The all-electric Tesla Model S already puts a lot of fast cars in their place, especially in its top-spec dual motor P85D guise, but it seems some people wanted something more than insane.
To quench the thirst for more speed, the P85D can now come upgraded to have what Tesla has rightfully dubbed a ‘Ludicrous’ Mode, which brings the 0 to 60mph time down to 2.8 seconds. It replaces Insane mode in the infotainment system.
That means the seven-seater Model S is three-tenths of a second slower than a million quid Porsche 918 Spyder and about as fast as the McLaren 675LT if you factor in the fact Tesla measures up to 60mph, not the more common 62mph (100km/h).
A quarter mile, meanwhile, is dispatched in 10.9 seconds, while the top speed of 155mph arrives 20 per cent sooner.
Squeezing a little extra performance from the Tesla’s two electric motor was achieved by using a different fuse coupled with a mini lithium-ion battery for the main battery, allowing the safe peak output to be raised from 1,300 to 1,500 amps.
There are two ways to get the upgrade. You can ask Tesla to add it to your car at a cost within the next six months, or when buying a new Model S you will have to shell out £2,500 for the range upgrade, which costs £2,500, and then £8,300 for the Ludicrous Speed Upgrade.
Speaking of the range upgrade, battery size is increased to 90kWh, improving maximum range by 6 per cent compared with the 85kWh. That means more than 300 miles travelling at a steady 65mph.
Tesla Motors founder and CEO Elon Musk advises existing Model S owners to hold fire on the range upgrade, explaining that it is “better to wait until you have more time on your existing pack and there is a larger accumulated pack energy difference”.
A range upgraded, Ludicrous mode-enabled Model S will set you back £90,700 before the government grant of £5,000. The bottom of the range 70kWh with rear-wheel drive starts from £50,800 before the grant.
This is actually not the first speed-related improvement. A software update brought the 0-60mph time down by a tenth of a second.
Musk also announced a new Roadster model will arrive in the next four years, but said little else beyond one really interesting tidbit, that it will be ‘beyond ludicrous’. Consider us interested.
Deliveries of the Model X sports utility vehicle will begin in a couple of months, while the BMW 3 Series rivalling Model 3 will arrive in ‘just over two years’.
Check out our Tesla Model S P85D first drive.
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