Tesla's Model S Plaid is the fastest car MotorTrend has ever tested
Edmunds
Tesla's Model S Plaid is the most impressive car on the road today. It's not just that it looks great, but it has some serious power underneath the hood... or frunk. Recently, MotorTrend tried the Tesla Model S and declared it the fastest car they have ever tested. That's saying something.
MotorTrend first appeared on magazine stands in 1949. With more than 70 years of experience driving thousands of cars, the Model S Plaid beat them all.
0-60 MPH in 2.3 Seconds
The Tesla Model S Plaid is a high-speed car, and the stats back it up. According to MotorTrend, the Model S accelerates from 0-60 MPH in an astonishing 2.3 seconds.
"When experiencing the acceleration of a Plaid, it's abundantly clear that virtually the only force you feel is the Tesla's seatback hurling you forward to a degree that genuinely makes the horizon the floor. Except that floor is rushing up at you far faster than any free fall ever could."
Earlier in the article, the author explains that a free fall speed equates to accelerating from 0-60 in 3 seconds.
The Tesla website says the Plaid can go faster than MotorTrend reported, with a 1.99 second 0-60 time. Its three mighty electric motors, two in the back, power the all-wheel drive system producing a ridiculous 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 ft-lb of torque. The top speed is pegged at 200 MPH; for comparison, the maximum speed in NASCAR last season was recorded at 190.7 MPH.
Tesla Model S Plaid Specs
Spec
Value
Curb Weight:
4,816 lbs
¼ Mile Time:
9.3 seconds at 152.2 mph
Motor Layout:
Tri-motor, one front, two rear
Maximum Horsepower:
1,020 hp
Maximum Torque:
1,050 lb-ft
Top Speed:
200 MPH
Cost:
$119,990
Model S Plaid Does the Quarter Mile in 9.3 Seconds
The power curve on Tesla's Model S Plaid speaks for itself
Tesla
Tesla's Model S also laid down a blistering quarter-mile to earn the title of the fastest carMotorTrend has ever tested. The blue Plaid devoured the quarter mile time in 9.3 seconds. It should've been a red Model S because this car was burning the record books and lighting the track on fire.
It's not just the motors; the cutting-edge software and aerodynamic design also contribute to its superior acceleration.
60-0 MPH Braking in 104 Feet
In addition to its blistering quarter-mile time, the Model S is able to achieve 60-0 mph braking in just 104 feet, while providing a maximum lateral acceleration of 1.02 Gs. This makes it one of the quickest cars ever produced and gives it the performance capabilities that rival some of the world's top supercars.
In other tests, the Plaid had a record stopping time as low at 98 feet. The impressive stopping power of the Model S can be attributed to its combination of powerful brakes and low center of gravity. The regenerative braking system also helps reduce wear on the brakes and allows for maximum braking performance. In addition, the Model S also features an advanced stability control system that helps to keep the car stable and in control during hard braking maneuvers.
Top 10 Fastest Electric Cars
Car
0-60 MPH Time
2021 Tesla Model S Plaid
2.3 Seconds
2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S
2.4 Seconds
2022 Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance
2.7 Seconds
2022 Audi RS E-Tron GT
2.9 Seconds
2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS 4Matic+ Sedan
3.0 Seconds
2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1
3.0 Seconds
2022 Rivian R1T Launch Edition
3.1 Seconds
2023 Kia EV6 GT
3.2 Seconds
2023 BMW iX M60
3.2 Seconds
2022 Rivian R1S Launch Edition
3.2 Seconds
The Tesla Model S Plaid, which added track mode in 2021, has pushed the performance boundaries and set a new standard for high-performance electric vehicles. Its quarter-mile time of 9.3 seconds is remarkable, and its ability to reach 0-60 mph in just 2.3 seconds is extraordinary. Elon Musk wrapped it up best, responding to a tweet about MotorTrends results. He tweeted: Plaid is sickkk.
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Elon Musk always gets excited about upcoming products — and this time, he’s announcing Tesla will have an epic demo later this year. Not just any demo, but the “most epic demo ever,” according to Musk. He then emphasized it by saying “Ever.” again. It certainly sets high expectations, but what could Elon be alluding to?
Given Tesla’s ambitious roadmap, there are numerous possibilities that could have Musk this excited. Given it’s coming from the Tesla Design Studio, we’re expecting this to be a physical item, rather than something software-based like FSD breakthroughs.
With the Q2 2025 Earnings Call around the corner, we may learn more about the upcoming demo soon; otherwise, we may have to wait until Elon teases it further or Tesla sends out event invites.
Let’s take a look at what Musk could be so excited about that could be part of this epic demo.
Contender 1: Optimus V3
First in the ring is Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, which is expected to receive its production variant, version 3, by the end of 2025.
