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Tesla Model S P90D Ludicrous top speed & acceleration test on the Autobahn [Video]

ludicrous top speed test

We’ve seen plenty of Tesla Model S 0 to 60 mph acceleration tests, but we’ve rarely seen tests of the car’s top speed, which is advertised at 155 mph (250 km/h). So rarely, that I forgot that the speedometer actually turns red when approaching the top speed.

It’s probably due to the logistics of testing a vehicle at such speed, which can’t be done outside of a select few roads and tracks, but today we get to see a fun and quick test in all legality from AutoTopNL on the Autobahn.

AutoTopNL is using a 2016 Tesla Model S P90D on Ludicrous mode.

The car manages to reach 155 mph (250 km/h) in about 29 seconds. According to Tesla, that should add up to about 20% faster than a standard Model S Performance.

Note: the Model S’ top speed is software-limited at 155 mph.

Albeit short, the video is really satisfying to watch.

Here’s the quick video in full:

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https://youtu.be/R1bG5nzjjdk

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Comments

  1. MorinMoss - 8 years ago

    Based on the Car & Driver track sheet for the Audi RS7, a kickass performance car, the P90D would be 0.4s ahead at 160 kmh (100 mph), dead even at 177 kmh (110 mph) but at that point the Model S quickly starts losing ground, falling 0.4 behind at 120 mph and about 1 sec at 130 mph.
    I guess that limitation won’t be overcome without at least one more gear for the Tesla.

  2. Real Apple Nerd - 8 years ago

    I wonder how fast the battery drains at that speed. 😀

    • František Kubiš Jr. - 8 years ago

      it looks like it is using about 180-200kW of power continuous at that speed. It would drain the battery in about 20-25 miutes while going 83-104km distance. Just theoretically, because you can’t drive 20 minutes straight at that speed in real world 😉

    • Walt - 8 years ago

      Actually, looks as though it was pegged at 450kw on acceleration, but settled back to 300kw as the e-governor limited speed to 250 km/H. Math adds up: Lud mode upped the inverter amperage to 1500 amps and Model S battery has some fairly bad voltage sag at full power. 450kw ÷ 1500 amp = 300 v (a full pack at rest is about 400 volt) . There was a slight lowering in power before top speed which may be the system reducing power based on battery level.

      • František Kubiš Jr. - 8 years ago

        I think you have it wrong, the gouge has logaritmic scale, so 1st mark is 100kW, 2nd is 200kW and third mark is 400kW. So it settled around 200kW.

  3. blah - 8 years ago

    Wow this hit 0-60 in 1.6 seconds

  4. TMRF - 8 years ago

    It will go faster… The driver didn’t select the maximum battery output feature. It is the button just below the ludicrous button that requires driver confirmation for the selection.

    It’ll go faster.

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Avatar for Fred Lambert Fred Lambert

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