can an EV be a sports car?

[CA_WhaleTail]

they can be very quick, but do any EVs out there have a sports car character?

a strawman to consider is the Tesla 3 performance. seems hard to place it in the same category as a 911 or even a 914.

[speeder]

Yeah, the first Tesla roadster was a sports car. No reason why there couldn't be others.

[KFC911]

When twirling ribbons is a legitimate sport too ... jmho.

[cabmandone]

Performance and handling makes a vehicle a "sports car" right? And if the answer to that is yes, then the answer to your question is yes as well.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I don’t see why not. Typically the biggest issue with an EV is weight, which in my mind tends to dilute what I would consider to be a sports car. I had an SL63 AMG that I absolutely loved but it was over 4,000 lb, it definitely didn’t drive like a sports car.

With that said, for me personally I consider the engine and a manual transmission to be a big part of the sports car experience. An EV sports car with no transmission, electric power steering, electric brakes, it would all be too synthetic for my liking. But I’m a Luddite and feel that way about many modern sports cars already. I think the R35 GTR is a very impressive car but it’s also a computer managing every aspect of your experience, no thanks. For me there’s an emotional aspect as well, and most high tech modern cars definitely come up short in that department.

[aschen]

McMurtry Spéirling & Rimac Nivera are both sports cars, or maybe supercars.

[David]

I drove a Taycan Turbo at the track and was not impressed. It had lots of power and carbon brakes but it just felt heavy. It was a dealer track day set up with various new Porsche's the drive. I drove a base Panamera since my wife was getting one and it was more of a sports car than the Taycan. Also drove a Carrera S that day which convinced me PDK is the way to go.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aschen

McMurtry Spéirling & Rimac Nivera are both sports cars, or maybe supercars.

Based on the numbers I think those are more like supercars or hypercars.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by speeder

Yeah, the first Tesla roadster was a sports car. No reason why there couldn't be others.

I got to drive one of the Lotus based Teslas. Fun VERY LITTLE car. If driver and passenger are F1 driver size, it would be fun. You have to wear that little thing. Shoulder rubbing with the passenger.

It was fun, but zero interest for me.

[Tobra]

Not so much, EV is generally heavy. Knew a guy with an electric 914, did not seem like a 914 anymore

[CA_WhaleTail]

I had deposits going for the Elise. very excited. drove my 914 to the dealer for a test drive. I'm 6'2 and had to look under the visor to see forward. and passenger shoulder to shoulder contact was unavoidable 914 felt luxurious on the way home.

.........back to EV sports cars. stick or paddle shift seem to be part of the sports car recipe missing from the EV cars.

[wdfifteen]

A sports car has to be fun and impractical. I think a car that accelerates like an EV but can only be refueled at specific and inconvenient places fills the bill.

[aschen]

its on pause now probably for the best, but I am sure the planned electric 718 from porsche would have been an sports car in most senses of the word

M3P and Ionic N are pretty close to sports cars if you consider a 4 door m3 a sports car. If you are an ultra purist for what is a sports car then very few new cars will qualify anyways.

[The Synergizer]

What about this?

[ryans65]

no

[unclebilly]

Not unless they make an electric miata… there, I said it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Not unless they make an electric miata… there, I said it.

I believe we can now close this thread.

[gregpark]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Not so much, EV is generally heavy. Knew a guy with an electric 914, did not seem like a 914 anymore

Batteries are getting lighter. I just bought 2 lifepo4 for my electric skiff. A fraction of the weight of my old lead deep cycles. Pretty soon you might have an electric sports car with a battery that weighs less than a tank of gas

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by aschen

its on pause now probably for the best, but I am sure the planned electric 718 from porsche would have been an sports car in most senses of the word...................

Thanks, did not know about the delay. Articles claim supply chain issues.

I read a while ago that the Alpine A110 outsells the Boxster/Cayman in Europe.

May 28
Alpine's First Electric Sports Car Has Mid-Engine Proportions
https://www.motor1.com/news/760891/alpine-electric-sports-car-teaser/

On the subject of weight, Renault CEO Luca de Meo has stated the production A110 EV will be lighter than ICE models in its segment, not that many of those are still available anyway.

If Porsche waits to long Renault/Alpine will be assured a foothold in the North American market. They plan to invade/return to the US with their EV's, not sure how the tariffs are going to affect these plans.

EDIT:
To answer the opening post, I think light weight batteries and or supercapacitors will be here sooner than we expect.

One can assume most automobile companies worldwide are working in secret to catch their competition off guard.

[zakthor]

This meets my bar:

https://youtu.be/NDfKhBcGh9w?si=sFF-rGY1Aw1_qeOG