As the Grand Transition to Electrification proceeds in fits and starts, powertrain development is of particular concern to those manufacturers serving the performance-oriented segment of the market. While the smooth and silent operation of an EV may be welcomed by most drivers, these qualities might not be what potential buyers of sports cars and high-end exotics value most. For many of them, an ICE engine is what gives a sporting car its character and its “soul.”
Ferrari F80 (1,200 hp, V6 Hybrid)Ferrari
Internal combustion has been a feature of nearly all high-performance cars made since the earliest days of the automotive industry. Placing an engine with high power output into a stripped-down chassis with minimal bodywork was the original recipe for winning races and selling cars afterwards. Later, early attempts at streamlining, along with the use of exotic alloys in both drivetrains and bodies, made cars even faster. Modern tire, aerodynamics, and carbon-fiber technology, as well as electronic engine and chassis controls, have made speeds exceeding 200 mph commonplace and relatively safe for both contemporary race cars and many performance-oriented ICE vehicles.
Rimac Nevera (1,813 hp, EV)Rimac
In view of all the uncertainties about the right way forward, what path are the makers of these enthusiast-focused vehicles taking? We have seen a variety of approaches, with many taking a “some or all of the above” direction until the fog of electrification clears. Instead of committing to one specific powertrain choice, most high-performance vehicle manufacturers are hedging their bets by straddling the categories, committing their resources to more than one possible future.
McLaren 750S (740 hp, V8 ICE)McLaren
Some are continuing with internal combustion for nowThere are numerous manufacturers that are producing sporting vehicles with only an internal combustion engine. They are likely to do so until they can no longer meet the steadily tightening emission standards of the countries they are sold in (which may be quite a while, for those brands that can charge their customers enough to cover the costs of meeting those standards).
Lamborghini Revuelto (1,001hp, V12 Plug-in Hybrid)Lamborghini
Others are bridging the gap with hybrid technologyCreating a gasoline-electric hybrid performance car can be a way of not only preserving the soul of a performance car by keeping its ICE engine, but also aiding it in meeting emissions standards going forward into an uncertain future. An added benefit is the ability to enter certain European city centers that may only allow operation in EV mode. Several makers of sports cars and exotics have been releasing hybrid vehicles that not only have that familiar ICE roar, but also add large quantities of electric horsepower to raise their performance to the next level.
Lotus Evija (1,972 hp, EV)Lotus
EVs go to infinity and beyond with battery power aloneEmbracing the future of electricity are the battery-electric, high-performance vehicles that boast a combination of staggering performance and silent operation (not counting any built-in sound effects). How will they be welcomed by enthusiasts in search of the visceral thrills formerly provided by internal combustion engines? Is nearly 2,000 horsepower in an EV enough to encourage drivers to leave their ICE vehicles in the rear-view?
Ferrari Daytona SP3 (829 hp, V12 ICE)Ferrari
Final thoughts:It remains to be seen whether the performance car market can survive when it eventually converts to pure electrics. Will high net-worth collectors continue to fill their garages with limited-edition EVs that no longer make the glorious noises put out by their internal combustion ancestors? Will gasoline-electric hybrids with their electricity-boosted outputs be accepted as the next step in performance? Will sports car enthusiasts be satisfied with the whine of an EV’s uber-powerful electric motors, accompanied by the intermittent sound of squealing tires? As we enter this new era of electric transportation, will automotive identity be determined solely by sheet metal — or by sheer electric horsepower? Stay tuned!