LOS ANGELES, CA – May 15, 2023 – Using an aerodynamic package from AMB Aero featuring the “Infinity Wing”, Unplugged Performance’s Tesla Model S has set a new overall lap record of 1:20.045 seconds for production-based cars around renowned Willow Springs International Raceway.
Code-named “Dark Helmet,” the Model S sporting a bespoke aero package designed by AMB Aero destroyed the previous EV record by more than 7 seconds (1:27.78 on a Model S driven by Randy Pobst), and the overall record for production-based cars by more than 1 second (Porsche GT2 RS, 1:21.08). It also outperformed a Chevrolet C8 Z06 on the same day by around 2 seconds.
“The fastest Tesla ever, the fastest car I’ve ever driven, and the fastest car ever around Willow Springs International Raceway.”
Rory Reed – AutoTrader
While maintaining the original vehicle’s core elements—batteries, motors, and battery management system—the team made significant aerodynamic and weight-reduction improvements that resulted in remarkable track performance.
Andrew Brilliant, the Director of AMB Aero, explained: “while this car boasts impressive acceleration and generates downforce on par with a Formula 1 vehicle, it has a lower sustained power output compared to internal combustion engines used on high-end sports cars. Balancing this immense downforce—without substantially slowing the car down on the straights and compromising lap time—required rigorous fine-tuning.”
Brilliant expanded: “Willow Springs is one of the tracks we use in our lap simulations for aerodynamic drag. Our supercomputer runs these simulations for various course types alongside Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) results for the car. We examine several output parameters and utilize various artificial intelligence tools to process large output data sets and guide our learning, ensuring we stay on the right track.”
The vehicle’s bodywork, featuring Unplugged Performance’s S-Apex carbon fiber wide body bolt-on aero kit, blends standard Tesla and custom parts to maximize function and minimize weight. Remarkably, despite the used of lightweight parts, the addition of a race-spec roll-cage brings the weight of the car close to that of a standard model.
Further performance modifications include carbon ceramic brakes, two-way race coil-over suspension, billet adjustable front upper control arms and Yokohama racing slicks A005. All together, combined with the refined aerodynamics from AMB, contribute to Dark Helmet’s astonishing speed and cornering capabilities.
To watch Rory Reed’s review and witness Dark Helmet’s record-breaking run, check out AutoTrader’s feature video on YouTube.
For more information on Unplugged Performance’s transformative engineering and their aerodynamic modifications, visit www.unpluggedperformance.com, and for more information on AMB Aero products and services visit www.amb-aero.com
