Electric cars have redefined drag racing, often outperforming internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in short sprints. Instant torque delivery and all-wheel drive (AWD) give electric vehicles (EVs) an edge over traditional rear-wheel drive (RWD) sports cars. A prime example is this drag race video from ImportRace YouTube channel featuring a Chevrolet C8 Corvette going against a Tesla Model X Plaid at Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey.
On paper, the Tesla Model X Plaid will surely have the advantage in a straight-line race due to its superior power and drivetrain. The Model X Plaid boasts 1,020 horsepower, more than double the C8 Corvette’s 495 horsepower. The Tesla’s AWD system provides better traction off the line, whereas the C8’s RWD setup limits its initial acceleration. Thanks to its electric powertrain, the Model X Plaid also benefits from an instantaneous reaction time, reducing launch delays.
In the drag race, the Model X Plaid completed the quarter mile in 10.05 seconds, while the C8 Corvette took 11.34 seconds as it desperately catches up to the Tesla after a slower reaction time at the starting line. Another key metric in drag racing is trap speed. The Tesla Model X Plaid managed to clock 140 mph compared to the Corvette’s 122 mph.
