Where to start with this Model S Plaid? By its astonishing accelerations? By its airliner-style cockpit? Or by its skills and its electric autonomy?
Difficult to pin down this big American who shines everywhere, on all criteria. Some see it as a “simple” electric luxury sedan, others, a Ferrari eater.
With a maximum power of 750 kW, equivalent to 1,020 hpthe Plaid has no equal to sink your eyes into your sockets.
Three synchronous motors, two of which are on the rear axle, and four-wheel drive drive this saloon with its soberly sporty presentation, which does 0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds.
For comparison, it is 8 tenths less than a Ferrari 296 GTS, and 3 better than a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, which costs around 3.2 million euros. All for a price starting from €138,990. A gift !
During our test, with two on board, on an imperfect road and by 1° C, this 0 to 100 km/h ended in 2.5 seconds. Breathtaking.
The American also boasts ofa 400 meters standing start swallowed in 9.23 seconds, with a speed of 250 km/h. It’s crazy. Just like the top speed, given for 322 km/h after a mechanical update (paid, but not yet fully determined), or 282 km/h “as standard”.
If each Launch Control has the effect of a big slap, with tires that seem to make folds on the asphalt, this Tesla retains its cold character: it is without mechanical emotion that it moves your organs. Like a catapult. Almost noiseless. Almost charmless. But what a machine!
Even launched at 100 km/h, it reaccelerates like particles in fusion, reaching 150 km/h in the blink of an eye. It’s scary, but delusional.
And this dragster also knows how to take turns: its substantial weight does not go unnoticed, especially when brakingbut its very low center of gravity serves dynamism and precision, even agility.
In worthy luxury sedan, the Model S, deeply modified since its appearance in Europe 2013, also knows how to be gentle. There, its silent operation is pleasant.
And as always, it shows a remarkable radius of action (600 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle), doubled byan ever more efficient and widespread network of Tesla Superchargers.
This makes the Model S a versatile vehicle, capable of making long journeys without major constraints.
The management of accelerations, ideally controlled, makes it possible to preserve autonomy and comfort, while thepneumatically controlled dampingadjustable from the touchscreen, pretty much takes care of the vertebrae, despite the 21-inch wheels (€4,900).
When you don’t press the right pedal too much, it’s a “normal” electric, although a bit cumbersome. With two meters wide and 5.02 long, or 7 cm longer than a Mercedes EQE, a potential rival, the S reserves the most careful reception.
The three rear seats are heated, to better take advantage of the small 9.4-inch screen, on which viewing a Netflix series is possible. The rear center armrest incorporates an inductive charging device for two smartphones and legroom is very generous.
Only complaint: it is difficult to slide his feet under the front seats, lack of space.
At the front, no surprise for insiders to the Tesla universe, except of course the appearance of the Yoke steering wheel, comparable to what is found in aviation.
It is pleasant (and warming) when driving on the road and in the expressway, much less during maneuvers. The paws sometimes end up getting lost. Result, we come to use the palm of the hand, like a trucker, to steer the wheels more quickly.
Plaid also marks the disappearance of switchboards. From now on, headlights are called and the horn is honked from a button attached to the steering.
Same for the turn signals. And there it goes wrong ; Thinking at every moment about where to position your finger is a bit annoying.
It also remains to deal with this large 17-inch screen, now orientable towards the driver or in the direction of the passenger, which includes all of the countless functionalities.
It is also thanks to him that we engage forward and reverse gear, simply swiping up or down. Surprising, but ultimately quite practical; as often at Tesla.
Test Tesla Model S Plaid – our opinion:
It’s not a sports car, but it accelerates harder than a supercar. It’s not a limo, but it offers an incredible level of sophistication. It’s not quite a car, it’s a trendy object of mobility.
The Tesla Model S Plaid is a special machine, an electric vehicle that makes people talk and which, compared to its performance, is not even expensive…
WE love
- dragster accelerations
- Approval and autonomy
- Habitability and equipment
We love less
- Questionable ergonomics and confusing steering wheel
- Turn signal handling: anything
- Firm suspension
Data sheet (Tesla Model S Plaid)
- Model S Plaid
- From €138,990
- Conso durant l’essai (kWh/100 km) : 22.8
- Conso mixte WLTP (kWh/100 km): 18.7
- CO2(g/km)/bonus : 0/0 €
- Fiscal horsepower: 21 CV
- Country of manufacture: United States
- Warranty: 4 years/80,000 km
- Motor: 3 permanent magnet synchronous electrics
- Transmission: integral
- Power (kW/hp): 750/1,020
- Couple (Nm) : 1 500 (estimation)
- Battery: lithium-Ion, 100 kWh capacity (estimated)
- Loading time :
- 11 kW : nc
- Rapid (250 kW) : 291 km and 15 min
- Curb weight (kg): 2,162
- Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 5,02×1,99×1,43
- Wheelbase (m): 2.96
- Turning circle (m): 12.3
- Vitesse maxi (km/h) : 282
- 0 to 100 km/h (s): 2.1
- AV-AR series tires : 255/45 R 19-285/40 R 19
- Front-rear test tires: 265/35 R 21-295/30 R 21 / Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- Front/rear elbow width (cm): 152/148
- Rear legroom (cm): 80
- Boot 5/2 (l): 798 (+ 89 at the front)/1,828
- Price of the tested version: €152,290
PROPOSED OPTIONS
Colored paint: €1,800 to €2,200
Colored interior: €2,400
Improved autopilot: €3,800
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