Tesla Model S Plaid laps Nürburgring in 7:30.909, production electric record
A Plaid Tesla Model S has set a new electric lap record at the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack in Germany, with a laptime of 7:30.909. This beats the Porsche Taycan’s time by nearly 12 seconds, and is quite competitive with the gas-powered competition as well.
Nürburgring Nordschleife, also known as “The Green Hell,” is one of the most famous racetracks in the world, known for its exceptional length and technical difficulty. While most race circuits are 2-4 miles long per lap, the Nordschleife (“North Loop”) is nearly 13 miles long per lap. The track winds through Rhineland forests on roads that are less flat and well-maintained than modern race circuits, with a combination of every type of corner you can imagine (and lots of graffiti from the locals).
As a result of this, and its location in Germany, it gets used by many manufacturers to test the capabilities of new cars, to shake down vehicles and see if they can handle the extreme stresses of racing – and to brag about their car’s capabilities.
Tesla has been at Nürburgring for the last couple weeks testing their new product and doing record attempts, so we were expecting news soon. Their achievement was announced today on Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s twitter account with a partial photo of the time slip:
This photo doesn’t include a lot of information, but shows the most important parts: the laptime and average speed.
The Nurburgring track has multiple configurations, and by looking at the time slip we can tell that this record was set on the longer 20,832m configuration. This configuration is only used in closed sessions, with most laps being set on the 20,600m configuration which is a few seconds faster. For public driving sessions, the track uses the “bridge-to-gantry” configuration which is 19,100m long.
In comparison to other vehicles, the Model S Plaid’s 7:30.909 lap stacks up very well. There are always arguments over what constitutes a record in a particular car segment – whether a car is actually a production car, whether it was modified from stock, and so on – but the Plaid is in the same ballpark as the fastest comparable vehicles, gas or electric.
The 2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo set a 7:29.81 last year on the same longer configuration, which puts the Model S just 1 second behind the 4-door model from one of the world’s most respected racing marques. At the time this was a record for a production full-size car (also known as “E-segment” in Europe or “executive car” in the UK), but later that year the Mercedes AMG GT63 S set a 7:27.80 lap time. A second means a lot in racing, but on such a long lap as this, these times are virtually identical.
There is one 4-door still faster than each of these, the Jaguar XE Project 8, but it does not have rear seats, so doesn’t really fit into the same category.
As mentioned above, the Plaid Model S also beats the fastest electric competitor, the Porsche Taycan, which previously held the fastest production electric 4-door record. Though that was set with the Taycan Turbo, rather than the Turbo S, so Porsche might still have a little extra time in their pocket.
Getting out of the 4-door category, the Model S Plaid’s lap even matches some sportscars which it has no business competing with. For example, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 set a 7:29.90 – but we believe that was on the shorter 20,600m configuration, which would put the Tesla ahead by a second or two.
And finally, there are other electric cars which have lapped faster than this. The $1.48 million NIO EP9 set a 6:45.90 back in 2017, which was faster than any production car ever made at the time, gas or electric – though we can debate whether or not the EP9 counts as a “production” car when only ~20 units were built. And the fastest electric car ever to lap the track was the Volkswagen ID.R with a 6:05.336.
It looks like the Tesla did two laps, as well. We don’t know if these were done back-to-back or with a cooldown period inbetween, but there’s only a 5 second difference between them. This is relatively good consistency (on such a long lap), particularly considering electric cars have had difficulties even finishing a single lap before. We saw this early on with a Tesla Model S back in 2014 which couldn’t complete a single lap under full power, and even the Porsche Taycan overheated on their second lap of the Nordschleife. If the Plaid saw only a 5 second variation between laps, that’s not much power loss at all.
This may not be the last we see of Tesla at Nürburgring. Previously, while testing the Plaid powertrain, a modified Model S set an unofficial time of 7:13. Tesla even thinks a time as low as 7:05 would be conceivable. So it must be possible to get an electric sedan to go faster around the track than today’s Plaid record, but we’ll see if Tesla, or anyone else, puts the updates or modifications into place that might facilitate even faster lap times.
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Quincy Jones: Oprah Winfrey, Elton John and Barack Obama among famous figures paying tribute to music legend
Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John and Barack Obama among the famous figures who have paid tribute to Quincy Jones following his death at the age of 91.
Following the announcement of his death on Monday, a string of friends, collaborators and admirers have been speaking out to praise the music producer and composer.
TV host Oprah Winfrey said her life “changed forever for the better” after meeting Jones as he helped secure her role in the 1985 film adaptation of The Colour Purple, which earned her an Oscar nomination.
Jones, the jazz musician known for collaborating with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, wrote the film score and also co-produced the film.
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Quincy Jones dies aged 91
Winfrey wrote on Instagram: “My beloved Q. The world’s beloved Q. The one and only Quincy Jones ‘discovered’ me for The Color Purple movie in 1985. My life changed forever for the better after meeting him.
“I had never experienced, nor have since, anyone who’s heart was so filled with love.
“He walked around with his heart wide open, and he treated everybody as if they were the most important person he’d ever met. He was the Light. No shadows.
“He was love lived out loud in human form and he was the first person I ever loved unconditionally.”
