A Tesla Cybertruck's rear right wheel broke while doing donuts in the desert due to a broken stock tie rod bolt, part of an aftermarket off-road pack being tested by Unplugged Performance at King of the Hammers event. The incident highlights the potential vulnerability of certain suspension and steering parts during extreme off-road use, raising questions about the vehicle's durability despite being marketed as capable of conquering any terrain.
During the King of the Hammers off-road event, the Unplugged Performance team tested the Tesla Cybertruck to its limits, resulting in a broken rear steering bolt, despite the vehicle's aftermarket modifications. The team praised the Cybertruck's capabilities, highlighting its recent lap time at the Buttonwillow race track, and plans to share additional footage from the event.
A Tesla Model S Plaid racecar, modified by Unplugged Performance, set a new record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with a sub-10 minute run time of 9:54.901. The vehicle, named "Dark Helmet," retained its factory powertrain and drivetrain but featured upgrades such as aero modifications, high-performance parts, and lightweight race wheels. The modifications allowed the Model S Plaid to fully utilize its power during the race. Racecar driver Randy Pobst praised the modifications and the vehicle's tires for their role in the achievement. Unplugged Performance CEO Ben Schaffer highlighted the success as a testament to the Model S Plaid's capabilities as a family car.
A heavily modified Tesla Model S Plaid built by Unplugged Performance set a new lap record on the Big Willow track at Willow Springs, with a lap time of 1:20.03, beating the previous record set by a modified Porsche 911 GT2 RS by 1.05 seconds. The Tesla specialist was at Willow Springs to tune the vehicle for Pikes Peak, but achieved the record on the third hot lap of the testing session. The "Dark Helmet" Model S Plaid features a radical body kit with high downforce aerodynamics and has previously secured lap records at other tracks.
A highly modified Tesla Model S Plaid, nicknamed "Dark Helmet," built by Unplugged Performance, has set a new lap record of 1:20.03 on the Willow Springs raceway in California, beating a highly modified Porsche 911 GT2 RS by over a second. The record was achieved accidentally during a Pikes Peak testing lap, and the car has more potential left in it, according to Unplugged Performance. The Dark Helmet build has secured lap records at various tracks, including Willow Springs, Pikes Peak, Button Willow, and Laguna Seca.
