When Tesla unveiled the Model S Plaid in 2021 it promised it will go from 0 to 60 mph in under 2 seconds and will hit a top speed of over 200 mph. But many tests have revealed that the Model S Plaid can only hit 269 km/h (167.14 mph). Then, in early 2022, Tesla announced the Track Mode for the Model S Plaid that pushed the top speed to 175 mph. Which again is not 200 mph. We are not sure what exactly is preventing Tesla from actually offering this kind of performance figure, but the fact is that it doesn’t. However, it seems that the trick to go over 200 mph is to remove software limitations.

The hack comes from a Quebec-based company named Ingenext. The company is well known for selling modules that help unlock software-locked features in Tesla vehicles, and it now managed to get around the software limitations in the Model S Plaid and unlock the sedan's full potential. And, the Model S Plaid not only hit 200 mph, but went up to an impressive speed of 216 mph - about 348 km/h - the fastest Model S Plaid so far. The test took place on a 1.8-mile runway at the Trois-Rivières airport in Québec, Canada. Short note: the airport was closed at that particular moment.

The car was driven by Guillaume André, CEO of Ingenext and, according to the company, the only modifications included were bigger brakes from Mountainpass Performance and Michelin Pilot Super Sport performance tires. André needed about 1.2 miles to hit 216 mph, and after that he needed to decelerate. Due to the use of high-performance brakes the test was a success and now this Model S Plaid holds the record for the fastest Tesla Model S. This is not the first time the Ingenext team has tried to reach 200 mph, but it literally ran out of space. It seems that the airport was the perfect place for this new attempt.

Just as a reminder, the Model S Plaid is powered by three electric motors that deliver a combined 1,020 horsepower. The car goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds, making it the world’s fastest production car. Also, many tests have revealed that it can run the quarter-mile in 9.23 seconds with a trap speed of 155 mph. It has an estimated range of 390 miles -which is not bad at all for such a high-performance car. With a drag coefficient of 0.208 the Model S Plaid is also the world’s most aero-efficient model. Of course, such an amazing performance car does not come cheap, and the Tesla Model S Plaid is priced at $129,990.