In a thrilling display of speed and engineering prowess, Tesla has reclaimed its record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, once again asserting its dominance in the realm of electric vehicles (EVs). The record-breaking performance was achieved using a Tesla Model S Plaid equipped with its new Track package, which managed to lap the Nürburgring Nordshleife in a staggering seven minutes, 25.231 seconds.
The Model S Plaid’s new time beat Porsche’s previous record-breaking time by over 8 seconds and the old Plaid record by over 10 seconds. This impressive feat was made possible by the car’s advanced engineering and the use of Goodyear Supercar 3R tires, which provided the necessary grip and control to navigate the challenging track.
The Battle for the ‘Ring
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, often referred to as the ‘Ring, is a notorious proving ground for performance vehicles. The track’s challenging layout and demanding conditions make it an ideal place for manufacturers to test the limits of their vehicles. Tesla’s recent victory is a testament to the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of EV technology.
The Tesla Model S Plaid: A New Benchmark in EV Performance
The Tesla Model S Plaid has set a new benchmark in EV performance. With its new Track package, the car now claims to hit a top speed of 200 mph. The record-breaking lap time at the Nürburgring is a testament to the car’s exceptional performance capabilities and Tesla’s relentless pursuit of innovation.
One of the reasons for the improved time was the so called “Track package“. Costing more than 15,000 dollars includes aluminum forged wheels ( 20-inch Zero-G), track-ready tires (Goodyear Supercar 3R) and brake fluid, new carbon-silicon carbide rotors and one-piece forged calipers with high-performance pads, and a set of carbon-ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the back.
This is complemented by several software changes, such as a redesigned battery thermal management, a cooling mode intended to be used after a hard lap, adjusted air suspension settings, and more aggressive torque vectoring for better acceleration out of corners.
Image credit: Tesla.com
Goodyear Supercar 3R Tires
Image credit: Goodyear
The Goodyear Supercar 3R tires played a crucial role in Tesla’s record-breaking performance. These high-performance tires are designed for extreme speed and traction, providing the necessary grip for the Model S Plaid to navigate the challenging Nürburgring track at record-breaking speeds.
The Eagle F1 Supercar 3R is a summer, sport performance tire. It has an asymmetric tread design featuring large and aggressive ribs, which provides phenomenal grip and precision steering response. This design contributes to the tire’s ultimate cornering stability and maximum dry traction.
The tire’s specifications include a load range SL, a load index of 97.0, and a speed rating Y. The Uniform Tire Quality Guage (UTQG) is 100/A/A, indicating excellent traction and temperature resistance. The measured rim width is 9.0 inches, and it is approved for rim widths between 8.5 and 10.0 inches.
The Goodyear Supercar 3R tires come in various sizes to accommodate different vehicle requirements. For instance, the 205/50ZR15 size has a diameter of 23.1 inches, a width of 8.4 inches, a rim range of 5.5-7.5 inches, a measured rim of 6.5 inches, and a tread depth of 5/32 inches.
