On a real note, EVERY review of this car talks about its blinding speed and lack of being visually different from the other Model S', NONE of them have ever mentioned the lack of braking or being able to turn it at speed. So very well done for this complete review. Always enjoyable. Always informative
Several reviewers in US and Europe have noted exactly these issues. They’ve noted that performance brakes would be the first upgrade if they bought the car.
@@PeteLenz yes but to be fair it's because it overheats so easily if you use it heavily multiple times within a short time(not a track brake). Not because braking distance is horrible when it's cold.
The plaid is like upgrading your car in Forza with everything in engine parts, fitting awd and completely neglecting upgrading tyres, brakes and suspension.
Tesla has great battery technology but it will NEVER be a competing performance hyper/Supercar. Newsflash Tesla…there is more involved in creating a vehicle other than gimmicks and speed…
@@RPYMCMB I'm being random here but that statement about Tesla's battery technology reminded me of something that's been on my mind for a while. I always wondered why the "perfect car" still doesn't exist. I know it's subjective when it comes to looks and what people expect from a car, but general things should be done close to perfect by now. Tesla's battery tech like you said is great, the Japanese are great with reliability, companies like Lotus do magic when it comes to handling, Volvo makes some really nice interiors, Lexus makes sure the build quality of interiors are top notch, BMW's iDrive is relatively intuitive as far as infotainment is concerned, etc. All these companies can do great things on their own, which means those features are possible for us to make. Yet somehow, on a planet with close to 8 billion people with resources available on the internet and everything, there isn't a single group of people who've figured out how take all of those things and put it into one car, at least not that I know of.
This review was probably the best Tesla Plaid review. I always wondered about the brakes and steering. This is the ONLY review that covered what car enthusiasts look for in a review.
I agree this was a terrific and honest review. If you like non sugar coated reviews, you'll love Kyle from Out of Spec reviews. He is brutally honest, but he also does it with a smile. He had the same complaints about the Plaid's brakes.
@@ricky7973 tbh I feel like the only reason it was made was a proof of technology. seems like people forget that its still 130k with that ridiculous of power specs, they would have to leave out features somewhere for it to be that cheap. Hope that they make a true sport version with stuff like nicer brakes and other such things. Doesn't really matter to me though cause I'm not buying one any time soon :P
Tesla's are fast in a straight line and have great range, but no soul and lose out to other cars in every other category. Tesla interiors have always let you know this company is doing the least they can get away with
Having watched dozens of your videos, from the hyper cars, to the ridiculous cars, I’ve never heard you guys give such a genuine warning to people who own the car. You’ve said certain cars are dangerously quick, deceptive at speed, but the severity Thomas had when talking about the brakes was super telling about the Plaid.
One has to wonder is the engineering staff so new to this that they can't properly develop braking specifications commensurate with the performance of the powerplant??
Supercars need more warnings about curbs and speed bumps than driving fast. Thanks to the electronic interventions with traction and stability control, they are quite composed and well-balanced and not that dangerous driven within reason. It seems like this Plaid is so fast, that distinction of "driven within reason" can disappear pretty quick. If I were to spend so much on a car, I'd want a giant carbon-ceramic option similar to the Taycan Turbo S. Good thing Unplugged Performance has us covered with that.
I think that Thomas is over-reacting to counter the irrefutable acceleration demonstrated on the internet with the ability to walk (or run) away from their favorite cars/sponsors. When you see the reviews of people racing the Plaid (especially having more than a day or two experience with the car) they will notice that you need to be mindful about the brakes, but not because of a design or safety flaw, but simply because the Plaid goes VERY fast quickly. Running the Plaid around their track only ONCE because he didn't trust the brakes is also a weak move. The factory-stock Plaid models set a track record on the Nurburgring racetrack. Hmmmm. I hope that they are paid well to pull this kind of biased reporting online, missing the greater importance of having a supercar-beating EV, because they are thrashing the car on a track before Tesla's Track Package is released for the Plaid. And proclaiming that it is therefore unsafe to drive on the street. Bad dog! ...Pissing on the Plaid.
These things are unfortunately mostly purchased by folks that aren’t real car enthusiasts without formal driver training, and they are an invitation for disaster.
@@deanmcmanis4862 I mean, the new 911 turbo GT3 beat the Plaid around the Nürburgring by 35 seconds, which Thomas has also driven, so its not like they aren't used to driving fast cars around a track. The Plaid is a great car, and in a straight line it beats the 911 turbo gt3. But running a car around a track is different than a straight line. I love the Plaid, I think its fantastic how fast it is, and in a straight line, under good conditions, it'll put a beating on dozens of hypercars. There isn't a car like it, and critiquing the brakes as being subpar around a track for its power and weight doesn't take that away.
The Model S plaid seems to be essentially an electric, luxury muscle car. It is devastatingly fast in a straight line but really not intended to be driven like a sports car.
@E Double It may not be on the level as something like an A8 or S Class but the Model S is still a luxury car. Whether it is good value because those alternatives are so much nicer is another matter entirely.
@E Double Standard equipment is not what makes a luxury car. The way it feels, the quietness of the interior, the qualify of the materials, and/or the performance do that.
@E Double I wouldn’t touch a Tesla with a 10ft pole for a number of reasons, quality being pretty high on the list. That said, I DO think that a model S is still a luxury car even though it is not a particularly good car. I also blame Tesla for me not yet owning an EV. The model Y is the only one I can afford that could replace my current luxury SUV.
@E Double I know rimac nevera is faster, was that supposed to be a point or something? Nice to hear a 2 million hypercar wins against 150k family car🥳 Thats actually a compliment in itself to compare a family car to pure hypercar
@@djsomeguy they work half decent for regular street driving and not from anywhere near these speeds. Also on a car that weighs almost half of what this car does.
@@sqlevolicious That is because the aggressive regen braking was left in when this "review" turned it off. Most Tesla drivers seldom even use the mechanical brakes.
I think at 9:38, Thomas hits the nail on the head. "if you buy it to really rip it on on and off ramps or even think about taking it to the track, it completely falls down in a way that a big heavy German sedan would not". New Tesla models always seem like they are 90% thought through by release and the rest gets added over the air. Only problem is you can't just add a massive brake upgrade over the air. And you can't solve it with regen alone. Not sure what they were thinking with this cars setup.
The S I dont think was intended to be a track car. Its supposed to be a fast cruiser. If you want an extremely fun car that puts a smile on the track, I'd suggest 3 performance. Tesla didn't even bother putting in track mode in their model S until later on after people actually started taking it to the track.
This car with these brakes had the Nurburgring record for EV cars for awhile. W professional driver. But if you want to track spend the 20k for ceramic brakes.
Good review. I have a Plaid, took it to the dragstrip 3 days after delivery back in June. Had to really stand on the brakes after the traps to get it slowed down. The warning/criticism of the brakes is spot on. Also have taken 3 road trips, one of them 2600 miles, and it's a master at that endeavor.
@@2snailz135 Every other EV in that price range is. In fact the EQS is on another planet in terms of ride quality, noice levels and comfort. If you want to trade all those things for 2 seconds faster 0-60 time as well as a better infotainmentsystem then thats fine. But at least be honest about it.
Actually.... most other reviews focus on street use (and drag strip to convey how fast/powerful it is)...which is where 99% of Tesla owners would drive this anyway. TH concentrated on track use.. again, not where Tesla's are heading. They did say, that it's great as a daily driver.
@@davidwynn6105 and most of them will barely engage the pads, in daily usage the regen does most of the work. For emergency stops when the brakes are not faded it stops exactly like any other heavy performance sedan with steel brakes.
@@HNedel complete bs just look at the number of Plaid drivers on TH-cam busy giving joy rides to their friends, family and complete strangers. Second they act like idiots when your driving a sportscar - at every light wanting to challenge you to a race. These people probably haven't attended one performance driving school but think their computer on wheels is going to save their ass. Might as well give every 16 year old a 1966 Shelby.
Honestly fair about the braking I've heard it from other people as well, and glad elon came out with the ceramic brakes and how it's going to change the drive.
Watching your track test gave me enormous anxiety. I can only imagine this car getting in the wrong hands and plowing into something thinking they will be able to break after testing out that launch.
This is not exclusive to an EV. There will always be an idiot who thinks his brakes are better than they are (or the road is wet, or dusty, or whatever) and crashes. My mum told me a story about a colleague who was allowed to drive a Porsche the first time. She got in and stepped on it like it was her familiar bug. It barked, the wheels started spinning, she froze, lost control and crashed. That was in the 1960s...
@@TN-jb4jk I don't think anyone's blaming the machine, it just seems that something like this should be more restricted to people who will be responsible with it. Aka maybe require significant training if you REALLY feel you need something this insane (does anyone really have any genuine need for something so fast and heavy?)
