Tesla continues to dominate in the world of EV performance, and a new software update brought a noticeable increase in performance to the flagship Tesla Model S with the raven battery, including the highly anticipated Cheetah launch mode.
Photo by Slava Kozlovskii, used with permission
The new software update improved the performance of the Model S, thanks to a new “Cheetah” launch posture that leverages the adaptive air suspension to lower the posture of the front of the vehicle, resulting in more power to the ground in a launch. Along with the suspension improvements, the new software update brought a significant improvement in the performance of the Tesla Model S in back-to-back runs.
Pushing any electric vehicle to its limit in repeated, back-to-back testing takes a heavy toll on the batteries, extracting power from the majority of the pack as quickly as possible. The impact causes the cells to heat up, typically resulting in a sharp drop off in the performance of the vehicle. The more runs that happen in series, the bigger the impact.
Getting to the numbers, Car & Driver found the Cheetah-enabled Tesla Model S with Ludicrous+ mode enabled was pegging consistent 0–60 mph times of 2.4 seconds. Not only is that significantly faster than its predecessor, it put the Model S on par with Porsche’s Taycan Turbo.
The Cheetah performance update wasn’t something owners had to pay extra for. It simply came down to the vehicles as a normal over-the-air update, and boom, the performance improved. It is likely a part of Tesla’s push to eke out every last bit of performance from the Model S as Tesla finalizes the development of the highly anticipated Tesla Model S Plaid build, which is expected to blow the socks off of the competition in new and exciting ways.
As with any future upgrade, we don’t know much about the Model S Plaid yet, but rumors of a third motor, a possible body kit, and more are swirling around the interwebs.
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Starman approves of more performance in Tesla’s lineup. Image credit: Kyle Field, CleanTechnica
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