Hellcat vs Tesla: Time For Tea?
A drag battle for the soul of the American car industry, after a false start
Yet to watch it once is to realise that the narrative that has sprung up around it is almost entirely wrong. Because this isn't the story of how a cappuccino-sipping electric-powered Tesla comprehensively outgunned some old-school Detroit V8 muscle so much as the story of how a Dodge Challenger Hellcat driver completely fluffed the start and then decided to play it for laughs.
Credit to the Tesla P85D, the new four-wheel drive version of the electric carmaker's saloon, with a peak total 691hp. It sets off at a convincing pace on its way to an 11.68 second quarter mile, crossing the line at 114.6mph. That has to make it the fastest production electric car in the world; not bad for a four-seater with room for luggage.
But having messed up the start the Hellcat driver seems more intent on punishing his rear tyres than he does on recording a time. Rear wheels are spinning, and a fair amount of opposite lock is applied, for at least 100 yards. It certainly proves the Dodge is a hard car to get off the line (something born out by my experience in one last year), but in a fair fight it would be very close, especially as it's already recorded an 11.2 second quarter on road legal tyres.
Now if somebody could take them both on track for us with an expert driver...
Watch the video here.
However you look at it, 11.7 seconds is bloody impressive for a seven seater EV (although I wouldn't fancy being in the back row of seats when someone put their foot down).
The dodge is fantastic in a rather different way.
However you look at it, 11.7 seconds is bloody impressive for a seven seater EV (although I wouldn't fancy being in the back row of seats when someone put their foot down).
The dodge is fantastic in a rather different way.
Delacour_and_a_911_on_ice
I still dont think that the Hellcat would have bettered the Tesla, even if fitted with Drag slicks, might have been about the same at best.
Thats the second version of the Tesla, makes you wonder what they will be able to do in future.
I can't post the links as I'm on my phone, but perhaps someone can do the honours?
I wouldn't take a tesla over either as a toy, but as a daily driver.....hell yes. The 700 bhp version is more efficient then the 400 bhp version (in like for like driving)!
Edited to add...here are the links
Tesla vs 458 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cA1doO_9h8
Tesla vs Aventador - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e-jquwHKtI
I can't post the links as I'm on my phone, but perhaps someone can do the honours?
I wouldn't take a tesla over either as a toy, but as a daily driver.....hell yes. The 700 bhp version is more efficient then the 400bhp version (in like for like driving)!
458:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cA1doO_9h8
Aventador:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e-jquwHKtI
I can't post the links as I'm on my phone, but perhaps someone can do the honours?
I wouldn't take a tesla over either as a toy, but as a daily driver.....hell yes. The 700 bhp version is more efficient then the 400bhp version (in like for like driving)!
458:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cA1doO_9h8
Aventador:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e-jquwHKtI
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