@@TN-jb4jk Huh?! More like Nanny Sate USA where everyone screams "Why wasn't there a warning sign in this spot?" after he got bitten in the zoo, 3 feet from the warning sign... Don't even get me started about the speed limits... I still think a lot of them are there because it makes the jurisdiction money. (Ok, a lot of the speed limits in Germany are the same)
I had the opportunity to ride shotgun in one when they first started getting delivered and man… all I can say is that the performance this car gives is CRAZY. You start going blind as soon as you launch. It’s like dropping off the top of Supreme Scream. But going forward. To think that you can just buy this type of power off the assembly line is INSANE.
@@ericeckels9293 1000 HP and uncontrolled is junk, at 160 mph "car and driver" called it scary, horrible, unstable, and it doesn't STOP, it's junk. hype is not the way to design a car that sells for $140,000 !!! A Porsche or Audi RS for $140,000 can go faster and being in control, a mk8 VW Golf R can do 171 mph and be in complete control and stop fantastic from such speeds, $44K Better cars work better, at any price
@@cengeb these two doing the review have no idea about performance driving, taking this video as benchmark for the quality of this car is mind blowing and wrong. As for what you mentioned there (only VAG group) shows a bias towards 2007 golf’s 😅.
Having touch sensitive buttons for the indicators has got to be a pain if you live anywhere with lots of roundabouts. As soon as your steering wheel is upside-down you've got no chance.
According to what I've seen in other videos, the charging level isn't really an issue with this car when it comes to performance. Yours is the first video I've seen that mentions the horrible brakes, thanks for that!
Interesting. When I test drove a (slower variant of the) Model S, I also noticed that the brakes just didn't match the acceleration. I think the sales rep who was riding along turned a bit white, as I was finding this out... the Model 3 Performance feels more balanced in terms of acceleration vs. deceleration.
Even ignoring the other areas they could and should have improved, it's mind boggling that they didn't bother to put sufficient brakes on the car. I don't think Brembo is hard to get a hold of.
@@DeeKay1911 yes I believe Brembo is the OEM supplier. They also make the majority of performance brakes (calipers) used on high performance cars and could easily have supplied such brakes for this if Tesla bothered to ask. Heck, I think Brembo already makes a BBK for the Model S as an aftermarket kit.
@@repCanada should be awesome. Car should have had better brakes standard. At minimum for safety to balance out a 1000hp 5k lbs car. I know it shouldn't matter for legal driving, but neither should 1000hp.
With 1200 hp of electric motor you'd think there's more than a set of brembos worth of regenerative braking resistance to work with. I find tesla to be a terrible choice of car given the other evs coming to market. Save the charging network, I think tesla might struggle for a few years
Exactly nailed it at 17:15 - like an old muscle car with drum brakes. Having driven a both, that's exactly what a Plaid feels like. Terrifying (yet gratifying every time you drive it and don't die.)
I'm watching from Australia and I swear you guys release videos just as I go to bed! Probably not the best for a good nights rest but it's certainly entertaining - love the review!
This review makes me think the Model 3 Performance (or a Porsche Taycan) is a much better pick if you intend to go around twisty bits in an EV. Just that bit more confidence-inspiring.
Agreed. I rock the M3P and it’s incredibly fun. I’ve never driven the S plaid, but I drove a P100D once, when they gave me one as a loaner, and absolutely hated driving that big ass boat of a car. Repeat, hated it. I wouldn’t buy the Porsche simply because it’s inferior in all the categories that matter, and way too expensive for that to be the case.
"Gas prices are a fortune in North America" *cries in Romania where a litre of gasoline costs almost 2 dollars and the medium salary is 10 times lower*
I can't believe I have lived to see the day when a 1000 HP car stock doesn't cost a few million dollars. Not to mention it's also much more practical than all the 2 door coupe out there
The stock Plaid has the EV course record at Nurburgring....kinda the definition of not straight. Besting all comers including the Porsche Taycan Turbo? Ummmmm......yeah.
@@julien42230 Yes, on the Nurburgring…they brought out the right mechanics to help it actually idk…Turn😏. You can die on the Nurburgring without the proper brakes. I promise you this exact car would crash on the Nurburgring if you are tying to break a speed record.
Wow. That is a great review. As a Tesla fan but also a car guy it was interesting to see the lap time and how dangerously underbraked it is and other issues it has. Thanks for uploading an unbiased review of the car.
Unfortunately the Model 3 Performance largely suffers the same fate, though the brakes in the Model S Plaid are probably the same even though it's heavier and going to be at higher speeds. (Wouldn't be surprised at all if they're the same part) At the end of the day... It's like radiators in street cars right? If you try to race most street cars they just end up overheating, as they only fitted a radiator designed for driving it fast on the road occasionally, not constantly at the limit on the track. I see the Plaid's brakes being the same deal, they're fine for the street, but you'd upgrade them for a track just like how you'd upgrade a radiator.
@@VoxelLoop Precisely mate. Model 3 Performance, although it's a car that isn't top of the line by Tesla, has its own track mode and track package that includes Zero G rims and also upgraded brakes for the track. Plaid has no track mode, no track package and terrible brakes. I also would not be surprised if the Plaid had the exact same brakes as this car.
@@jamo8896 Plaid should be getting a proper track package. They've been testing active aero very recently and its been in the parts catalog for a long time. :) I imagine upgraded brakes and different brake fluid would come as part of that too.
What's more stupid is that the Plaid that set the nurburgring lap time had brake, suspension, and even steering wheel upgrades. They should've just put that stuff on the road going model.
Thomas - you are the first one to explain what is being seeing in the plaid Nurburgring video - the driver has to be super active with the steering and looks like they are fighting it in a way not seen with other cars on that course. My model 3 doesn’t like to pushed to the limit either, but it’s handling is still “ok”. I think it’s under-braked too.
Randy Pobst, who drove the Unplugged Performance Plaid at Pikes Peak this year actually put the steering in 'Comfort' mode as he said it made turning easier as the power steering was stronger. :)
@@stubones well maybe……. But Tesla went out of the way to highlight and promot that Nurburgring run, plaid has a specific “cheetah” mode (this indicates clear intent beyond “family sedan”, etc. So I think it’s fair game for any criticism as a performance car.
It's a car made to appeal to the one metric non-car enthusiasts can comprehend easily which is the sensation of acceleration. It's a tech company that designed something for tech enthusiasts.
It's a car made to appeal to the one metric teenage boys think will get them to second base. Now if Elon can only get the Plaid to land a kickflip in the HS parking lot it will be unstoppable.
I've just gone (5 days ago) from an M2 to a Model 3 performance. The acceleration is a brutal, merciless experience. You are the absolute king of the traffic light GP. Anything that even has a chance has to to turn up with launch mode engaged and in full attack, while this terminator disguised as a fridge on wheels is always ready to go. After 12 hours of ownership I had to put it in chill because it was making me feel sick, and it still felt faster than the M2. But it absolutely wasn't as much fun. The speed feels almost painful, which is a weird thing to say. It's playful and likes to move (with appropriate settings) but the mass, tires and suspension just aren't there yet, like 8/10ths.
@@officialyasir the model 3 steering feels good. its heavy but cg is low. suspension is decent, it was the BStock autocross champ against cars like the m2 before they kicked it out of the class.
"I am not being dramatic" proceeds to slap steering wheel and flail the steering wheel left and right through a corner and breath abnormally. Drama.....QUEEN.
It is! There's a reason why it's a circle and then Elon overhyped this over what actually makes more sense but he knows his fans would defend him no matter what.
it would make sense if its rotation was limited to 120 degrees each direction probably. And from what I've seen it's at least 450 degrees (1 and a quarter turn) each direction, and for example 270 degrees while turning left on a junction (even more if turning right because it is tighter then). So yeah, Tesla reinvented the wheel and they've done it poorly to say the least.
Tesla is all about keeping the hype going and its doing that extremely well. I driven a model 3 performance and I was impressed with the acceleration other then that it feels cheap.
@@GrandmasterFU666 it also has great Software and charging autopilot and so on so just making build quality even better than now will put tesla over everyone imo
@@badema2638 if they improve build quality. They don’t seem to be doing much. I’ve been test driving each new model since Tesla literally calls me constantly to let me know they have the new whatever to come check it out. Really cool to drive but quality is not there.
carbon ceramics just help with brake fade on the track, so not something that many Plaid owners will need. This car needs bigger discs, bigger pads, and 6-8 piston brakes, just to be safe on the streets. If you're tracking it, for some reason, than sure, go for the ceramics.
@@shiftgood no it isn’t there are plenty of electric cars that won’t will you. It’s a product of overkill. If you’re going to build something that’s high performance, all of it needs to fit, not just the power delivery
True, and ironically that may help a few tracks stay alive. Some tracks have been closed due to noise complaints from Karen's who move near an active track. For example my neighborhood, we lost a 1/4 mile strip that was 2 miles away from my house, an oval dirt track that was a mile away, and a motocross track 2 miles away all due to noise complaints in the last 20 years. If i recall Laguna Seca is under the radar for the same issue, too many Karen's moving near the track are complaining of the noise.
Agreed. I’m used to a lot of engine/exhaust noise at the track. It’s visceral at first but I get tired of the drone after awhile. I think I’d prefer silence, myself.
