Tesla Model S Plaid Outpaces 1,200-HP Corvette C8 in Lopsided Drag Race Showdown
A heavily modified Chevrolet Corvette C8 boasting a staggering 1,200 horsepower fell short in a recent series of drag strip tests against the Tesla Model S Plaid — a result that has surprised many muscle car fans.
The head-to-head was orchestrated by automotive reviewer Mat Watson of Carwow, and despite the significant power advantage of the Corvette on paper, the electric sedan swept all three challenges: the standing quarter-mile, a rolling half-mile, and a braking test from 70 mph.
The Corvette, fitted with a twin-turbocharged 6.2-liter V8 engine sending 1,491 Nm of torque to the rear wheels, was custom-built to dominate straights. But the Tesla — powered by three electric motors producing 1,020 horsepower and 1,420 Nm of torque — leveraged its all-wheel-drive grip and instant torque delivery to devastating effect.
In the quarter-mile showdown, the Model S Plaid crossed the line in 9.6 seconds, decisively beating the Corvette's 11.0-second time — a gap of over a full second, which is considered substantial in drag racing. The Tesla extended its edge in the rolling race and even won the brake test, despite weighing over 4,700 pounds due to its massive battery pack.
Though the Plaid featured lightweight carbon-fiber aero inspired by Koenigsegg, it remained relatively close to stock. Meanwhile, YouTube commenters questioned whether the Corvette was genuinely making 1,200 hp, citing the performance discrepancy.
Still, the results speak volumes about the continuing evolution of EV performance. Tesla's dominance in these tests suggests electric vehicles are not just competing with traditional high-performance gasoline cars — they're surpassing them.
For buyers interested in raw acceleration, the Tesla Model S Plaid remains a formidable and increasingly affordable option in 2025.
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