Tesla Model S Raven Finally Takes On Porsche Taycan Turbo S In a Fair, No-Nonsense Drag Race

The Tesla Model S Raven Performance has finally been tested against the Porsche Taycan Turbo S in a series of fair, no-nonsense drag and rolling races. Based on the results of the races, it appears that the two vehicles are indeed incredibly comparable, and a win for each will likely be heavily dependent on each vehicle’s driver.

The real-world race was conducted by Brooks of YouTube’s DragTimes channel. Despite the ongoing lockdown that has closed the drag strips in his area, Brooks was able to organize a series of races between the Tesla Model S Raven Performance and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S.

On paper, the two vehicles are very comparable. The Model S Performance has two motors that produce 920 lb-ft of torque to its wheels. The Taycan Turbo S, on the other hand, also has two motors that produce 774 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles are all-wheel-drive, and their weight is similar, with the Model S weighing 4900 lbs and the Taycan Turbo S weighing 5100 lbs. The only big discrepancy between the two vehicles was their price, as the Model S Performance cost $103,000 while the Porsche Taycan Turbo S cost $206,000. 

Unlike a previous test from Top Gear, which suggested that the Model S was completely dominated by the Taycan Turbo S, the results of DragTimes’ test were more in line with both vehicles’ official specs. The first two drag races between the two vehicles were essentially drivers’ races. The Taycan Turbo S’ 2-speed transmission does provide it with an advantage against the Tesla Model S Performance at higher speeds, however.

The rolling races between the two vehicles were equally interesting. With both the Model S Performance and the Taycan Turbo S unable to use their respective Launch Modes, the two vehicles competed solely based on their power. Just like the standing drag races, the Taycan and the Model S performed equally well, despite the Porsche holding an advantage in higher speeds.

DragTimes’ real-world tests ultimately shows that the Tesla Model S Performance and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S both perform really well on drag races. In a post-race commentary, Brooks mentioned that when the two vehicles compete against each other, things become a drivers’ race, which means that the driver with the better reaction time and skills will likely walk away with the win. This, of course, is exactly in line with the specs of the Model S and the Taycan, regardless of what results from publications like Top Gear would suggest.

Featured Image Credit: DragTimes/YouTube