Tesla primes updates for hot Model S Plaid and Model Y Performance
Imminent Nürburgring-honed flagships will up the ante to rival Europe's fastest EVs
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Tesla is priming reinvigorated versions of its hottest models to contend with fearsome new EV contenders from the brand's European rivals.
Updated versions of Tesla's Model S Plaid and Model Y Performance have been spotted testing at the Nürburgring, suggesting imminent launches.
The Plaid – currently one of the world's most powerful saloons, with 1020bhp – was seen wearing light camouflage, concealing an aero-optimising refresh of its front and rear ends. The air ducts in its lower front fascia appear more angular and aggressive than before, while the rear diffuser has gained a ledge and a more protrusive centre section that is most likely intended to reduce lift at speed. The reworked front end also conceals an additional camera for the advanced driver assistance systems.
Tesla has yet to confirm whether the Plaid will get any more substantial improvements under the skin, but the brand's more recent launches point to potential upgrades that it could receive. The Cybertruck, for example, features 800V electricals rather than the 400V systems used in the Models 3, S, Y and X, allowing claimed peak charging speeds in excess of 400kW.
That it's testing at the Nürburgring could point to Tesla looking to reclaim its production EV lap record at the Nordschleife. The Plaid was dethroned by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT last year. But the Taycan's significant 18sec advantage over the Plaid (7min 7sec versus 7min 25sec) suggests the American car would need extensive modifications to close the gap, such as extra power or a new chassis package.
The Plaid faces an increasingly tough market: Mercedes-AMG is on the verge of launching its own 1000bhp-plus super-saloon, while American EV maker Lucid's Air Sapphire is the world's most potent four-door, with 1234bhp.
The new Model Y Performance will also face a much more crowded field of rivals than the first car had to contend with. Newcomers include the Porsche Macan Turbo Electric, Alpine A390, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Smart #5 Brabus, each offering different takes on the sporting EV crossover at a range of price points.
The Tesla is expected to employ the same dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain as its Model 3 Performance counterpart, producing a combined 510bhp and allowing for a 0-62mph sprint time comfortably below 4.0sec. Tesla officially quotes 2.9sec to 60mph, although this includes a short rollout to low speed that muddies the waters somewhat.
Range is likely to be less than the Model 3 Performance's 328 miles, although the presence of a long ducktail spoiler hints at further aerodynamic tweaks to minimise drag and potentially boost range.
Inside, it is expected to get the 3 Performance's thickly bolstered sports seats, along with carbonfibre trim detailing.
Given the smaller Model 3 Performance is priced from £59,990, the equivalent Y is most likely to breach the £60,000 barrier.
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