FIRST DRIVE: 200mph Tesla Model S Plaid Track Package

The Tesla Model S Plaid, so named because it’s the only speed faster than Ludicrous in the 1987 Star Wars parody movie Spaceballs. Hashtag ElonHumour. Basically a tri-motor electric saloon with 1,020bhp, 1,050lb ft and all-wheel drive.

The combination allows for pretty brutal acceleration: in the US the Model S Plaid has been clocked at 2.11 seconds to 62mph from rest, 4.19s to 100mph, 6.99s to 130mph and 0-150mph in 9.17 seconds. The quarter-mile was completed in 9.248 seconds at just over 150mph. It beats the Chiron up to 100mph.

So what does this Track Package add, then? Well, hopped-up battery conditioning for one, some different settings for the air suspension, and more aggressive torque vectoring. It’s the hardware that’s the most obvious though. For roughly £16,000 in the UK, you also get the carbon-ceramic brake package, high-temp brake fluid, and a ‘Zero-G’ wheel and tyre package that includes 20-inch lightweight wheels and Goodyear Supercar 3R tyres.

So has it helped fix some of the weak spots of the non-track pack Plaid? Over to Tom Ford to find out…

WATCH MORE TOP GEAR:

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:07 Stats and specs
04:31 Interior
08:09 The track package
10:58 Testing it's limits
15:47 Conclusion

MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR:

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[oskarskalski]

Wow, it's the first time I've seen such thorough evaluation of Tesla S Plaid on track. Even throttle house didn't tinker so much with settings. And it's from Top Gear on YouTube of all channels. I wouldn't have anticipated such thorough review from Top Gear. Kudos to the whole crew and presenter. I hope there will be more such videos from you.

[ndrdst]

I am absolutely FLABBERGASTED!
A fair and honest Tesla review? From Top Gear?? 🤯

[TheDeadNightTiger]

Is it just me or are the Top Gear presenters on YouTube much better than the ones on the TV show?

[asimo]

That interior at 6:00 is just so cool. Looks straight from outer space. I know it's not the buttons and dials some prefer but I personally love it. Sweeping lines everywhere.

[teslahype]

5:00 Not shown in this video, there is another hidden gear selector by the phone chargers in case manual gear selection override needed

[joninmelbourne]

I have had my 75 Model S for 7 years and it’s hands down the best car I have ever had and I have had many.
Trouble is, no new car would ever be better other than a new Model S, so I guess I am stuck with it. With lifetime free supercharging it is a good car to be stuck with.

[Firestorm]

I own a model X, 3, and Y. After owning exotics in the past I am now spoiled. Only maintenance are tires. I have solar so charge at home no smelly, dirty gas stations. I save $600/month on home electricity and gas. I love quiet, stealthy now. Police leave me alone as no attention getting. People leave you alone in parking lots vs exotics parking

[JamesMorgan]

Great review, thank you! Having lived with a non-Plaid but updated Model S for nearly two years now, I can say it is an awesome car. Yes, the standard only has 670hp, but it will still do 0-60 in 3s and beat almost anything else at the lights :) These cars are great GT cars too, especially with the SuperCharger network and the ooodles of storage space. The cabin is a really nice place to spend a few hours.

[armanddesarrierespays]

Fair review, good upgrade from a legacy Model S for sure. My favorite sedan by far. 1020 hp and insane efficiency (140 Wh/km according to some careful drivers).

[TheCreamRisesToTheTop]

He says he doesn’t like the shifter being on the screen because what if the screen fails? He doesn’t realize it has a backup shifter by the phone chargers….

[ΣτέφανοςΚόκκαλης-τν]

This is Autobahn commuter car. And believe me is really really fun.

[stonerth]

after all the price cuts, the track package and the big wheels and the FSD are practically free compared to last year's price.

[Uptownv]

The new headlights and taillights are beautiful. The design is timeless and still a very good looking car in my opinion.

[Muhahahahaz]

5:02 “screen meltdowns” won’t be an issue. It also has physical buttons for each gear just below the phone charging pads (with a button for your hazards in the middle)

[RobertMacCready]

As a former Plaid owner (sold mine just a few months ago) I enjoyed the review. The car is crazy fast and really begs for carbon ceramic brakes. FINALLY, they have arrived, but I must say the track pkg. looks terrific. And the "real" steering wheel is another great option.

[macmovieman]

My wife and I have a plaid model, S and a plaid model X, and both have the yolk. I was surprised how quickly we got used to it, and I will never go back to a round steering wheel. Also, in the software you can select the car to automatically select the direction rather than use your finger and there’s a secondary option that you can’t see just below where you charge your phone where you can push and hold to put it in gear..

[geek]

I love the yoke wheel, took like 5 minutes to get used to. I dont see any issues turning or parking.

[notsurfsup]

What a ride! If I ever need to drive to the grocery store at 170mph before they run out of cauliflower, this is definitely the car I would choose if I could afford one...

[xmntal]

I was wondering what the changes were going to be when they annouced the track pack. You guys did a good job highlighting everything. I see no reason why the track pack plaid shouldn't decimate the taycans time at the ring. Hopefully they run it again.

[AllanSustainabilityFan]

I believe Tesla is working on the homologation of the tires for the EU, so hopefully they can be road legal there eventually as well.