Tesla Unveils Model S Plaid Track Package With Updated Software for Peak Performance

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla introduces the Model S Track Package
Tesla introduces the Model S Track Package
Tesla

Tesla has once again raised the bar in electric vehicle performance with the release of the Model S Plaid Track Package, designed for the ultimate track experience. This comprehensive package delivers high-speed stability, maximum cornering force, and repeatable stopping power during high-performance driving while unlocking an impressive top speed of 200 mph.

Starting in June 2023, the Track Package comes with several excellent parts to make your car perform better and last longer, both on the racetrack and on regular streets:

  • Aluminum forged wheels: These wheels are made from strong and lightweight metal, which helps your car go faster and use less energy.
  • Track-ready tires: Special tires designed for better grip on the racetrack, making your car more stable when you drive fast or take sharp turns.
  • Brake fluid: A special liquid that helps your car's brakes work smoothly and efficiently, so you can stop quickly when needed.
  • Carbon-silicon carbide rotors: These are special brake discs made from a mix of materials that make them strong and good at handling heat, which helps your brakes last longer.
  • One-piece forged calipers with high-performance pads are powerful clamps that squeeze your brakes for better stopping power. They're made from a single piece of metal, which makes them more robust, and they have special pads for better performance.

The Model S Plaid has already been showered with accolades for its speed and performance. A quick YouTube search will reveal hundreds of videos showing the Model S leaving super cars in the dust, or blowing past cars on the Autobahn.

Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit: A Game-Changer for Braking Performance

The Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit is the heart of the Track Package, featuring continuous-fiber technology and a unique 3D matrix to add strength and manage heat more effectively. The kit includes 410 x 40mm front and 410 x 32mm rear carbon-silicon carbide rotors, 6-piston and 4-piston one-piece forged calipers with high-performance brake pads, integrated caliper-mounted parking brakes, and track-ready brake fluid. In addition, a ceramic friction layer covers the entire rotor surface to reduce brake dust, corrosion, and wear while improving the pedal feel for daily driving.

What's all that mean? The kit has big, fancy brake discs and powerful clamps that squeeze the brakes for better stopping power. There's also a special coating on the brake discs that helps keep them clean and lasts longer. This all helps make the brakes work well not only on the racetrack but also for everyday driving.

Wheel and Tire Components for Enhanced Handling

The package also features 20X10J and 20X11J Zero-G wheels with 285/35R20 and 305/30R20 Goodyear Supercar 3R tires, TPMS, Zero-G center caps, tire nut valves, and lug nut covers. These wheel and tire components have been carefully selected to enhance handling and grip, ensuring your Model S Plaid is ready for the racetrack.

Tires are essential because they are the only part of your car that touches the road. Good tires help your car stick to the road better, especially when driving fast, turning, or stopping. In this package, the special Goodyear Supercar 3R tires and other wheel parts have been chosen to ensure the Model S Plaid has the best possible grip and control on the racetrack. So, having the right tires can make a difference in how well your car performs and how safe it is to drive.

Updated Track Mode

Tesla's list of included components also lists 'Updated FW tuned for peak performance," hinting at an updated Track Mode that will give drivers more insight into how the vehicle is performing.

Tesla briefly teased the improved Track Mode feature in a video they shared on Twitter. Your vehicle's speed is now front and center on the illustrument cluster, with tire pressure appearing to the left. Tesla doesn't go into details on what's new or impoved, but it looks like Plaid owners can expect some changes to Track Mode if they have the Track Package installed.

While it is unclear if this feature will be exclusive to the Track Package or available via an OTA update for Model S Plaid vehicles, it is an exciting potential addition that could further elevate the Tesla track experience.

Tesla introduces the Model S Track Package
Tesla introduces the Model S Track Package
Tesla

The Model S Plaid Track Package is compatible with Model S Plaid vehicles produced in 2021 and later. To achieve the top speed of 200 mph, vehicles must be fitted with the Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit and proper wheels and tires. The kit is not compatible with 19" Tempest wheels but works with 20" Zero-G and 21" Arachnid wheels (sold separately). Please note that Goodyear Supercar 3R tires are not recommended for winter use or in temperatures below 40℉ (5℃).

