Tesla rolls out a 175 MPH 'Plaid Track Mode' update for the Model S and a Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit to match

Tesla just upped the top speed of its Model S Plaid performance electric sedan from 163 to 175 MPH (280 km/h) via a Track Mode update. The new software is rolling out to Model S Plaid owners as we speak, adding even more excitement to the already monstrous tri-motor 1000+ HP EV. To match all the Plaid Track Mode updates aimed at maximizing the electric car's performance, Tesla also announced the rumored Model S Plaid Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit that will be launched by mid-year. The price of the carbon ceramic brakes for your Tesla Model S will set you back US$20,000 when they become available but you'll get a "complete hardware package that delivers maximum, repeatable stopping power during high-performance driving."

Tesla has equipped the new brakes set with brand new carbon-silicon carbide rotors with continuous-fiber technology and a tailored 3D matrix to dissipate heat quicker. The kit has forged calipers with unibody design, special brake pads, and a brake fluid that doesn't deteriorate under extreme temperatures. In fact, the Plaid Track Mode update now also includes a critical brake temperature warning when you try to get from 175 MPH to more palatable speeds quickly during cornering with lesser brakes than the Carbon Ceramic kit. Here are all the other features and new options that the Tesla Model S Plaid Track Mode will add to your favorite electric racer while you are striving for those record-setting laps:

Optimized Powertrain Cooling

Track driving generates an enormous amount of heat in the battery, motors, and brakes. Maximum track endurance is achieved by managing this heat to keep these components as cool as possible. When Plaid Track Mode is engaged, we drop the temperature of the battery pack and motors to create a significant amount of chilled thermal mass. Once track driving begins and heat is generated, shared coolant loops between the battery and motors keep the entire system cooler for longer. We also increase regenerative braking power, which has three major benefits: re-capture more energy during deceleration, reduce load on the friction brakes for better thermal management, and give the driver better modulation and controllability with a single pedal.

Lateral Torque Vectoring

Using the same foundation as Model 3 Track Mode, Plaid Track Mode relies heavily on front and rear motors to command rotation: additional torque applied to the rear axle helps turn the nose of the car into a corner; torque applied to the front axle arrests rotation to pull the car straight. Building on this principle, Model S Plaid’s dual rear motors enable full lateral torque vectoring. With Track Mode activated, Plaid automatically adjusts torque split across the rear wheels, independently, which applies a torque bias to rotate the car through turns; this increases turn-in response, improves on-center steering feel, and delivers even greater yaw control throughout a corner. Compared to traditional open- and limited-slip differentials, which must always compete between turn-in response and maximum traction, our electric motors adjust in milliseconds to give the driver both qualities simultaneously, allowing for faster turn-in, increased cornering speeds, and harder acceleration on corner exit.

Adjustable Vehicle Dynamics

During normal road driving, Tesla's stability control systems are optimized to limit tire slippage and maximize grip to keep the driver safe. In Plaid Track Mode, stability controls enter a Race tuning to give the driver maximum control over the car’s lateral movement. With Plaid Track Mode engaged, Tesla’s Vehicle Dynamics Controller (VDC) evaluates steering angle, accelerator, and brake pedal inputs to determine where the driver wants to place the car and will permit tire slippage and automatically adjust torque split to give the driver even more authority and improved agility during high-speed cornering. For drivers who want additional adjustability over vehicle dynamics, handling balance, stability assist and regenerative braking can be changed independently based on their skill level and preferences.

Adaptive Suspension Damping

When Plaid Track Mode is engaged, adaptive suspension damping is optimized for track handling: reduced pitch during hard braking and fast acceleration, rebalanced damping to improve responsiveness, and faster settling of vehicle disturbances over bumpy segments to increase driver confidence. To facilitate consistent dynamic driving, ride height is set to Low on drive-off, and the suspension will no longer automatically raise to improve comfort.

Performance UI

Last but not least, Tesla also added a track-focused user interface to provide critical performance data, including a vehicle thermals monitor, lap timer, G-meter, dashcam video capture and vehicle telemetry, along with several other customizable options.

This is the third in the long line of Tesla Track Mode releases that started as far back as a Model 3 Performance update in 2018. It was followed by a new, Track Mode V2 version in 2020, and now Tesla intends to squeeze every last drop of performance from your capable Model S Plaid electric sedan, as you can see in Carmine’s Import Service image and video below.

Get the Weishine Red Caliper Covers for Tesla Model S on Amazon