GM Benchmarking Tesla Model S Plaid
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General Motors is making major moves in the all-electric vehicle segment, with plans to launch 30 new EV models globally by the 2025 calendar year. At the top end of the EV segment, General Motors will have the Tesla Model S Plaid to contend with, and now, GM Authority has photographic evidence that GM is currently benchmarking Tesla’s top-spec sedan.
Sitting at the top of the Tesla Model S sedan lineup, the Tesla Models S Plaid packs a punch with some truly incredible battery-powered performance. Making it move is a tri-motor setup with all-wheel drive that’s good for 1,020 horsepower right out of the box. Properly applied, it’s enough muscle to slingshot the four-door to 60 mph in just under 2 seconds (with the vehicle rollout subtracted). What’s more, the Tesla Model S Plaid can clear the quarter mile in 9.23 seconds at 155 mph, and hit a top speed of 200 mph.
Beyond the performance specs, the top-dog Tesla can also range out at 396 miles per charge, and has a combined city/highway fuel economy equivalent rating of 116 MPGe.
Inside the cabin, the Tesla Model S Plaid is equipped with a funky square-shaped steering “yoke,” while available Autopilot system includes features like automatic lane change, autopark, summon, and more, all of which GM will rival with its GM Ultra Cruise system. Infotainment features are controlled via a 17-inch central touchscreen display. Pricing starts at $135,990.
To rival the Tesla Model S Plaid, General Motors will likely develop some competition with a new Cadillac product. This upcoming Caddy will likely be one of the luxury marque’s new “low-roof entries,” which is one of several new Cadillac EV models outlined late in 2020. The other Cadillac EVs include an electrified variant of the popular Cadillac Escalade SUV, two new electrified crossovers, and the new Cadillac Celestiq halo sedan.
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Well it is about time…..Lets Go GM
No matter if you like all EV’s or not, those are some serious numbers that would make the biggest performance person smile.
Let’s hope this benchmarking of the Model S mean Cadillac (or Buick) will be countering with an all electric SEDAN!!!
I’d guess this is to see how it compares with the upcoming Celestiq
@Ben
I would guess the Celestiq will be more Luxurious than Paid level speed. It would be going after Bentley I would assume….Doubt RR price levels though.
I think the CT6 (Whatever IQ name it will have) BEV Sedan replacement will take on the Plaid I would wager.
Dan don’t give me hope. I’ve given up on the dream of a Buick EV sedan lol.
Matt: Don’t worry. We will stand together on this to the bitter end!! haha. Anyhow, I’m not holding my breathe, as it doesn’t sound promising. However, if you look at the most recent Cadillac CT6 story and now this, who knows.
Don’t take me wrong. I’m not really against SUV/CUV’s. I’m against being only SUV/CUV’s. Buick, you listening? If you produce an all electric Buick Electra sedan, I’m 100% in.
Buick Electra 225 past , Buick Electra 2025 future ?
Mike: let’s hope!! That has a nice ring to it.
Don’t give up yet 😉
@Dan Berning
You are now famous on the YouTube Channel called…..The Electric Viking……check out the video if you get a chance. Very cool.
Dan Berning,
Unfortunately, Sedans don’t sell at the moment. The Model S for Tesla was only about 1% of sales in 2021. Americans and Chinese only want those station wagons on stilts right now. Hopefully that will change, so that companies can make a profitable business case for sedans and especially coupes in the future.
I think the Lucid Air would be the better target. Especially if we are talking Cadillac.
91fairladyz: I totally agree. That’s why in my comment I brought up Buick. They seem like they would be a better match-up while I agree the Lucid Air would be for Cadillac.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Cadillac benchmarked a Lucid Air next.
I don’t think GM can get their hands on a Lucid yet…. they are all currently spoken for.
I’m glad to see some work going into electric sedans. Electric trucks and SUVs are great, but not everyone will make that jump. They need some low roof vehicles. Hopefully a solid replacement for CT5.
I can’t say from any personal experience, but every review I’ve read and seen regarding Tesla Model S or X suggests there’s been some serious fit & finish issues. Hopefully GM is benchmarking performance!!!
Styling and quality would not be hard to beat.
I wish they would stop all this foolishness of 2 second 0-60 and focus more on stopping and turning to give the full scope of performance not just one.
The Model S is known for great all around handling. It’s not like a Chevelle-great straight line and nothing else.
If they were focusing on stopping and handling, suv/cuvs would be at a distinct disadvantage!
@C8.R
If you are talking about the Tesla Model S Plaid, you can order Carbon Ceramic Brakes.
Only way to go if you want to Track it. I would suggest not doing so with the base rotors and brakes though. Plaid accelerates much too fast for you to utilize regular brakes on a track.
When I say braking I mean advance tech using the motors.
