It is no secret to anyone these days that the Tesla Model S in its lightning-fast Plaid spec eats traditional supercars for breakfast and can show the backside to select hypercars as well. Still, Petersen Automotive Museum reckoned it would have a tough time battling against a trio of Italian racing classics.
Before we begin, let us just say that the drag races proved to be very exciting and rather close, especially when you consider that all gas-powered contestants were one or two decades old and the Tesla brand new. Now, let us review the numbers.
The Plaid packs north of 1,000 horsepower coming from three electric motors and needs fewer than two seconds to launch in ideal conditions (the actual launch time tends to be slightly longer). Its first rival, the acclaimed Ferrari Enzo, packs a six-liter V12 capable of 660 PS (651 hp / 485 kW) and a sub-four-second sprint time. More importantly, the Enzo can exceed 350 km/h (217 mph) moving in a straight line, something very few EVs come even close to.
Next up in line is an 18-year-old Maserati MC12 with the same engine block, but tuned down to 630 PS (621 hp / 463 kW) from the factory. The sprint time is 3.5 seconds exactly, and the top speed is called at 330 km/h (205 mph).
Rounding off the list is a 10-year-old Ferrari F12 with 730 PS (720 hp / 537 kW) at its disposal, a dual-clutch transmission and a launch time of a little more than three seconds.
Watch and be surprised!