Zero is zero.

Marketing People: If we say zero is six it'll make us look better and only nerds will care that we're lying.

[wytzedevries]

Hey Jason, I study automotive engineering at a university in the Netherlands and we just had a course about ABS systems and it explained why you can accelerate quicker than you can declarate in a production vehicle. ABS is not designed to get the absolute shortest stopping distance, but instead to leave plenty of grip for manoeuvring during braking. If this wasn't done the car would instantly understeer during braking if only a small steering angle was added. Kind regards from the Netherlands! (I really enjoy your video's btw!)

[raspucin]

"Without weight of the driver" will be the next asterix

[Ianmundo]

Under-promise, over-deliver. The only way to be cool.

[giovanniiurilli]

My car does 0-60 in 16 seconds if I had a light breakfast

[copjonlang]

"Why are we debating what zero means? It means zero."
Best thing ever.

[jasepoag]

"You can choose which one of these you want to believe."
Tesla boys: 1.98s it is then

[EngineeringExplained]

**UPDATE** MotorTrend has released the final info. On a prepared drag strip the rollout was 0.15 seconds, at which the timing clock starts at 5.9 mph. So, you can correctly state that on a prepared surface, the Model S Plaid true 0-60 is 2.13 seconds (not 2.2, as shown in video), or you can correctly state that on a prepared surface, the Model S Plaid 5.9 mph to 60 mph time is 1.98 seconds. Personally, I think 0-60 is more interesting/meaningful than 5.9-60. And to be clear, Tesla forced MotorTrend to run the test on VHT (glue). They would not have done it otherwise, and don't use VHT with production car testing (ever, in their 72 year history of testing).
**Original Comment** Elon Musk said Model S Plaid would have a “MotorTrend spec” 0-60 of 1.96 seconds. Well, as MotorTrend tested per their spec, that was not true, and it was not under 2.0 seconds. Watch the video for all the details (and then get wild in the comments)!
*Edit 1:* Fair point regarding Dodge Demon, per MotorTrend: "For the timed performances claimed in its press releases, Dodge fitted pizza-cutter front tires, drag racing slicks, ran it at 147 feet above sea level at 8:34 p.m. with a 40-degree ambient temperature on a fully prepared surface, and used 100-octane fuel to allow the 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 to make at least 840 hp and 717 lb-ft or torque." So while they don't delete rollout, they don't use street legal tires or pump gas, so it's in no way a production car IMO at that point. Dodge could have claimed 2.1 seconds (deleting rollout), but they went with 2.3 instead. It's neat that Dodge supplies all the stuff to actually do it, and regardless, the Demon never took the 0-60 production car record at MotorTrend, which was the 2017 Model S P100D, until this Model S Plaid.

[devanshroyal]

I can't believe people actually thought Jason didn't know what he's talking about. Have they not watched every single video he has ever made?

[servando]

So... When can I get a "Zero Means Zero" EE hoodie?

[ivanredinger]

"Unless you think zero is equal to six, which I do not."
The way you said that was amazing.

[reifrei]

usually when my car accelerates faster than it brakes, it means i need to fix my brakes 😅

[stevefrawley]

I am certain if I was counting out cash to buy a Tesla, they would insist I start at zero...

[mr.t]

Jason is the unbiased hero we need in every department and field of science, engineering, politics, business, arts, religion etc

[KuKoKaNuKo]

Imagine having to defend your engineering skills just so people don't get mad they can't get to Starbucks half a second faster.
Engineer says no.... it's no.

[Nalla]

Video title should be “I told you so: Here’s what you ignored while reading”. Thanks for this great explanation Jason.

[mrlazda]

And YUGO can do 0-60 in under of 1 second using "standard" method deleting first 20 miles.