Elon Musk Reveals Tesla Model S Plaid

Tesla Launches Model S Plaid: A New Era of Electric Performance

The highly anticipated delivery event for Tesla’s Model S Plaid took place at the company’s Fremont, California factory, following several postponements. Initial deliveries of 25 vehicles commenced Friday evening, with production slated to scale to several hundred weekly, and ultimately reach one thousand units per week in the subsequent quarter, as stated by CEO Elon Musk during the event.

Key Enhancements in the Model S Plaid

The latest Model S iteration incorporates a redesigned battery pack, an enhanced heat pump system, and carbon over-wrapped rotors within the motors. Notably, Tesla achieved a drag coefficient of 0.208, a figure Musk highlighted, potentially as a competitive response to Lucid Motors.

The Lucid Air, scheduled for production later this year, boasts a drag coefficient of 0.21.

Event Kick-off and Musk's Vision

Tesla Model S designer Franz von Holzhausen initiated the event, famously wielding a sledgehammer before introducing Elon Musk. Musk then demonstrated the vehicle’s capabilities with a dynamic drive around the test track, arriving directly on stage accompanied by dubstep music.

“We’ve truly elevated the Model S to a completely new level with Plaid,” Musk declared to an enthusiastic audience. “As some of you know, our product roadmap draws inspiration from ‘Spaceballs’ – we’ve achieved Plaid speed. The importance of creating an exceptionally fast electric car lies in demonstrating that electric vehicles can surpass all others. They must be unequivocally the best – faster, safer, and superior in every aspect.”

Performance Specifications

This four-door electric sedan accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a remarkable 1.99 seconds, breaking the two-second barrier previously unattainable by any production vehicle, according to Musk.

The vehicle generates 1,020 horsepower, reaches a top speed of 200 mph (with appropriate tires), and completes a quarter mile in 9.23 seconds, as reported by Musk and the company’s official website.

The battery provides a range of 390 miles on a single charge, extendable to 412 miles with the dual motor configuration. The Model S Plaid utilizes a tri-motor setup. Improved charging capabilities deliver 187 miles of range after just 15 minutes of charging.

Technological Innovations

While details regarding the new battery pack were limited, Musk extensively discussed the carbon-sleeved rotors for the motor. He asserted this is a first for a production electric motor, citing the significant engineering challenges involved.

The result is a motor capable of reaching speeds of up to 20,000 RPM.

The Plaid’s HVAC system is powered by a new heat pump, offering 30% improved range in cold weather and requiring 50% less energy for cabin heating and cooling, minimizing performance degradation in frigid conditions, Musk explained.

Image Credits: Screenshot/Tesla

Interior Upgrades and Software Features

The Model S interior has been updated with features including a yoke steering wheel – which has drawn scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – a panoramic main screen, and ventilated front seats.

The vehicle’s GPU is comparable to that of a PlayStation 5. (TechCrunch observed attendees playing CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 within the car during the event.)

The car’s software is designed to learn and adapt to the driver’s habits. For example, if a driver consistently backs out of a driveway in a specific manner, the car will learn this behavior and automate the process via the autopilot system.

“It will continually reduce the amount of driver input needed, ultimately anticipating and responding to your intentions,” Musk stated.

Model S Plaid+ Cancellation and Pricing

Deliveries of the Model S Plaid, priced at $129,990, commenced the same week Musk announced the cancellation of the Model S Plaid+, a planned higher-performance variant. Tesla ceased accepting pre-orders for the Plaid+ in May, fueling speculation about its discontinuation.

“Model S goes to Plaid speed this week,” Musk tweeted. “Plaid+ is canceled. No need, as Plaid speed is just so good.”

Musk likened the driving experience to piloting a spaceship, describing an indescribable “limbic resonance.”