Tesla Model S PLAID impressions. A review and comparison

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Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided that we were not going to be drag racing at all this week. I tried 5 different tracks, in 5 different cities, on multiple days, but there was just too much rain to get away from. So instead of leaving you hanging for 2 more weeks, I figured let's take a quick look at the car itself and talk about it. After owning the Tesla Model S Plaid for a month and driving it for about 5,000 mi (including a long distance road trip), let's take a look at the "goods" and the "bads". Hope you enjoy, and we will be back to racing very soon.

My equipment:

[Evapors]

Thanks for the shoutout neighbor!! Your plaid is SUPER FAST! I don’t know if I had fun on the launch but I do know I will never forget! Lol more tesla videos to come!! 👑👑🔋🔋🔌🔌⚡️⚡️

[thescibsters]

Wasn’t sure I’d like the yolk. 12:00 driver and all. I can’t imagine life without the yolk now. It’s a perfect add on for this whole new S driving experience. I figured it out right away. Have had 0 issues with over 1800 miles now. I think in some (most) turns, it’s a way smoother more natural and coordinated turn. I leave it on sport mode too. Love it.

[tonypearson]

Hay guy....love the video! I have a black on black too! I have carbon fiber inside.
I smoked a Ferrari 488 from a 70 mile roll.
Also, a young guy wanted to bet me 5 grand his new McLaren 570 could beat my Plaid in the quarter. I didnt take avantage of him. Lol

[chengangster]

Love the yoke. Light touch on the wipers will not spray fluid press hard will. Works like the turn signal.

[kpboix]

Cool car! Looks exactly like the long range model S minus the plaid badge and spoiler. Would be cool to see a race with the two.

[royrauch]

A majority of Tesla Plaid buyers get them for one thing....they are the fastest cars on the planet (a caveat here that I should mention is other European cars that come fairly close to the Plaids performance usually cost at least double the Plaids base price, and the Rimac Nevera, which is about a half second faster than a Plaid, last week was certified legal for all countries safety requirements, will only have 150 models made and
costs $2, 400, 000 before options!) that you can buy from a manufacturer that you don't have to spend an additional $20-$30K to modify them to still be slower than a S Plaid. AND for you folks that agree and have interest in speed rather than how far we can go on a charge, or how much your Teslas will be worth 3 years from now, or the minor fit and finish issues that are always mentioned by Tesla haters, and are usually taken care by Tesla when mentioned when you buy this Model, this will be right up your alley! The TOP LINE Lucid Air offers 1, 111HP, while the Plaid offers a supposedly 1, 020HP, BUT there is a YouTube video that has a Plaid on a 4 hub dyno that develops 1, 101HP STOCK from the factory. The Plaid also weighs approximately 400 pounds LESS than the Lucid Air, and averages between $20, 000 to $30, 000 Less than the advertised $179, 900 than the Lucid costs DEPENDING ON OPTIONS CHOSEN for each car.

Last month a Tesla Model S Plaid in Napierville, Quebec set the new record for the fastest quarter-mile time for the electric sedan at 8.83 seconds and 161mph.

The Model S had a stripped out interior for weight savings, as well as SV104 wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson drag radials at the rear and Michelin PS4 tires on the front.

Not content with the blistering fast time, the same Model S Plaid has set a new record this week. At the same track in Napierville the Model S crossed the line in just 8.77 seconds at 162.55mph (261.60km/h), a 5.67 second 1/8 mile time and an outstanding 125MPH to 162MPH time in 3.1 seconds!!!

As for what changed that allowed the car to go faster this time the owner, TMC user mulot30th,  said there was an additional 60lb weight saving over the previous attempt due to someone else being behind the wheel on the run.

Additionally he said there a slight change to the suspension.

“Main change is suspension geometry change (slight) which reduce “tire drag” a little bit at least that is what I intended to do with that and have worked, ” he said.

Interestingly, the top speed at the end of his quarter mile run of 162.55mph is inches away from the electronically limited top speed (when not in Track Mode) of 163mph.

As first told earlier this week, Quebec-based Ingenext was able to hack their way past that limiter and reached a top speed of 216mph (347km/h).

As for this Model S Plaid, the owner says that while the car does not feel like it is slowing down when crossing the line, he feels there is not much room to improve beyond 8.77s with the current setup, but a BIG brake option available from Tesla and several other Tesla specific after market parts dealers at a much reduced price, and TOP OF THE LINE HIGH SPEED RATED STREET TIRES should also be used!

You can check out the record runs both of TOP SPEED and FASTEST QUARTER MILE time on several Youtube channels

[Lordllloflllshadow]

Do roll race camry v6 vs plaid to see the big difference.

[SemperFi]

Nice car! I am considering getting one. However, I heard a few bad things about the Plaid. I heard it does not take corners too well because of the traction control. It literally slows you down. Plus some issues with fading of the brakes.

How are the brakes on the Plaid after a few launches, do you notice any fading ones the brakes heat up?

If I charge the Plaid to 100% for a 200 mile trip and I do 90mph on the trip, will I need to charge at any point? I ask this because I have a heavy foot and I'm trying to see if an EV would work well for me. I am coming from a Hellcat. If you don't know that's fine, an estimate is ok too, just let me know it's an estimate please.

I am thinking about the Redeye, BMW M8, or the Plaid and I have to say the Plaid seems pricy but is not keeping up with it's pricing. What I mean by that is for example your trunk and the scratch on your yoke. I know for that price, the speed can't be the only thing that keeps a smile on our face for a car.

After looking at my past car payment of $1, 000, gas bill of about $500, and $100 for an oil change, I am having a hard time seeing where the value of buying a Plaid for $2, 000 a month is. It is very fast and looks amazing especially in black but it should be saving me money overall in gas and maintenance I would think, but it is not unless I'm missing something in the big picture. Yes, it is a 9 second car and that is awesome but I guess I want to see more. Please let me know if I am missing any value with the Plaid.

Can you and your friends do a review on the Redeye, model Y Performance and the Plaid comparing and contrasting them please? Pros and the cons for normal everyday driving vs drag racing which everyone who gets a Plaid seems to film lol. I love it but what about regular everyday driving, like on highways, off ramps with sharp turns, city driving in traffic, etc? Thank you in advance, and keep the good content coming, I love your channel.

[javadchohan]

Are you happy with the ride on the 21 wheels? Are you keeping or get rid?

[ait]

I wish the steering wheel was an option

[sehrishsaeed]

My centre console is carbon fibre and the cup holders don’t retract. What year is yours

[donaldchen]

it is really fun to drive, but mine has lots of problems such as no navigation, no theater, no voice control, no auto raise suspension, app not fully functional, and not closing a brand new car.

[klvjsm]

How long does it take to charge from home on daily use??

[JoshTheFrosch]

Should the boot be made out of diamonds and covered in the rarest leather so that it’s “fancy” enough? Go buy an S class then? Buy the car, then complain it isn’t fancy enough, *LOGIC*

[scottw]

Do you regret buying now?

I mean your car has lost over 50k in value. Plus the the stereo sucks