Fear not, internal combustion fans. This is not a video featuring an electric car putting gasoline engines to shame. There are three drag races in this single clip, all featuring a Tesla Model 3. The racing action is close, and it includes proper modern brawn against the future of the automobile. In short, it’s just a great racing video for people who love racing. And since you read Motor1.comwe suspect that means you.
First, the competitors. You already know the Tesla Model 3, which in Performance version is able to cover the quarter mile in about 11 seconds. He faces a Dodge Charger Hellcat which is also capable of 11-second runs in stock trim. The Ford Mustang GT is a bit slower in the low 12-second range, and just for smiles, there’s a big Ford Explorer ST in the mix. On a good day it can hit the high 13s – certainly quick for a sizable SUV, but not from a distance a challenge for any of the vehicles mentioned here. That is to say in the original version anyway.
6 Pictures
The location is Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida, and the races appear to be part of a special event. The electronic timing boards all have 11.50 lit at the bottom, which means that all racing cars cannot run faster than 11.50 seconds. Different time categories are common on drag strips; by establishing a baseline elapsed time (ET), racers can race side-by-side in head-to-head races, as opposed to bracket races with staggered launches. So for the Mustang and the Explorer to compete, they to have to have some changes.
We will start with the charger, which in this situation must be careful not to go too quick. Unfortunately for the driver, the Hellcat V8 is defeated by the Tesla’s all-wheel drive and battery. The Model 3 gets great launch and holds the lead to run 11.60, compared to the Charger’s 11.67. The Explorer ST follows, and with its screaming V6 exhaust note, we learn it’s definitely not stock. This is also confirmed by an ET of 11.91 seconds, a fantastic time for the SUV. But that’s not enough to beat Tesla’s time of 11.66 seconds.
That leaves Detroit’s muscle pride in the hands of a black Ford Mustang. It’s not stock either, as evidenced by the prolific V8 soundtrack emitted during burnout. Between the Charger and the Explorer, the Mustang clocks the fastest time of the bunch at 11.63 seconds. But is it enough to defeat the Tesla? It is indeed a very close race, but we will leave that question to the video to answer as it is definitely worth watching.
Fear not, internal combustion fans. This is not a video featuring an electric car putting gasoline engines to shame. There are three drag races in this single clip, all featuring a Tesla Model 3. The racing action is close, and it includes proper modern brawn against the future of the automobile. In short, it’s just a great racing video for people who love racing. And since you read Motor1.comwe suspect that means you.
First, the competitors. You already know the Tesla Model 3, which in Performance version is able to cover the quarter mile in about 11 seconds. He faces a Dodge Charger Hellcat which is also capable of 11-second runs in stock trim. The Ford Mustang GT is a bit slower in the low 12-second range, and just for smiles, there’s a big Ford Explorer ST in the mix. On a good day it can hit the high 13s – certainly quick for a sizable SUV, but not from a distance a challenge for any of the vehicles mentioned here. That is to say in the original version anyway.
6 Pictures
The location is Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida, and the races appear to be part of a special event. The electronic timing boards all have 11.50 lit at the bottom, which means that all racing cars cannot run faster than 11.50 seconds. Different time categories are common on drag strips; by establishing a baseline elapsed time (ET), racers can race side-by-side in head-to-head races, as opposed to bracket races with staggered launches. So for the Mustang and the Explorer to compete, they to have to have some changes.
We will start with the charger, which in this situation must be careful not to go too quick. Unfortunately for the driver, the Hellcat V8 is defeated by the Tesla’s all-wheel drive and battery. The Model 3 gets great launch and holds the lead to run 11.60, compared to the Charger’s 11.67. The Explorer ST follows, and with its screaming V6 exhaust note, we learn it’s definitely not stock. This is also confirmed by an ET of 11.91 seconds, a fantastic time for the SUV. But that’s not enough to beat Tesla’s time of 11.66 seconds.
That leaves Detroit’s muscle pride in the hands of a black Ford Mustang. It’s not stock either, as evidenced by the prolific V8 soundtrack emitted during burnout. Between the Charger and the Explorer, the Mustang clocks the fastest time of the bunch at 11.63 seconds. But is it enough to defeat the Tesla? It is indeed a very close race, but we will leave that question to the video to answer as it is definitely worth watching.
