The power of electric cars should not be underestimated, and this demonstration of a Tesla Model S Performance with 100kWh battery and dual motor (P100D) outrunning a Holden HSV GTS in a quarter mile race shows what Tesla’s flagship sedan is capable of.
It’s something that many may not realise about electric vehicles – sedate electric golf buggies are often what first comes to mind.
Electric vehicles have something that ICE (internal combustion engine) cars do not – instant torque, meaning there is no switching up gears to get up to top speed.
Tesla cars in addition to this have a special setting that uncorks the full power of the battery and motor to take them into super car territory – Ludicrous Mode.
Now, the Holden HSV GTS, which is a turbo-charged V8 supercar with a 6.2 litre engine and 430kW of gas-guzzling power, boasts a pretty cool 740Nm torque.
But the Tesla P100D, which has a top speed of 250km/hr and 330kW maximum power from its’ all-wheel, dual motor set up, not only has 980Nm torque – its Ludicrous mode rockets its’ acceleration from 0-100km/hr in 2.7 seconds.
Pitted against the Tesla Model S at the Sydney dragway last December, the Holden HSV GTS just doesn’t have a chance.
Check it out for yourself – spoiler, the Model S P100D finishes the race in just 10.97 seconds, just under two seconds faster than the Holden supercar which crosses the line in 12.937 seconds.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.