2026 Tesla Model S Plaid Refresh: Nürburgring Comeback?

Tesla is back on the Nürburgring, and this time it is the updated Model S Plaid getting track time. After a bumpy start in earlier attempts and being outpaced by Porsche, the Model S seems to be on a mission again. While lap records are fun, they are probably not Tesla’s biggest concern right now. Still, the timing of this refreshed Model S comes at a critical point for the company.

The Model S has been on the road for 12 years, and although it has been updated through software and slight styling changes, the basic structure remains the same. Now, for the 2026 model year, Tesla is making very subtle exterior changes. Camouflage only covers the front and back, and the most visible updates include a small lip beneath the front bumper, a more aggressive rear diffuser, and new wheels that might be slightly larger than the current set.

That change in wheel size is probably about increasing road grip, which makes sense if Tesla still wants to challenge Porsche’s Taycan in both performance and appeal. There could be unseen changes under the car as well, like tweaks to the suspension or steering, aimed at giving drivers something new to experience.

What is interesting is that this push does not seem to be coming from Elon Musk directly. He has been wrapped up in political drama and damage control with SpaceX. Instead, it seems like the engineers at Tesla still care about performance, reputation, and pushing the brand forward even if the spotlight has shifted.

Tesla’s Vice President of Engineering, Lars Moravy, confirmed earlier this year that a refreshed Model S was coming. But in order to turn heads in 2025 and beyond, it is going to need more than a new bumper and some wheels. Tesla is in a tight spot, and with the updated Model Y already hitting the market with lukewarm reception, the Model S might not be able to carry the weight alone.