How Fast Is the Tesla Model S Quarter Mile Record Time?
The base Tesla Model S has a 10.6-seconds quarter mile time, second only (in the Tesla lineup) to the high-performance Model S Plaid.
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
With its record breaking-speed, the high-performance Tesla Model S Plaid is certainly the trim level that’s grabbing all the headlines. But the base Tesla Model S is no slouch! It can record a quarter-mile sprint in as little as 10.6 seconds!
It is impressive how Tesla not only pushes the limits of all-electric-range but also puts the performance of supercars from the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini on notice. But hey, a little competition will be good for those Italian automakers!
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How fast is the Tesla Model S in the quarter mile?
The Tesla Model S can complete a quarter-mile in a blistering 10.6 seconds. At the point of reaching this milestone, you will be surpassing 125mph.
And believe it or not, the Model S isn’t even primarily marketed for its speed! Instead, it’s more overtly proud of its
405 miles of all-electric range
, the current leader in the Tesla lineup of EVs.But the Tesla Model S Plaid is the racehorse of the two. In standard testing by Car and Driver and Edmunds, the 2021 Plaid’s quarter-mile time was 9.4 seconds, making it the fastest Tesla ever. However, it will cost you about $30,000 to upgrade trims and shave that extra 1.2 seconds off your quarter-mile time.
How much horsepower does the Tesla Model S have?
The Tesla Model S uses dual motors and standard all-wheel drive to produce 670 horsepower. Of course, this is an outrageous amount of power, but the Plaid trim level is still the bigger and badder stallion with the capacity to produce 1,020 horsepower.
What is the top speed of a Tesla Model S?
As mentioned earlier, you'll already be over 125 mph by the time you cross the quarter-mile mark. So if you keep your foot locked onto the “gas” (acceleration?) pedal, you’ll be able to top out your speedometer at 163 mph.
Disclaimer: Don’t fall into the Tesla thirst trap! Just because you can go 163 mph doesn’t mean you should—look but don’t touch!
Can anything beat a Tesla Model S?
Unfortunately for Tesla maximalists—yes, the Tesla Model S can be beaten. However, it depends on the context of comparison (all you Teslaholics can take a sigh of relief).
If we are talking about other all-electric luxury performance vehicles, the Tesla Model S is highly competitive (even in its base trim)! Here are some of the top competitors in the segment and their quarter-mile times:
- Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 10.5 seconds
- Tesla Model S: 10.6 seconds
- Lucid Air: 10.7 seconds
- Audi E-Tron GT: 11.0 seconds
- BMW i4: 11.7 seconds
- Mercedes-Benz EQS: 12.1 seconds
But if you want to hang with the exotic supercars, you’ll need to upgrade to the Tesla Model S Plaid. Here’s how it stacks up to some of the most legendary names in automobile engineering:
- Bugatti Chiron Super Sport: 9.1 seconds
- Ultimate Evolution: 9.3 seconds
- Ferrari LaFerrari: 9.7 seconds
- Koenigsegg One: 9.8 seconds
- Porsche 918 Spyder: 9.8 seconds
- McLaren P1: 9.8 seconds
- Porsche 911 Turbo S: 9.9 seconds
- Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport: 9.9 seconds
Can a Tesla beat a Lamborghini?
The 2020 Lamborghini Huracán Evo is the fastest Lambo, with a 10.4-second quarter-mile time. So even the base Tesla Model S gives it a run for its money! And, of course, that means the Plaid trim has enough speed to leave the Huracán Evo in its dust.
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