Thoughts on the Tesla’s Run at the Green Hell (Nürburgring)

Everyone but Porsche seems fairly impressed with Tesla’s plaid prototype.  Today they announced that their unofficial laps times are in the neighborhood of 7 minutes 20 seconds.

They also said they think they may be able to get the time into the 7:05 range next month when they are back to try again.

What I don’t see anyone talking is what the ultimate purpose is for being at the ring in the first place.  Yeah Porsche… made fun of a 6 year old car. That’s not the goal.

Predictions: The Next Time We See Tesla at the Nürburgring

1. Tesla Model S Plaid will easily set the fastest (soon to) production four door car speed around the track. They will use the data from this run to tweak the car.
2. They may also set the quickest mass produced cars self-driving/autonomous speed time on the track.
3. The first trip was all just smoke and mirrors so than can collect data for their real run at the Nürburgring.
   1. Who cares if you’re the fastest four door car at the track? The real goal is fastest car around the track ever. Period
4. … The Roaster 2.0 should be out sometime late next year. Maybe They will bring the Roaster 2.0 the next time they show up at the track.

Tesla’s Hype Machine

Tesla lives on hype and the following quote is directly from the preorder page for the Tesla Roadster 2.0.
“The first supercar to set every performance record and still fit seating for four.”

A run at the Ring would help solidify their claim if the car is up to the task.  With the data they collected on this trip they can probably figure out the Roadsters 2.0s. theoretical lap time.

According to Wikipedia, the current production car record holder is the Lamborghini Aventador LP770-4 SVJ @ 6:44.97.   Lamborghini conducted test with a full roll cage and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires.

According to the information released by Tesla, the Roadster 2.0 should be able to out preform the Aventador LP770-4 SVJ in every way.  Time will tell if that statement is true.

Wrapping things up

The long and the short of it…  Tesla was at the Nürburgring for two reasons.

1. Repay Porsche for trying to embarrass them on the world stage.
2. Collect data to get their Tesla roaster dialed in for a run at the all-time production Nürburgring record attempt.