Unleash the full potential of your Model S Plaid with the Track Package, and dominate the racetrack like never before.

Plaid Track Package in Action

Tesla let AutoTopNL have an early look at their new Track Package and below is their video review.

Tesla Expected to Offer FSD Transfers in Europe

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

It has been a long wait for FSD for European customers, many of whom paid for the feature years ago on now legacy hardware. While the FSD transfer program has come and gone multiple times, there’s something to be said about having it available in North America, where it can be used, and in Europe or other countries, where it still just remains the same as Enhanced Autopilot (differences between Autopilot, EAP, and FSD).

FSD Transfer is a nice goodwill gesture from Tesla that in theory doesn’t cost them anything. Instead, it keeps customers, especially those who have been waiting for years, loyal and happy. It also incentivizes them to upgrade to a newer Tesla with HW4, where FSD will hopefully be achieved.

In a reply to a post on X, Elon agreed with the suggestion that offering FSD transfers in Europe would be a fair solution for those who have already purchased FSD but can’t use its capabilities.

A Fair Solution

FSD Transfer directly addresses a growing concern for many long-term European Tesla owners. Thousands of customers purchased the full package, often many years ago, with the expectation that FSD would eventually be capable and approved for use. However, the reality is that FSD, even as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), continues to be pushed back in Europe.

As the regulatory process continues at a snail's pace, many of these early supporters are now reaching or have already passed the point where they’re ready to upgrade to a new Tesla.

Without the transfer program, it's a difficult choice: either throw away your original investment in FSD and pay for the package a second time (FSD price history), or subscribe to it in the future.

Offering FSD transfers is a good way for Tesla to meet them halfway. It's a difficult situation, and one that’s being hindered by processes beyond the control of both the customer and Tesla. However, a transfer helps both parties. Tesla sells another vehicle, and the customer gets to keep FSD.

When Will it Be Available?

Based on how FSD transfers have worked in the past following Elon’s announcements, this feature is likely to become available for a limited time period in the coming days or weeks. If it happens, we should expect an announcement from Tesla Europe on X and emails being sent out to Tesla customers.

Once the program is in place, all you need to do is complete your vehicle purchase and then inform your Tesla sales advisor that you’d like to transfer FSD. You don’t even have to sell or trade in your old Tesla; FSD will simply be removed from it as a feature.

Hopefully, Tesla enables FSD Transfers for everyone, regardless of region. It should be an ongoing offer until at least FSD is approved in the given country or region.

Tesla Increases Robotaxi Fare Fee, Up from $4.20

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

The introductory price for Tesla’s Robotaxi Network has finally been updated. In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that the new fare would be rolling out to complement the new Robotaxi geofence expansion.

This change marks the first adjustment to Tesla’s fares since the initial $4.20 launch price 23 days ago. While the price increase may seem significant in terms of percentages, when compared to other options in the ride-hailing area, it is still drastically cheaper.

Context Matters

Robotaxi currently operates on a simple, flat-rate model. The new $6.90 fare gets you a ride to anywhere within the recently expanded geofence.

So far, this is the opposite approach compared to other services, such as Waymo or traditional ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft. All these services use dynamic pricing based on distance, time of day, and demand. A comparable trip on any one of these services could cost anywhere from $30 to $65, and potentially even higher during peak hours.

That doesn’t even include the tip fees for human drivers either - another win for Robotaxi (can you tip a Robotaxi?).

Even with the adjustment, the flat $6.90 fare remains less than half the price of a typical competing ride, making Robotaxi the most affordable point-to-point transportation option in Austin, aside from mass transit, for now.

A “Maturing” Service

The price change, moving from one meme-worthy number to another, is a sign that Robotaxi is finally graduating from its initial pilot phase. Following the first major expansion of the service area, this adjustment is a logical next step towards finding a more sustainable flat price.

While the new fare is a 65% increase over the old fare, the key takeaway is that it is still far cheaper than other options, and still just as meme-worthy. Tesla is aiming to have its early access riders complete as many rides as possible during these early months, and this pricing is still very reflective of that.

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