--- title: "Watch a Lucid Air Scorch a Tesla Model S Plaid, Bugatti Chiron at the Drag Strip" description: "The Tesla Model S Plaid has been the world's fastest car since it debuted but there's a new king of electric speed." date: "2022-12-25" modified: "2022-12-25" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-lucid-air-sapphire-scorches-tesla-model-s-plaid-at-the-drag-strip" categories: - "Bugatti News" - "Lucid News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Tesla News" --- # Watch a Lucid Air Scorch a Tesla Model S Plaid, Bugatti Chiron at the Drag Strip ![]() At this point, watching electric super sedans drag race gas-powered supercars is getting boring. We get it, electric cars are faster. However, this one from Hagerty is a bit different because of the cars it features. The 1,020 horsepower [Tesla Model S Plaid]() took on the 1,200 horsepower [Lucid]() Air Sapphire and the 1,479 horsepower [Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport](). And, for the first time in a long time, the results were actually surprising. Ever since the Tesla Model S Plaid first debuted last year, it's dominated the drag strip. Nothing could even come close to beating it through the quarter-mile. So when it lined up next to the [Lucid Air Sapphire]() and got absolutely scorched, my eyes widened. For context, the Model S Plaid hit 60 mph in 2.1 seconds and ran a 9.3-second quarter-mile *and* *lost*. Not only did it lose, but it also had its rear handed to it. The Lucid Air Sapphire ran a 9.1-second quarter-mile. ![]() ![]() Perhaps even more shocking was the car that came in second place—the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. Off the line, the Chiron was cooked. As impressive as the Chiron's power is, no internal combustion engine can match the acceleration of electric motors. Which meant the Chiron driver watched the two EVs fire off the line, while the Bugatti turned all four of its tires into smoke. However, once it finally found traction, the Chiron Pur Sport picked up speed as if catapulted off of an aircraft carrier and managed to overtake the Model S Plaid just a few feet before they crossed the line. The onboard footage of its heroic comeback is incredible. That meant the Tesla Model S Plaid, previously considered the fastest production car in history, came dead last. I honestly didn't see that coming. There's a bit of drag race dessert after the three-car entree, though. If the Lucid Air Sapphire can roast the fastest four-wheeled vehicles on the planet, what about a two-wheeled one? The Lucid lined up against the absurdly quick Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 and the results were shocking once again. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyDpQpcPpuc&t=408s *Got tips? Send 'em over to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()