Can’t decide between the Tesla P85 and P85D? This Model S racing showdown may help

By Andrew Hard December 31, 2014

In the case of the Tesla Model S P85, the ‘D’ makes a big difference.

The high-performance Model S P85D has been having a field day on the Internet lately, with videos of it racing everything from a Lamborghini Aventador to an 18-year old Ferrari 550 popping up in the last few weeks. Against the two raging Italians, the all-electric American more than held its own.

A new video, hosted by YouTube channel DragTimes, shows the dual-motor Tesla facing off against its single-motor counterpart, the 415-horsepower P85.

Given that the P85D boasts 619 hp and a reported 864 pound-feet of torque at the wheels, it’s no surprise which model wins the inter-company showdown. The gap it creates when the pedal hits the floor, though, is even greater than you may have thought.

The race starts from a 35-mph roll to give the rear-wheel drive P85 a fighting chance against the all-wheel drive D. Although the P85 gets the jump, the 619-hp version inevitably pulls ahead by 10 or so car lengths.

Although the P85D features a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of just 3.2 seconds thanks to its massive torque and AWD traction, the P85 is no slouch in its own right. With a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a range of 265 miles, it’s without a doubt a capable performance vehicle.

The team raced the P85D and the P85 from a dead stop as well, it was even more of a blowout. The D’s point and click acceleration launches it off the line with little difficulty, leaving no doubt which Tesla is king.

Watch the video below.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

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