Tesla’s $17,000 Model S Plaid Track Pack – A Game Changer?

Tesla Model S Plaid
Launches $17,000 Option
But why is it so expensive?

The prices we commonly know for new cars are based on the base price without any options added to the lowest trim. The cost of a higher trim or added options can vary widely depending on the model, and there are models where the difference in price between the basic specifications and full options is nearly double.

In the case of high-end brands, the price of a single option can range from hundreds of thousands to billions of won. Recently, Tesla has been introducing new high-priced options to the domestic market, causing various reactions. The price of this option, which can be applied to the Model S Plaid, is known to be equivalent to the cost of a domestic compact sedan.

Track Package Partial Option Price: $18,000

According to Tesla’s domestic website, Tesla Korea recently launched a carbon ceramic brake kit exclusively for the Model S Plaid. Unlike FSD, this specification is not chosen at the car purchase stage but is sold in the Tesla shop as an accessory option. This option is part of the Track Pack, which specializes in the high-performance Model S Plaid.

The Track Pack comes with a carbon ceramic brake with dedicated wheels and tires, but the full Track Pack option is not yet being sold in Korea. The price of the carbon ceramic brake kit is $18,000. It is rare for a single option to exceed $17,000 in Korea, so it has become a hot topic in online communities.

From material to production cost to overwhelming brake and additional specifications

What is the reason for this option being so expensive? First, carbon ceramic brakes use a rotor made of carbon and ceramic, as the name suggests. The raw material price itself is considerable, and it is known that the production cost is not easy as it takes a long time to manufacture one set. However, there is no decrease in braking performance due to high heat, and it weighs only half of an iron rotor, so there are many advantages.

It is optimal for high-performance models like the Model S Plaid, which can accelerate quickly and drive at ultra-high speed. Therefore, the Tesla carbon ceramic brake kit includes the brake system and several additional specifications. The latest firmware tuned for maximum performance is applied, and the top speed, locked at 174 mph, is unlocked to 200 mph.

Is it essential in this car?
We looked at netizens’ reactions

While being evaluated as an option without any significant drawbacks other than the economic aspect, there has been criticism in some quarters that this specification should have been standardized. The Model S Plaid finishes 0-62 mph acceleration in 2.1 seconds with a total output of 1,020 horsepower and a maximum torque of 132.7kgf.m. A braking force commensurate with the power performance of a hypercar is necessary, but the primary brake system falls far short of this. During track driving, a single full braking can cause a fade phenomenon where the braking force is significantly reduced due to high heat, and there have been cases of injuries and deaths due to this.