If you want to drag race a Tesla with a petrol or diesel vehicle without being utterly embarrassed, you better either own a very fast car, be a very competent driver – or, preferably, both.
The Model S has been the king of the drag strip for a number of years, and now that the Model 3 is on the road, we’re beginning to discover that it, too, is very quick. Just how quick? Well, it’s quick enough to comfortably out-accelerate some potent muscle cars.
The clip below shows a white Model 3 racing a green Chevrolet Camaro SS and then an old Ford Mustang that appears specifically prepped for the drag strip. The race with the Camaro SS is easily the most interesting of the two.
During the run, the Model 3 sets a respectable 12.7-second quarter mile at 112 mph (180 km/h), while the Chevy covered the same distance in 13.34 seconds at 110 mph (177 km/h). As we’ve come to expect from all-electric vehicles, it appears that most of the Model 3’s advantage came from its rapid take-off, whereas the Camaro was struggling for grip.
In its most recent form, the Camaro SS features a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine delivering 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. With a good driver behind the wheel, a 12-second quarter mile should be achievable.
As for the Model 3 in question, it doesn’t appear to be the range-topping Performance model, which is capable of a high 11-second quarter mile. Nevertheless, seeing it accelerate down the drag strip is impressive.