Tesla Model S Plaid gets seats to handle its 1000 horsepower

Hoping to revive its career against the diabolical and exclusive Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, the Tesla Model S Plaid is changing its seats.

In a sporty car, even more so when it offers some of the best performances in the world, the seats are a central element. They provide support during turns but also the feedback on the car’s grip. The seats are the direct contact between man and machine. Therefore, Tesla’s announcement of new sporty bucket seats is surprising: why weren’t they there earlier?

These new seats, electric, feature 12 adjustment options. Heated and ventilated, Tesla also specifies that the surface material offers better grip so that the body does not slide in the seat. Finally, the Californian manufacturer talks about weight reduction but provides no figures.

In a joking tone, Tesla recalls that these new buckets were necessary to handle the insane power of its Model S Plaid. Its technical specifications claim 1020 horsepower and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.0 seconds. The 400-meter dash is completed in 9.23 seconds.

What is the problem with this Tesla?

But the issue with the Tesla Model S Plaid isn’t with the seats. Sold for €109,990 in France, you could say it is “affordable” when you consider its performance. With a range of 695 km (with small 19-inch wheels covered with plastic hubcaps!), the Model S is a true long-distance traveler.

Unfortunately, its build quality does not match its high-end ambitions. Materials, interior and exterior assemblies, creaking furniture, complaints are still too numerous. These reasons also explain why the Tesla is ultimately less expensive than its competitors: it can reasonably ask for a lower price as these “toys” do not often undertake long journeys.

Finally, the big gap with, in the future, an €25,000 car is incompatible with a brand that aspires to be exclusive. No manufacturer has achieved this. Choosing means renouncing, and Tesla won’t escape it. New seats or not.

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