This 1/4-mile drag is so unique you don't want to miss it. The event is taking place on American soil, and it involves a souped-up Corvette C8 and a modified Tesla Model S Plaid that's been fitted with a parachute for some ungodly reason. Oh, and at one point, one of our contestants starts spraying oil all over the place; can you guess which one?
While still on his Tesla Cybertruck visit to the United States, Mat Watson filmed a lot of races, some more exciting than others. Last time around, he raced a 670-hp Chevrolet Corvette Z06 against a gorgeous 650-hp Ford GT Mk. III. Now, we have another all-American showdown.
First off, there's the superb Chevrolet Corvette C8 with a 6.2-liter twin-turbo V8 powerplant that's been roided out to generate 1,200 hp or 1,217 ps with 1,100 ft-lb (1,491 Nm) of torque.
But that's not everything that's been genetically enhanced. The wheels have also been replaced with something more appropriate for RWD drag racing. The rear wheels measure just 15 inches and are more rubber than metal. It weighs 3,900 lbs. or 1,769 kg, and the base price for this C8 was $95,000. However, after the $80,000 mods, the total sum went up to $175,000.
Now for the Tesla Model S Plaid with all-wheel drive and a racing body kit. The triple-configuration motors are the same as in a standard Plaid version, and they produce 1,020 hp and 1,047 lb-ft or 1,420 Nm of torque. It weighs 4,777 lbs. or 2,167 kg, and without taxes and fees, the price starts from $91,630.
This is more expensive due to the carbon fiber modifications, new tires, seats, and whatnot. Unfortunately, we didn't get a read on that, but at least it comes with a parachute to distract you from other questions. After the customary sound check and putting on stinky, worn-out helmets, it was time for the showdown.
Photo: carwow
During the first race, the Tesla absolutely obliterated the Corvette, leaving it so far behind it was embarrassing to think it delivers 200 more horsepower than the Model S Plaid.
During the second race, the Corvette launched like a bat out of hell, almost pulling off a wheelie like a Demon 170. It didn't catch any air, but it was still impressive. Meanwhile, the Tesla looked like it was miles ahead.
The boys were having too much fun, so they didn't want to end it there. They went for a 3-out-of-5 affair, but the results didn't change one bit. One interesting thing did happen, though. For some reason, the Corvette started spraying oil all over the rear side of the car. It turns out the engine was overdue for tuning anyway, so it didn't phase anyone.
By the end, the Tesla Model S Plaid brought home the gold by crossing the quarter-mile finish line in 9.6 seconds, while the Corvette C8 did it in 11 seconds. But hey, at least at the end of the day, the Corvette looks and sounds light-years better than the Plaid ever will, if that's any consolation to Chevrolet.
After the drag races, they went for a 1/2-mile rolling race, where, of course, the Tesla blatantly won again. A last brake test followed from 70 mph or 112.6 kph, where the Tesla brought home another gold trophy. Sadly, this just wasn't the 'Vettes day, but at least it was lots of fun to watch.
Codrin just loves American classics, from the 1940s and ‘50s, all the way to the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s. In his perfect world, we'll still see Hudsons and Road Runners roaming the streets for years to come (even in EV form, if that's what it takes to keep the aesthetic alive). Full profile
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