Elon Musk: Tesla Model S Plaid May Achieve Sub-7-Minute Run At The 'Ring

Yes, a low-7-minute Nürburgring run is likely a sure thing, but a sub-7-minute run may be a reality with a factory-spec Model S Plaid.

Tesla Model S Plaid Spied

Steven Loveday

By: Steven Loveday

Feb 12, 2021 at 10:06am ET

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As we already reported, the recent Joe Rogan Experience podcast interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk is packed with fascinating information. However, with talk of many products that may arrive far into the future, the Model S Plaid, which is supposed to arrive soon, may be the most interesting.

Musk talked about Tesla's goals with the Model S Plaid and its upcoming runs at The Nürburgring. First, he reiterated that Tesla will start delivering the Model S with the tri-motor Plaid powertrain this month. Musk also confirmed the car's 1.96-second zero-to-60-mph time. However, the Model S is a massive car, and it has never been notably agile, so people will be paying close attention to its performance at tracks like The 'Ring.

Tesla already tested early prototypes of the Model S Plaid at the world-famous track. One of the cars pulled off a run of just 7 minutes and 13 seconds, though it was hand-timed and unofficial. In addition, as you can see from the photo above, the early Model S Plaid at The 'Ring was certainly modified, and not exactly representative of the official vehicle Tesla is now accepting orders for.

Of course, Musk hopes to beat this number, and not just by a little. The CEO said he believes a low-7-minute time is achievable. However, he went further to say that the goal is a sub-7-minute lap time. Musk shared via Teslarati:

“We’re trying to get to, on the Nurburgring, get to the low-7-minute mark. And then, with further improvements, I think we could bust 7 minutes on the Nurburgring, which would be a pretty wicked act on its own."

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Moreover, Musk claimed that a Model S Plaid, direct from the factory with no modifications, could eventually run the Nürburgring lap in fewer than 7 minutes. Officially, only 10 cars have pulled this off. Many of them are smaller and more expensive than the Model S Plaid.

More From The Elon Musk Interview With Joe Rogan:

Elon Musk To Joe Rogan: Tesla Electric Van Could Have Massive Solar Array