Edmunds have bought a Tesla Model Y Performance and it seems they are going to drag race it against any internal combustion engine (ICE) car they can find on planet Earth. This time, a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 tests its muscles against the silent but intense Model Y.
The classic American muscle car has evolved into a modern-day street and drag racer but even against the slowest Tesla performance variant, it lags behind. Model Y Performance has the slowest 0-60 mph time of 3.5sec among all the Tesla performance variants, yet it shames the ICE racing icon.
Let’s compare both cars for their performance specs to understand their potential and capabilities on the dragstrip.
| 2021 Tesla Model Y Performance | 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine/Drivetrain | Dual-Motor AWD (Raven) | Intercooled Supercharger Premium Unleaded V-8 |
| Max. Power | 450 – 500 hp (est., instant) | 760 hp @ 7300 RPM |
| Torque | 470-500 lb-ft (est) | 625 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM |
| Weight | 4,419 lbs | 4,171 lbs |
| 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) | 3.5 sec | 3.3 sec |
| Top Speed | 155 mph | 180 mph |
| Price | $60,990 | $74,095 |
So the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 looks better on most aspects on the spec sheet compared to the Tesla Model Y Performance but still, it loses on the real ground. Perhaps, factors like Tesla’s instant torque & acceleration, and better aerodynamics on a windy road made it a clear winner in these races.
ICE cars like the Shelby GT500 have become more of a showpiece than racing cars in the age of Teslas. But with widespread unawareness, ICE drivers still challenge Tesla owners in street and drag races. One such cocky Mustang owner challenged Model 3 Performance owner Kim Paquette only to receive a reply he wasn’t expecting, yes, a 0-60 time of 3.2 sec.
When I shared a street race video back in 2019, showing a Tesla Model 3 leaving the Mustang far behind in the rear-view mirror. Many Mustang enthusiasts said that this was not a fair race, the Mustang owner did not use launch control, blah blah blah. Now the fair race results are in front of us, the instant torque and acceleration of the electric Teslas is superior to ICE.
Besides gas emissions, the Mustang Shelby GT500 costs a whopping $13k more. Model Y also does not need a launch control system to trigger, just floor the accelerator and release, whiplash and you’re the winner.
It’s the 21st century, time of the old icons is gone, new ones have arrived, the mightiest of them is the Tesla Model S Plaid with 1.99 sec 0-60 time, in production as of this writing.
Related: Tesla Model Y vs. Lamborghini Urus drag race
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