Gary Zhou 
Tesla is gearing up for Model S Plaid deliveries as it enters the final stages of testing for the Tri-Motor, all-electric performance sedan that has been in the works for years.
The Kilowatts went to Laguna Seca Raceway after hearing reports of a Model S Plaid at the Auto Club Famoso Raceway. Tesla was also testing several Model S models there. When two Model S vehicles, one red and one black, were spotted at the track, it was clear that Tesla was testing the two vehicles ahead of initial deliveries.
In reality, one Model S appeared to have a retractable, flexible spoiler, similar to the spoiler found on early Model X builds. Tesla used a retractable, mechanical, active spoiler in one of the first Model X cars, which the driver could control from the vehicle’s cockpit. Tesla finally got rid of it in 2017 and replaced it with a stationary spoiler.
Tesla did, however, use a spoiler on the Model S Plaid previously. The Model S Plaid made its debut at the Nürburgring in Germany in late 2019. Although the Plaid Powertrain-equipped Model S had a rear spoiler at the time, CEO Elon Musk told Teslarati that it would not be permanent and would only be on the car for “rear downforce calibration.” Musk announced that the wing would not be used or needed for flawless performance, and that it would not be included in the vehicle’s production version.
The Laguna Seca course is no stranger to the Model S Plaid. With the Model S Plaid, Tesla also set the Laguna Seca record for the fastest four-door vehicle ever in September 2019. The Model S Plaid broke the all-time record set by a Jaguar XE SV Project 8 with a time of 1:37.54, beating out its sibling Model 3 Performance with a time of 1:37.5 and the all-time record set by a Jaguar XE SV Project 8 with a time of 1:37.54.
The new Model S vehicle builds could be delivered in the coming weeks. Following a message sent to Model S Plaid reservation holders, Tesla announced that an update to the expected delivery timelines would be available within the next week. “Due to high volume of Model S orders Tesla has at this time, we currently don’t have an estimated delivery date for you but that should change within the next week, as soon as there is an estimated delivery date provided internally for you order, I will reach out ASAP,” the message said.
The Plaid Model S was supposed to be delivered in February, but Musk said that it was still undergoing slight refinements and that “nothing else even comes close.” It seems that what was on display at Laguna Seca was the Plaid Model S version, which will be available to customers very soon.
