Tesla’s Model S Plaid should be fast, but there are now hints that Tesla might tweak the design to handle that added performance. As Electrek has learned, The Kilowatts have spotted a Model S prototype (most likely the Plaid or Plaid+) with a retractable spoiler built into the trunk. The concept of an extending wing isn’t new for sports cars, but this is an electric luxury sedan — it must be fast if the weight of the car isn’t enough to keep it firmly planted.
Tesla has made ambitious performance claims for its tri-motor Model S variants. The ‘standard’ Plaid model is expected to reach a 200MPH top speed, accelerate to 60MPH in just under two seconds, and can reportedly complete a quarter mile in slightly over 9.2 seconds. The Plaid+ should be be even faster off the line.
At the same time, Tesla unveiled the Model S Plaid+, which is pushing those performances even higher with 520 miles of range, an acceleration in less than 1.99 seconds, and an insane quarter-mile in less than 9.0 seconds.
The Plaid+ is using Tesla’s new structural battery pack, 4680 battery cell, and tri-motor drivetrain, but it is going to come later.
Buyers have been looking forward to testing those new performance, but deliveries of the Model S Plaid have been delayed.
Tesla is currently the only one that can play with those crazy performance vehicles and now the automaker was spotted testing the latest Model S Plaid prototype at the Laguna Seca racetrack in California:
Tesla hadn’t talk about a retractable wing for the Model S Plaid nor Plaid+, but the automaker sort of half-assed the launch of the vehicle, which happened in the middle of a quarterly earnings release.
Elon Musk said the automaker would hold another conference call just about the new Model S the next week, but it never happen.
So we might get some surprises when deliveries start in the coming weeks – though we may have to wait for the Plaid+ for the new wing?
