Much has been made of the Tesla Model S P85D (all wheel drive, 691 hp, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and still seats 5 people) being compared to the sports cars of the day, such as the Verge making play with the Ferrari F12berlinetta.
Apparently there are still cars that can beat the Tesla in a drag race?
But no-one was really mooting the comparison. The videos on YouTube really show the Tesla showing off immediate acceleration and the video on The Verge is no different.
The Tesla plainly moves quicker from a standing start and it takes a few seconds for the 2 seater Supercar to overtake it. In a Bond movie, the F12 would be behind because due to the laws of scriptwriting, the road would have narrowed.
There’s also the issue that to achieve that sort of acceleration, the F12 has to be handled by an expert driver and it’s conceivable that multiple takes are needed to get the best possible result out of the supercars. The Tesla could be operated by my Mum (who is a confident but cautious driver). Just push the pedal and feel the seat leather envelop you.
No-one is really claiming the Tesla Model S, laden down with 5 seats and a roomy trunk, can beat an Italian-designed 2 seat supercar that costs 3 times as much. But the video shows that the Tesla has one great strength in being first away from the lights every time.