People stunned by 'absolute joke' take-off from Tesla Model S Plaid as it drag races McLaren Artura in Las Vegas
Published on Sep 14, 2026 at 6:15 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Sep 14, 2026 at 6:15 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
When the internet laid its eyes on this drag race between a Tesla Model S Plaid and a McLaren Artura, there was a collective sense of shock.
We’ve seen plenty of epic drag races in our time.
But there have been few that have been quite as decisive as this one.
Let’s just say, ‘Eat my dust’ has never been more apt.
There’s a lot of epic drag races out there on the internet
For some reason, people seem especially keen to put a Tesla into a drag race.
Whether it’s up against a Chevy Corvette Z51, a Dodge Charger Daytona, or a BYD Sealion 7, it seems that everyone wants to push the American EV brand to its limit.
The Cybertruck seems to have been a particular target for this kind of competition – whether that’s up against a Ford F-150 Lightning or a S650 Ford Mustang GT.
Sometimes the Tesla gets humiliated, sometimes it excells.
It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but one thing remains consistent – it makes for fascinating watching.
Compared to the rest of the legacy car brands out there, Tesla is kind of like the new kid at school.
And as all too many new kids will know, there’s a sense of wanting to make your mark and find your place.
In the world of cars, that often plays out on race tracks.
How would a Tesla Model S Plaid fare out on the track against a McLaren Artura?
Let’s take a closer look.
What happened when this Tesla Model S Plaid took on a McLaren Artura?
As the cars lined up on the starting line, you could almost feel the anticipation among those gathered.
Both cars looked about as sleek as you could imagine, and it really looked like it was anyone’s race to win.
But fresh off the mark, there was no doubt about which car was driving away from this victorious.
The Tesla Model S Plaid was the runaway winner, leaving its rival in the dust.
Tesla ve McLaren, kısa mesafe kalkış yarışı yaptı: pic.twitter.com/FuLvxTPfgi
— Bulvar Medya (@Bulvarpress) September 12, 2026
People online were left stunned by the performance.
“That Tesla take off is an absolute joke,” one X user wrote.
That’s a compliment, for the record.
However, even in victory, some people still took the opportunity to dunk on the Tesla.
“No point in going fast in an ugly car,” one critic remarked.
“Even if Tesla is faster, id prefer reaching my destination 10 secs late in a McLaren,” another commented.
As the saying goes, you can’t please all of the people all of the time.
Key Features: Tesla Model S Plaid
Powertrain: Tri-Motor All-Wheel Drive with carbon-sleeved rotors (1 front motor, 2 rear motors) delivering 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
Top Speed: 200mph.
0–62 mph: 2.1 seconds.
Drive Modes: Chill, Sport, Plaid, Drag Strip Mode, Track Mode.
Starting Price: $89,990.
Key Features: McLaren Artura
Powertrain: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, capable of 690 horsepower.
Top Speed: 205mph.
0–62 mph: 3.0 seconds.
Drive Modes: (Powertrain Modes) E-Mode, Comfort, Sport, Track (Handling Modes) Comfort, Sport, Track
Starting Price: $255,400
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
