Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Watch this Tesla Model S set a lap record at Laguna Seca Raceway

Trevor Mogg
By
Tesla Model S Fastest Lap at Laguna Seca

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is chomping at the bit to send a Model S around Germany’s famous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in a bid to break the lap record set recently by the new EV on the block, the Porsche Taycan.

In an apparent bid to turn the spotlight away from the Taycan, Musk tweeted on Wednesday, September 11, that a Model S — presumably the zippier Performance variant — had set a new lap record for 4-door sedans at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.

Recommended Videos

A video released by Tesla later in the day shows an unnamed driver tearing around the 2.24-mile track in a Model S, hitting a top speed of 129 mph while taking most of the bends at between 60 and 70 mph.

Related

The electric vehicle completes the lap in 1:36:56, snatching the record away from a run a few months ago by a Model 3, which came in at 1:37:50.

The video’s release comes a week after Musk tweeted that the Model S would be heading to Germany’s Nürburgring. He didn’t specify at the time if there was any special reason for the trip, but on Monday, another tweet by the Tesla boss confirmed the company’s desire to beat the 4-door EV sedan lap record set by the Porsche Taycan toward the end of August 2019.

At nearly 13 miles, the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit is considerably longer than the Laguna Seca Raceway. Porsche’s Taycan — reportedly a preproduction model but otherwise a stock version — conquered it in 7 minutes and 42 seconds, reaching speeds of 155 mph on one of the straights. To what extent Tesla modifies its Model S for the record attempt remains to be seen.

Onboard Lap - Porsche Taycan Sets a Record at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife

There was initially some confusion as to whether Tesla would be able to send its Model S around the racetrack anytime soon. A Nürburgring representative told Road & Track last week that Musk’s company “did not send us a record request and did not rent an exclusive time slot,” adding that the track is “fully booked through the season.” But Musk’s subsequent tweet suggests progress has been made toward squeezing in a time slot. They only need about seven and a half minutes, after all.

Tesla fans are now waiting for the Model S to take to the famously demanding track in what should be an exciting spectacle as the team attempts to step back into the spotlight with a record-breaking lap. Though if it happens, don’t bet against Porcshe sending out the Taycan again.

We’ve reached out to Tesla for more details on its expected record attempt and will update this piece if we hear back.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Trevor Mogg
Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Tesla launches more affordable Model S and Model X, but there’s a catch
A 2021 Tesla Model S.

Tesla has launched more affordable versions of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV in the U.S. and Canada, though they come with shorter driving ranges. Deliveries of the new vehicles will begin next month.

The new Model S "standard range" vehicles cost $78,490 and offer a range of up to 320 miles (515 kilometers), which is considerably shorter than the pricier regular dual-motor and tri-motor Plaid versions that feature a range of 405 miles and 396 miles, respectively, Reuters reported.

Read more
Tesla Model 3 maintenance costs: What can you expect?
A Tesla Model 3 electric car.

One of the big promises of electric vehicles is that they require less maintenance than a gasoline-powered car, and thus cost less over time. That’s largely because EVs have a whole lot fewer moving parts. When you don't have an engine, you don't have to worry about oil changes, spark plugs, or exhaust systems, to name just a few examples.

The Tesla Model 3 is no different in that regard. While Tesla cars notoriously suffer from issues like panel gaps and other factory defects, Tesla covers these repairs under warranty, as long as you buy the car from Tesla itself. After that, there are few costs associated with maintenance at all. Here’s a rundown of the maintenance costs you can expect as a Tesla Model 3 owner.
Tesla Model 3 maintenance

Read more
BMW i4 vs. Tesla Model 3: Which EV sedan is better?
2022 BMW i4 M50

The BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 are two of the hottest electric cars on the market today. Both vehicles offer a range of features designed to make driving easy and efficient, as well as attractive styling. But each has its advantages and disadvantages, and there is much that sets them apart in terms of performance, technology, convenience, and cost.

Deciding between the two? That's why we've put together this guide. Here are the differences and similarities between the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4, and why you might want one over the other.
Design

Read more