Tesla Model S Plaid embarrassed a BMW M3 so badly in a drag race the Bimmer just bowed out
Published on Aug 02, 2025 at 8:09 AM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Jul 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
The Tesla Model S Plaid launched so aggressively in a recent drag race that the BMW M3 pulled out before the end of the run.
Both cars set off from a standing start, but the race was over almost immediately.
The Tesla pulled ahead within seconds, while the BMW dropped off and never recovered.
A second matchup with a Tesla Model 3 gave the M3 a chance to redeem itself, but the first run told the bigger story.
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Tesla Model S Plaid blows past the BMW
The footage was filmed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and posted by the Wheels Plus YouTube channel.
At the start of the first drag race, the Model S Plaid and M3 were lined up at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
When the lights turned green, the Tesla pulled away instantly.
Within seconds, the gap was so large that the BMW M3 coasted to a stop without completing a full-speed run.
Meanwhile, the Tesla Model S Plaid crossed the line in 9.86 seconds at nearly 145mph.
The Model S Plaid is powered by three electric motors and sends power to all four wheels.
It produces 1,020hp and reaches 60mph in under two seconds.
Top speed is listed at 149mph, and estimated range is 368 miles.
The car used in this drag race appeared to be unmodified and delivered full performance on every run.
The BMW M3 Competition xDrive uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 523hp.
It accelerates from 0 to 60mph in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180mph.
The BMW M3 starts from around $87,700 and remains one of the most capable sedans in its class.
In this case, however, the drag race outcome highlighted the instant torque advantage of the Plaid from a standing launch.
BMW gets a rematch against a Tesla Model 3
The BMW M3 returned for a second drag race, this time against a Tesla Model 3 Performance. This round was far more evenly matched.
In a more comfortable run, the BMW M3 completed the quarter-mile in 11.10 seconds at 123mph, while the Tesla Model 3 followed with a time of 11.73 seconds at 114mph. Both cars ran full throttle through the finish.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance is the quickest version in the lineup.
It reaches 60mph in 2.9 seconds and tops out at 163mph. Pricing starts around $54,990.
Other variants of the Tesla Model 3 offer more range but slower acceleration. In this drag race, the Performance model came close to matching the BMW M3.
The two runs showed a clear difference in how electric cars perform in short sprints.
The Tesla Model S Plaid dominated the BMW M3 with ease. In the second test, the Model 3 came much closer, but the M3 was able to hold its own.
Across both drag race sessions, the Tesla lineup demonstrated how far EV performance has come, especially off the line.
You can watch the full drag showdown below:
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
