We’ve been working hard to uncover Santa Claus this season and we are now ready to reveal his identity. The man in the red suit is actually... the Tesla Model S P85D. Think about it, the dual-motor Tesla started working extremely hard around Christmas and, as it turns out, it still hasn’t stopped.
The P85D has also continued a tradition that was brought to us by its single-motor sibling, the P85 - the thing trolled a dyno, with mildly amusing results.
While the presents may have already been delivered, it looks like Santa isn’t ready to give up his hat yet. After all, we still haven’t had the chance to see the family battle. Well, this is exactly what we are bringing to you today. Tesla against Tesla, P85D vs P85.
On paper the screen
To get an idea on just how different these two electron dancers are beneath their skin, we’ll mention the P85 places a 4,647 lbs (2,108 kg) burden on its 416 hp, while the double trouble P85D treats its 691 hp with 4,936 lbs (2,239 kg).
As for the all-important torque, the second motor takes the 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of the P85 to a monstrous 687 lb-ft (931 Nm). Speaking of which, we’ll remind you how the P85D recently made fun of a dyno, tricking the machinery into believing it delivers way more torque than the official figure.
In the real world
The first race brings a standing start and the P85D obviously makes the most out of its all-wheel drive advantage, leaving the P85 searching for traction as it whines away into the horizon.
Fret not, there’s also a rolling start battle, which sees the nonidentical twins set off from 35 mph (56 km/h). Actually, the P85 gets a bit of a jump at the start, but we’ll say no more and let you enjoy the electric silence in the footage.
PS: Tesla is currently working to render whatever conclusions you’ll draw from P85D videos useless, since it is working to bring us an update for the electric sedan. The top speed limiter will move from 130 mph (209 km/h) to 155 mph (250 km/h), while the high speed performance is set to be improved “above what anyone outside Tesla has experienced to date."
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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