What Is Ludicrous Mode and Ludicrous Plus Mode?

Quick Facts About Ludicrous Mode

In 2016, Tesla introduced Ludicrous Mode as the ultimate performance setting of the Model S and Model X.
Tesla introduced the even quicker Ludicrous Plus Mode in 2017.
Tesla discontinued Ludicrous Mode and Ludicrous Plus Mode for the 2022 model year.
The Model S and Model X Plaid are Tesla’s new performance benchmark vehicles.

Downsides to Using Tesla Ludicrous Mode

Stronger acceleration and more power are great, but there are some trade-offs to using the system.

Fast acceleration can quickly drain the car’s range.
Repeatedly launching the vehicle can cause premature battery degradation.
Hard launches put more stress on vehicle components such as the tires and suspension system.
Ludicrous Mode makes it much easier to get a speeding ticket.

Plaid Is the New Ludicrous

Tesla introduced the Model S Plaid for the 2021 model year, replacing the temporary Ludicrous driving mode with a more powerful vehicle overall. The 2025 Model S Plaid offers impressive specs:

1.99-second 0-60 mph time
200 mph top speed
309-mile range

The Model X received the Plaid treatment after the Model S. Its performance numbers are slightly tamer but still strong:

2.5-second 0-60 mph time
149 mph top speed
335-mile range

Both vehicles offer a range of upgrades over the standard models, including:

Performance electric motors
Carbon-fiber bodywork
Performance brakes

Performance-Oriented Tesla Alternatives

Tesla gets a lot of the attention, but there are several high-flying alternatives that offer similar or better performance numbers. That said, Tesla’s pricing is far more affordable than its competitors.

Model	Base MSRP	0–60 mph	Horsepower	Range
Tesla Model S Plaid	$99,990	2.0 sec	1,020 hp	368 mi
Lucid Air Sapphire	$249,000	1.9 sec	1,234 hp	427 mi
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT	$230,000	2.2 sec	1,019 hp	276 mi
Audi RS e-tron GT	$168,295	2.4 sec	912 hp	278 mi
Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG	$147,550	3.4 sec	649 hp	315 mi

Is Ludicrous Mode Available In New Tesla Models?

No. The last vehicles with Ludicrous Mode landed in 2021, but Tesla introduced the Model S and Model X Plaid, which offer even stronger performance and additional upgrades to justify their significantly higher price tag. The Plaid vehicles feature carbon fiber bodywork, upgraded aerodynamics, unique styling elements, and more.

What Is Tesla Insane Mode?

While Ludicrous Mode boosts peak torque by 60 percent, Insane Mode is a slightly less intense setting that increases torque output by 30 percent. Tesla also offers an Insane+ mode that includes battery preconditioning for maximum power output and the fastest acceleration.

Why Are Electric Vehicles So Fast?

Electric vehicles feel quick because their electric motors provide torque from a standstill and do not need time to rev to produce torque like gas engines. That makes them feel livelier, even if their on-paper specifications don’t necessarily scream performance.

Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication.

FAQ

What Is Tesla's Ludicrous Mode?

For enabled Tesla models, Ludicrous Mode allows more current to flow from the battery to the electric motors. This provides quicker acceleration.

What Is the difference between Ludicrous and Ludicrous Plus?

Temperature plays a significant role in a battery’s efficiency. In Ludicrous Plus, the battery is warmed to higher temperatures to optimize acceleration. To engage Ludicrous Plus, a driver might have to wait as long as an hour for the battery to warm to its optimum temperature. However, Ludicrous Plus also features launch control. This produces maximum thrust when accelerating from a standstill.

Can Ludicrous Plus Mode harm your Tesla?

Tesla recommends only operating in Ludicrous Plus Mode for short amounts of time. Otherwise, it can damage the motor and other components.

How Did Tesla arrive at the name of its high-performance Ludicrous Mode?

“Ludicrous” comes from the Mel Brooks 1987 comedy “Spaceballs.” When the villain spaceship prepares to chase the heroes, the ship commander skips over Light and Ridiculous speeds for the rarely engaged Ludicrous speed. Buyers of the 2022 and 2023 Model S or Model X should be happy to note that Tesla calls the higher-performance versions “Plaid,” also lifted from the same movie. And, yes, it’s quicker than Ludicrous Plus.

How much does Ludicrous Mode cost?

Tesla discontinued its Ludicrous Mode in 2021. When it was available, Ludicrous Mode added $10,000 to the cost.

What is Tesla Plaid?

For the 2022 model year, Tesla discontinued the Ludicrous and Ludicrous Plus modes for the Model S and Model X. Instead, it created the Plaid grade. Whereas Ludicrous and Ludicrous Plus provided bursts of extra power, Plaid gains a third motor to deliver enhanced power all of the time.

Russ Heaps

Russ Heaps is an author specializing in automotive, financial and travel news. For nearly 35 years he has covered the automotive industry for newspapers, magazines and internet websites. His resume includes The Palm Beach Post, Miami Herald, The Washington Times and numerous other daily newspapers through syndication. He edited Auto World magazine, and helped create and edit NOPI Street… Read more about Russ Heaps