Drag racing is a high-adrenaline sport as it is, and when you infuse it with the four-wheeler versus two-wheeler rivalry, things dial up to 11 real quick. As a result, we’ve already seen some fantastic races, be it the Ducati Panigale V4 SP vs Lucid Sapphire battle or the Suzuki SV650 vs Porsche 911 shootout. But the latest addition to this list just might be the most exciting one yet.
We say this because CarWow has pitted a supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa against two exquisite hypercars – the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Koenigsegg Agera RST. The two cars promise a lot more horsepower than the motorcycle, but as you’d expect, there’s a lot more to drag races than just numbers on a sheet. Let’s dive in.
The Contenders
The SuperBusa records a super time on the drag strip
Waving the two-wheeler flag here is the SuperBusa. Built by UK-based TTS Performance, it’s based on the third-generation 1,340cc, inline-four Suzuki Hayabusa and comes loaded with performance upgrades. The crown jewel is a supercharger, complete with an intercooler and carbon fiber air ducts fixed into the fuel tank. This, along with forged engine internals, a bespoke Brock’s full system exhaust, and a flashed ECU, helps the SuperBusa pump out over 380 horsepower and 200 pound-feet. The weight, meanwhile, remains a solid 566 pounds (257kg) which gives it a 1.48-HP/kg power-to-weight ratio.
Tesla Model S Plaid driving on the race track
As for the four-wheelers, the race comprises the Tesla Model S Plaid and a Koenigsegg Agera RST. The EV boasts three electric motors to produce 1,020 horsepower and 1047 pound-feet, all sent to the four wheels. It’s quite hefty at 4,828 pounds (2,190kg), equating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.465-HP/kg. The gas-guzzling Agera RST, meanwhile, has a 5-liter, twin-turbo, eight-cylinder engine that produces 1,360 horsepower and 1,160 pound-feet. Couple this with its 3,075-pound (1,395kg) weight, and you’re in for a 0.974-HP/kg power-to-weight ratio. So on paper, the SuperBusa and Agera should beat the Model S with their considerably better PTW ratios, right?
Supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa vs Tesla Model S Plaid vs Koenigsegg Agera RST Drag Race – The Result
Well, that’s not the case. It’s the Tesla that jumps off the line, ahead of the Hayabusa and the Agera RST. Credit here goes to its stellar four-wheel-drive system and the lack of a gearbox. The former omits wheelspin while the latter transmits the power to the wheels right from the get-go as there’s no clutch action needed. On the flip side, its ICE counterparts both feature rear-wheel drive systems. This makes them hard to launch where the Koenigsegg suffers from wheelspin, while the Hayabusa struggles to keep its front wheel on the ground.
Once the ‘Busa is hooked up, though, the tables turn quickly. It reels in the Plaid and passes it right before the line to record a 9.7-second quarter-mile time, just 0.1 ahead of the EV and 0.7 in front of the Agera. However, this isn’t the fastest TTS founder Richard has gone on the SuperBusa. He previously recorded a 9.38-second quarter-mile time on a drag strip, back when the motorcycle was tuned to produce 370 horsepower. Plus, it was quite evident Richard had a somewhat slow start in the final two drag races.
Similarly, the SuperBusa rider misses the get-set-go mark in the half-mile race and fails to show the true potential of the hyperbike. But again, we know the supercharged Hayabusa can breeze past the 210-MPH, as tested by our buddies down at MCN.
Where the superbike simply loses out, however, is in terms of braking. With two extra tires and an extra disc, the sports cars stop a lot sooner than the Hayabusa. Not to mention, TTS hasn’t upgraded the ‘Busa’s brakes, so it’s still running the Brembo Stylemas even with the extra heft.
Supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa vs Tesla Model S Plaid vs Koenigsegg Agera RST – Price Comparison
So what’s the price for each of these? Well, the Model S Plaid comes in at $108,490 whereas the Koenigsegg Agera RST is said to cost over $4 million. The SuperBusa, meanwhile, has been priced at $36,600 (35,000 GBP) which makes it the most thrilling value for the money. In case that is manageable, you’d be happy to know TTS is taking orders as we speak. You should hurry up, though, as only 40 examples will go into production. And if you just want the stock ‘Busa, it will set you back by just $18,799.