@@philipkozloff3832 yeah and that's still true. Back then quiet and luxury also sold cars, just like it does today. Only difference is the quiet and luxurious cars can now compete with loud sports cars on the road. I see no problem with this, it means people have more variety in choices.
Other than the issue with brakes and cornering, my concern isn't the steering wheel itself (I can't say I like it but we'll probably get use to it) so much as moving everything to buttons. For example, indicators work on a stalk because we turn the steering wheel in the same direction... our mind finds them easy to associate, so why change to buttons? Don't say it's to save money - this is not a budget car - and don't say for engineering or interior quality - we as humans have been making cars long enough for us to have mastered the mechanics behind this whilst keeping the stalk durable. My biggest issue is the horn. Why is it a button? It's a safety feature to let other drivers who haven't seen you know that you're there or something is wrong, and it works well on a central pressure plate. I know some people use it for other purposes and, well, we're not likely to seem them change any time soon, but I want to use it for its intended purpose. If I'm corning somewhere, like pulling into a side road, and someone ahead of me is doing something that puts us in danger because they haven't seen me, I need to be able to hit the wheel quickly and let them know I'm there. I do not want to look down at my wheel, figure out how much I've turned it and therefore what position the horn button is now in so that I can accurately press it instead of my indicators, lights, etc. If I have to do that, it's probably too late. Shame you didn't do any real world driving in this video - as much as your points about track driving were interesting, I was more interested to know what this and everything else would be like to live with day-to-day.
There are some really good points here! There’s a ton of daily driving reviews out there. They reviewed the things that actual car enthusiasts care about.
@@XJapa1n09 As a car enthusiast myself, I don't feel I can speak for all car enthusiasts... as any internet forum will show, enthusiasts can often disagree. And yes, they do raise some good points - the fact the wheel encourages the proper 9 and 3 hand placement might be a good thing, but it's also interesting to note that the one place or may fall short is if drifting. I don't think any other reviews I've read or watched have pointed all of this out. However, I think most of the Throttle House reviews (that aren't part of their track reviews subcategory) focus largely on road driving with a little bit of track driving thrown in if relevant. I was therefore hoping for that, as Thomas's background in driving and coaching of other drivers means he often gives much more insight into cars than other reviewers for said-ethusiasts like you and me. They said it themselves several times - this isn't a track car but they were reviewing it on a track and largely focused on track-related wins and shortcomings, making this video weighted towards the entertainment value of seeing it on a track and less about the information a viewer like me was looking for. Each to their own, of course, and I'm happy if you enjoyed the video... but I also get to express if or where I didn't and explain why. Fair?
The horns and turn signals are something anyone would get quickly use to. Anyone who has spent any considerable seat time in a Ferrari 458 or newer also uses buttons on the wheel for turning and the horn. It should be noted that the Ferrari's layout is symmetrical for these, but still buttons on the wheel none the less.
@@Ven100 Do you think? I mean, I think I would agree on the turn signals for most people, but maybe not everyone - we might like driving and get use to this but what about the average consumer? My parents and wife still refuse to engage with online shopping so, every time they try, they complain to me that "it just doesn't work" when it clearly does. It might seem silly to anyone who does just accept and learn how online shopping works, but people can be silly! I'm not so sure about the horn, though... how often do people actually have to use the horn and how much easier is it to just slam your hand down on the wheel when you have to? Also, I like your example in that I have to ask: what sort of sample size is "anyone who has spent time in a Ferrari 458 or newer"?! Pretty low numbers, right, and not exactly a car brand famed for ease of day-to-day use 😉
You've got to remember they are working on the transition to self driving cars. Don't need an annoying stalk that takes up room and blocks your view of the digital dash when the car drives itself around town and activates the blinkers autonomously.
I had the EXACT same feeling about breaking the P100D Model X in ludicrous mode. I began to brake way earlier than I thought I would need to (in comparison to ex. an M4 which has amazing brakes). It made it a bit dangerous/scary to do rapid acceleration without the space to brake. This must be due to the crazy weight of the car. Great review!
Stop talking shit bro, the M4 is way more expensive, with the track pack tesla can enjoy fast braking as well and still cost less than the M4. The model X doen't have track pack but it's not a cas intended for that
Now that I’ve had my Volt for a few years, I could live with a car with 120 mile range just for commuting. It would be nice to see a two seater commuter. Could they do it for $25k? You’d never need to charge it away from home.
A lot of plug in hybrid owners graduate to full EV on their next car….they realize that they don’t really need the same range as a gas car because you top up nightly at home.
@@lemongavine I only have one car. I don’t want to navigate charging stations on trips. Occasionally, I actually go to work which has subsidized charging. $4. Normally, it would cost $14 which is more than gas. It stinks seeing Tesla’s topping off, when you know that they have a 400 mile range.
A 2 seater EV would be cool, but there just won't be the interest, people will be concerned about crashes vs SUVs or lack of space for weekend activities as most people think they'd prefer 1 vehicle that can do everything. How many people have a truck because they might need it for 1 day a year?
BYD EA1 could be one worth looking at, about half the price of a Model 3. It is a 5 seater but it's in the same size range as the Civic, Focus and so on, weight about 1550kg. You can fold the rear seats down if you'll never use the rear seats (I do that in my Fiesta).
I'm Norwegian, we have the highest percentage of Teslas on the road in the world, and I'm scared shitless of the development of electric cars. Not because they can easily gap my A3, but because of some boy borrowing dads Tesla and crashing. 99.999% of the buyers of this thing do not know how to handle that much power and speed. And then it brakes like a Camry. There will be so many brutal accidents with cars like this.
If dad is smart he sets the limiters on the kid's driving profile. That's the thing about EVs you can mess around with the settings and make it so some users don't have full power mode.
@@themeach011 There are also dads who drive like boys. It is impossible to completely remove the problem when the potential of the car is that high. Some people will always do reckless stuff.
@@evenbraut1495 not without stealing dad's phone and then if the car doesn't kill him I would. This is the same old story as any kid in any car. They are just super dangerous things period. Basically every car ever built goes more than fast enough to kill you. I'd put my kid in that car over any rear wheel drive V8 car. Or even truck for that matter. At least a Tesla is almost impossible to roll
@@themeach011 yeah imagine those cars which can spins out while going straight just because you push down the gas pedal too fast. I'm actually more worried about the kids who driven Tesla and try to drive an ICE like it 😬
Thomas and James I’ve been watching you guys for SOOO long and I gotta comment today and say you guys really are the best car journalist on TH-cam amazing content keep it up legends yu deserve the recognition you guys have been getting, not to mention how skillful you are with the cars which in end makes you unmatched with reviews 🗣❗️
One thing common between all the reviewers is that they all fear that now a lot of people are going to have cars above 1000hp and it's going to be dangerous especially with the brakes. 150k is not cheap but nowhere near the 500k or million dollar hypercars
Imagine an inexperienced driver getting into this car thinking it’s a “sports car” because it’s fast in a straight line then having a panic brake situation and not being able to stop like a proper sports car with real brakes would be able to.
True, but if an inexperienced driver finds their way into the driver's seat of this car, either through their own means or mommy and daddy's, and proceed to wreck it, shame on them and not Tesla.
@@pavlelekic5343 nonsense, its not the most American car ever, the parts are made all around the world, from Mexico to Germany, China, South Korea, Taiwan, japan...... go watch sandy munro on tesla teardown.
It was great to see one gutted and raced up Mount Washington in August .. they did replace the yoke with a regular steering wheel .. and the biggest issue was the brakes .. his best time was 7:09
Love you guys' reviews. No other car reviewers I've seen that feature the pros AND cons, what it's like to daily AND what it's like at the track, and topped off with hosts with camaraderie and humor. The cinematography and audio are the cherries on top. Most other car reviewers don't even tick half of those boxes. It gets said a lot, but it's true: you're the modern day Top Gear, imo.
@@AdRock that’s not true. Provide one example of this or any proof. It’s clear in all lap times and all stats that they’re being honest. Don’t be butthurt because daddy Elon built a terrible performance car. It’s not a BMW and it never will be. There’s a reason they’ve said nothing bad about the new Porsche GT3. Don’t be delusional
This is currently my daily driver. Violently fast is how I describe it. No real reason for this much power but it is a beast and yes, heavy! I do agree that the brakes are lacking. It's just so much weight to bring to a stop.
There are way heavier cars out there with better brakes. This car costs north of 120k. It’s just an American thing I guess. Just like American muscle cars, focus on horse power, size and forget about the rest of auto-engineering.
I think it’s cooler to drive a slower car fast than driving a fast car slow. A model S Plaid would be fun but it would be so easy to rack up speeding tickets.
When I was in high school I was instructed to place my hands in the 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. Elon Musk has made that impossible!
@@cuprashoe i don’t get why it’s called a yoke, a yoke is shaped like that but also goes back and forth and it’s for air plains. Is a freaking wheel, f1 drivers don’t call it a yoke🤦🏻♂️
That's still a pretty dangerous concept for Tesla to be exploring. Brakes, tires and suspension should ALWAYS take precedence over general power. 1000 HP is fun on paper until the underappreciated suspension and brakes put you in a wall
Best review I've seen of this car. Went so much deeper than the "ZOMG the acceleration" that most reviews get stuck on. Thank you. BTW, in the close up shots of the Plaid badge, the paint quality looks atrocious for a US$150k car. Is it really that bad?
