Tesla claims track record with prototype 3-engine powertrain

Tesla is currently working on a new three-engine powertrain for the Model S, which will accelerate even faster than its "play mode," the company said on Wednesday. In sign of head Space BallsElon Musk nicknamed the new system "Plaid".

"The powertrain of Plaid is in about a year of production," Musk tweeted. He said that it would be available for the S model, the X model and the new Roadster, but not for the low-end models 3 and Y. He said the new design would cost more than our current offerings, but less than its competitors. . "

On Wednesday, Tesla tested a prototype of this Model S on the Laguna Seca circuit. The vehicle achieved a lap time of 1: 36.555, which, according to Tesla, is a new record for a four-door sedan. You can watch a video of the record lap here.

The announcement comes a week after Musk tweeted that Tesla would have a Model S on the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. It was an apparent reaction to the fact that Porsche tested his own Taycan electric car on the spot and completed a lap in 7 minutes and 42 seconds. However, racetrack officials quickly pointed out that Tesla had not set aside time on the track to try to break the record. Musk was then forced to admit that Tesla would not make a record attempt there in the near future.

The electric transmission of the Model S gives it impressive acceleration capabilities. However, some people trying to break race records, at the Nürburgring and elsewhere, had problems overheating the battery after a few minutes on the track. In 2014, for example, Jalopnik's Robb Holland drove a Model S to the Nurburgring but was forced to slow down after about three minutes due to overheating of the battery. (To be fair, other electric vehicles have similar challenges.) It's less of a problem on a shorter runway like the Laguna Seca.