2022 Tesla Model S Plaid+ spied at Laguna Seca with retractable rear wing and active aerodynamics

The upcoming Tesla Model S Plaid+ will feature a retractable rear wing and active aerodynamics, newly-released footage taken at the Laguna Seca raceway in California suggests.

The high-performance electric sedan – which Elon Musk claims will be the world’s quickest production car when it launches early next year – can be seen raising a (presumably) hydraulic spoiler to an almost-vertical angle under deceleration, effectively acting as an air brake.

Meanwhile, the same device appears to lay completely flat when the car travels in a straight line to reduce aerodynamic drag.

It is unknown if this feature will be present on production variants of the car, and the presence of a roll-cage inside the cabin of this example suggests it has been modified substantially from stock (if only to ensure the safety of the development drivers when on track).

However, the active aerodynamic device appears to be well-integrated into the bodywork, and would make sense considering the stress the car's significant weight would enact on conventional disc brakes during spirited, on-track driving.

Tesla claims the Model S Plaid+ will accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than 2.1 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 320km/h – though given the car has yet to enter production, these numbers have yet to be independently verified.

The impressive performance figures are owed to a trio of electric motors (two at the rear, and one on the front axle), which claim to send a combined 820kW to all four wheels.

Driving range between charges is quoted by Tesla at 836km, however the size of the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery pack is yet to be confirmed. Reports online have suggested energy could be drawn from a 120kWh battery-pack, or the same 200kWh unit slated for the upcoming Tesla Roadster.

MORE: TESLA