For me to get this car I would need to have the money for this and an exotic sports car. I think it would be the perfect daily and I wouldn't worry about things like panel gaps or paint quality because I'd always have something in the garage that fixes those issues and has much better driving dynamics. But I think the power is incredible and wouldn't worry too much about anything else if I had another car.
Braking would probably be a lot less of an issue if Tesla enabled mixed breaking like every other EV out there. Would undoubtedly stop faster if you could combine brakes + regen.
That lap preview felt much more sinister because of the lack of engine noise. It feels like you're just alone fighting the weight and the speed of the Model S.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 88 | คู่เอก "ป้อมเพชร vs อัสลามจอน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ZqTVVbMgbo/mqdefault.jpg)
On a real note, EVERY review of this car talks about its blinding speed and lack of being visually different from the other Model S', NONE of them have ever mentioned the lack of braking or being able to turn it at speed. So very well done for this complete review. Always enjoyable. Always informative
I totally agree, I feel like the others are treating the model s as a toy and not an actual car.
It can't turn at high speed because traction control is overprotective (gotta be somehow safe with 1000hp)
Brakes are crappy tho
Several reviewers in US and Europe have noted exactly these issues. They’ve noted that performance brakes would be the first upgrade if they bought the car.
@@PeteLenz yes but to be fair it's because it overheats so easily if you use it heavily multiple times within a short time(not a track brake). Not because braking distance is horrible when it's cold.
@@rocksane6667 then stop giving it a 1000 hp without components that should be able to handle it
The plaid is like upgrading your car in Forza with everything in engine parts, fitting awd and completely neglecting upgrading tyres, brakes and suspension.
Incorrect - I’ve driven the p100d. It handles horribly. This thing pulls 1.06g’s on the skid pad. The suspension has been heavily upgraded.
I like this reference 😂
Tesla has great battery technology but it will NEVER be a competing performance hyper/Supercar. Newsflash Tesla…there is more involved in creating a vehicle other than gimmicks and speed…
@@user-yq6ov6ow7l So it went from terrible handling to just barely okay, but it’s one of the fastest accelerating cars on the road.
@@RPYMCMB I'm being random here but that statement about Tesla's battery technology reminded me of something that's been on my mind for a while. I always wondered why the "perfect car" still doesn't exist. I know it's subjective when it comes to looks and what people expect from a car, but general things should be done close to perfect by now.
Tesla's battery tech like you said is great, the Japanese are great with reliability, companies like Lotus do magic when it comes to handling, Volvo makes some really nice interiors, Lexus makes sure the build quality of interiors are top notch, BMW's iDrive is relatively intuitive as far as infotainment is concerned, etc.
All these companies can do great things on their own, which means those features are possible for us to make. Yet somehow, on a planet with close to 8 billion people with resources available on the internet and everything, there isn't a single group of people who've figured out how take all of those things and put it into one car, at least not that I know of.
This review was probably the best Tesla Plaid review. I always wondered about the brakes and steering. This is the ONLY review that covered what car enthusiasts look for in a review.
Luckily for Tesla, most of their buyers aren't car enthusiasts.
I agree this was a terrific and honest review. If you like non sugar coated reviews, you'll love Kyle from Out of Spec reviews. He is brutally honest, but he also does it with a smile. He had the same complaints about the Plaid's brakes.
@@Hunter116 facts. They just want an expensive trendy car to blend in with everyone else.
@@ricky7973 tbh I feel like the only reason it was made was a proof of technology. seems like people forget that its still 130k with that ridiculous of power specs, they would have to leave out features somewhere for it to be that cheap. Hope that they make a true sport version with stuff like nicer brakes and other such things. Doesn't really matter to me though cause I'm not buying one any time soon :P
@@amr1t_ They already cut costs on the paint, the panel fitment, the nasty seats and cheap plastic...
Like the original Top Gear, these guys seem to be genuinely having fun and they’re my new favourite car reviewers.
First video I've watched of them and this is definitely the vibe I got
The thing is,no matter how quick it is. It still didn't make James pregnant or smoke a cigarette.......like the LFA did.
The Plaid actually cured his pregnancy.
Exactly. My friends keep telling me to get a tesla, but it doesn't feel special. I'd much rather get a viper, r8, or bentley
@@miguelberetta7887 only buy a tesla if you want to show off to your friends how geeky you are 🤣🤣
Tesla's are fast in a straight line and have great range, but no soul and lose out to other cars in every other category. Tesla interiors have always let you know this company is doing the least they can get away with
Exactly. It's beyond incredible at one thing and then it falls flat.
I swear there will be an actual aftermarket for clip-on steering wheels for the Plaid lol.
Hilarious that no one has thought of it before
Usually when you put aftermarket stuff on Tesla, it locks itself because Tesla doesn’t like dangerous stuff. Right to repair right well Tesla says no
It needs aftermarket brakes even more than a steering wheel
i also think this is illegal in Europe. To have half a steering wheel. But knowing Tesla they'll find a loop hole for this
They won't make enough of them to merit one lol
Glad to see that you guys also addressed a lot of the problems of the car instead of just talking about the good stuff
lucid plant
Seema Prathapan we would be great friends. Finally someone with good taste. Doug and Elon all have people suckling on their teet.
Agreed
@@seemaprathapan7354 Elon makes good cars, Doug makes good car reviews so do you know who really suck YOU because all you do is comment stupidity
@@Asiansxsymbol That comment is dumb, but you don't have to be a racist
"A thousand horsepower with the brakes of a Camry"
Sounds like a good american car.
c8 makes up for it
@@Fj4LiFe23 911 wipes the floor w it
As a Viper owner this actually sounds exactly like my kind of car 😂
It does 😁
@@ritwikbandyopadhyay2376 The new C8 ZO6 can do 60 mph is 2.5 seconds. The last time a Porsche went that fast was the 918 Spyder.
"Please don't take this to a track."
*hard cut to Thomas in a racing helmet*
Brilliant editing!
Need to watch the Nürburgring record
i literally screeched
@@schroder9853 it’s record was crap?
@@schroder9853 "record", 15 seconds slower than the AMG GT 4door (630hp).
Or the only track you can take it to is the Drag Race track
That was really informative since we are pushing it to top speed on the autobahn soon.. CERAMICS Tesla!!!!!
A Holly molly braking performance is needed
That will be fun to watch, waiting for it
Just needs more regen, you can damn near lock up the front wheels. And some added suspension settings could help with the weight when braking too.
@@UTVH21 Like they've never driven on the autobahn before..
AutoTop, should be a short video then, unless you're waiting on the top speed update.
Having watched dozens of your videos, from the hyper cars, to the ridiculous cars, I’ve never heard you guys give such a genuine warning to people who own the car. You’ve said certain cars are dangerously quick, deceptive at speed, but the severity Thomas had when talking about the brakes was super telling about the Plaid.
One has to wonder is the engineering staff so new to this that they can't properly develop braking specifications commensurate with the performance of the powerplant??
Supercars need more warnings about curbs and speed bumps than driving fast. Thanks to the electronic interventions with traction and stability control, they are quite composed and well-balanced and not that dangerous driven within reason. It seems like this Plaid is so fast, that distinction of "driven within reason" can disappear pretty quick. If I were to spend so much on a car, I'd want a giant carbon-ceramic option similar to the Taycan Turbo S. Good thing Unplugged Performance has us covered with that.
I think that Thomas is over-reacting to counter the irrefutable acceleration demonstrated on the internet with the ability to walk (or run) away from their favorite cars/sponsors. When you see the reviews of people racing the Plaid (especially having more than a day or two experience with the car) they will notice that you need to be mindful about the brakes, but not because of a design or safety flaw, but simply because the Plaid goes VERY fast quickly. Running the Plaid around their track only ONCE because he didn't trust the brakes is also a weak move. The factory-stock Plaid models set a track record on the Nurburgring racetrack. Hmmmm. I hope that they are paid well to pull this kind of biased reporting online, missing the greater importance of having a supercar-beating EV, because they are thrashing the car on a track before Tesla's Track Package is released for the Plaid. And proclaiming that it is therefore unsafe to drive on the street. Bad dog! ...Pissing on the Plaid.
These things are unfortunately mostly purchased by folks that aren’t real car enthusiasts without formal driver training, and they are an invitation for disaster.
@@deanmcmanis4862 I mean, the new 911 turbo GT3 beat the Plaid around the Nürburgring by 35 seconds, which Thomas has also driven, so its not like they aren't used to driving fast cars around a track. The Plaid is a great car, and in a straight line it beats the 911 turbo gt3. But running a car around a track is different than a straight line. I love the Plaid, I think its fantastic how fast it is, and in a straight line, under good conditions, it'll put a beating on dozens of hypercars. There isn't a car like it, and critiquing the brakes as being subpar around a track for its power and weight doesn't take that away.
