7 Cars that are lighter than a Tesla Model S P100D

The Tesla Model S P100D is not a light car. While it may be able to catapult itself to 60mph faster than you can say “Ludicrious Mode”, its gigantic battery makes it an incredibly heavy car. According to Wikipedia, the P100D weighs a gigantic 2,250kg (4,950lb). In my previous blogpost, we learned that a Subaru Crosstrek is lighter than a Lotus Evora. This car weighs nearly twice as much as the Evora. So what exactly does a 2,250kg weight budget “buy” you?

Please note that weight values can vary quite a bit between source, country, trim, engine option and measuring system. I am using the lightest value I can find that includes all fluids but no driver. I will specify which trim levels and engines are under 2250kg.

1 - Mercedes S65 AMG Saloon (2,250kg)

Coming in at exactly the same weight as the P100D, we have this V12 powerhouse of a saloon. It’s a long-wheelbase version, measuring over 5.2 metres long. The car is filled with luxury, sound-deadening and plush materials, along with a 6-litre biturbo V12, yet it remains the same weight as the P100D which is one size class down and less luxury-focused (relatively speaking of course).

2: Range Rover Vogue (2,160kg)

At nearly 100kg less than the Tesla, you can have a full-size luxury Range Rover. Granted, you can’t have the long-wheelbase version or the ridiculous 5-litre supercharged V8 if you want to remain lighter than the P100D, but really, the 3-litre V6 diesel is all you need. Now you can cruise around Starbucks car parks while looking down on inferior peasants down below, safe in the knowledge that your road barge is lighter than one of the fastest-accelerating cars in existence.

3: Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo (2,035kg)

Do you want opulence, practicality and ridiculous horsepower without the inherent handling penalties that an SUV carries? The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is the car for you. This Turbo variant boasts 550 horsepower from a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 and all-wheel-drive, making it insanely quick for a luxury estate. The estate body makes the Panamera more practical and considerably more handsome. Unfortunately, the bonkers 680hp Turbo S E-hybrid is 60kg too heavy to make the list.

4: Ford F-150 (1,841kg)

Yes, you can get a proper American truck weighing far less than the P100D. The weight shown is for the most basic trim and the 3.5L V6 engine, but you have plenty of leeway to get a bigger cab, better trim or a 5-litre V8. Unfortunately, the Raptor is too heavy to make it on the list, but you’ve still got a big chunk of ‘Murica to compensate for a small…

5: A pair of McLaren F1 LMs (2,124kg)

How would you like to own 40% of all the McLaren F1 LMs ever produced? This limited-edition super version of an already super car has horsepower boosted to 680hp and weight reduced even further. By owning this pair, you have a grand total of 24 cylinders, 12.2 litres of displacement and six full-size seats which beats the single Tesla unless you have a small child. Unfortunately, just one of these cars is valued at around $50 million (this is only an estimate - nobody’s sold one recently).

6: W30-engined Dodge Viper (2101kg+)

The Dodge Viper is an awesome car. However, some may still feel that it lacks in the displacement department. So let’s take a standard Viper (1521kg) and stick a second Viper V10 (290kg) in the passenger seat (because no sane passenger would ever want a ride in this thing). We still have some weight left over, so we’ll throw in a third engine somewhere in the back, leaving 149kg for much-needed drivetrain reinforcement. Sure, the Tesla is probably still quicker to 60, but who cares when you have 30 cylinders and 25.2 litres to play with?

7: Four British Racecars For The Road (2,237kg)

Do you want some serious speed while still passing your MOT? Do you believe that the worst thing that happened to cars was the addition of a proper door and roof? Do you live in fear of another British lightweight being faster than you?

Well, don’t worry, because you can get these FOUR cars for less than the weight of a single Model S P100D. Featuring the Caterham Seven 620R, the Ariel Atom 500, the BAC Mono and the Elemental RP1, you have a combined 1,420 horsepower at your disposal. Along with 16 total wheels and seven seats (if you can call them seats), making this collection more practical than the P100D! Sort of…

Honourable Mention: Two BMW i3s (2,380kg)

Yes, a pair of these comes in at 130kg more than the Tesla. However, the fact that you can buy a useable electric car weighing just a little more than half as much as a Model S P100D is impressive. Especially when you consider that the i3 is rear-wheel-drive, reasonably practical and quicker than many of its competitors.

Thank you for reading! If you have any suggestions for future blogposts in this style, please comment!