2017 Tesla Model S P100D Named the Fastest-Accelerating Production Car in the World
With the activation of its "Ludicrous Speed" mode, the Tesla Model S travels from 0 to 60 mph in 2.28 seconds
Last month, famous futurist and Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a bold prediction: the 2017 Tesla Model S P100D would be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.34 seconds, faster than the 2.4-second records set by both the 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari and the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder.
Promising early results from the Ludricrous Easter egg. Looks like 0 to 60 mph in 2.34 sec (Motor Trend spec) might be achievable…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2017
Less than a month later, it turns out that Mr. Musk was wrong. Instead, the 2017 Tesla Model S P100D was able accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.28 seconds!
According to MotorTrend, who conducted the acceleration test, this recorded time makes the 2017 Tesla Model S the fastest-accelerating production car in the world.
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The 2017 Tesla Model S P100D is only able to achieve this incredible feat of acceleration when the “Ludicrous Speed” mode is activated. This Ludicrous+ Easter Egg driving mode supplies an additional 33 horsepower to the engine of the Tesla Model S.
Once MotorTrend had completed its acceleration testing while Ludicrous+ was activated, it found that the Tesla Model S accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in precisely 2.275507139 seconds.
MotorTrend opted to round up to a final 2.28 seconds, while Elon Musk preferred to round down to 2.7 seconds, claiming the Model S could accelerate even faster if the trunk lining and floor mats were removed.
Production Tesla Model S P100DL sets Motor Trend all-time world record to 60 mph in 2.27 sec https://t.co/sxALQrM5Ls
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2017
Regardless, MotorTrend notes that this is the first production vehicle to crack a 2.3 second acceleration time during one of its tests. And to top it all off, it happens to be an electric vehicle!
However, push the 2017 Tesla Model S P100D past 60 mph, and it seems that the electric vehicle forfeits its crown. The Ferrari LaFerrari reaches 70 mph a tenth of a second quicker. By 80 mph, both the Porsche 918 Spyder and the McLaren P1 outpace the Model S as well.
In short bursts of speed, the Tesla Model S nevertheless can’t be beat. It accelerates from 0 to 30 mph in 0.87 seconds, 0.05 seconds faster than the previous record-holder, the Porsche 911 Turbo S.
The rapid acceleration of the Tesla Model S does come at a cost, though. MotorTrend found that the “jerk,” or the rate of change of acceleration, was quite uncomfortable when the Ludicrous+ driving mode was activated. The result was a somewhat shocking launch when the electric vehicle started up.
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If you’re not chicken like Colonel Sanders is and you happen to be rich enough to own a Tesla Model S, then you can activate the Ludicrous+ setting by holding down the Ludicrous button on the acceleration settings menu for the Tesla Model S. Note that the v8.0 2.52.22 firmware must be installed. The system will then ask you if you wish to “push the limits,” offering two choices: “No, I want my Mommy” or “Yes, bring it on!” For drivers who select the latter, they will have access to the fastest-accelerating production vehicle on the market.
I just hope that when drivers do activate the Ludicrous Speed in the Tesla Model S, they don’t end up going to plaid.
News Source: MotorTrend, Digital Trends
Zachary Berry currently resides in the Dayton, Ohio area. However, he enjoys traveling from place to place, as he was born in Oklahoma City and has also lived in Albuquerque and Orlando (such is the life of a military brat). Zachary graduated from Ohio University with a major in Strategic Communication, which is fancy talk for advertising and public relations. Beginning his career at The News Wheel as a lowly intern, he was able to climb his way to the top, eventually claiming his place within the last cubicle on the left. Other jobs that Zachary has held include driving around a safari truck at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When he’s not putting his nose to the grindstone, Zachary enjoys watching and critiquing movies and television. See more articles by Zachary.