The Model S plaid seems to be essentially an electric, luxury muscle car. It is devastatingly fast in a straight line but really not intended to be driven like a sports car.
@E Double It may not be on the level as something like an A8 or S Class but the Model S is still a luxury car. Whether it is good value because those alternatives are so much nicer is another matter entirely.
@E Double Standard equipment is not what makes a luxury car. The way it feels, the quietness of the interior, the qualify of the materials, and/or the performance do that.
@E Double I wouldn’t touch a Tesla with a 10ft pole for a number of reasons, quality being pretty high on the list. That said, I DO think that a model S is still a luxury car even though it is not a particularly good car. I also blame Tesla for me not yet owning an EV. The model Y is the only one I can afford that could replace my current luxury SUV.
@E Double No there are not. Stop the bs
@E Double I know rimac nevera is faster, was that supposed to be a point or something? Nice to hear a 2 million hypercar wins against 150k family car🥳 Thats actually a compliment in itself to compare a family car to pure hypercar
“1000 horsepower, brakes like a camry” haha
Please don't track this. *Immediately switches scene to helmet for hot-lap*
Camry brakes actually work half decent though lol
@@djsomeguy they work half decent for regular street driving and not from anywhere near these speeds. Also on a car that weighs almost half of what this car does.
I’m surprised they can’t get a lot of extra brake force from regen.
@@djsomeguy camry brakes are great for camry speeds just not a 1000hp 5000lb car
I cracked up when James said "pay-per-view doesn't include paper" 😂
I’ve always thought it was “paper view” 😭😭
I mean, i alawys knew what it was, but i just figured the paper was something from a bygone era and the name paper stuck somehow.
My goodness, I live in Africa and I always knew it was Pay-per-view.
Thanks to WWE though 😂
*"A thousand horsepower and the brakes of a Camry."* What a frikin legend Thomas is....
Lmao. Oh God. I love it.
well it does still hold the world record EV track time right now.......
@@blitzwing1
It needs 23” ceramic breaks on all wheels with perforated rotors AT LEAST
@@sqlevolicious That is because the aggressive regen braking was left in when this "review" turned it off. Most Tesla drivers seldom even use the mechanical brakes.
How it is that when hoonigan raced tesla against 720 s, mclaren run out of braking zone not tesla? Something not adding up
I think at 9:38, Thomas hits the nail on the head. "if you buy it to really rip it on on and off ramps or even think about taking it to the track, it completely falls down in a way that a big heavy German sedan would not".
New Tesla models always seem like they are 90% thought through by release and the rest gets added over the air. Only problem is you can't just add a massive brake upgrade over the air. And you can't solve it with regen alone. Not sure what they were thinking with this cars setup.
The S I dont think was intended to be a track car. Its supposed to be a fast cruiser. If you want an extremely fun car that puts a smile on the track, I'd suggest 3 performance. Tesla didn't even bother putting in track mode in their model S until later on after people actually started taking it to the track.
Then try to charge your customers $20k for an upgrade
This car with these brakes had the Nurburgring record for EV cars for awhile. W professional driver. But if you want to track spend the 20k for ceramic brakes.
@@Abebe345 Ceramic brakes and track tyres for 20k is not overpriced by any means. The brakes alone would be 10k-15k
@@lachlanB323 the price was dropped $30k in September so it makes sense now.
Good review. I have a Plaid, took it to the dragstrip 3 days after delivery back in June. Had to really stand on the brakes after the traps to get it slowed down. The warning/criticism of the brakes is spot on. Also have taken 3 road trips, one of them 2600 miles, and it's a master at that endeavor.
Well every car does that on road trips.
@@kraenk12 ...every car is comfortable, quiet, reliable and has instant, massive power everywhere, anytime on road trips?? Nope.
@@Jgift_9x that’s literally not a thing anymore.
@@2snailz135 Every other EV in that price range is. In fact the EQS is on another planet in terms of ride quality, noice levels and comfort. If you want to trade all those things for 2 seconds faster 0-60 time as well as a better infotainmentsystem then thats fine. But at least be honest about it.
cap
When i saw the Lexus LFA video I immediately, got my headphones out. This one? The phone speaker will do.
Preach
That's why it's called an Electric car mate
I just came to give it a thumbs down. I'm not watching this horse shit. If you know about this cartoon 'green movement,' you know this is a huge scam.
@@klaushuxley3342 no need to hurt their channel you really get that butthurt?
@@klaushuxley3342 dude you’re a sadist…..wtf??
Props to you for actually reviewing the car and not just accelerating and calling that an review
Actually.... most other reviews focus on street use (and drag strip to convey how fast/powerful it is)...which is where 99% of Tesla owners would drive this anyway. TH concentrated on track use.. again, not where Tesla's are heading. They did say, that it's great as a daily driver.
@@Mr1Tanker 100% of Plaid owners will hit the brakes.
@@davidwynn6105 Yep, and how many have you heard of not stopping properly? BTW, don't thumb-up your own comment... pitiful.
@@davidwynn6105 and most of them will barely engage the pads, in daily usage the regen does most of the work. For emergency stops when the brakes are not faded it stops exactly like any other heavy performance sedan with steel brakes.
@@HNedel complete bs just look at the number of Plaid drivers on TH-cam busy giving joy rides to their friends, family and complete strangers. Second they act like idiots when your driving a sportscar - at every light wanting to challenge you to a race. These people probably haven't attended one performance driving school but think their computer on wheels is going to save their ass. Might as well give every 16 year old a 1966 Shelby.
Honestly fair about the braking I've heard it from other people as well, and glad elon came out with the ceramic brakes and how it's going to change the drive.
Watching your track test gave me enormous anxiety. I can only imagine this car getting in the wrong hands and plowing into something thinking they will be able to break after testing out that launch.
Like the accident in Florida where someone drove it through a house at 116 and killed 2 people.
This is not exclusive to an EV. There will always be an idiot who thinks his brakes are better than they are (or the road is wet, or dusty, or whatever) and crashes. My mum told me a story about a colleague who was allowed to drive a Porsche the first time. She got in and stepped on it like it was her familiar bug. It barked, the wheels started spinning, she froze, lost control and crashed. That was in the 1960s...
I guess it will break once it hits something! ;-)
@@TN-jb4jk I don't think anyone's blaming the machine, it just seems that something like this should be more restricted to people who will be responsible with it. Aka maybe require significant training if you REALLY feel you need something this insane (does anyone really have any genuine need for something so fast and heavy?)
@@TN-jb4jk Huh?! More like Nanny Sate USA where everyone screams "Why wasn't there a warning sign in this spot?" after he got bitten in the zoo, 3 feet from the warning sign...
Don't even get me started about the speed limits... I still think a lot of them are there because it makes the jurisdiction money. (Ok, a lot of the speed limits in Germany are the same)
fantastic review
With its level of breaking it will be no time before theres a crashed one for you
@@swift4657 half burned of course
@@swift4657 all cars break over time except Toyota
Shame about Der Voss Hat Gatecrasher
Clout chaser
"oh that looks like it's from factory" LMFAO yeah
Given Tesla's poor quality control, this could be a true statement. 🤣
As an Ex Tesla and current SpaceX engineer.
That checks out…
I had the opportunity to ride shotgun in one when they first started getting delivered and man… all I can say is that the performance this car gives is CRAZY.
You start going blind as soon as you launch. It’s like dropping off the top of Supreme Scream. But going forward.
To think that you can just buy this type of power off the assembly line is INSANE.
It's uncontrolled POS, no steering, no brakes, JUNK, made in america
That feels really biased. Certainly not junk.
@@ericeckels9293 1000 HP and uncontrolled is junk, at 160 mph "car and driver" called it scary, horrible, unstable, and it doesn't STOP, it's junk. hype is not the way to design a car that sells for $140,000 !!! A Porsche or Audi RS for $140,000 can go faster and being in control, a mk8 VW Golf R can do 171 mph and be in complete control and stop fantastic from such speeds, $44K Better cars work better, at any price
Literally the only thing it can do is accelerate (and I mean just in the positive direction)
@@cengeb these two doing the review have no idea about performance driving, taking this video as benchmark for the quality of this car is mind blowing and wrong. As for what you mentioned there (only VAG group) shows a bias towards 2007 golf’s 😅.
Having touch sensitive buttons for the indicators has got to be a pain if you live anywhere with lots of roundabouts. As soon as your steering wheel is upside-down you've got no chance.
That’s very true I didn’t really think about having to click it with turning like if u have to turn right then immediately left
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it comes to mind. New and or different isn’t always better.
@@L0n3W0lfBl4ck especially when it comes to safety equipment people have to use multiple times a day. It should work exactly as people expect it work.
@@L0n3W0lfBl4ck I disagree with this normally but with a steering wheel for sure
You use your turn signals in roundabouts?
“Too many cheeseburgers” I died
same 😂
He said it with so much effort 😂
It is made in America
@@xers6704 nah look at the zo6
@@xers6704 lmao tell them to innovate on the terrible fit and finish, a great american tradition.
According to what I've seen in other videos, the charging level isn't really an issue with this car when it comes to performance. Yours is the first video I've seen that mentions the horrible brakes, thanks for that!
