The race to electric power is on, with automakers around the globe developing a glut of new battery-powered vehicles, including GM, which hopes to launch 30 new EVs by 2025. However, internal combustion still has something to say when it comes to the business of going fast, as seen in the following drag race between a 1,500-horsepower 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup and a Tesla Model S Plaid.
This drag race once again comes to us from Hoonigan, which is setting up the showdown in the usual “This vs. That” format. However, with this particular drag-prepped Chevy Silverado arriving as the latest challenger for the stupendously quick Tesla Model S Plaid, this particular video series was renamed to the slightly more appropriate “This vs. Plaid.”
Let’s kick it off with a quick rundown for both vehicles, starting with the Chevy Silverado. Originally serving as a daily driven work truck, this Chevy Silverado is now a full-blown drag racing machine, throwing down with 1,500 horsepower from a twin-turbo 427 LSX V8 engine. Making the boost is a pair of 79mm Garrett snails. The owner says they will “turn it down” to 1,200 ponies for the no-prep surface, but either way, it’s a lot. Output reaches the ground though a TH400 three-speed transmission and four-wheel drive. The Chevy also arrives to the party with a little bit of weight savings thanks to a few fiberglass components, but it still weighs 4,000 pounds. The owner says the combo is capable of running an 8.30 in the quarter mile.
By comparison, the Tesla Model S Plaid looks much more benign. Heck, you could even call it boring. Everything is stock, down to the wheels and tires. However, the performance is anything but boring, with 1,020 horsepower on tap thanks to a trio of electric motors. Putting the electric power to the ground is all-wheel drive, while weight is a rather hefty 4,828 pounds.
It’s a pretty wild matchup, so hit play to see what happens:
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Comments
What gets missed with the plaid is that it’s 2.2 0-60 rating is on NHV prepped surface. It’s not comparable to other times done on asphalt. It’s asphalt time is in the 2.6-2.7 range 0-60, slower than the Bugatti Chiron, Ferrari SF90, slower than the C7 ZR1. And that’s on a car track prepped for 0-60. It’s quarter mile is even worse. There never was a competition here.
What people seem to forget was ford got sued with the 2000 mustangs for over stating horsepower. EV’s are exempt from that because their “cool”
With 5 car gap, that .2 isn’t a factor on asphalt or at the track. On the sticky track, that would favor the truck slicks so it could be a 6 car gap.
I go to the track alot, if you don’t have slicks, you lose 9 out of 10 times unless it’s a driver mod. And that happens more than you think. Lots of bad drivers…
Regardless, that Tesla is one fast mofo for a 100k grocery getter.
The plaid is a 130+ grocery getter.
The green crowd must be crying in there soy lattes and sustainable seaweed burgers. I dont care either way I’m not anti electrics. But the EV owners are arrogant whiners. Jesus Christ he even has a man bun. What else can you say.
You GM gearheads certainly like to shoot fish in a barrel. Just look at the
difference in weight to horsepower ratio . it would be interesting to load a
few 2x4s in the truck to equalize the ratio and see what happens !
At least you *can* load 2×4’s into the truck. Can you in the plaid? And totally agree with joe above. The ev’ers in general are a entitled arrogant group. And at least in my area ironically, often own a Land Rover or X8 to complement their ev.
Uh, no it can’t. It’s a shortbed. The tail gate doesn’t come down. They’d be sticking out over the wing or the sides. It also only has one seat, so prepare to load on your own. It also has no cooling so cant drifve more than about a mile before it has to stop and cool down for 15 minutes. How far is the home depot? The model S has a rear seat pass through. It can hold 2×4’s AND 4 people AND their luggage and still run low 10’s….
Put 2 people in the Tesla. Batteries are heavy, that’s unavoidable. Another race this car will lose every time against anything gas powered would be a distance or cross country race. Cannonball run type. Speed doesn’t matter if ca fill up takes 30 minutes to 8 hrs. You’d win in a 73 horsepower chevette.
Who cares?
Wonder what the difference was in Plaid’s time between the first run and the last. One would suspect that battery depletion, as well as motor and battery heat took a toll.
I saw the Plaid race a BMW-M 5 Series and the CT Blackwing in a quarter mile race, 3 times from a dig and a 30 mph scoot.
Obviously, the Plaid won. It had 2 bus lengths on the M5 and 4 bus lengths on the Blackwing.
It was also obvious that the Blackwing could not handle the plus 650bhp to the ground as well as the M5. The M5 has the dual clutch automatic transmission in its favor though.
I can’t wait to see the C8 Zo6 videos run the Plaid.
Anyways, the Plaid is not for me though even if it is a fast mofo…
This is beyond stupid
I don’t like EVs
But let’s get real here. Let’s see how long each one lasts as a daily driver.
This is like comparing any standard regular car to a modified car.
I don’t get it….
Of course nobody mentions the amount of money – probably MORE than the Tesla put into the NON STREETABLE ILLEGAL custom truck that has a 400 HP and almost 1000 lb AND 4WD advantage over the bone stock $135k “grandma can drive” Tesla. Proves NADA. This really just shows how bad ass the Tesla is and how pathetic GM is. Please show me the stock GM ANYTHING can match up with even the lowest Model 3. I’ll wait. Cheers !! 🇺🇸