The drag race we’ve all been waiting for: Tesla Model S Plaid vs Xiaomi SU7 Ultra

We knew this day was coming – if anything, we are surprised it took that long. Since its launch, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been claiming records one after another, stepping on the toes of much more expensive cars, and even beating some electric hypercars in the process. But the one question remained unanswered – is it quicker than the Tesla Model S Plaid?

Thanks to the guys from Carwow, this question has been answered. The newcomer SU7 Ultra finally went head-to-head with the established king of performance in a series of drag races and braking tests. This showdown gave us a fascinating glimpse into the rapid advancements in electric vehicle technology and offered a direct comparison of two high-performance electric cars.

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has three electric motors – one on the front axle and two on the rear. This setup generates 1,548 horsepower and 1,770 Nm of torque. Despite its impressive power, the SU7 Ultra is a substantial machine, weighing in at 2,360 kg.

In its home market of China, this impressive vehicle carries a price tag of around RMB 529,900, which translates to approximately €62,900. The SU7 Ultra comes standard with carbon-ceramic brakes, a feature often found on much more expensive performance vehicles. Interestingly, a replacement front disc in China costs about €1,500, a fraction of the cost in Europe or the US.

Facing off against the newbie was the Tesla Model S Plaid, until now a benchmark for electric performance. Also featuring a triple-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration, the Plaid delivers 1,020 horsepower and 1,420 Nm of torque. It is lighter than the Xiaomi, weighing 2,190 kg. The Tesla Model S Plaid is considerably more expensive, with a starting price of €93,890 in the US.

With the introductions over, let’s head straight to the race. The expectations were huge, with a power advantage of over 500 hp, SU7 Ultra was the favorite, even though it was the heavier of the two. The first race was a surprise and revealed that all that power is of no use, if it cannot be put down to the tarmac.

In the first standing quarter-mile drag races, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra faced some early challenges with traction due to (apparently) cold tires. The SU7 Ultra consistently demonstrated impressive performance though, consistently catching up to Model S Plaid – at astonishing rates.

Once the driver of the SU7 Ultra managed to warm the tires and his reflexes, the final decisive drag race ended with Xiaomi passing the…