Interesting. When I test drove a (slower variant of the) Model S, I also noticed that the brakes just didn't match the acceleration. I think the sales rep who was riding along turned a bit white, as I was finding this out... the Model 3 Performance feels more balanced in terms of acceleration vs. deceleration.
Even ignoring the other areas they could and should have improved, it's mind boggling that they didn't bother to put sufficient brakes on the car. I don't think Brembo is hard to get a hold of.
I believe they have a track pack with upgraded brakes, wheels, tires, front splitter and active rear spoiler in the works
The model 3 actually use brakes from Brembo I think. Don’t know about this though
@@DeeKay1911 yes I believe Brembo is the OEM supplier. They also make the majority of performance brakes (calipers) used on high performance cars and could easily have supplied such brakes for this if Tesla bothered to ask. Heck, I think Brembo already makes a BBK for the Model S as an aftermarket kit.
@@repCanada should be awesome. Car should have had better brakes standard. At minimum for safety to balance out a 1000hp 5k lbs car. I know it shouldn't matter for legal driving, but neither should 1000hp.
With 1200 hp of electric motor you'd think there's more than a set of brembos worth of regenerative braking resistance to work with. I find tesla to be a terrible choice of car given the other evs coming to market. Save the charging network, I think tesla might struggle for a few years
I hope Manufacturers recognize you more and give their cars during the car's release
They don’t want that-especially Tesla-because they’re honest. I’d rather them stay honest and take a bit to review cars, then get cars and lie.
Owner: "So, no brakes then?"
Tesla: "Yes"
just like my old Pontiac...
@@oldrrocr hehehehe :) or any other small car from 80's to mid 90's ... like my Dayhatsu Charade .... :)
Exactly nailed it at 17:15 - like an old muscle car with drum brakes. Having driven a both, that's exactly what a Plaid feels like. Terrifying (yet gratifying every time you drive it and don't die.)
Hi Bro,
Same here
I've almost never seen a chassi look so uncomfortable with itself at the limit.
Damn that is downright dangerous.
You know he is serious if his wipers turned on while breaking.
Nitish Anand , that would be "while braking". You can thank me later.
I'm watching from Australia and I swear you guys release videos just as I go to bed! Probably not the best for a good nights rest but it's certainly entertaining - love the review!
I just woke up
@@Dizastermaster. same here,lol. I’m in Phoenix, Arizona
@@evildrizzt1 I'm outside of Atlanta, Georgia haha
Me too - BNE
I think the same thing when a new Skid Factory video pops up. 🇨🇦😀
10:21 ‘then they get boring’ ive driven a model 3 for 3 years and still get excited every time I drive it
This review makes me think the Model 3 Performance (or a Porsche Taycan) is a much better pick if you intend to go around twisty bits in an EV. Just that bit more confidence-inspiring.
Indeed. Im taking the Porsche any day.
Agreed. I rock the M3P and it’s incredibly fun. I’ve never driven the S plaid, but I drove a P100D once, when they gave me one as a loaner, and absolutely hated driving that big ass boat of a car. Repeat, hated it. I wouldn’t buy the Porsche simply because it’s inferior in all the categories that matter, and way too expensive for that to be the case.
I wouldn't put any tesla in the "twisty bits", the Porsche and the Mustang Mach-e GT are better suited by far.
@@curtiswilson3569 Mach-e overheats within 4 min
@@hagestad Not true at all. As an owner of many cars, including one, I can tell you that does not happen to me.
After years of watching I just now realized that Throttle House has the same initials as Thomas Holland.
And I just realized he’s spider man! No joke.
And Tim hortons
LOL noticed that too because of the font on his helmet. I'ts exactly the same as in the Throttle House Logo..
And Tom Hanks
@@SoNiK192 That's when I noticed it, all these years I never payed attention until the helmet.
"Gas prices are a fortune in North America"
*cries in Romania where a litre of gasoline costs almost 2 dollars and the medium salary is 10 times lower*
Cries in Brazilian too. Gas is extremely cheep in north America comparing to third world countries.
Costs me 1.70/litre for premium here in Canada. We’re all getting screwed by BIG OIL! 😅
@@TML34 I wish I could get for that price! Hahaha
@@TML34 Or taxes?
@@Mike.W.Dasher yeah, that too.
I can't believe I have lived to see the day when a 1000 HP car stock doesn't cost a few million dollars. Not to mention it's also much more practical than all the 2 door coupe out there
You don't need a steering wheel in a car that runs only straight.
Take a look at this car on the Nürburgring... 🤫
@@julien42230 so?
Lol, Facts.
The stock Plaid has the EV course record at Nurburgring....kinda the definition of not straight. Besting all comers including the Porsche Taycan Turbo? Ummmmm......yeah.
@@julien42230 Yes, on the Nurburgring…they brought out the right mechanics to help it actually idk…Turn😏. You can die on the Nurburgring without the proper brakes. I promise you this exact car would crash on the Nurburgring if you are tying to break a speed record.
Wow. That is a great review. As a Tesla fan but also a car guy it was interesting to see the lap time and how dangerously underbraked it is and other issues it has. Thanks for uploading an unbiased review of the car.
Unfortunately the Model 3 Performance largely suffers the same fate, though the brakes in the Model S Plaid are probably the same even though it's heavier and going to be at higher speeds. (Wouldn't be surprised at all if they're the same part)
At the end of the day... It's like radiators in street cars right? If you try to race most street cars they just end up overheating, as they only fitted a radiator designed for driving it fast on the road occasionally, not constantly at the limit on the track.
I see the Plaid's brakes being the same deal, they're fine for the street, but you'd upgrade them for a track just like how you'd upgrade a radiator.
@@VoxelLoop Precisely mate. Model 3 Performance, although it's a car that isn't top of the line by Tesla, has its own track mode and track package that includes Zero G rims and also upgraded brakes for the track. Plaid has no track mode, no track package and terrible brakes. I also would not be surprised if the Plaid had the exact same brakes as this car.
@@jamo8896 Plaid should be getting a proper track package. They've been testing active aero very recently and its been in the parts catalog for a long time. :)
I imagine upgraded brakes and different brake fluid would come as part of that too.
@@VoxelLoop Yep.
What's more stupid is that the Plaid that set the nurburgring lap time had brake, suspension, and even steering wheel upgrades. They should've just put that stuff on the road going model.
Thomas - you are the first one to explain what is being seeing in the plaid Nurburgring video - the driver has to be super active with the steering and looks like they are fighting it in a way not seen with other cars on that course. My model 3 doesn’t like to pushed to the limit either, but it’s handling is still “ok”. I think it’s under-braked too.
Its a family sedan, its not a track car. People need to grow up and drive it the way its intended.
Randy Pobst, who drove the Unplugged Performance Plaid at Pikes Peak this year actually put the steering in 'Comfort' mode as he said it made turning easier as the power steering was stronger. :)
@@stubones grow up and ignore the 1000+ horsepower yeah okay
@@stubones well maybe……. But Tesla went out of the way to highlight and promot that Nurburgring run, plaid has a specific “cheetah” mode (this indicates clear intent beyond “family sedan”, etc. So I think it’s fair game for any criticism as a performance car.
I’m curious why the Brembo brakes are not as capable as they are on other makes?
Thank you for finally talking about its handling and not some stragiht line speed that isnt necessary
Straight line speed is very damn important gtfoh
@@daryanghandehari6313 spotted the tesla shill. 0-60 isnt everything.
The opening yoke really got me laughing
It steering me up right now!
I see what you did there😂😌
It's a car made to appeal to the one metric non-car enthusiasts can comprehend easily which is the sensation of acceleration. It's a tech company that designed something for tech enthusiasts.
Long story short:
The car is for tech enthusiasts - not car enthusiasts.
Update your comment with my summarization and you’ll get more like daddy
Exactly
Exactly.
It's a car made to appeal to the one metric teenage boys think will get them to second base. Now if Elon can only get the Plaid to land a kickflip in the HS parking lot it will be unstoppable.
I've just gone (5 days ago) from an M2 to a Model 3 performance. The acceleration is a brutal, merciless experience. You are the absolute king of the traffic light GP. Anything that even has a chance has to to turn up with launch mode engaged and in full attack, while this terminator disguised as a fridge on wheels is always ready to go. After 12 hours of ownership I had to put it in chill because it was making me feel sick, and it still felt faster than the M2. But it absolutely wasn't as much fun. The speed feels almost painful, which is a weird thing to say. It's playful and likes to move (with appropriate settings) but the mass, tires and suspension just aren't there yet, like 8/10ths.
How’s the steering feel in the model 3 compared to the m2?
Plus no engine noises. They spoke about the LFA and it's special sounds, so that is a significant factor in our driving experiences.
@@officialyasir the model 3 steering feels good. its heavy but cg is low. suspension is decent, it was the BStock autocross champ against cars like the m2 before they kicked it out of the class.
