Hoonigan’s been putting out YouTube
videos since 2010. You could excuse them for ending up in a creative rut after that much time, but these guys aren’t about to fade away into the content abyss. To keep things fresh this year, they started a drag race series that pits a Tesla
Plaid against other high-performance luxury cars
. And they didn’t start the “This vs. Plaid” series off with fluff. The first race lined up a Tesla Model S Plaid against a blue Audi R8 rockin’ 1700 horsepower. Jerry
dug around to see what could be learned about these two supercars. Tesla Model S Plaid vs Audi R8: the results
There’s no question that these two cars can go fast. They both offer over 1,000 hp from the factory, which leaves nearly every other automaker’s offering in the dust.
The R8 in question had a little work done before the race, though. The 2018 model Hoonigan used, which already comes with a V10 engine, was equipped with a twin-turbo kit, aftermarket exhaust, and upgraded rotors and electronics.
The modifications definitely helped the Audi beat the stock Tesla Model S Plaid. But the Tesla, which didn’t even have aftermarket wheels, fared impressively well against $150,000 of German internal-combustion engineering.
Choosing between these two speed demons
If you’re thinking about buying an Audi R8
, there are a few factors people normally consider when buying a car that isn’t likely on your radar—fuel efficiency, ownership costs, and cargo space are just a few examples. But while an R8 was designed for a narrow field of use, the Tesla Model S Plaid can do more than challenge supercars to prove their worth. The four-door sedan picks kids up from soccer practice just as well as it reacts at a starting line.
Ken Block and his buddies poke fun a little about “Plaid dads” bragging about their Teslas on Instagram, but the fact remains: anyone with a life beyond the drag strip would spend way more time behind the wheel of their Tesla Plaid than they would spend driving an R8.
MORE: Tesla Model S vs. Model 3: There Is a Hidden Factor To Consider Before You Buy
Tesla Model S Plaid vs Audi R8: coverage compared
In the Hoonigan video, the Audi decisively beat the Tesla. When it comes to car insurance
, though, Tesla takes the cake. The average rate for an Audi R8 5.2 Quattro
, for example, sits at a whopping $5,400 a year. The average annual coverage for a Tesla Model S is $3,100. But in the case of both cars, shopping with the Jerry
app can save you thousands every year. Jerry can collect quotes from dozens of top insurance companies in seconds — and to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal. That way, you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price; the average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance. 
4.7
.webp&w=64&q=75)
