Electric cars have not proven as popular an option as some car makers had hoped. Yet, while low-cost, supposedly mass market EV’s like the Nissan Leaf have met with tepid sales, Tesla Motors has more than 20,000 orders for their universally-applauded Model S all-electric performance sedan. But can any electric car beat a Dodge Viper SRT10 in drag racing?
This next video from Dragtimes answers that question with gusto, pitting a last-generation Dodge Viper SRT10 against a Tesla Model S in a straight-up drag race…and you’ll be surprised who wins this race.
While it may be a last-gen Viper, and not the all-new SRT Viper GTS, this Dodge sports car still has 600 horsepower on tap compared to the Tesla’s 416 horsepower and 443 ft-lbs of torque. Also add in the fact that the Tesla Model S weighs almost 4,900 pounds with a driver, compared to the Viper’s curb weight of just 3,300 pounds, and this race shouldn’t even be close.
But electric vehicles have the advantage of instant torque, as all 443 ft-lbs of power are available for use right off the line. This helps the Tesla Model S zip down the drag strip in just 12.37 seconds at 110 mph, faster even than the Viper. Sure, the Viper isn’t meant for drag racing…but then again neither is the Tesla Model S. It’s just a silly electric car, meant for hippies and professors. Right?