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10 things about Quincy Jones
Whoopi Goldberg, who was also in The Colour Purple, also wrote on Instagram: “I was lucky enough to have him in my life for all these years.
“My heart is breaking for his friends and his extended family who loved and adored him… my condolences.”
Read more:
A legend with 19 mobiles and controversial opinions
Quincy Jones’s best-known collaborations
Former US president Barack Obama, who honoured Jones with the US National Medal of Arts in 2010, said: “For decades, Quincy Jones was music.
“From producing Thriller, to composing the score for The Color Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it.
“His music appealed to listeners of every race and every age. And by building a career that took him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood, Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to leave their mark on the entertainment business.”
Barack Obama honoured Quincy Jones with the US National Medal of Arts in 2010. Pic: Reuters
He added: “Michelle and I send our thoughts to Quincy’s friends, family, and everyone who has lived their lives to his songs.”
Sir Elton John remembered Jones as someone who had a more “incredible” career in music than anyone else.
He shared a photo with him at the Elton John Aids Foundation Oscar viewing party, and called him a “loyal supporter of this important fundraiser”.
The singer added: “Nobody had a career as incredible as Quincy Jones. He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him.”
Rapper Ice T hailed Jones as a “genius”, while US Grammy-winner Lenny Kravitz said he was “speechless”, but added: “What a life. What an expression of authenticity. What a teacher. I am humbled that I was given the gift of your openness and friendship”.
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Singers react to death of ‘hero’ Quincy Jones
Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland thanked Jones for being “such a wonderful teacher” and creating the soundtrack to “some of the most extraordinary moments” in her life.
Jones also helped to launch and was an executive producer on the popular US sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith.
Jones with his daughter, actress Rashida Jones, and Will Smith in 2007. Pic: Reuters
Smith said: “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a mentor, a father and a friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me.
“He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”
Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers, who was friends with Jones, shared a video that said “Rest In Power Quincy Jones. The Greatest of All Time”.
Peter Hook, the bassist and co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, wrote on social media: “It’s so sad to hear about Quincy Jones. When he signed us to his label, he made us feel so welcome – inviting us to dinner at his home every time we were in town.
“He made us big in America. He was so humble & sweet that you immediately fell in love with him.”
Hook added: “And to this day I still got a lovely message from him every year on Christmas and birthday cards! A musical genius and a great, lovely man.”
Amy Dowden will not take part in the rest of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The professional dancer made a return to the celebrity contest this series after undergoing treatment for breast cancer and had been partnered with JLS star JB Gill.
However, the 34-year-old has now had to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.
In a statement on Instagram, she said: “I’m so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short.
“My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.”
Dowden added: “I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing. Something I’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB.
“To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you.”
JB Gill and Amy Dowden. Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
A spokeswoman for Strictly added: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.
“Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley will step in as JB’s dance partner.
“The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.”
The news was first announced on Monday evening during the show’s spin-off programme Strictly: It Takes Two.
Lauren Oakley partnered with Krishnan Guru-Murthy last year.
Pic: PA
Dowden was taken ill during the live show the previous weekend and missed the Sunday results programme.
She was taken to hospital from the BBC show’s production centre, Elstree Studios, as a “precaution” after “feeling unwell”, a spokesman for Dowden said at the time.
Last year, Dowden found a lump in her breast while on her honeymoon in the Maldives with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones, and was unable to compete on Strictly.
After treatment for stage three breast cancer, she announced in February that tests showed she had “no evidence of disease“.
Read more from Sky News:
Tributes paid to Quincy Jones
Dawson’s Creek star shares cancer diagnosis
Trump and Harris hold final rallies
Dowden was made an MBE in this year’s New Year’s honours list for services to fundraising and raising awareness of Crohn’s. She was diagnosed with the disease as a teenager and is a UK ambassador for the charity Crohn’s and Colitis.
She was also admitted to hospital in Manchester following a Crohn’s flare-up during the 2022 Strictly live tour.
Dowden also said in her statement that in the past few months she had “finally felt like me again”.
She added: “Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.
“My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back.”
Dowden also praised JB Gill for being the “perfect partner” on the dancefloor.
“I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader,” she added.
Quincy Jones, the music producer and composer, has died at the age of 91.
Jones worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and many other artists.
Among his best-known credits was as the producer of Jackson’s historic Thriller album.
Jones oversaw the all-star recording of the 1985 charity record We Are The World.
He also composed the soundtrack to the hit 1969 British film The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine.
Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP
Naomi Campbell, left, and Claudia Schiffer flank Quincy Jones. Pic: AP
His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed Jones died at his Los Angeles home on Sunday surrounded by his family.
In a statement, his family said: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’s passing.
“And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Pic: AP
Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP
His family added Jones was “truly one of a kind” who they would “miss dearly”.
“We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created,” they added.
“Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’s heart will beat for eternity.”
His career, which spans more than 75 years, saw him achieve 28 Grammy award wins out of 80 nominations.
He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.
Lionel Richie, who co-wrote We Are The World and was among the charity single’s featured singers, called Jones “the master orchestrator”.
Read more from Sky News:
Shocking moments from US election campaign
Elon Musk weighs in on euthanised squirrel row
Jones, a father of seven, was married three times to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson and Peggy Lipton.
His children include music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for Parks And Recreation and the US version of The Office.
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