An updated version of Tesla's Model S. Photo: Tesla
An updated version of Tesla's Model S. Photo: Tesla
An updated version of Tesla's Model S. Photo: Tesla
An updated version of Tesla's Model S. Photo: Tesla

Hacked Tesla Model S Plaid hits record-setting 348kph


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A Tesla Model S Plaid hit its fastest recorded speed after its vehicle software restrictions were hacked by a software company.

Guillaume Andre, chief executive of Ingenext, took his Tesla vehicle for a drive on Thursday at Trois-Rivieres Airport in Quebec, Canada.

Mr Andre shared a clip on Facebook showing his car reaching 348 kilometres per hour on the tarmac.

Audio captured in the video resembles a plane taking off as the Tesla reached its top speed.

Ingenext had made previous attempts to set the record-breaking speed, but literally ran out of space to do so.

Trois-Rivieres Airport briefly shut down its three-kilometre runway to allow the software company to attempt the record-setting drive.

The attempt eclipsed the top speed of 322kph Tesla had promised when it first announced the Model S Plaid, but after it was released last year, the car was shown to have a top speed of 262kph.

Tesla then released the Plaid Track Mode to help the vehicle go slightly faster.

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    Tesla chief executive Elon Musk speaks during the opening day of the Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide, Germany. EPA
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    Musk speaks next to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the prime minister of Brandenburg state, Dietmar Woidke, during the opening ceremony. AFP
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    The Tesla chief, right, was cheered as he oversaw the handover of the car maker's first German-made cars at the Gruenheide plant. EPA
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    Musk described the opening as "another step in the direction of a sustainable future". EPA
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    Tesla is likely to launch a test version of its new "full self-driving" software in Europe, possibly next year, the chief executive said. EPA
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    Musk dances as he hands over the first Teslas from the new factory. Getty Images
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    Musk said battery production will be a "challenge" next year and a "limiting factor" in the coming years. Reuters
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    Tesla cars are parked at the site of the new Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide, Germany. Reuters
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    Tesla was handing over the first Model Y cars made at its €5 billion Gruenheide plant to clients on March 22, the company said. Getty Images
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    The new Tesla Gigafactory is the company's first European production centre. Getty Images
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    Newly completed Tesla Model Y electric cars parked at the site near Gruenheide. Getty Images
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    The new factory is the largest investment in a German car factory in recent history. Getty Images
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    A road sign reading 'water protection area' next to the Tesla logo at the site of the Tesla factory. EPA
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    A road sign reading 'Tesla Street' at the new plant. EPA
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    A building under construction at the Tesla factory. EPA
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    At full capacity, the factory will produce 500,000 cars annually. EPA
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    Tesla plans to hire 12,000 workers at the plant. Bloomberg

Though the Model S Plaid is a four-door family sedan, Tesla claims it has the fastest acceleration of any vehicle in production, with a peak of 1,020 horsepower.

The vehicle can go from 0-96kph in less than two seconds, car publication Motor Trends reported in 2021, but it takes 15 minutes to set up.

Most drivers would not be able to reach that kind of performance on a regular road, Tesla said.

Updated: July 01, 2022, 8:54 PM