@@JackMott nice! Thanks
Thanks for a honest review. I would never race against a Tesla from a light. Have to know your opponent and tendencies before racing
"I am not being dramatic" proceeds to slap steering wheel and flail the steering wheel left and right through a corner and breath abnormally. Drama.....QUEEN.
That steering "wheel" looks dangerous af in urgent situations
It is! There's a reason why it's a circle and then Elon overhyped this over what actually makes more sense but he knows his fans would defend him no matter what.
it would make sense if its rotation was limited to 120 degrees each direction probably. And from what I've seen it's at least 450 degrees (1 and a quarter turn) each direction, and for example 270 degrees while turning left on a junction (even more if turning right because it is tighter then). So yeah, Tesla reinvented the wheel and they've done it poorly to say the least.
@@TN-jb4jk you a god damn lie
“It’s 1000 horsepower and the brakes of a Camry” 🤣🤣🤣
Nice to meet you here
This car needs carbon ceramics like I need oxygen. Why would they make it this fast and it stops like a tractor trailer without exhaust breaking?
Thats track package and it will come soon probably
Tesla is all about keeping the hype going and its doing that extremely well.
I driven a model 3 performance and I was impressed with the acceleration other then that it feels cheap.
@@GrandmasterFU666 it also has great Software and charging autopilot and so on so just making build quality even better than now will put tesla over everyone imo
@@badema2638 if they improve build quality. They don’t seem to be doing much. I’ve been test driving each new model since Tesla literally calls me constantly to let me know they have the new whatever to come check it out. Really cool to drive but quality is not there.
carbon ceramics just help with brake fade on the track, so not something that many Plaid owners will need. This car needs bigger discs, bigger pads, and 6-8 piston brakes, just to be safe on the streets. If you're tracking it, for some reason, than sure, go for the ceramics.
"Today we want to figure out what it's like when you actually push this thing.. and more importantly we want to figure out what a teraflop even is" 😄🤣
LOL... I have never seen Thomas struggle with a car so badly on a track.. it was like he was wrestling a donkey.
I love watching the number of subscribers jump every episode. Hoping 2 mil is only a matter of a few short months at most.
2 Mill for Christmas!
This looks to be easily one of the 3 hardest cars I've seen him lap. He was working his butt off. Not a good sign.
If you buy that for the track, you’re doing to wrong.
It wasn’t built for the track.
@@jamsxr then what is it for? no one needs that speed in an daily driver
The speed is a byproduct of efficiency.
@@shiftgood no it isn’t there are plenty of electric cars that won’t will you. It’s a product of overkill. If you’re going to build something that’s high performance, all of it needs to fit, not just the power delivery
Forget about the track. In the real world on the road, the S plaid is the boss.
I think the Model S Plaid will be seeing a lot of drag strips, they will not be tracking those cars lol
“That looks like it’s from factory”
With Tesla’s quality control I wouldn’t doubt it😂
Thank you throttle house for explaining to everyone just because a car goes fast in a straight line does not make it a super car contender.
The level of built quality of the plaid varies a lot.
You seems to have got a near perfect built.
Doug demuro got a horrendous one.
Tesla and quality don't mix.
All the plaids are great
@@Joseph-xj4ex These guys seems to have got a proper one.
Glad James remembers the day he got his first kiss.... 😂
Last week isn't too far gone
@@frederickvondinkerberg7721 r/cursedcomment
Only of anything is always quite memorable.
The kicker: it was with Thomas.
If he had gotten laid, he would have remembered the first time he had sex. In other words poor guy is still a Virgin:).
I would like to see a side by side brake comparison from like 80mph next to something like James’ S4
It's so wierd to see the car accelerate and go around the track in complete silence
True, and ironically that may help a few tracks stay alive. Some tracks have been closed due to noise complaints from Karen's who move near an active track. For example my neighborhood, we lost a 1/4 mile strip that was 2 miles away from my house, an oval dirt track that was a mile away, and a motocross track 2 miles away all due to noise complaints in the last 20 years. If i recall Laguna Seca is under the radar for the same issue, too many Karen's moving near the track are complaining of the noise.
Agreed. I’m used to a lot of engine/exhaust noise at the track. It’s visceral at first but I get tired of the drone after awhile. I think I’d prefer silence, myself.
Back in the day, exhaust note helped sell cars and beer had calories.
@@philipkozloff3832 yeah and that's still true. Back then quiet and luxury also sold cars, just like it does today. Only difference is the quiet and luxurious cars can now compete with loud sports cars on the road. I see no problem with this, it means people have more variety in choices.
"Steering wheel is fine, I have no issue with it at all!" 8:44 in quick turn he looses his grip on the wheel.. LOL
Other than the issue with brakes and cornering, my concern isn't the steering wheel itself (I can't say I like it but we'll probably get use to it) so much as moving everything to buttons. For example, indicators work on a stalk because we turn the steering wheel in the same direction... our mind finds them easy to associate, so why change to buttons? Don't say it's to save money - this is not a budget car - and don't say for engineering or interior quality - we as humans have been making cars long enough for us to have mastered the mechanics behind this whilst keeping the stalk durable.
My biggest issue is the horn. Why is it a button? It's a safety feature to let other drivers who haven't seen you know that you're there or something is wrong, and it works well on a central pressure plate. I know some people use it for other purposes and, well, we're not likely to seem them change any time soon, but I want to use it for its intended purpose. If I'm corning somewhere, like pulling into a side road, and someone ahead of me is doing something that puts us in danger because they haven't seen me, I need to be able to hit the wheel quickly and let them know I'm there. I do not want to look down at my wheel, figure out how much I've turned it and therefore what position the horn button is now in so that I can accurately press it instead of my indicators, lights, etc. If I have to do that, it's probably too late.
Shame you didn't do any real world driving in this video - as much as your points about track driving were interesting, I was more interested to know what this and everything else would be like to live with day-to-day.
There are some really good points here! There’s a ton of daily driving reviews out there. They reviewed the things that actual car enthusiasts care about.
@@XJapa1n09 As a car enthusiast myself, I don't feel I can speak for all car enthusiasts... as any internet forum will show, enthusiasts can often disagree.
And yes, they do raise some good points - the fact the wheel encourages the proper 9 and 3 hand placement might be a good thing, but it's also interesting to note that the one place or may fall short is if drifting. I don't think any other reviews I've read or watched have pointed all of this out.
However, I think most of the Throttle House reviews (that aren't part of their track reviews subcategory) focus largely on road driving with a little bit of track driving thrown in if relevant. I was therefore hoping for that, as Thomas's background in driving and coaching of other drivers means he often gives much more insight into cars than other reviewers for said-ethusiasts like you and me.
They said it themselves several times - this isn't a track car but they were reviewing it on a track and largely focused on track-related wins and shortcomings, making this video weighted towards the entertainment value of seeing it on a track and less about the information a viewer like me was looking for. Each to their own, of course, and I'm happy if you enjoyed the video... but I also get to express if or where I didn't and explain why.
Fair?
The horns and turn signals are something anyone would get quickly use to. Anyone who has spent any considerable seat time in a Ferrari 458 or newer also uses buttons on the wheel for turning and the horn. It should be noted that the Ferrari's layout is symmetrical for these, but still buttons on the wheel none the less.
@@Ven100 Do you think? I mean, I think I would agree on the turn signals for most people, but maybe not everyone - we might like driving and get use to this but what about the average consumer? My parents and wife still refuse to engage with online shopping so, every time they try, they complain to me that "it just doesn't work" when it clearly does. It might seem silly to anyone who does just accept and learn how online shopping works, but people can be silly!
I'm not so sure about the horn, though... how often do people actually have to use the horn and how much easier is it to just slam your hand down on the wheel when you have to? Also, I like your example in that I have to ask: what sort of sample size is "anyone who has spent time in a Ferrari 458 or newer"?! Pretty low numbers, right, and not exactly a car brand famed for ease of day-to-day use 😉
You've got to remember they are working on the transition to self driving cars. Don't need an annoying stalk that takes up room and blocks your view of the digital dash when the car drives itself around town and activates the blinkers autonomously.
"Please don't take it to the track..." "...Okay, the lap time" 😂
This was a really fair review. I have a Tesla Model 3 Performance; and yes, the brakes and suspension need replacing if you choose to track it.
@Jay Cari lol
I had the EXACT same feeling about breaking the P100D Model X in ludicrous mode. I began to brake way earlier than I thought I would need to (in comparison to ex. an M4 which has amazing brakes). It made it a bit dangerous/scary to do rapid acceleration without the space to brake. This must be due to the crazy weight of the car. Great review!
Stop talking shit bro, the M4 is way more expensive, with the track pack tesla can enjoy fast braking as well and still cost less than the M4. The model X doen't have track pack but it's not a cas intended for that
Now that I’ve had my Volt for a few years, I could live with a car with 120 mile range just for commuting. It would be nice to see a two seater commuter. Could they do it for $25k? You’d never need to charge it away from home.
A lot of plug in hybrid owners graduate to full EV on their next car….they realize that they don’t really need the same range as a gas car because you top up nightly at home.