Take this to the next level past anything Tesla can do.m
The point is make a more advanced car and one that can do more than a couple quarter miles before a charge.
There has been a two speed transmission that has been tested that can let a EV run for performance but can shift up another gear to extend range.
The zero yo sixty is like a party trick that you only do yo show off but not something you see going to do every day driving.
Your comprehension of modern electric powertrains is not only extremely limited but factually incorrect.
1)The Model S Plaid can do approximately 50 quarter mile runs trapping around 150mph every time.
2)Multi gear transmission actually make A/C and PM induction motors LESS efficient if the desired motor RPM is achievable without. See the Porsche Tycan as the least efficient EV made thus far.
3) Technically a car travels from 0-60 more often than it does anything else. Thats literally the one thing a car must do.
What you are doing is attempting to claim is that somehow the Teslas 1020hp horsepower is bad thing and zero car guys agree with that. Not for nothing but the Plaid currently holds multiple track records at Nurburgring, Laguna Secca and VIR. Do some homework?
When the C8 Z06 comes out it will inevitably be compared to the Model S Plaid in 0-60, 60-100, 1/8 mile and 1/4 mile. These test are going to make the Z06’s 650-700hp look comparably inadequate. I recommend you either continue to burry your head in the sand or simply prepare yourself for the reality of the world in which you live.
Lastly, this is an American car company and the S/X Plaid are ONLY made in the US by US workers. If you cant get behind an American company who is single handedly beating the Brits, Germans, Japanese and Italians in performance and innovation then we have nothing in common.
At C8.R – For what it’s worth, I understood your point and agree.
Oh look a weapon of mass destruction.
When is Tesla going to be charged for murder for the death of that Innocent Tampa women?
Back to 3rd grade please, recess is over
Good. GM needs to know what the competition is like as they release their Ultium line. I imagine this data will be used specifically for the Celestiq.
The Model S does carry the perfect foot print for a performance sedan imo. It would be the perfect sedan under the Celestiq.
Engineers..”wow, look at the quality of the components Elon builds this thing with” GM Bean Counters…”forgeddaboutit” !
So much fact in a few words. The essence of GM.
So true unfortunately
GM masterminds will conclude its not “economically feasible” to do a hyper performance version.. Plus they will tell us that their customers dont care anyway…
I hope they bought it new from Tesla online. They ought to benchmark the Tesla sales model…which is what many would like to see (an alternative to the pound-me-in-the-a$$ dealership experience).
GM can’t do that, right now they closest they can offer is the Reservations… It’d go against laws setup to protect dealerships.
As for this Model S, only an electric Corvette can qualify against it. Cadillac should stay with electric luxury EVs.
The Model S isn’t a 200 mph car. It’s still speed limited and absolutely terrifying at high speed. GM should be benchmarking the Taycan which is still the only real electric sports car and far outsells the model S.
Remove the XX for the link.
XXChttps://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38453459/tesla-model-s-plaid-top-speed-200-mph/
I wouldn’t see how this particular road test would yield much practical information for GM…. Teslas are in general somewhat unreliable, and have poor build quality….Systems overheat and/or fail when pushed…
Not the kind of thing that Cadillac should aspire to..
As proof, Tesla Model 3’s have 1 oil filter for 2wd and 2 oil filters for 4wd. The Bolt EV and EUV (same power train) require no oil filter changes.. The Helical double reduction gear box in the GM is beefy enough to not dispel shards of metal when running.
Well at these prices it will not be mass produced? The Tesla at $135.995. 00? Who in there right mind would pay this for a car? Market is getting smaller but like one of the liberals stated. We have to make cars too expensive for the public and make them use mass transit. Good luck
The good old rickshaw is the ultimate green vehicle. Lol
How come they can make a car that does a 9 second quarter mile but they can’t build a slower vehicle that can go 800 miles on a full charge? Until that day comes I’ll stick to an ice vehicle. I need a vehicle that can go a 12 hour day without a long stop to recharge. For now an ice vehicle is my only option.
A 12 hour day in an ICE vehicle? Better bring a lot of money along just to keep it fed and rolling.
My neighbour’s X doesn’t need much other than a regular parking space at the Tesla repair shop. He even told me, it’s not the car to own if you don’t have a spare…
A Twelve hour day in a goofy EV ? Unless you’re sitting still in a hours-long traffic jam, you’d better have about 6 or more of those hours trying to find a re-charging station, waiting in-Line with all the other suckers in front of you to suck on the electrical grid’s teat and then waiting around for the re-charging to actually happen so you can start looking for the next place. Time is money Bub, time is the one resource that is non-renewable ! Deal with it !
Well an 800 mile day at 30 mpg used to be inexpensive, but now with the inept “resident” in chief and all his incompetent appointees making terrible decisions it’s getting to cost a lot more than it use to. # FJB
Not for a Tesla. It route you to the charger on your route .