High-horsepower showdowns are always a spectacle, especially when they pit cutting-edge electric speed against old-school combustion muscle. That’s exactly the case with the new Chevy Corvette ZR1, which has caused a stir in the performance car world with its 1,064-hp V8 and the largest turbochargers ever fitted to a production car.

But can all that power outmatch one of the fastest production EVs on the planet, the Tesla Model S Plaid, on a drag strip? A new test sets out to answer that question.

Watch: This American Monster Just Faced A Supercar And What Happened Was Unexpected

To most casual observers, the Corvette ZR1 may seem like the favorite. However, for those who are familiar with Tesla’s capabilities, the two are actually quite well-matched.

Thanks to a pair of mighty electric motors, the Model S Plaid delivers 1,020 hp and benefits from all-wheel drive. It is heavier than the Corvette, tipping the scales at 4,812 lbs (2,183 kg), compared to the ZR1 Coupe’s 1,665 kg (3,670 lbs). Despite this, the spec sheet would suggest that Tesla has the advantage. Tesla says it can sprint down the quarter-mile in 9.23 seconds, whereas Chevy says the new ZR1 needs 9.6 seconds.

Muscle vs. Electrons

In the first of a few drag races between the new Corvette ZR1 and the Model S Plaid, Drag Times gave the jump to the C8. Initially, the two pick up speed at similar rates, but as the race progresses, the Tesla pulls ahead to take a commanding win. In this race, the Tesla set a time of 9.243 seconds, whereas the ZR1 needed 9.8 seconds.

It was a similar story in the second race. However, the Tesla won even more convincingly as the YouTuber didn’t give it such a big head start. The Corvette driver also failed to match the time of his first run, running the quarter-mile in a somewhat disappointing 10.3 seconds. In the third and final race, the Tesla again set a 9.2-second quarter-mile, whereas the ZR1 was left trailing with a 10.2-second time.

As we’ve seen many times in the past, it’s much easier to set consistent acceleration times in a high-performance EV than it is in a gas-powered car. So for now, the Model S Plaid comes out on top. Now we just have to wait and see what the all-wheel drive hybrid ZR1X can do, with Chevy suggesting it’ll dip below the 9.0-second mark in the quarter-mile.

A dramatic rescue operation unfolded in California earlier this week when a Tesla Cybertruck had to be hauled out of a ravine after veering off the road in Cajon Pass. The futuristic pickup, already known for its unconventional design, looked far worse for wear by the time it was recovered, and likely won’t be returning to the road.

Read: Cybertruck Allegedly Racing Lambo Smashes Into At Least Nine Cars

It’s understood that the driver of the Tesla lost control of the electric pickup on I-15 at roughly 3:15 a.m. on July 20. There’s no word on how the driver managed to lose control of the Tesla so horribly, but it ended up roughly 600 feet away from where it appears to have entered an area of shrubbery off to the side of the road.

A Tough Morning for Towing Crews

Rather than attempting an immediate recovery in the dark, officers from the California Highway Patrol left the Cybertruck in place until reopening the scene at approximately 7:31 a.m., reports VVNG. A local towing company, Armada Towing, was called to retrieve the Cybertruck.

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A clip shared to social media by Armada Towing shows that pulling the Cybertruck away from its grave was no easy feat. Heavy straps had to be wrapped around the bodywork before a crane arm attached to the tow truck slowly winched it out of position. It was then lifted over the guardrail.

While the strong stainless steel bodywork of the Cybertruck appears to have withstood the crash quite well, two of its wheels have been ripped off, and it appears all of the airbags have been deployed. There are no details regarding the condition of the driver, but they were reportedly able to escape through the left rear passenger door, which was left ajar in the crash.

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The wait for Tesla’s next high-performance electric crossover is nearly over, and it looks like the final pieces are falling into place. Shortly after our spy photographers snapped a camouflaged prototype at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, a prototype has been filmed completely undisguised while testing in the German Alps.

Read: New Tesla Model Y Performance Breaks Cover, Plaid Wheels And All

It appears this fuzzy, rolling shot of the Model Y Performance prototype was taken by the exterior cameras of another Tesla that was passing by. Just like the prototype we recently spotted, this one also appears to be rocking the same front bumper as all refreshed Model Ys.

The footage, which appears to have been recorded by the external cameras of another Tesla driving nearby, gives us our clearest look yet at the updated Performance trim. Like the refreshed Model Y Juniper we’ve already seen, the front bumper carries over the same design.

Spin around, though, and you’ll see that it has a unique rear bumper. Like the standard Model Y, it’s blacked out, but there are two small diffusers. While their aerodynamic effects will probably be tiny, they do make the Performance easy to pick from lesser versions. A new badge has also been added to the tailgate, likely mimicking the ‘Plaid’ badge found on the Model 3 Performance.

The sporty EV also has some other noticeable changes. For starters, we’re given another look at the 21-inch wheels that will be fitted exclusively to the Model Y Performance. Visible at the rear is also a much larger lip spoiler, giving the Model Y some much-needed sporty appeal.

