The car enthusiast community always comes up with creative ideas to enjoy themselves and entertain others, and if a Tesla vehicle is involved, the adrenaline rush is on another level. The team from DragTimes and their friends did something new, loaded up a Tesla Model X Plaid with 6 people and challenged an ICE sportscar icon like the Porsche 992 Turbo S.
As much as this is a new and exciting idea, the odds of the Tesla Model X Plaid losing these races seem somewhat obvious. But beating the odds is Tesla’s real game both on the race track and in the auto industry.
Tesla Model X Plaid itself is a super-heavy large luxury SUV that weighs 5,412 lbs (2,455 kg). Loading six adults into the vehicle means another 1,000 lbs (~454 kg) is added — making it an almost 3.0-ton SUV — ready to conquer the dragstrip.
Model X Plaid vs. Porsche 992 Turbo S specs comparison
Let’s take a look at how both of these vehicles from different segments compare on the specification sheets.
| 2022 Tesla Model X Plaid | 2021 Porsche 992 Turbo S | |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Tri-Motor AWD | All-Wheel Drive |
| Engine / Motors | AC permanent magnet synchronous motor, carbon-fiber-wrapped rotor, liquid-cooled, with variable frequency drive (1x motor in the front, 2x motors in the rear) | 3.7L Flat Six Twin Turbo |
| Transmission | Single-speed fixed gear | 8-Speed DCT |
| Acceleration (0-60 mph) | 2.5 Seconds | 2.1 Seconds |
| Top speed | 163 mph (262 km/h) | 205 mph (330 km/h) |
| Peak power | 1,020 hp | 640 hp |
| Drag coefficient | 0.24 Cd | 0.33 Cd |
| Weight (unladen) | 5,412 lbs (2,455 kg) | 3,560 lbs (1,615 kg) |
| Starting price | $138,990 | $204,850 |
One thing that looked particularly interesting to me in these specifications is the coefficient of drag of both vehicles. Despite being a large family SUV, Tesla Model X has a fairly better drag coefficient (0.24 Cd) compared to the Porsche 992 (0.33 Cd).
Drag Racing Results
In the first round, although the Porsche 992 had a better launch and gained a bit of lead over the Tesla Model X Plaid, the Plaid was able to still beat the Porsche. Model X Plaid completed the quarter-mile in just 10.326 secs @139.30 mph while the Porsche 992 did it in 10.427 secs @131.59 mph.
The 2nd round was not much different, Porsche had a better launch and kept the lead halfway, it lost the 1/4-mile to the Model X Plaid with a close margin. Model X Plaid did it in 10.367 secs @138.67 mph and the Porsche 992 Turbo S did it in 10.481 secs @132.19 mph.
One thing about the Porsche 992 Turbo S is, that it has a crazy launch for a stock sportscar, a hyper-modded Nissan GTR previously was able to beat a Model S Plaid.
Let’s watch the interesting video that the Tesla official Twitter account has also retweeted just last night with the caption “Quickest acceleration of any SUV“.
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Related
- Watch how Tesla Model X Plaid electric SUV defeats a highly modified Porsche 992 Turbo S Coupe on a dragstrip
- Tesla engineer explains how the Drag Strip Mode feature on a Model S/X Plaid works (video)
- Tesla Semi and the Cybertruck engage in a friendly drag race outside Giga Texas (video)
- Tesla Model X Plaid goes drag racing against the fastest ICE SUVs — Urus Performante, Cayenne Turbo GT, BMW X5M, AMG GLE 63 S
- Unplugged Tesla Model S Plaid faces Ferrari Enzo in a drag racing challenge
- Tesla Model S Plaid faces its fiercest drag racing opponent, the Lucid Air Sapphire
- An odd but interesting drag race: Tesla Model 3 Performance vs. Rivian R1T electric pickup truck
- Tesla Model S Plaid goes drag racing against a 26 times more expensive Bugatti Chiron
