Tesla torches McLaren 4-0

A Tesla electric car caned a McLaren MP4 12C in four short drag races at Ardmore Airport in south Auckland on Sunday.

But a New Zealand record attempt to get as many electric vehicles (EVs) in one place fell short by about six.

Ninety-four EVs arrived when at least 100 were needed.

It was all part of the Leading the Charge electric vehicle (EV) tour of New Zealand by 12 EVs, ending at Cape Reinga around May 10.

The Auckland stopover was split between Ardmore and the AUT North Shore campus, which might have detracted from the Ardmore EV record attempt.

Still, hundreds of people attended the Ardmore EV gathering, where they were treated to four races between the Tesla Model S P100D with “Ludicrous Plus” fast acceleration mode and the McLaren over about 250 metres.

Energy and resources minister Judith Collins flagged away the first few races.

“I didn’t think it would win so convincingly,” McLaren driver Hayden Johnston, general manager of event sponsor Genuine Vehicle Imports (GVI), says of the Tesla which cleaned up 4-0.

To rub salt into the wound, the Tesla even took a few passengers on the last couple of races.

But Johnston says the day achieved its aim of getting people interested in and trying EVs. “There were over 600 EV test drives just at Ardmore.”

Many people also showed at the AUT Akoranga campus in Northcote for test drives and a look at various EVs on display.

Another record attempt by Auckland to get the most EVs in the same place is planned at the evworld NZ expo at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau on September 8-9