An Epic Showdown Between a V8 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost and a Fully Electric KIA EV6 GT

First, let's review the rules quickly because they're easy to follow. If a typical drag race has two or more cars going at it in a straight 1/4-mile line, this "U-Drag" has competitors testing their acceleration, braking, and handling.

The first stretch of the race is nothing you haven't seen before: a 1/4-mile sprint. But after, the brave tarmac warriors have to make a U-turn and then floor it back to the starting line.

Now let's meet our contenders and see what they're packing. First, we have the "past," the all-American 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, which looks meaner than ever, especially against an electric car.

This baby is packing a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that can deliver 807 hp with 707 lb-ft of torque. It's rear-wheel drive with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The Black Ghost weighs 4,476 lbs. and costs $103,000 and change.

The "future" is represented by nonother than the 2023 KIA EV6 GT. It has dual electric motors, it's AWD, and can produce 576 hp with 545 lb-ft of torque. It's also a bit heavier than the Dodge, weighing 4,793 lbs.

It's more affordable than the Black Ghost, with the price tag hovering around the $62,865 mark. With a $40,000 difference between the two, this is where some V8 enthusiasts might be tempted to join the electric side.

Returning to the main event, let's see how they did, numbers and all. During the first cinematic U-drag race, they both had a perfect start, but a split second after that, the KIA left the Challenger in its rearview mirror.

They were more or less neck-and-neck at the U-turn, but as soon as the KIA floored it toward the starting line, it was over for the Dodge. For the second race, the drivers switched rides in the spirit of fairness.

For the first 1/4-mile, things didn't change, with the KIA way in front. After the U-turn, the Challenger was so far behind, it wasn't even funny or fair.

Now let's see how they performed after all was said and done. For the 0-60 mph stretch of the road, the KIA EV6 GT was the fastest, with 3.6 seconds on the clock. The Dodge Challenger Black Ghost did it in 4.6 seconds.

For the 1/4-mile, the KIA was 1st again, crossing the finish line in 11.8 seconds at 120.5 mph, while the Dodge did it in 12.4 seconds at 121.2 mph.

Overall, the EV6 finished the entire race in 33.8 seconds at 131 mph and the Challenger in 35.1 seconds at 137 mph.

Allister and Jonathan from Edmunds' U-Drags organized this whole shebang and made a pretty good spectacle out of it. Too bad for the Challenger, though...