The Tesla Model Y is one quick SUV. That is a foregone conclusion. But is it quick enough to outrun the police? YouTube Channel Wheels has posted a video of a Tesla Model Y drag racing a Ford Police Interceptor that belongs to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado.
This race takes place at the Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado.
The Contenders: Model Y Vs Police Interceptor
The Tesla Model Y in this video has a blue exterior with black aftermarket rims and yellow brake rotors. There is no mention of whether this particular car is the Long Range or the Performance version of the Model Y.
The Long Range model has 384 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. According to Tesla’s own estimates, 0-60 mph arrives in 4.8 seconds.
Sitting right above the Long Range in the Tesla lineup is the Performance variant of the Model Y. It puts out 456 hp and 497 lb-ft of torque. Tesla’s official 0-60 mph figure for this car is 3.5 seconds, making it one of the quickest SUVs in the world. Both versions of the Model Y comes with a standard dual motor all-wheel drive system.
The Ford Police Interceptor is a mid-size utility vehicle based on the Explorer. The standard powertrain is a 3.3-liter V6 with hybrid assistance and a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup is good for a combined 318 hp. There is also an available 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine that puts out a stout 400 hp.
All-wheel drive is standard on both versions of the Ford Police interceptor.
The Drag Race Results
The race begins with the Tesla Model Y and Ford Police Interceptor lining up at the tree. The video shows an officer in uniform behind the wheel of the police car.
When the light turns green, the Tesla Model Y uses its prodigious amount of torque to leap forward. The Ford Police Interceptor follows behind with its lights and sirens on, almost as if it were telling the Model Y to stop and pull over.
The Tesla Model Y widens its lead over the Police Interceptor during the race. At the end, the Model Y crosses the quarter-mile mark in 12.93 seconds. In comparison, the Police Interceptor finishes the sprint in 15.74 seconds.
The results of this race demonstrate that a Tesla Model Y is more than capable of outrunning a Ford Police Interceptor.
But it is important to remember that any attempt to flee or outrun a police car on public roads will most often end in failure, as law enforcement agencies have access to helicopters that are capable of keeping up with the fastest cars in the world.