The Tesla Model S Plaid has been a staple in the electric sedan market for some time now. While it may no longer hold the title of the world’s quickest four-door electric sedan or the most powerful, a recent video from the popular motoring YouTube channel Carwow suggests that it still holds its own against some of the newer and more powerful competitors.
One such competitor is the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, a true powerhouse in its own right. With three motors generating 1,548 hp and 1,770 Nm of torque, this All-Wheel Drive beast weighs in at a hefty 2,360 kg. Priced at around £55,000, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra recently set a blistering lap time of 7:04.957 at the Nurburgring, surpassing the previous record held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.
In the eyes of many, the Model S Plaid seemed to be outmatched in Carwow’s test. With its three motors producing 1,020 hp and 1,420 Nm of torque, the Model S Plaid is slightly lighter at 2,190 kg despite its larger size. However, the Model S Plaid’s Nurburgring lap time of 7:25.231 falls short compared to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra’s record-breaking performance.
Despite the impressive specs of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, Tesla’s technological prowess with the Model S Plaid proved hard to beat in real-world tests. In a series of drag races, the older Model S Plaid actually outperformed its newer, more powerful rival from China on multiple occasions. Even when the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra hit its power limit due to battery temperature, the Model S Plaid continued to dominate.
Since its unveiling in September 2020, the Model S Plaid has seen newer competitors like the Lucid Air Sapphire and Xiaomi SU7 Ultra surpass its specifications. However, Tesla’s expertise in tuning and refinement has allowed the Model S Plaid to remain a formidable contender in the electric sedan market.
For a closer look at the Model S Plaid vs Xiaomi SU7 drag race, be sure to watch Carwow’s video showcasing the intense competition between these two electric titans.