Epic Showdown: 1,800-HP Aussie Beast vs. 640-HP Korean EV in a Drag Race for the Ages

Drag racing, a beloved American pastime, has grown to become the universal benchmark for performance. Whether you're in Alabama or Australia, the thrill of the quarter-mile is a language all gearheads understand. The latest drag race that everyone’s talking about involves an 1,800-HP Australian sedan facing off against a 640-HP Korean EV. Let's dive into this high-octane clash of titans.

The Australian Muscle: Holden Kingswood HQ

Australia, isolated and unique, has fostered its own car culture filled with big engines and bold designs. Enter the Holden Kingswood HQ, a slightly modified 1976 four-door sedan. Beneath its hood lies a mammoth 9.2-liter, 560-cubic inch V8 engine outfitted with a 14-71 Littlefield blower, causing the kind of power surge you'd expect from a nuclear warhead. This beast belongs to a single family lineage, continually tuned to perfect its drag racing prowess.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N" title="1,800-hp blown Holden Kingswood v 640-hp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N">

The Modern Marvel: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Facing this Australian giant is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, an EV that has become the internet's darling. With 640 HP and dual motors providing all-wheel-drive capabilities, it's a force to be reckoned with on any track. Notably, its peak power is achieved via the aptly named N Grin Boost button, offering 641 horsepower for short bursts—just enough for a quarter-mile drag.

The Face-Off

The showdown takes place on an airfield landing strip, a setting far from ideal for the Holden, with its love for prepared sticky surfaces contrasting sharply with sandy concrete. The first two races, featuring standing starts, were dominated by the Hyundai. Despite the power advantage, the Holden struggled for traction, spinning its wheels as the Hyundai rocketed ahead with pristine electric torque and launch control precision.

However, the roll race at 32 mph showcased the true potential of Holden’s 1,800 HP engine. The Kingswood blasted past the Hyundai like a hyper-sonic missile, reclaiming some honor with its unyielding top-end power.

The Results

The verdict? The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N recorded an 11.32-second quarter-mile, peaking at 121.73 mph. On the other hand, the Holden posted an 11.92-second run but reached a higher top speed of 135.79 mph once it could channel its chaotic power into forward momentum. The concrete airstrip surface and under-heated drag radials, however, left the Holden at a disadvantage.

As the old saying goes, "Spinnin’ ain’t winnin’." Despite its raw power, the Holden's lack of grip on the dusty runway highlights the importance of traction and launch control—areas where the modern EV excels. The Ioniq 5 N’s precision engineering trumped brute force in this electrifying face-off.

The race concluded with a mixed bag of results, showing that while old-school muscle has its place, modern EV technology is rapidly becoming a formidable rival in the world of drag racing.