Drag Race: Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat vs. Tesla Model 3 Performance

Dodge's 'Hellcats' are fierce track beasts from the world of the internal combustion engine (ICE), especially when it comes to drag racing. However, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 Performance shows no fear taking on these monsters despite being the smallest member of Tesla's lineup.

Above: Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and Tesla Model 3 Performance ready to race at the drag strip (YouTube: Throttle House)

It was guaranteed that these two competitors would face off against one another at some point. Sure enough, the battle between the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has, at last, arrived.

This top of the line Dodge Charger variant is loaded with a 6.2 ltr V8 supercharged engine cranking out 707 hp of power and 650 lb ft of torque. And it turns out that these numbers are higher than the Model 3 Performance (see comparison table below).

Above: A drag race specs summary for the Tesla Model 3 Performance vs. Dodge Charger Hellcat. Tap/Click to open high-res version in new tab (Source: X Auto)

The comparison table also highlights other key specs for both cars taking part in this epic drag race. And, at a quick glance, the Hellcat's numbers look quite impressive (the emissions numbers, however, are pretty dismal).

Nevertheless, there's some common ground between both cars — they're both 'sedans' instead of the usual coupes driven in performance racing circles. That said, the Hellcat is a bit heavier than the Model 3 Performance. And while the Model 3 doesn't necessarily look like a menacing machine, the Hellcat screams 'come get some'.

Above:  The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat vs. Tesla Model 3 Performance drag race (Source: Throttle House Track Series)

But looks can be deceiving. In the rolling race, the Dodge Charger Hellcat did indeed have an advantage but still couldn't manage to take down the Model 3. Sure, the Model 3 only won by a small margin but it still managed to defeat the beast in the duel.

And the first 1⁄4 mi (1,320 ft; 402 m) drag race winner is clearly the Model 3 Performance which benefits from instant torque via its two electric motors (front/rear) and shames the 'Hellcat' by a healthy margin at the finish line... sending the Hellcat to, well, hell.

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Written by: Iqtidar Ali. An earlier version of this article was originally published on X Auto.