Tesla Model S 0 to 60
The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds, according to expert testing.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Tesla’s promises for the 2021 Model S live up to the hype: the super-fast Model S Plaid went from 0 to 60 mph in 2.1 seconds in expert driving tests.
When it comes to next-level automotive performance, speed is the name of the game. If you’re shopping for a minivan or a family sedan, you’re looking for dependability and safety; if you’re looking for a car that can take your breath away and possibly alter your brain chemistry, you’re looking for speed.
Here to give you all the stats and specs for Tesla’s outrageously fast Model S supercar is
car insurance
comparison and broker app Jerry
. In this article, we’ll answer all your speed-related Model S questions: how fast is the Model S, what makes it so speedy, and how does it compare to its road rivals? 
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How fast is the Tesla Model S 0 to 60?
2.1 seconds.
That’s the time Car and Driver got in road tests of the redesigned 2021 Model S Plaid (
MotorTrend
recorded 2.7 seconds on an unprepped surface). It’s just 0.1 seconds shy of Tesla’s promise that the mid-2021 redesign of the insanely fast Model S sedan would “break the two-second barrier.” MotorTrend’s test on a Tesla-prepped surface at Famoso Raceway, however, proved that it can be done—with the right conditions and enough time to get into “cheetah stance,” the new Model S Plaid can do 0 to 60 in 1.98 seconds.
What makes the Model S so fast?
The key to the Plaid’s almost grotesque speed lies in its powertrain: three permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors that boast a combined 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
Tesla’s secret is a unique carbon-sleeved rotor that ups the efficiency of the Plaid’s triad of motors.
In addition, the new Model S Plaid has the lowest drag coefficient of any production car at just 0.208. Between minimized drag, powerful motors, and an absurdly powerful “cheetah stance” launch mode, the Plaid is truly built for speed.
What is Tesla’s “cheetah stance”?
You won’t get from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds (or thereabouts) just by turning the Model S on. For peak performance, the car needs to go into what Tesla calls “cheetah stance,” a launch mode that drops the car’s nose, cools the motors, and preps the powertrain for physics-defying acceleration.
MORE:
Tesla Model S 0 to 60 vs. competitors
How does the Model S stack up against its competitors? Tesla’s supercar might be the most-talked-about innovation in speed in the last few years, but it’s not without competitors.
The most obvious challenger is the Porsche Taycan, a profoundly speedy electric sedan with a shorter range but more accessible starting price. But Porsche’s gas-powered 911 Carrera sports car and BMW’s ridiculous powerful M8 Competition both give the Taycan and Model S a run for their money.
Here’s how it all breaks down, from the powertrains that give these cars their ludicrous speed to the raw numbers from the track.
Car | Powertrain | Power | Torque | 0 to 60 | Quarter mile | Braking distance (70 to 0 mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Model S Plaid | Three permanent-magnet synchronous AC | 1020 hp | 1050 lb-ft | 2.1 sec | 9.4 sec | 150 ft |
2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S | Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC | 750 hp | 774 lb-ft | 2.4 sec | 10.5 sec | 155 ft |
2022 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS | Twin-turbocharged intercooled DOHC 12-valve flat-6 | 473 hp | 420 lb-ft | 2.8 sec | 10.9 sec | 143 ft |
2020 BMW M8 Competition | Twin-turbocharged intercooled V8 | 617 hp | 553 lb-ft | 2.5 sec | 10.7 sec | 146 ft |
How to save money on car insurance in record time
Whether you’ve got your very own Model S or just the need for speed, you can save money on car insurance without wasting any time. Just download the
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app, and we’ll find you the best rate on car insurance
in 45 seconds. How does it work? When you enter your information in the app, Jerry goes into its own comparison shopping cheetah stance, searching for rates from 50+ top insurance companies. You’ll see your results within seconds, and Jerry will help you cancel your old policy and start off fresh with a brand new one!
When we’re talking savings, it all comes down to the numbers—and just like Tesla, Jerry delivers. On average, customers save $887 a year on car insurance with Jerry.
“Jerrysaved me $80 a month! I have a Tesla Model Y and really wanted to lower my rates. And they did! I really recommend you give this a shot!” —Nick M.
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Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
4.7
