Drag Strip Special vs. High-Power All-Wheel Drive: A Comparison
The saga of drag racing with the Lucid Air Sapphire continues. Recently, we witnessed the electric sedan, boasting 1,234 horsepower, complete a zero to 60 mph sprint in just 1.77 seconds and a quarter-mile dash in 8.9 seconds. This impressive feat was not a one-time occurrence, as it also triumphed over its rival in the market, the Tesla Model S Plaid.
The Dodge Challenger Demon 170 should not be considered a rival to the Lucid Air. One could make the case that these cars are completely different, yet they share a common capability. Both can achieve a quarter-mile time of under 9 seconds at the drag strip. In the newest DragTimes video, we see them lined up next to each other. At first glance, it seems like it will be a tight competition. However, the actual outcome tells a different story.
Prior to delving into details, let’s briefly overview the participants. The Demon 170 is specifically designed for quarter-mile pursuits. Boasting a remarkable 1,025 horsepower generated by its supercharged V-8 engine, it runs on E85 fuel ensuring that the full power is harnessed for its races. Large drag tires adorn the rear end, and internally, there’s only one seat, tailored for the driver. Ordered directly from the factory, it remains entirely unaltered, including the Demon’s dragstrip-tuned suspension allowing it to perform impressive wheelies at the start line.
However, the Lucid Air Sapphire remains in its original factory condition. With a tri-motor powertrain producing 1,234 horsepower, this spacious four-door sedan doesn’t rely on drag slicks. Instead, it is equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport street tires and boasts a roomy interior with seating both in the front and back. While it may not be specifically optimized for drag racing, that hasn’t hindered its impressive performance on the track.
And without any added excitement, this also applies to the Demon 170. Despite being designed specifically for quarter-mile drag racing, the Challenger consistently falls behind in this competition. The Demon’s strongest performance out of three attempts is the initial run where it clocks in at 9.49 with a speed of 144.8 mph. However, the Sapphire completes the quarter mile in 9.01 seconds at 153 mph, and remarkably, it accelerates even faster despite not using drag tires. The Air Sapphire’s all-wheel drive system helps it achieve a remarkable 1.44-second time for the first 60 feet, demonstrating its powerful launch. While the Demon also launches strongly, with a time of 1.48 seconds, it is not quite strong enough.
What lies ahead for the Lucid Air Sapphire? We are eagerly anticipating a potential face-off with the Rimac Nevara. It promises to be an exciting competition, but for now, Lucid appears to hold the title of the fastest quarter-mile production car in the world.
Source: DragTimes / YouTube