**StemQ Notice:** *The following is an answer to [this question](https://www.stemq.io/question/alexs1320/how-fast-is-tesla-s-on-a-race-track1550916460353)*

Although it has been in the production for a long time (introduced in 2012), Tesla S is still a mystery. It’s lightning fast in drag races, it’s equipped with an incredibly large tablet and it was never properly tested on racetracks.

Why? Who knows, maybe because TopGear was sued by Tesla after a horrible review? Tesla lost, tried again, lost again.

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXMyGZ6fkyTkS5R283Ua5FRibBTZnXMtoH4S8GLHrFGur/image.png)
Currently on sales, [link](https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/tesla-model-s-85-kwh-performance-dual-motor-electric-blue-6da03781-c52a-a841-e053-e350040a143a?cldtidx=4)

#### Is there something wrong with electric cars?

Actually – no. On the positive side, inherent characteristics of electric motor include basically flat torque curve which provides excellent acceleration, no matter what is the current speed/revs. 
There is no need for frequent shifting if there are gears to shift at all. 
Batteries are usually placed on/in the floor and the center of gravity is very low. 
Engineers can also be creative and develop completely new concepts, like torque vectoring for example. 
On the downside, electric cars are heavy.

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXBUbm6ZCJf6rZMf9gM3PH3SWBJKJFMf3NdYJCUQS93xv/image.png)
Also [on sales](https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/tesla-model-s-p85d-anschlussgarantie-ap1-free-suc-22kw-luftfahrw-electric-white-7971131a-64cb-400b-916e-4859bd53625c?cldtidx=6)

#### Can electric cars run fast on racetracks?

Let’s check lap times achieved in Pikes Peak Hill Climb:
•	Volkswagen I.D. R 7:57
•	Rhys Millen. PP03 9:07
•	Tajima Rimac 9:43
•	Tesla Model S P90D 11:48

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdTcWDrHPpnUHr6FJNVQrVfwXfZakAxMGMfEZjHhbBmVK/image.png)
[VW I.D.R. from Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pikes_Peak_International_Hill_Climb#/media/File:Volkswagen_I.D._R_Pikes_Peak.jpg)

Ok, as expected, dedicated electric racing cars were much faster than Tesla, but what about dedicated gas powered cars?

Sebastian Loeb + Peugeot, factory car = 8'13
If Loeb can be beaten by an electric car, those are serious tools.

It’s clear that electric cars can be fast. There are no doubts

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRa4Eu7RznFa6LqwBY4YduQ7LPz5hBXLxNzthM8UoswTs/image.png)
[Peugeoot 208 T16, from Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pikes_Peak_International_Hill_Climb#/media/File:Peugeot_208_T16_-_Gregory_Gilvert.jpg)

#### Why am I concerned about Tesla S?

Every time I see Tesla S, I’m surprised how badly panels are aligned. Gaps are so wide and so uneven that I would assume that the car was involved in a collision. If outside fittings look like this, I’m concerned that the whole car is not well made. Nor well engineered.

#### Tesla Model S P85D 

An amazing car, on paper:
•	701 hp, impressive
•	2195 kg, ok, not that bad
•	0-100 kph, 3.5 s, the realm of supercars

#### One car, 5 tracks

I will start this review from the least relevant to the most relevant results. All the data are publically available [here]( https://fastestlaps.com/models/tesla-model-s-p85d)
I will also give my best to cross-compare Tesla S and other relevant cars.
 [Gotland Ring]( https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/gotland-ring-northern-loop)

•	Ferrari F430: 1:34
•	BMW M3 (E92) 1:36
•	BMW M6 1:38
•	Chevrolet Corvette C6 1:38
•	Tesla Model S P85D 1:39
•	Audi RS6 Avant (C6) 1:39
•	Maserati Coupe GranSport 1:39

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYErwFVrkAoX4wrgcJM36Pce3EgrgXHHBAxyPo1dQuadQ/image.png)
[Maserati Grand Sport, from Wiki]

Ok, it’s fast but definitely as fast as real sports cars. As we can see, its lap times are in the range of Grand Turismo cars. Unfortunately, not a single BMW 5-Series or Mercedes E-Class.

Next racetrack [Contidrom](https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/contidrom-3-8-km)
•	Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, equally powered, 1:32
•	BMW M4, 1:34
•	Alfa Romeo 4C, 1:36
•	Peugeot RCZ R, 1:37
•	Skoda Octavia RS Combi (5E), 1:38
•	Tesla Model S P85D, 1:40

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVDBmKvTiTpRCiZDxeBnp5NzxtUbJRXRKjPgZ235L99u8/image.png)
Skoda, [on sales](https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/skoda-octavia-combi-2-0-tsi-rs-230-dsg-pano-19-keyless-priv-gasoline-grey-fc36c1b5-e5ed-4dd7-bda3-315e83a1bfa9?cldtidx=5)

Being beaten by several sports cars with 200-250 hp engines while the Tesla posses 700 hp is a bit awkward but still fine. Being beaten by a Skoda is alarming.

[Red Bull Ring](https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/red-bull-ring)
•	Modern GT car, Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S, 1:49
•	Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C7), 1:49
•	Range Rover Sport SVR (550 hp), 2:01
•	Tesla Model S P85D, 2:03

It’s slower than Range Rover… Range Rover with 150 hp less and 150 kg more. By the way, it’s an SUV.

[Virginia International Raceway]( https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/virginia-international-raceway-grand-east-course-post-01-2014). Finally, some relevant data:

•	BMW M5 (F90), new model, 600 hp, 2:55
•	E 63 AMG S 4Matic+, new model, 612 hp, 2:55
•	Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, 712 hp, 3:03
•	Fiat Abarth 124, 170 hp, 3:16
•	Tesla Model S P85D, 3:17

Fiat 124 Abarth is as fast as Tesla. Seriously unexpected...

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWFTXY6MV4vfLHDoJVpop1LiJmTH4aFBojLj4JwVHFEuN/image.png)
[124 Abarth, on sales](https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/fiat-124-spider-abarth-1-4-turbo-170pk-alle-opties-gasoline-grey-f9c70dd5-4f4e-42ed-b2ba-159d37d4535a?cldtidx=10)

And the most comprehensive database: [Autozeitung test track](https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/autozeitung-test-track)

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmc2mYBKqHY5xpW1ikeLUSiQ6vgbqmZpWUNK1MVqHCSEeX/image.png)

Tesla is nowhere near M/AMG, not even 15 years old models.

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcLAoLrrC2CMAveAHVrzudVzWohrzGzczrxetRPMQBHLx/image.png)
 
### In conclusion

It’s as fast as:
•	2005 - 2010 cars with 250 – 300 hp
•	new models with 170 – 200 hp

Tesla S was introduced in 2012. Even then it was lagging behind the best.
Today, it’s becoming seriously obsolete...

**Acknowledgements:** https://www.autoscout24.com and https://fastestlaps.com/

**StemQ Notice:** *This post was originally submitted on [StemQ.io](http://www.stemq.io), a Q&A application for STEM subjects powered by the Steem blockchain.*