Model S Plaid

Make
Tesla
Segment
Sedan

Last week, the Tesla Model S Plaid made headlines once again when it became the fastest EV to ever lap Laguna Seca. The record lap was achieved just a few weeks after Jay Leno set a new quarter-mile record in the performance sedan. With Randy Pobst behind the wheel, the Model S Plaid lapped the circuit in one minute and 28.21 seconds, setting a new EV record. And now you can experience the record lap yourself in a new onboard video released by Unplugged Performance.

The video gives us a great sense of the Model S Plaid's astonishing acceleration as it rockets down the straights, but it also looks surprisingly agile while handling Laguna Seca's tricky turns considering the electric sedan weighs over 4,800 pounds.

It's worth noting, however, that the Model S Plaid that set the record lap time was not stock as the car has been modified with an adjustable rear wing and carbon-fiber front splitter to keep it glued to the track.

The suspension and brakes are also upgraded and the tuned Model S Plaid rides on custom 19-inch forged wheels. Unplugged Performance hasn't made any modifications to the powertrain, however. Thanks to its triple motor setup, the Model S Plaid produces a combined 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in under two seconds.

What's remarkable here is that the Model S Plaid's lap time was faster than a Porsche 911 GT2 RS. It also came close to beating the McLaren Senna, which was the fastest production car at Laguna Seca at the time. We say it was the fastest production car because that record was beaten this week by the Czinger 21C hypercar. Even with the modifications, the Model S Plaid costs a fraction of the McLaren Senna, which starts at $1.5 million.

It turns out the Tesla Model S Plaid may not be done with smashing lap records either, as the performance sedan was recently spotted tackling the Nurburgring, possibly attempting a new record - watch this space.