Why does Tesla limit its Model S Plaid to 240 km/h?

As of the 2026 model year, the Tesla Model S is now limited to 149 miles per hour, or 240 km/h, down from over 320 km/h previously.

Another good reason to annoy its customers. It seems to have become pathological at Tesla. While the Model S and Model X have been pulled from the European and Asian markets for several weeks due to lack of customers, here is Tesla making another absolutely incomprehensible decision: limiting the performance of its Model S, particularly in the Plaid version boasting 1020 horsepower.

The reason is very simple and lies in the choice of tires supplied as standard on a car whose price, excluding taxes in the United States, is 99,990 dollars (86,000 euros) as of August 2025. This does not include an average of 13,500 dollars in local taxes, bringing the final price to over 113,000 dollars. At this price point, the customer expects a certain level of standing…

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• 08/10/2025 11:03

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The Tesla Model S and Its Unsuitable Tires

Thus, the Tesla Model S Plaid comes standard with its 19-inch rims dressed in plastic hubcaps costing 30 euros each (yes indeed) and is now limited to 149 mph, or 240 km/h. All-season tires do not allow for greater speed and load indices. Quite amusing!

To unleash the full potential of the Tesla Model S Plaid, one must opt for the optional 21-inch Velarium tires, which compromises both comfort and range. On the Plaid, and exclusively on the Plaid, this setup is referred to as “Summer.” The wheels are priced at 4,500 dollars before tax, or 5,030 dollars including tax. Consequently, the top speed increases to 200 mph, or 321 km/h, but the EPA combined range drops from 368 to 328 miles, or from 592 to 527 km. Ouch!

Even “funnier”? The “entry-level” Tesla Model S is limited by default to 130 mph, or 210 km/h, as it has the same wheels as the Model S Plaid. But if the customer opts for the Velarium wheels at 5,030 dollars… Tesla still outfits it with all-season tires while the top speed is raised to 149 mph (240 km/h). As for range, it falls from 410 to 380 miles (from 660 to 611 km).

So, is it really useful to create cars with such absurd specifications if the idea is to cruise on a highway? Prestige does not lie in top speed, but in the exceptional. To think that performance is so undermined by stupid accounting decisions at this price level is simply incomprehensible. What is Elon Musk doing to monitor these details instead of debating all day on his social media platform X?

By acting this way, Tesla discredits itself in the eyes of its customers, who would prefer to pay a little more and go to Porsche, Audi, and the likes.

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