Tesla has just unleashed its newest P90D version of its Model S. The P90D is a small step up from the P85D, which made headlines for its “Insane Mode” acceleration. However, the small step up nets a further range and an even more aggressive acceleration mode, dubbed “Ludicrous Mode”. With its ludicrous acceleration, the Model S P90D is able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. That puts it in serious supercar territory.
Only cars costing significantly more money, with massively powerful engines, can match the level of acceleration of the all-electric Tesla Model S P90D. It might be a bit embarrassing for some other supercars, like the Ferrari 488 GTB, that can’t accelerate as quickly as an all-electric luxury sedan. This, admittedly, makes the appeal of a Model S grow significantly. Being able to own a luxury sedan that wafts you along in near silence, but still holds the power to scorch some of the hottest performance cars on the road, must feel pretty damn fantastic. So let’s take a look at which of today’s performance cars can actually beat the P90D to 60 mph. I’ll give you a hint, it’s not many.
5. McLaren 650S
McLaren’s replacement for the excellent 12c is an absolute rocket. With a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.8 liter V8, the 650S makes, you guessed it, 650 hp. It is also exceptionally light, as it uses a carbon fiber monocoque, so it’s able to hit 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. That’s just a tick faster than the P90D and it takes a supercar engineered by some of the finest automobile minds in the world along with around $280,000 to do so.
4. Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse
Yup, the Veyron is still faster. It’s technically still the fastest car in the world, as neither Koenigsegg or Hennessey have been able to actually confirm their cars are faster. But the Veyron is still faster to 60 mph than the P90D, with a time of 2.6 seconds. Although the Veyron burns considerably more fuel doing it, considering it has a quad-turbocharged V16 engine making over 1,200 hp. Oh and it costs $2.5 million. So on paper, the Model S P90D seems like the better deal.
3. Porsche 911 Turbo S
The 911 Turbo S represents one of the great performance values on the market. While not cheap, at around $180,000, it has Bugatti Veyron beating performance, is supremely comfortable, has two backseats, albeit small ones, and all-wheel drive. Considering it’s twin-turbo 3.8 liter flat-six engine can rocket to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, hit almost 200 mph and can take small kids to school in the morning, the 911 Turbo S is a very good car indeed. However, the P90D can do the trip to 60 mph in just .3 seconds more and take even more kids to school in even more comfort for a lot less money.
2. Ferrari LaFerrari
The LaFerrari represents the best of what Maranello can do. It has a 789 hp 6.3 liter V12 mounted in the middle, which is then mated to a 161 hp electric motor. For you math majors out there, that is 950 hp. It also only weighs around 3,400 lbs, so it can launch to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds on onward to over 200 mph. The LaFerrari is also the fastest car Motor Trend has ever tested. Although, it does cost around $1.4 million. Yikes.
1. Porsche 918 with the Weissach package
The number one fastest accelerating car on the market, as tested by Car and Driver is the Porsche 918 with the Weissach package. The 918 is also a plug-in hybrid, utilizing a 4.6 liter naturally aspirated V8 paired to two electric motors. One motor helps the engine power the rear wheels, while another powers the front wheels. This combo allows the Porsche 918 get from 0-16 mph in a single wheel rotation, which is ridiculous, and from 0-60 mph in a blistering 2.2 seconds. It’s so fast it’s hard to wrap your mind around it. But it does cost a pretty penny, around $845,000.
These cars are all so fast and even faster than the “Ludicrous” Model S P90D. But they’re all so much more expensive and less practical. They’re all supercars. It’s crazy that an electric luxury sedan can keep up with company like this.
Where does BMW fit here?
In comparison, BMW’s fastest luxury sedan is the 30th Anniversary Edition M5, which can do the sprint in 3.7 seconds. That’s almost a full second slower. The P90D is officially nuts.
