Forget Tesla — true performance electric cars are coming

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Forget Tesla — true performance electric cars are coming

(Prototype credit: Ford)

There has been a recent suite of electric cars teased or announced with a performance focus. Ford has taken the Mustang Mach-E and given it two new GT options with functioning and driving dynamics in mind. Mercedes has said AMG versions of its EQ all-electrical cars are coming. And more recently Hyundai has teased N-line performance EVs, essentially suggesting that "hot" versions of its electrical cars are being worked on.

For a auto fan, albeit a reasonably green 1, more performance-tuned EVs is a tantalizing prospect. Arguably, virtually of the current crop of EVs lack the real driving dynamics of gas-guzzling functioning cars. A Tesla Model S might destroy most performance cars in a straight line. But when it comes to tackling corners and getting a thrill from neatly clipping an apex, Elon Musk's flagship EV is generally considered to leave driving fans feeling a little cold.

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Let me paint a picture for y'all. Back in November 2018, I went to Spain to exam a new Audi A1 for Tom's Guide sibling publication TechRadar. While I was there I had the opportunity to take the latest Audi R8 for a few laps on the Ascari racetrack in Spain.

This was both a thrilling nervus-wracking opportunity; I was in that location to exam a speedy but refined hatchback, not a machine that costs well north of $100,000. Furthermore, I'd not driven on a track before and Ascari is known as a fast and challenging race track. Oh, and it was too raining.

Even so, I squeezed into a racing suit, popped on a helmet, listened to where the braking points are on the rails and so prepare off. While I was considerably slower than less experienced motoring journalists — I write virtually phones and the PS5 subsequently all — slipping out of a chicane onto a direct bit of rail and burial the accelerator into the floor to exist met with the howl of a unremarkably-aspirated V10 was utterly thrilling.

(Epitome credit: Roland Moore-Colyer)

Every time I now spot an Audi R8 hunched downward into a London road, I'm cast back to that moisture mean solar day at Ascari, complete with the odor of petrol and the roar of 1 of the finest sounding internal combustion engines around.

And I've been worrying that the acceleration to electrification in the automotive world volition see such cars and their driving experiences fade away.

Desiring dynamics

Granted, my feel of driving all-electric vehicles is limited to the impressive if slightly dull Nissan Leaf; I've nevertheless to experience the reportedly listen-bending way the Model S sprints from nix to 60 miles per hour.

Nevertheless, the Leaf did give me a taste of EV acceleration, thanks to the instant delivery of torque from the moment the accelerator is pressed, making it a wonderfully nippy car. As I'm (arguably) not a simpleton, I won't compare the Leaf to the R8, but rather the Ford Fiesta ST, a car of similar-ish size, albeit over £15,000 cheaper.

(Epitome credit: Roland Moore-Colyer)

1 of the classic hot hatches, the latest Fiesta ST is arguably a flake of a dinosaur compared to electric cars. It has a adept suite of tech but makes do with a transmission gearbox and a revvy little three-cylinder engine.

But, my word, is it a thrill to bulldoze. It's ride is a little harsh on bumpy roads, merely drive information technology fast and you won't notice information technology.

Non just considering you're surrounded by the "parrrp" of the 1.five-litre EcoBoost engine, but yous'll be concentrating hard on the stick shift as yous piece of work to rapidly down change going into a corner, build up the revs and nail an upward shift on the mode out.

(Prototype credit: Roland Moore-Colyer)

Sadly, such no-frills driving thrills aren't really available in the EV world, beyond the Audi e-Tron GT and Porsche Taycan, both of which cost a hefty chunk of cash. Merely 2021 is looking like the yr that could change.

As mentioned, the potential for Hyundai to make hot EVs and Ford'due south efforts to inject some truthful Mustang pedigree into the Mach-E, which arguably is but a Mustang in mane and not spirit, is a promising sign for dynamic performance electric cars.

And with AMD getting in on the action this year, I'm confident that we'll soon take a crop of EVs that make all that instant torque feel fun to manipulate through the forepart and rear wheels, as well as make surging out of a corner a joy. AMG has already shown how it tin plough standard Mercs into noon-eating beasts, then I'g confident it can do the aforementioned for eclectic cars.

However, AMG EVs aren't likely to come inexpensive. But if Mercedes, Audi and Porsche — as well as Ferrari with its offset all-electric automobile on the horizon — push out more performance EVs, we tin expect those innovations and tech to filter down to more than affordable cars.

I would happily squeeze my frame behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta GT-e, VW e-Golf game GTi or an electric Honda Civic Type-R. I'chiliad keeping my fingers crossed for 2022's EVs.

• More: Audi Q4 e-tron unveiled — and information technology undercuts Tesla Model Y

Roland Moore-Colyer is U.Thou. Editor at Tom's Guide with a focus on news, features and stance articles. He oft writes near gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he'south also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can exist found wandering around London, often with a wait of curiosity on his face up.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/forget-tesla-true-performance-electric-cars-are-coming

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