@@lemongavine I only have one car. I don’t want to navigate charging stations on trips. Occasionally, I actually go to work which has subsidized charging. $4. Normally, it would cost $14 which is more than gas. It stinks seeing Tesla’s topping off, when you know that they have a 400 mile range.
I want a volt as a daily
A 2 seater EV would be cool, but there just won't be the interest, people will be concerned about crashes vs SUVs or lack of space for weekend activities as most people think they'd prefer 1 vehicle that can do everything. How many people have a truck because they might need it for 1 day a year?
BYD EA1 could be one worth looking at, about half the price of a Model 3. It is a 5 seater but it's in the same size range as the Civic, Focus and so on, weight about 1550kg. You can fold the rear seats down if you'll never use the rear seats (I do that in my Fiesta).
The editing of this is next level from TH-cam videos. Karston “the legend” #letkarstonspeak
Using the same b-roll clip 3 times in 45 seconds is next level?
I'm Norwegian, we have the highest percentage of Teslas on the road in the world, and I'm scared shitless of the development of electric cars. Not because they can easily gap my A3, but because of some boy borrowing dads Tesla and crashing. 99.999% of the buyers of this thing do not know how to handle that much power and speed. And then it brakes like a Camry. There will be so many brutal accidents with cars like this.
If dad is smart he sets the limiters on the kid's driving profile. That's the thing about EVs you can mess around with the settings and make it so some users don't have full power mode.
@@themeach011 If the kid is smart he knows how to bypass that.
@@themeach011 There are also dads who drive like boys. It is impossible to completely remove the problem when the potential of the car is that high. Some people will always do reckless stuff.
@@evenbraut1495 not without stealing dad's phone and then if the car doesn't kill him I would. This is the same old story as any kid in any car. They are just super dangerous things period. Basically every car ever built goes more than fast enough to kill you. I'd put my kid in that car over any rear wheel drive V8 car. Or even truck for that matter. At least a Tesla is almost impossible to roll
@@themeach011 yeah imagine those cars which can spins out while going straight just because you push down the gas pedal too fast. I'm actually more worried about the kids who driven Tesla and try to drive an ICE like it 😬
Thomas and James I’ve been watching you guys for SOOO long and I gotta comment today and say you guys really are the best car journalist on TH-cam amazing content keep it up legends yu deserve the recognition you guys have been getting, not to mention how skillful you are with the cars which in end makes you unmatched with reviews 🗣❗️
for the price it’s insane that all it does is accelerate in a straight line and play games on the screen
And trash brakes
To be fair its cheaper than a Porsche 911 that does 0-150 way slower.
@@swedish_sadhguru3854 it is cheaper but can't corner like a Porsche and the quality
?
BTW seeing you use 2 feet on the brakes was horrifying. It reminded me of driving a fully overloaded truck down a winding road with fear in my eyes!
James‘s reaction to the steering wheel 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
One thing common between all the reviewers is that they all fear that now a lot of people are going to have cars above 1000hp and it's going to be dangerous especially with the brakes.
150k is not cheap but nowhere near the 500k or million dollar hypercars
I don't think I've ever seen Thomas so scared before. Props for having the confidence to bring up your own channel on the Tesla screen though xD
He was also "drama queening" it up pretty hard as well.
Have you watched the Ford GT review they did? Subtitled "The Car That Tried to Kill Us"?
Imagine an inexperienced driver getting into this car thinking it’s a “sports car” because it’s fast in a straight line then having a panic brake situation and not being able to stop like a proper sports car with real brakes would be able to.
True, but if an inexperienced driver finds their way into the driver's seat of this car, either through their own means or mommy and daddy's, and proceed to wreck it, shame on them and not Tesla.
@@pwnranger3496 well it's tesla's job to make the car safe, at the speeds it can reach.
At least Tesla is now the most American car ever. Blinding speed, zero steering and breaking
@@danieljakobsen1289 most cars can reach 150+ mph. there's nothing you can do to make it safe at those speeds.
@@pavlelekic5343 nonsense, its not the most American car ever, the parts are made all around the world, from Mexico to Germany, China, South Korea, Taiwan, japan...... go watch sandy munro on tesla teardown.
Thomas and James are like peanut butter and jelly: great by themselves, but fantastic when combined!
Would be cool to see some numbers of braking zones
200-0 Tesla vs blackwing vs m5
Or even a 0-200-0
I love how relaxed Thomas was in this review. He wasn’t talking crazy fast and I didn’t become anxious :) ❤️
You become anxious in reviews?
You should see a therapist.
@@gergc4871 was thinking the exact same thing
You good man?
It was great to see one gutted and raced up Mount Washington in August .. they did replace the yoke with a regular steering wheel .. and the biggest issue was the brakes .. his best time was 7:09
Didnt a couple of them race up Pikes Peak this gear too? They did all have upgraded brakes and suspension tho. And of course ALL THE AERO
Love you guys' reviews. No other car reviewers I've seen that feature the pros AND cons, what it's like to daily AND what it's like at the track, and topped off with hosts with camaraderie and humor. The cinematography and audio are the cherries on top.
Most other car reviewers don't even tick half of those boxes.
It gets said a lot, but it's true: you're the modern day Top Gear, imo.
Better than top gear**
**invented fake cons just for controversy and views
@@AdRock that’s not true. Provide one example of this or any proof. It’s clear in all lap times and all stats that they’re being honest. Don’t be butthurt because daddy Elon built a terrible performance car. It’s not a BMW and it never will be. There’s a reason they’ve said nothing bad about the new Porsche GT3. Don’t be delusional
I can't wait to see Thomas try and drift this thing with the steering issues once there is a track mode
This is currently my daily driver. Violently fast is how I describe it. No real reason for this much power but it is a beast and yes, heavy! I do agree that the brakes are lacking. It's just so much weight to bring to a stop.
Nice to meet you here
There are way heavier cars out there with better brakes. This car costs north of 120k.
It’s just an American thing I guess. Just like American muscle cars, focus on horse power, size and forget about the rest of auto-engineering.
@@Barone2013 that is why we like German cars because overall performance is than one side top performance.
I think it’s cooler to drive a slower car fast than driving a fast car slow. A model S Plaid would be fun but it would be so easy to rack up speeding tickets.
Thats the issue i have right now😄😄
How about fast car fast? 😀
"Don't take it to a track" cue Thomas in a helmet on a track 😂
He had to test it duuuuuuh!!
Nice to meet you here
When I was in high school I was instructed to place my hands in the 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. Elon Musk has made that impossible!
I wonder what Jeremy Clarkson thinks of this car, I bet he would call it “face melting fast” 🤣
Can't imagine him liking the yoke tbh
@@cuprashoe i don’t get why it’s called a yoke, a yoke is shaped like that but also goes back and forth and it’s for air plains. Is a freaking wheel, f1 drivers don’t call it a yoke🤦🏻♂️
I can picture his cheeks flapping like in the mono haha
@@themeach011 🤣exactly what I was thinking. They would rip the crap out of the car for being nothing more than speed
@@jhatgotagat300 🤣absolutely, I still don't know why it's called a yoke either
a good followup video would be getting a hold of the unplugged performance plaid they have and see if they fixed any of the problems you had on track.
A simple set of sway bars from Unplugged performance for my M Y perf has been an excellent investment.
I wonder if everything this car is “missing” they are waiting to have on the roadster. Better suspension, brakes etc
That's still a pretty dangerous concept for Tesla to be exploring. Brakes, tires and suspension should ALWAYS take precedence over general power. 1000 HP is fun on paper until the underappreciated suspension and brakes put you in a wall
They need steer by wire and steering motors for this, like CT.
Best review I've seen of this car. Went so much deeper than the "ZOMG the acceleration" that most reviews get stuck on. Thank you. BTW, in the close up shots of the Plaid badge, the paint quality looks atrocious for a US$150k car. Is it really that bad?
Tesla and quality control don't go together.
the worst part is that they ask $1500 for that paint. Even a company like Porsche doesn't ask that much.
For me to get this car I would need to have the money for this and an exotic sports car. I think it would be the perfect daily and I wouldn't worry about things like panel gaps or paint quality because I'd always have something in the garage that fixes those issues and has much better driving dynamics. But I think the power is incredible and wouldn't worry too much about anything else if I had another car.
@@vandita3695 I think vinyl wrap looks better lol
Thomas does strike me as a leopard print kind of dude.
Love that you’re reviewing this with exactly 1.69m followers 😂
Nice
Nice
Nice
Braking would probably be a lot less of an issue if Tesla enabled mixed breaking like every other EV out there. Would undoubtedly stop faster if you could combine brakes + regen.
I LOVE THROTTLE HOUSE, VERY UNBIASED AND FUN SKITS TO MAKE OUR DAYS BETTER WITH CONTENT, KEEP DOING THE GREAT WORK! I NEVER MISS A VIDEO!
That lap preview felt much more sinister because of the lack of engine noise. It feels like you're just alone fighting the weight and the speed of the Model S.
This is what happens when a tech company makes a fast car.
Yeah, it can go fast, but will also kill you because no brakes.
What kill you because u drive fast not because the car is fast.
What an advertising 👏
Even he hit the break by 2 feet 😂😂