Two cars, over 2,000 horsepower, no gasoline required.
DragTimes is credited for finally putting these supersedans head to head on a drag strip. However, it’s not a typical location for recording timed data. Hennessey’s Texas facility is the venue, and timing equipment isn’t available. This matchup is telemetry-based and the track is not as smooth as a quarter-mile drag strip. It’s still a stretch of road that these all-wheel-drive electric monsters can use to their hearts content. It’s close on paper. Two electric motors give the Lucid Air Dream edition Performance a total of 1,111 horsepower (828kilowatts). According to official statistics, it’s enough power to propel the sedan through a quarter mile in 9.9 seconds. The Tesla Model S Plaid is a sub-10 second EV. It actually beats ‘s 1,020 horsepower (761 kW)! This should be a great showdown.
It is, despite Model S Plaid winning the first race by a clear margin. The Tesla leads and charges ahead, returning a time in 9.83 seconds at just under 150 mph according to the telemetry. The second race is an even start with the Air leading by one car length. However, the Tesla makes some ground towards the end. The cars did not make the full quarter-mile mark, and the pace slowed shortly before the mark. It’s still a victory for Lucid. The Tesla makes another jump, but it is a very small one in Race 3. The Plaid pulled in front of the Tesla and walked away from it. Traction was also better. They complete the quarter-mile with the Tesla turning an impressive 9.67 mph at 146 mph. The Lucid did not receive any data on any of their runs. Neither car provided data for the final run, which was a roll-race at 25 mph. Tesla wins the race again.
Drag races are not without their challenges. However, high-powered EVs with great torque and instant acceleration require traction. It will be fascinating to see these electric giants rematch on a drag strip with a prepared surface. Maybe the power advantage of Lucid can be more effectively used in such a scenario, but for now it seems that Tesla still has bragging rights.