The World’s Quickest Cars: Lucid Air Sapphire v Bugatti Chiron v Tesla Plaid - Cammisa’s Drag Race (2022)
Jason Cammisa got the exclusive first test, strapped on his equipment, and broke the record: the Lucid Air Sapphire is the world’s quickest-accelerating production car.
With a staggering quarter-mile performance of 9.1 seconds at 156 mph, this 1200 horsepower 3-motor Air beat out the reigning champion, the triple-motor, 1020-hp Tesla Model S Plaid, which runs the 1/4-mile in 9.3 seconds at 152 mph.
The cars are “tied“ at 2.1 seconds 0-60, though some trivia: the Lucid Air Sapphire gets to 60 mph seconds before the Tesla Model S Plaid.
We weren’t satisfied with just that race, so we also brought along the fastest-accelerating gas-powered production car, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. This is the 1479-hp (1500-PS) Chiron with shortened gear ratios, grippy Michelin Cup 2R tires, a fixed rear wing, and weight-reduction measures.
Even despite these hyper-aggressive Michelins’ distaste for cold tarmac, the Chiron ripped off a , four-wheel-burnout launch from 0-to-60 mph, and then continued on to a , 156-mph quarter-mile performance. That is a tenth quicker to 60 mph than the “regular“ Chiron has managed, and a tenth quicker through the quarter, too. That’s an internal-combustion production-car 1/4-mile record for the Chiron Pur Sport — and we suspect that, in warmer conditions, this Pur Sport would be even quicker!
That’s not the case with the 210-hp Ducati Panigale V4 SP2, one of the quickest superbikes in the world. It had no traction issues as MotoAmerica Supersport champion rider Josh Herrin cracked the throttle wide open, dumped the dry clutch, and ripped off a stupefying , 157-mph run through the quarter-mile.
This beat our last outing with the same Panigale, when it handily dusted a 2023 C8 Corvette Z06. This time, Ducati softened the suspension and dropped the fork; Josh sacrificed the clutch and kept the wheelie at bay. It’s safe to say this is the limit for the SP2 — except that Ducati offers a factory Akrapovic exhaust and tune that boost horsepower. We’d love to come back and try that again!
But for the moment, it’s clear: among production cars with four wheels, the Lucid Air Sapphire is now the acceleration king, with the Chiron Pur Sport in second place. In one video, Tesla went from first to third.
May the fight continue.
This episode of Ultimate Drag Race Replay is brought to you by WeatherTech:
===
0:00 Introducing Lucid Air Sapphire, Tesla Model S Plaid, Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport, and the Ducati Panigale V4 SP2
0:56 German 155-mph Autobahn Gentleman’s Agreement - within 1/4 mile
1:29 Tesla Model S Plaid vs E39 M5
2:04 Lucid Air Sapphire Prototype
2:30 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport
3:13 Main Event: Drag Race Sapphire vs Plaid vs Chiron!
3:55 Walkback: Sapphire Drag Race explanation
4:18 Why is Sapphire so much quicker than Air Dream Edition?
5:05 Tesla Plaid in Last Place
5:49 Bugatti Chiron Launch Control is violent
6:00 EV vs ICE traction control: The 1000-Hz advantage
7:07 Josh Herrin in the Ducati Panigale V4 SP2
7:35 Bonus Race: Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 vs Lucid Air Sapphire
8:24 The Ducati’s quarter-mile-long wheelie
9:03 Overall Drag Race Results — Rimac & Bugatti join forces
==
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for new videos every day!
Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion:
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here:
Follow us on social media:
Facebook |
Instagram |
Twitter |
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here:
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
Contact us:
Suggestions and feedback - videoquestions@
Press inquiries - press@
Partnership requests - partnerships@
1 view
1
0
1 month ago 00:03:18 2
Fallout - Official Trailer | Prime Video
1 month ago 00:23:02 1
Fight Countdown: Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia
1 month ago 03:03:37 1
Relaxing Medieval Music - Fantasy Bard/Tavern Ambience, Sleep Music, Relaxing Celtic music
1 month ago 00:07:47 1
AliExpress Alternatives: Discover the Best Dropshipping Suppliers Today!
1 month ago 00:15:11 1
Gaza War: Is Israel preparing to target Iran’s nuclear facilities? | Gravitas Highlights
1 month ago 00:16:06 1
The Future of Boston Dynamics: Mark Reibert’s Vision
1 month ago 01:12:01 1
Rihanna - Live/Ao Vivo at Rock in Rio Brazil (Complete Show) HD
1 month ago 03:30:33 1
Who Was Hitler | You think you know Adolf Hitler?
1 month ago 00:24:09 1
Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia | Fight Countdown
1 month ago 00:02:08 1
City Hunter | Official Trailer | Netflix
1 month ago 00:03:07 1
The Bentley Residences Tower in Sunny Isles Beach 🌊 DM or Call Us at 📞 +1 786-363-8551
1 month ago 00:04:03 1
Dio - The Last In Line (Official Music Video)
1 month ago 00:00:15 1
🎉✨When you just passed the most difficult board licensing exam!!!🎉✨
1 month ago 00:44:31 1
a classical mix for a king before battle
1 month ago 00:00:33 1
AEW Fight Forever | Hayter’s Gunna Game DLC is available now!
1 month ago 00:05:48 1
Dio - Rock ’n’ Roll Children (Official Music Video)
1 month ago 00:00:35 1
ATTENTION HAYTERS! Hayter’s Gunna Game DLC is available NOW!
1 month ago 01:13:11 1
Сборник блатной музыки 💣 Пацанская музыка 💣 Чёткая Музыка в Машину
1 month ago 00:03:25 1
Fully Armed Su-35s Flankers Escort Putin on Flight to UAE
1 month ago 00:00:07 1
Beautiful Street Fashion Outfits Style #shorts
1 month ago 00:01:01 1
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble - Official Adventure Trailer
1 month ago 00:03:31 1
Abstract performance to celebrate Switzerland’s rail opening - Daily Mail