TESLA JUST HUMILIATED A 1,064-HP CORVETTE—AND IT WASN’T EVEN CLOSE

Three years after its debut, the Tesla Model S Plaid continues to set the benchmark for electric vehicle performance. A recent drag race against the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has reaffirmed its dominance.

Despite the ZR1's powerful 1,064-horsepower 5.5-liter V8 engine, it couldn’t match the Plaid’s blistering 0–60 mph acceleration.

Although the Corvette ZR1 is more than 1,100 pounds lighter than the Plaid and offers slightly higher output, its rear-wheel-drive setup limits traction during standing starts. In contrast, the Plaid’s all-wheel-drive system and immense 1,050 lb-ft of torque launch it from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds—solidifying its place at the top of the EV performance hierarchy.

DragTimes footage captures the Model S Plaid’s advantage from the moment the race begins, consistently outpacing the Corvette. In its quickest run, the ZR1 reached the 60-foot mark in 1.57 seconds, while the Plaid covered it in just 1.46 seconds, seizing an early and decisive lead.

In real-world terms, the performance gap felt even more dramatic than the numbers suggest. While both cars deliver over 1,000 horsepower, the Plaid’s initial burst of speed remains virtually unmatched.

Although the Corvette gains momentum beyond 150 mph, it couldn’t close the gap in quarter-mile races. The Plaid’s performance begins to taper off around 200 mph, but by then, the outcome is already sealed.

This race proves that raw horsepower and curb weight alone don’t determine acceleration supremacy—traction and torque delivery matter just as much.