The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid has been the hype of the town for a while. With productions and deliveries underway, people are in awe of its dynamic performance and engineering. At the same time, Palm Beach Bay, an auto repair shop in Florida, has modified a 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby, which produces a whopping 1000 horsepower. When the World Wide Technology Raceway was underway in Madison, Illinois, the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid and a tuned Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 competed against each other on the drag strip. After a close race between the cars, the 1000-horsepower Shelby came on top each time, becoming the only contender capable of taking down the new Tesla Model S Plaid.
Updated November 2022: We know that the rivalry for the fastest will never end, so we have updated this article to review the newest statistics of the Model S Plaid. Tesla has continued to work on their speed, technology, and aerodynamics to increase not only the top speed but also the launch and acceleration abilities of the Model S Plaid, making it a record-breaking neck snapper of a ride that may be worthy of another race.
The modifications in the Mustang Shelby GT500 led it to overshadow Tesla’s newest iteration of the Model S. With tuned updates, the Mustang’s victory was a surprise for all. Tesla’s Model S Plaid might be a hell-raiser, but the Mustang proves that it is not invincible.
The Fast And Furious Shelby GT500 And Model S Plaid
The races that began with a rolling start for Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid ended up with the former emerging victorious. The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid comes with a trimotor system, two of which are at each rear wheel while the third one is at the front axle, and it produces power for the front-right wheel. The electric powertrain ensures an output of 1,020 horsepower and a torque of just over 774 lb.-ft.
The Shelby GT500 is not a stock model. It belongs to Ken Bjønnes, who modified the vehicle into an unstoppable beast. The changes allow the 5.2-liter V8 to produce over 1,100 horsepower, which is 340 horsepower more than the standard GT500.
A stock car can’t beat the Tesla Model S Plaid. However, a modified Shelby GT500 with internal combustion gets the job done. On its first run at the World Wide Technology Runway, the 1000 horsepower GT500 defeated Tesla with a marginal edge. The Mustang crossed the quarter-mile finish line in 7.91 seconds with a top speed of 159.63 MPH. The Model S Plaid lagged slightly and covered the distance in 7.97 seconds at a maximum speed of 154.94 MPH.
The second race of the run showed similar results when the modified Mustang beat the Tesla Model S Plaid with a small margin once again, covering the distance in 7.66 seconds at 160.94 MPH. On the other hand, Tesla managed to finish the quarter-mile in 7.68 seconds at 155.19 MPH.
A Victory In Every Race For The Ford Mustang GT500
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Mustang GT500 is the stunning grip it offers behind the wheel. Weighing more than 4,000 pounds, the car is heavy. However, it makes up for the weight with its tremendous speed and carries it throughout the ride. The pedal remains stiff even after hours of speed racing with a flawless brake system, causing the wondrous transmission to soak up the heat with every passing lap.
Along with the roll races of the 1000 HP Shelby GT500 and Tesla Model S Plaid competing alongside each other, the cars also raced individually for a quarter-mile.
A testament to the power transmission, the 1000 HP Shelby GT500 won again. The muscular Ford finished in 9.14 seconds while the Tesla Model S Plaid lagged 0.10 seconds and finished in 9.24 seconds. In a fair fight, the 1000 HP Shelby GT500 managed to get the upper hand in the competition and beat the fastest model that Tesla has created to date.
Outrunning The Fastest Tesla
The most lethal car ever produced by Ford, the GT500 is undoubtedly among the best. Pushing the limits of the V8 with 1000 horsepower, the Shelby GT500 showcases that an energizing build and stylish design can make the ride a blast to drive.
The 2020 Ford Mustang GT500 ran a quarter-mile in 9.93 seconds with a top speed of 140 MPH. The modifications to the standard GT500 built it into a car that could reduce the running time by 0.79 seconds.
An independent suspension with electronically assisted steering gives the Mustang the stability to become versatile. The smoother shifts via the gearbox for a Sports mode ensure dialing in as much torque as necessary. The Tesla Model S Plaid provides quick acceleration, although the trimotor still falls short compared to the monstrous horsepower of the Ford Mustang GT500.
Tesla has modified its flagship product, Model S, into Model S Plaid to garner attention through acceleration. Even with countless modifications in engineering and design, it is clear that even the fastest Tesla can be outrun by a traditional gas guzzler.
With that in mind, Tesla continues its pursuit of the title and recent updates to the 2022 Model S Plaid have seen it go from a top speed of around 155 MPH up to a record-breaking 200 MPH and above. The 2022 iteration's "Track Mode" can see the car reach a top speed of 175 MPH in a claimed 17.1 seconds, putting it more on par with the iconic Mustang after its modifications. It may be time for a return to the track for both of these incredibly speedy cars.
Source: Tesla