Elon Musk suggested that Tesla is working on a new powertrain that will make the Model S, Model X, and Roadster quicker

Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File

Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

• In a series of tweets on Wednesday and Thursday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the electric-car maker's Twitter account indicated that the company is working on a new, more capable powertrain.
• The "Plaid" powertrain, as Musk and Tesla's Twitter account called it, will be available on the Model S sedan, Model X SUV, and Roadster sports car in about a year, Musk said
• It will not be available on the Model 3 sedan or Model Y SUV.
• The powertrain's name appears to be a reference to an unusually high speed achieved by a spacecraft in the movie "Spaceballs."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday and Thursday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the electric-car maker's Twitter account indicated that the company is working on a new, more capable powertrain.

The "Plaid" powertrain, as Musk and Tesla's Twitter account called it, will be available on the Model S sedan, Model X SUV, and Roadster sports car in about a year, Musk said. It will not be available on the Model 3 sedan or Model Y SUV.

The powertrain's name appears to be a reference to an unusually high speed achieved by a spacecraft in the movie "Spaceballs."

"The only thing beyond Ludicrous is Plaid," Musk tweeted on Wednesday. "Ludicrous Mode" is a drive setting available on the Model S and Model X that allows for the fastest possible acceleration.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment for additional details on the Plaid powertrain.

Are you a current or former Tesla employee? Do you have an opinion about what it's like to work there? Contact this reporter at mmatousek@businessinsider.com.

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