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Tesla Model S duels 2018 Ford Mustang GT in head-to-head 1/4-mile battle

[Credit: 1320 Races/YouTube]

Published

7 years ago

on

There is a reason why Tesla’s vehicles are forces to be reckoned with on the quarter-mile. With instant torque available from their electric motors as soon as the accelerator is pressed, Tesla’s electric cars are capable of hitting impressive 0-60 mph sprints. This is true for all the company’s offerings, including vehicles that are already a few years old.

Released as a top-tier variant of the award-winning family sedan, the P90D enjoyed the moniker of being called Tesla’s “Ferrari Killer” for a while, before it was discontinued in favor of the Model S P100D. During its reign at the top of Tesla’s lineup, the Model S P90D achieved a number of impressive feats, particularly when the company rolled out the Ludicrous Mode upgrade for the electric car. With the update, Car and Driver dubbed the Model S P90D as the first four-door sedan it has ever reviewed to have broken the sub-3-second mark in 0-60 mph tests.

Since the Model S P100D started its reign, the Model S P90D practically became the proverbial middle child of Tesla’s lineup. This became evident last year when the company introduced a free performance upgrade to owners of Model S 75D and 100D vehicles. The Model S P90D, together with its non-performance sibling, the 90D, were left out of the “uncorking” program.

This is not to say that the vehicle is not a formidable force on the drag strip anymore. A video uploaded at the New England Dragway by YouTube’s 1320 Races showcased the Model S P90D taking on a 2018 Ford Mustang GT, a vehicle that features the legacy American automaker’s latest and greatest innovations for its iconic muscle car.

Power-wise, the 2018 Ford Mustang GT is no joke, with 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque from its 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine. Coupled with either a 6-speed Manual or a 10-speed Automatic transmission, the Ford Mustang GT is capable of propelling itself from a dead stop to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds. The vehicle even comes with a special Drag Strip Mode, which optimizes the car’s transmission for optimum straight-line performance. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT is available with an optional GT Performance Package as well, which makes the car perform even better.

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Would all the 2018 Ford Mustang’s advancements be enough to topple Tesla’s Model S P90D though? As the two vehicles’ drag race shows, not really. The 2018 Ford Mustang’s driver was unfortunate enough to have a bad start in its race against the Tesla, and coupled with the Model S P90D’s instant torque from its two electric motors; the pony car simply could not keep up. The Model S ended the race in dominating fashion, finishing the quarter-mile at 11.56 seconds at 113.47 mph. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT was able to complete the quarter-mile in 12.44 seconds while traveling at 114.97 mph.

It seems like it would only be a matter of time before Tesla’s electric cars can start dominating on the track as well. The Model 3 Performance, which is equipped with Tesla’s 2170 cells, has a dedicated track mode, which Elon Musk describes as an “Expert User Mode” that would allow drivers to optimize the settings of the vehicle to maximize its performance. On the drag strip, the Model 3 Performance is plenty quick as well, capable of giving a McLaren 570S a run for its money on the quarter-mile.

Watch the Model S P90D battle with the 2018 Ford Mustang GT in the video below.

https://youtu.be/cxSfV5JpVfo

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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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Lifestyle

Elon Musk seemingly confirms Cybertruck gift to 13-year-old cancer fighter

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.

Published

2 months ago

on

March 6, 2025

By

Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday. 

A Chance Meeting

The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.

“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.

Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.

Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease. 

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“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.

Daniels officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, to much applause during the event.

Surprisingly Partisan

While Daniels’ story has been inspiring, Trump’s focus on the 13-year-old cancer fighter has received its own fair share of criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, while referencing Daniels’ love for law enforcement, noted that she is hoping the 13-year-old never has to defend the U.S. capitol against Trump supporters. “If he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide,” Wallace stated.

Anti-Musk and Trump accounts on X have also thrown jokes at the cancer fighter’s honorary badge, with some dubbing the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” that should be looked into by DOGE.

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Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

3 months ago

on

January 31, 2025

By

Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

3 months ago

on

January 14, 2025

By

Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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