Tesla Model S P100D takes on the Mercedes-AMG E63 S [Video]

We recently featured a drag race in which the Tesla Model S P100D took on some of Germany's finest. Tesla handled some fierce competitors from the likes of BMW and Audi but one of Germany's most lethal cars wasn't on the track — the almighty Mercedes-AMG E63 S. So Top Gear decided to pit these two beasts against on another.

Above: Mercedes is ready to rumble with Tesla (Source: Top Gear)

Could the Mercedes-AMG E63 S be a car that challenges this ludicrous competitor? Top Gear notes, "The Mercedes-AMG E63 S is a deeply, deeply fast car. I can’t express that enough. It’s a super saloon with astonishing reactions, phenomenal traction and epic torque from its 4.0-litre twin turbo V8. 604bhp and a vast 626lb ft of torque from 2,500-4,500rpm. That’s colossal, even for a car that weighs almost two tonnes."

Above: Top Gear hosts this epic showdown (Source: Top Gear)

How does that stack up against it's all-electric rival? It's reported that, "The Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous does a phenomenal job of overcoming its mass (it weighs a quarter of a tonne more than the Merc). Its twin electric motors develop 762bhp and 687lb ft, giving it a power to weight ratio of 339bhp/tonne, against the Merc’s 303bhp/tonne. But there’s more because of course the Tesla doesn’t have a conventional rev band. That power is available everywhere."

Above: A look at the numbers (Source: Top Gear)

How does the Tesla fare throughout the race? Well, it's just "... bloody quick. The acceleration rates are interesting to analyse because the P100D goes through every increment roughly a tenth faster than the E63S... at all relevant speeds the Tesla is faster – just look at the 30-70mph figure to give you an indication of what it’s like joining a motorway. The Merc makes the leap in 2.68 seconds, but the Tesla is almost exactly half a second faster."

Above: The winner... of course, the Tesla (Source: Top Gear)

Is Tesla's launch control impressive? Top Gear reports, "Tesla’s launch control did play up. With amusing results for everyone watching as my head snapped back. That was less impressive. Gave me neck ache the following day, too – which goes to show just how hard these things go off the line."

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Source: Top Gear