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Tesla Model S P100D and Model X P100D battle BMW M5 in tense 1/4-mile races

[Credit: DragTimes/YouTube]

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There are very few gas-powered sedans that are capable of standing toe-to-toe against the Tesla Model S P100D and the Model X P100D. Over the years, Tesla’s P100D twins have established themselves as formidable forces on the drag strip, with a long line of supercar victims under their belt. That said, when faced with Germany’s monster of a sedan — the 2018 BMW M5 — could the Model S P100D and Model X P100D still maintain their place as drag racing royalty?

Such a race was recently featured in YouTube’s DragTimes channel. The 2018 BMW M5 is pretty much the Model S’ gas-powered equivalent in the way that it is large, fast, and incredibly powerful. The M5 is equipped with a 4.4-liter V8 Twin Turbo engine that generates an impressive 617 hp and 553 ft-lb of torque. The car could be bought in either RWD or AWD configurations, though the vehicle in DragTimes‘ recent video was the all-wheel-drive version. The BMW M5 is pretty beefy at 4,370 lbs, but it is still quick, capable of going from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. The M5 is listed with a top speed of 155 mph, but with the optional M Driver’s Package, the vehicle’s top speed gets raised to 189 mph.

In contrast, the Tesla Model S P100D is fitted with all-electric dual motors that produce 588 hp to its wheels and 920 lb-ft of instant torque. The electric car is AWD as well, and is quite hefty at 4,900 lbs. Thanks to the instant torque from its two all-electric motors, the Model S P100D is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in ~2.3 seconds with Ludicrous Mode, though its top speed is software limited to 155 mph. The Tesla Model X P100D, on the other hand, might be an incredibly heavy vehicle at 5,700 lbs, but it is still quick off the line. Thanks to its twin electric motors that produce 588 hp and 920 lb-ft of instant torque to its wheels, the Model X P100D is able to hit the 60 mph mark in 2.9 seconds.

The 2018 BMW is actually a very well-balanced car, but as shown in DragTimes‘ video, the vehicle fell just a little bit short in its attempts at taking down the P100D twins. It ran one race with the Model X P100D, where it finished the quarter mile in 11.35 seconds while traveling at 123.53 mph. Unfortunately for the M5, the Model X P100D was slightly quicker, crossing the quarter-mile mark in 11.33 seconds at 116.84 mph.

The 2018 BMW M5 competed against the Model S P100D twice, and on the first run, the gas-powered sedan actually managed to get a jump on the all-electric supercar killer. That said, it didn’t take long before the Model S’ instant torque allowed it to catch up to the M5 and maintain a slight lead until the end of the race. The first bout between the Model S P100D and the 2018 M5 was close overall, ending with the Tesla completing the race in 11.06 seconds at 118.86 mph and the BMW finishing the run in 11.27 seconds at 123.77 mph. The Model S P100D dominated the second race, crossing the quarter-mile mark in 10.98 seconds at 119.08 mph compared to the BMW M5’s 11.46 seconds at 120.94 mph.

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The P100D twins are still Tesla’s quickest vehicles when it comes to straight-line races. That said, the Model 3 Performance, the latest iteration of the company’s midsize electric sedan, is looking to be formidable in an area where the Model S and X are still lacking — the track. The Model 3 Performance is even set to receive a dedicated Track Mode, an option that Elon Musk describes as an “Expert User Mode” for the vehicle.

Watch the Model S P100D and Model X P100D battle it out with the 2018 BMW M5 in the video below.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla Semi futuristic sci-fi acceleration sound will never get old

Videos that capture the Semi moving at speed are most notable due to their sheer cool factor.

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Credit: Tesla Owners Silicon Valley/X

The Tesla Semi is not yet in mass production, but the company has accumulated over 7.9 million miles across its test fleet. With Tesla using the Semi for its operations, it is no surprise that sightings of the Class 8 all-electric truck have been abounding. 

These sightings from Tesla enthusiasts vary, but those that capture the the Class 8 all-electric truck moving at speed are most notable, possibly due to their sheer cool factor.

Tesla Semi’s Roar

There is something that just stands out with the Semi, particularly on the road. While the Semi does not have the Cybertruck’s brutalist, angular design, it is still very striking because it’s such a massive machine that moves far too quietly for its size. This is, of course, one of the reasons why the vehicle also becomes extra noteworthy when it fires up its electric motors and accelerates.

Take this video from Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, for example, which shows the all-electric hauler accelerating while pulling what appears to be a full load. In these situations, the Tesla Semi actually becomes audible, but unlike traditional diesel-powered truck, the Class 8 all-electric truck “roars” with its own, unique futuristic, sci-fi sound. In such situations, one could feel the Semi’s raw power, which comes from its three independent motors on its rear axles.

