Tesla pulls plug on Model S Plaid+, Australia’s fastest car

Enthusiasts raced to place deposits when Elon Musk announced the EV pioneer would build its most powerful car yet. Now he has taken to Twitter with an update.

Tesla has pulled the plug on a Model S sedan that was set to be the fastest-accelerating car on sale.

The brand made global headlines in January with the Model S Plaid+, an extreme machine combining 820kW of power with a claimed 840 kilometres of range.

Tesla tested the ultimate Model S at circuits including Laguna Seca and the Nurburgring.

That represented more power than supercars such as Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale, and far more range than electric rivals such as the Porsche Taycan.

The wild machine was expected to reach 100km/h in less than two seconds.

Customers around the world placed deposits on the car through Tesla’s website.

The updated Model S has a plane-like steering wheel and the central screen serves as a gaming computer.

In Australia, the Plaid+ was available to order for $239,000 drive-away ahead of deliveries in 2022.

Now Tesla founder Elon Musk says the model will not be produced.

“Plaid+ is cancelled. No need, as Plaid is just so good,” Musk said on Twitter.

“0 to 60mph in under 2 secs. Quickest production car ever made of any kind. Has to be felt to be believed.”

Plaid+ is canceled. No need, as Plaid is just so good.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 6, 2021

The Plaid+ will be replaced at the top of the range by a $216,000 Model S plaid version with 628 kilometre range and 760kW of power – figures that still exceed all competitors.

Musk is adamant that the less powerful Plaid will be more than enough for folks who ordered the “plus” version.

But customers on Twitter are less convinced.

Tesla fans said the news was “utterly disappointing”, as the plus model’s appeal was “not about acceleration, it’s about range”.

Stylish and speedy, the original Tesla Model S represents one of the most important cars in history.

One driver said “my dream car got cancelled”, while another said “I reserved a Plaid+ for the range increase. Not interested without the range”.

Tesla is expected to unveil further information surrounding the Model S later this week.

The manufacturer takes a different approach to most carmakers.

Tesla is accepting Australian orders for the angular-looking Cybertruck despite doubts surrounding whether it meets design regulations for pedestrian protection – or whether it will be offered in right-hand-drive.

Originally published as Tesla pulls plug on Model S Plaid+, Australia’s fastest car