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Tesla Model S: Modified EV spotted near the Nürburgring

Tesla appears closer to Elon Musk’s promise of a Nürburgring run, but the Model S you see here doesn't look particularly... stock.


Spy photographers have snapped a modified Tesla Model S testing near the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Last month, the Porsche Taycan set a 7:42 minute lap time on the famous racetrack, claiming the record for fastest four-door production electric car.

The Taycan's effort didn't go unnoticed in Silicon Valley. Just a day after the first-ever electric Porsche was revealed, Elon Musk tweeted about plans for a record run in the Model S.

His tweet said the Model S would be on the track 'next week' (this week, now) but plans have since changed.

A tweet on 11 September by Musk revealed the Model S is already at the Nurburgring.

"But we probably won’t try for best lap time this week," he explained, "as we need to review & tune Model S thoroughly for safety on Nürburgring, especially Flugplatz section."

When the Model S does hit the track, former Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg has offered his services as driver over Twitter, which Musk appeared to accept.

Porsche might take exception to any claims Tesla make of setting a record with this particular Model S once it’s raced. After all, the Taycan it used, although a pre-production model, was stock and used stock tires.

Conversely, this Model S P100D has numerous modifications not available on the regular Model S. These include wider fender flares, a roll cage, more aggressive wheels wrapped in performance tires, and a larger front air dam.

The tyres are reportedly Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 Rs, which Michelin advertises as meeting "the needs of experienced drivers in ultra-high performance cars who are looking for the ultimate performance during track days".

Not exactly your typical daily driver luxury sedan tyres, then.

Though the Model S has formidable straight-line performance, Tesla has never taken one to Green Hell. It did, however, race one around Laguna Seca earlier this month, with Musk bragging it set the record for the fastest four-door electric car.

The Taycan, however, is so far undefeated on the Nürburgring. Musk chided Porsche on Twitter for calling the fastest Taycan a 'Turbo S' but he conceded the Model S rival “seems like a good car".

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