Tesla Semi Ramp

Tesla has been promoting the Semi quite a bit as of late, and recent reports have suggested that the company is putting in a lot of effort to prepare the vehicle for its production in Nevada. Tesla’s Careers website has gone live with over 80 Semi-related job openings recently as well, and a recent report has suggested that Tesla has ramped the Semi’s factory workers in Nevada to over 1,000 employees.

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The company has even shared an update video of the Semi factory’s progress near Giga Nevada, as well as the design of the vehicle’s new logo. The Semi’s updated logo is quite interesting as it features elements from the Tesla Model 3’s first logo, which was unveiled way back in 2016.

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Elon Musk jokes he will join Mr Beast’s “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla” challenge

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again.

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Credit: Elon Musk/X

Following the first quarter Tesla earnings call, CEO Elon Musk seems to have become a bit more relaxed—relaxed enough to joke about fighting a gorilla with 99 other people, at least.

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again and not too busy picking fights with politicians on social media.

The Viral 100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge

Over the weekend, a post on social media platform X went viral. The post itself was quite simple, with user @DreamChasnMike stating that he thinks 100 men could beat one gorilla. “Everybody just gotta be dedicated to the sh*t,” the X user joked. The post exploded on the platform, garnering 284 million impressions as of writing.

The silly question also triggered a massive debate about whether 100 men would really stand a chance against a literal gorilla. Some users even lamented that the premise was a sign of male hubris. Nevertheless, the question proved to be a fun topic on X, with some more dedicated users even posting simulated videos of what the “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge” could look like. 

Mr. Beast and Elon Musk Join In

The premise is quite similar to other viral videos from noted YouTube creator Mr. Beast, so it was no surprise that edited images of Mr. Beast YouTube thumbnails with “100 Men vs a Gorilla” also started spreading on the social media platform. Mr. Beast, who tends to be game to such silly ideas, actually reposted the edited image, joking “Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers?”

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In true Elon Musk fashion, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted that he would join the challenge. “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen” Musk wrote in his post on X. Musk’s reply triggered quite a few laughs on X, with some stating that the world probably still needs the CEO.

While silly, Musk’s comment and his recent, more frequent posts about his companies’ products like Starlink and Grok have been received well by his supporters. Over the past months, after all, Musk has been very political and quite confrontational on social media. With Musk soon taking a step back from the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) daily operations, however, it seems like X will soon get a more tempered and lighthearted Elon Musk once more.

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Possible first glimpse of Tesla “Model 2” affordable car in Fremont Factory

The models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.

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Image Credit: @metgodinwilderness7130/YouTube

During the Q1 earnings call, Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy set expectations on the design of the affordable models that the company is expected to launch this 2025. As per the Tesla executive, the models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.

Drone footage from the Fremont Factory earlier this month might have provided the EV community its first potential glimpse at Tesla’s affordable cars–fondly dubbed by EV fans and analysts as the “Model 2” or even “Model Q”–or at least their components and overall shape.

The Sighting

Tesla watcher and drone operator Met God in Wilderness, who has been posting aerial videos of the Fremont Factory for years now, recently shared some footage from his drone flyovers this month. While the Fremont Factory was abuzz with activity as usual, a couple of rather strange vehicles were quickly spotted by EV watchers on social media.

During the drone operator’s flyover on the 17th, for example, an unfinished vehicle could be seen parked next to what appeared to be fully-built Model S and Model Y units. What was especially interesting was the vehicle’s roof, which seemed to be slightly narrower than the Model Ys around it. Based on the video, at least, the vehicle seemed to be shaped like a crossover as well.

Footage from the 24th of April also proved quite interesting, with the drone operator capturing footage of another cryptic vehicle. Unlike the mysterious, unfinished, crossover-esque car spotted on the 17th, this particular unit seemed to have a more sloping rear, at least based on the shape of its covering.

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What Lars Moravy Said

In Tesla’s Q1 2025 Update Letter, Tesla noted that “plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025.” Tesla also noted that the new vehicles will utilize aspects of its next generation and its current platforms. They will also be produced on the same manufacturing lines as its present vehicle lineup, likely the Model Y and Model 3. 

During the earnings call itself, Moravy specifically stated that the new models that would come out in the next months would resemble the company’s current vehicles. They will, however, be affordable. “Models that come out in next months will be built on our lines and will resemble, in form and shape, the cars we currently make. And the key is that they’ll be affordable, and you’ll be able to buy one,” Moravy stated.

Watch the drone operator’s footage from April 17 below.

The drone operator’s footage from April 24 can be viewed below.

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