The Tesla Model S Plaid is the new EV lap record holder at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR), beating the previous time set a Porsche Taycan Turbo S by nearly a full five seconds.
The new record was set by professional driver Johan Schwartz, who was behind the yoke of Carmine Cupani’s 2022 Model S Plaid.
This particular Plaid was running on the 21″ Arachnid wheels wrapped in the stock Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. According to Cupani, the only upgraded part was Unplugged Performance’s carbon-ceramic front-brake kit.
With that setup, the electric sedan lapped VIRs 4.20 mile (6.76 km) Grand Course in 2:50.675, easily eclipsing the previous record of 2:55.2. set by a 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
Carmine’s Import Service uploaded a video of the record lap to YouTube, showing the time could have easily been below 2:50. While navigating through some esses, Schwartz almost loses control of the Model S Plaid, but with some impressive drifting skills was able to keep the car on the track.
You can watch the full video below.