Then there’s the color. This Model Y looks like it has a unique shade of burnt orange, but that might not be the case. The side cameras of Teslas with the HW3 self-driving computer often make red cars appear orange, reportedly because they lack an infrared cut filter. So, while this tester looks orange, it’s very likely Tesla’s existing shade of red.

In terms of performance, the new model should have the same basic dual-motor system as the Model 3 Performance, delivering 510 hp and 554 lb-ft (751 Nm) of torque. That should allow it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just over three seconds. Quick enough to justify the badge, and probably quicker than most owners will ever need.

🔥🔥 New Tesla Model Y Performance spotted uncovered in the Alps!

✅ Sporty rear bumper
✅ New 21” wheels
✅ Carbon fiber rear spoiler
✅ Performance badge

H/t @stenboo pic.twitter.com/Wo7kUm9ZXu

— Tesla Newswire (@TeslaNewswire) June 20, 2025

Tesla has long shunned traditional forms of advertising, and for most of the past decade, this approach has worked out well for them. Thanks to Tesla’s often fanatical owners, the power of word of mouth helped them become from a fledgling EV startup to the world’s leading EV brand and comfortably the most valuable car company on the planet.

Read: Tesla Kicks Off First Discounts On Model Y Juniper

But the past year has thrown Tesla a few curveballs, and now it looks like the company is trying to claw its way back into the public’s good graces.

Enter TeslaVision Content

To help reinvigorate interest in the brand, Tesla has announced the ‘TeslaVision Content.’ It’s been launched eight years after the original video contest, where Tesla owners were tasked with creating a homemade commercial. The original contest was won by Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD on YouTube.

According to Tesla, the new contest has been created to celebrate the global rollout of the new Model Y. Owners and fans can submit a video that is 90 seconds or less, “showing how Tesla vehicles give you more in your life – more freedom, more safety, more fun, more convenience.”

Prizes Galore… But Mostly for North America

The winner of the grand prize in North America will walk away with a brand new Tesla Model Y as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to the Gigafactory in Texas. The 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a free trip to the same factory and enjoy a private tour. There are different prizes in other markets. For example, for anyone living in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, the grand prize is $830 in Tesla Shop Credits.

In Australia, the best fan-made commercial will get a trip to Tesla’s Gigafactory and enjoy a Cybertruck and Full-Self Driving experience. The 2nd place prize is a 2-day Model Y loan and 2 nights’ accommodation at a selected Tesla Destination Charging location. Yes, that’s a real prize. The pleasure of staying at a charging station.

The reason behind the contest is obvious: free promotion. All participants must upload their commercial to YouTube. Additionally, they need to make posts on X and Instagram, tagging Tesla and the words ‘TeslaVision contest.’

The clock’s ticking. All submissions must be in by July 17, with winners announced by August 16. Get creative, because Tesla is counting on you to sell their cars for them.

Lead image Carscoops / Elon Musk White House

Just because you see something funny or interesting online, that doesn’t mean you should try to copy it. The occupants of a Tesla Model X Plaid have learned that the hard way while trying to replicate a video featuring a Porsche 911 Turbo S went awry. Thankfully for all of us, the fail was caught on film and shared online for our viewing pleasure.

Read: Why Tesla Pulled The Model S And X From China

Last week, the owner of a Porsche 911 Turbo S shared a viral video on Instagram that demonstrates how quickly the flagship sports car launches off the line. In the clip, the owner’s young son is pinned so forcefully into the backrest of the passenger seat that he’s able to lift up his legs, essentially floating as the Porsche picks up speed.

While viewers were quick (and rightfully) to criticize the father for not securing his kid with a seatbelt, the internet still ate it up, as the post has racked up over 12 million likes. Go figure.

A Copycat Stunt Goes Predictably Wrong

Eager to replicate this clip, inevitably in an attempt to go viral, two men in a Model X Plaid had the amazing idea of doing the same. But it seems as though they completely forgot about the EV’s regenerative braking. The result? The passenger ends up smashing their head into the windshield.

Acceleration test with no belt… Wonder if this knocked any remaining brain cells back online
byu/KiddieSpread inCrazyFuckingVideos

Like the Porsche, the Model X Plaid can accelerate quickly enough to pin the passenger into the seat, allowing him to briefly lift up his legs. However, as soon as the driver lets off the throttle, the passenger goes flying forward and his head smashes into the windshield when the SUV starts to brake. His head hit the glass so hard that it shattered, and in all likelihood, he was probably left with a hefty concussion.

Making things even worse for the occupants is that the Model X’s windshield is particularly expensive to replace as it stretches much further back than a typical one, roughly in line with the front headrests.

So what did we learn? Seatbelts matter. Regenerative braking is not your friend in stunts like these. And above all, trying to go viral by copying strangers on the internet is a fantastic way to end up with a busted windshield and a CT scan. Watch the original Porsche video for entertainment, not inspiration.

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