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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 brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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