The production variant is supposed to bring together everything that Tesla has learned over the years on Optimus V2 and combine it with mass-manufacturable hardware for the first time.
A full-blown demonstration of Optimus V3 working in Tesla’s factories, performing complex tasks autonomously - something no other humanoid robot has done to date - would most certainly fit the bill. A truly capable humanoid robot that can understand and interact with the real world would be a game-changing technology, and an early demo showcasing that would certainly be unforgettable.
Contender 2: The New Roadster
Hiding somewhere in a corner of our ring is the next-generation Tesla Roadster. It has been years since the demonstration of the Roadster and its SpaceX-powered cold-gas thrusters. While we’ve received occasional updates on the Roadster, it’s clear it hasn’t been Tesla’s priority, nor should it be.
A demonstration of a finalized, production-ready Tesla Roadster would be a massive event—and one that people have been waiting for for years. This would be especially awesome to see in a world where the track is now dominated not by the Model S Plaid but by the Rimac Nevera and Lucid Air Sapphire.
Contender 3: More Affordable Models
While less flashy than the other two corners, this contender is probably the biggest elephant in the room. There are now two versions of “affordable” vehicles. One is a trimmed-down Model Y, while the other is the long-rumored $25k vehicle that is expected to be based on the Robotaxi.
For Tesla’s “legacy” vehicle business, a more affordable vehicle will help drive growth, while allowing the still-nascent AI and robotics businesses to get their footing.
Contender 4: The Production Semi
The last contender is the production variant of the Tesa Semi. With the new Semi factory in Nevada beginning to ramp up and begin volume production, there’s no better time to reveal the final production version of the Semi.
We’ve seen pilot vehicles on the road, as well as some wrapped-up test variants at Tesla’s production facilities - but we’ve yet to see the final version. A full blown demo of the Semi hauling a trailer on a long-haul route would definitely be something to show off.
While it may not be as exciting for the average consumer, the Tesla Semi is on a path to revolutionize the trucking industry and transition it to electric. Trucking accounts for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions and up to 60% of fine particulate matter emissions, despite comprising only about 10% of vehicles.
This is one of the places Tesla can have one of its biggest impacts. Many of their industrial partners are already on board to electrify their fleets.
Whatever the demo ultimately is, it’s evident that Tesla’s teams are developing something impressive. For now, we can only speculate, but we’ll be listening closely during the Q2 earnings call for any additional clues.
The long long wait for FSD (Supervised) in Australia and New Zealand may be coming to an end. Thom Drew, Tesla’s Country Director for Australia & New Zealand, has confirmed on LinkedIn that Tesla has been working with local authorities in both countries and that there are no regulatory blockers for the release of FSD in the region.
The confirmation came in response to questions following Tesla’s FSD demo video in Sydney, Australia.
Hurdles Cleared
For many years, the main question surrounding the release of FSD in other Asia-Pacific countries, especially Australia, has been the status of regulatory approval. Drew’s statement provides the clearest answer yet regarding regulatory barriers, and it appears that the path is clear from a governmental standpoint.
“We have been working with local authorities across AU & NZ and there are no regulatory blockers for release. We are running through the final stages of validation prior to public release. Looking to start with HW4 on certain vehicles and then release in phases from there.”
Thom Drew, Tesla’s Country Director for Australia & New Zealand (LinkedIn)
With the regulatory question answered, the timeline for the release is now entirely in Tesla’s hands. According to his statement, Tesla is in the final phases before a public rollout, likely meaning Tesla is doing some final testing and veritifcation on local roads before flipping the switch.
— Tesla Australia & New Zealand (@TeslaAUNZ) July 17, 2025
The Rollout Plan: HW4 First
Drew also provided the first details on how Tesla plans to launch FSD in the two countries, and it seems to be a similar approach to the one Tesla took in China.
That means that the release will begin with AI4 (HW4) equipped vehicles first. Once those vehicles are up and running, they will slowly begin to phase in older AI3 (HW3) vehicles over the next few releases.
For owners of HW3 vehicles (everything we know about the HW3 upgrade), this phased release means that they’ll be waiting a little longer than other owners, but at least there’s progress and some clear next steps now. A little more waiting isn’t too bad, especially when you consider just how long many owners in Australia and New Zealand have been waiting for any semblance of FSD in their nations. Tesla initially outlined Q2 2025 as the target availability date for FSD in RHD markets, so this timing is roughly on track with what Tesla initially announced in September 2024.
Hopefully, Tesla also opens up the opportunity for FSD transfer for HW3 owners in both countries, as we’re sure many people would upgrade alongside the official release of FSD to the latest hardware.
And just in case you thought the first video wasn’t true because it wasn’t upside down - well, Tesla provided us the original too.
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