Model S Plaid

Make
Tesla
Segment
Sedan

In a written post on YouTube (yes, that's a thing), Nurburgring driving instructor and YouTuber Misha Charoudin claims that the Nurburgring record for electric vehicles that the Tesla Model S Plaid recently reclaimed from the Porsche Taycan Turbo S may not be legitimate, and even if it is, the YouTuber thinks Porsche has already bested the time.

His post applauds the Tesla Model S Plaid for its remarkable power output and notes that the vehicle used for the record run was using the optional carbon-ceramic brakes available as part of the Track Package, although he does question which compound was used for the brake pads.

But special brake pads alone a lap record do not make, and Charoudin has other grievances.

"Interestingly, what we cannot see is the interior," writes the driving instructor. "They did a very thorough job of murdering out the rear windows so [that] you cannot spot any important details." He goes on to write that he suspects the car was equipped with a roll cage and a full-on racing seat, as is the case with Nurburgring lap record attempts from other manufacturers, but since this is common practice, he asks, "What else can we not see there?" Why cover up a commonly accepted part of chasing lap records?

Okay, somewhat frivolous. But that's not the only element of the record-setting EV that he questions.

"My main complaint is the suspension," continues Charoudin. "As mentioned in my own test drive, the stock suspension is horrible. Before you say something about my driving skills or me being a Tesla hater (which I'm not), please explain [to] me this MASSIVE negative camber on the blue car."

A picture of the car he's referring to is below.

Charoudin immediately refutes the idea that this may result from the Track Pack's suspension software, and we agree. He believes this car may be running a KW Suspension Competition kit, which is far from what the cars you and I can buy are equipped with. Argue in the comments if you must.

The other assertation that Charoudin makes is that "this Plaid's record is already broken anyway," adding that he expects an announcement to be made as part of a "certain manufacturer's 75th-anniversary celebrations." He's obviously talking about Porsche and a hotted-up version of the Taycan Turbo S.

We know that Porsche is working on an even quicker take on its first all-electric car, potentially with Plaid-rivaling output north of 1,000 horsepower. And since Porsche knows what it takes to make a car fast around the Nordschleife better than almost any other, we wouldn't be surprised if Charoudin's prediction is validated very soon.

What do you think? Is Tesla's record legitimate? If so, can Porsche break it, and by how much?