Having the chance to drive a Tesla Plaid, including experiencing its drag strip launch mode, is truly something else. It redefines what you think is possible in a car.
The moment you engage launch mode, the front of the car rises with such force that it feels like you’re about to tip over backwards, though all wheels remain firmly planted. This isn’t just fast; it’s a visceral experience. Consider that free fall at 1G in a vacuum is about 9.8m/s², translating to roughly 22 mph gained every second. The Tesla Plaid’s acceleration is significantly greater than this, and it sustains this mind-blowing force well beyond 66 mph. Even at highway speeds, flooring the accelerator makes the front end feel like it wants to lift, and you can sense all four wheels working in perfect harmony, maintaining optimal slip for maximum forward thrust. The traction control system is so advanced that there’s no need to modulate the pedal, yet you must actively steer to stay within your lane as the front tires lightly skate across the pavement at that ideal slip percentage.
As someone with a background in hotrod building and drag racing, following in the footsteps of my father and grandfather, I can confidently say the Tesla Plaid surpasses everything we’ve ever built. And it achieves this insane speed with a silent smoothness, all while efficiently using energy for daily commutes thanks to its incredible drag coefficient. None of the internal combustion engine drag cars from my family ever subjected me to this level of sustained G-force, let alone induced any sensation close to nausea.
The acceleration is so intense it feels as if gravity itself has shifted 90 degrees to aid your forward motion. And within this sensation, you’re piloting what is undeniably the quickest car of your life. Initially, the yoke steering wheel seemed unusual, but its purpose becomes clear during launch. It’s designed to be gripped firmly, allowing maximum hand force to counteract the intense 1.4G acceleration. Your seat supports your back, but your arms, weighing perhaps 40-60 lbs, are subjected to that 1.4G multiplier, requiring significant hand strength to manage. A traditional wheel would likely cause more hand fatigue under these extreme conditions.
Driving the Plaid transforms even mundane trips into thrilling experiences, something to eagerly anticipate rather than endure. It represents an unparalleled value proposition for four-wheeled exhilaration ever created, offering an astonishing amount of performance for the price, especially when considering the Tesla Plaid Hp and overall capabilities.
Unlimited Love, -Luke
