A duel between two radically opposed cars took place recently on the Brighton Drag track. On the one hand, the Lamborghini Revuerto, the last hybrid rechargeable V12 supercar from the Italian brand, with 1015 horsepower combined thanks to its atmospheric 6.5 L and three electric motors. On the other, the Tesla Model S Plaid, an electric sedan with three engines developing 1020 horsepower, renowned for its dazzling accelerations and its constancy on the 400m departure.
On paper, the two cars are close to power, all -wheel drive and on -board technologies. But in practice, several parameters come into play: weight, aerodynamics, thermal management … and weather conditions.
The day promises to be hot, very hot. With more than 28 ° C, especially for a supercar like the Revuerto. Its owner, the pilot of the day, does not expect to beat his best previous times (9.4 s on the 400 m). On the other hand, the Tesla Plaid, with its linear performance and insensitive to weather variations, will be less affected by heat.
First round: the Tesla takes the advantage
From the first round, the Tesla Model S plaid shows the fangs. Despite a correct departure from the Lamborghini, the Tesla remains at the shoulder-to-comet, then exceeds it slightly to cross the first line. Result: Victory for the Plaid, which confirms its formidable efficiency in a straight line.
Second round: The Revuerto responds thanks to a good start
No question for the Lamborghini to leave itself without reacting. On the second race, the pilot succeeds in a better start thanks to a perfect reaction time. It takes the advantage from the start and is good until the finish line. But with a “normal” reaction time, the Tesla would still be in front.
Third round: tight duel until the end
Everything is played in the last round. The start is tense, the two pilots react quickly, but the Tesla nibbles centimeter by centimeter until exceeding the Lamborghini just before the line. Once again, the consistency and thermal management of the Model S plaid make the difference. Final score: 2–1 for Tesla.
A final result …
With a 0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds, the Tesla Model S plaid remains a fatal weapon on the 400 meters, even facing a supercar like the Revuelto.
The Revuerto pilot admits him himself: with a clearer weather, the match would have been much tighter. He also evokes an exceptional reaction time (0.007 s!) Which allowed him to tear off the victory in the second round.
This duel illustrates that raw performance is no longer reserved for exotic thermal supercars. Electrics, with their instant accelerations and their constancy, excellent on the exercise of the straight line.
