Geneva Auto Show: Mercedes, Porsche and Lamborghini show edge over electric sports cars
Start-ups’ electric supercars show poke, but traditional makers improve drive, design and battery-charging as well as acceleration at the Geneva motor show
Established sports car brands such as Porsche and Lamborghini are losing the speed crown to lesser-known rivals offering electric supercars boasting record acceleration.
Sports car drivers have long revelled in the muscular horsepower of their combustion-engined supercars, with the time it takes to reach 100km/h (62mph) from a standing start – a major selling point for some venerable brands.
But electric engines have stolen a march on traditional supercars because they instantly generate maximum torque – the rotational force that is key to powering a car’s acceleration.
This instant pulling power allows battery cars to get off the blocks faster than their combustion peers, challenging sports car brands on their home turf.
Croatian manufacturer Rimac has entered the fray at this week’s Geneva auto show with its Concept Two car, priced at a hefty €1.7 million (US$2.11 million).
Powered by four electric engines and capable of hitting 100km/h in 1.95 seconds, Concept Two’s straight-line acceleration is up there with the new roadster from US electric vehicle pioneer Tesla.
A more surprising entrant comes from Volkswagen’s Spanish brand Seat, better known for the compacts and sport utility vehicles it makes for the mass market.
SEAT SUPERCAR