Electric cars - page 12

Mate Rimac, the Croatian innovator and entrepreneur, is now the CEO of Bugatti Rimac. He also founded Rimac Automobili, the EV hypercar manufacturing company that unveiled the 1877-horsepower electric Nevera in August 2021. In November of that same year, Rimac Automobili merged with the iconic French automaker Bugatti, to form Bugatti Rimac. The merger saw Rimac Group, the parent company of Rimac Automobili, become the majority shareholder with a 55 percent stake. Porsche, under the Volkswagen Group, holds the remaining 45 percent stake. This partnership brought together two powerhouses in the automotive world, merging Rimac’s EV technology expertise with Bugatti’s luxury and performance heritage.

The 2020 Porsche Taycan isn’t just a pretty face (and it is a very pretty face). This electric marvel delivers mind-blowing acceleration, sharp handling that will leave you grinning, and a head-turning design that commands attention. But the magic truly lies beneath the sleek exterior. The Taycan boasts several engineering firsts for electric vehicles. It’s the only production EV to sport a two-speed transmission, translating into neck-snapping bursts of speed when you push the pedal.

The launch of the Porsche Taycan in 2019, was a pivotal moment in the brand’s history. It quickly became a sales success, exceeding 40,000 units delivered globally in both 2023 and 2022. This achievement positioned the Taycan as a significant player in the burgeoning luxury EV market, challenging established brands and inspiring others to step up their electric game. However, the Taycan’s significance goes beyond sales figures. It catalyzed Porsche’s electrification journey, paving the way for future electric models and demonstrating the brand’s commitment to a sustainable future. It isn’t just a luxury electric vehicle (EV) but is one that represents a statement from a legacy automaker that electric performance was here to stay.

The Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo is an all-electric, high-performance five-seater wagon that combines the practicality of a family hauler with the exhilarating performance expected from a Porsche. In the Taycan Cross Turismo lineup, this Turbo model sits one below the flagship Turbo S trim.

Being the second mass-produced fully electrified Mercedes, the EQE balances excellent luxury with a price point that’s just in line with its competitors. However, the dynamics change totally when you invite the AMG EQE 53 to the game. With a $106,900 price tag, the EQE 53 brings supercar-level performance. Up to 677 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque are provided by the dual electric motors, with the 90.6 kWh battery pack giving an average of 225 miles of EPA-rated range.

With the ever-popular midsize SUV segment booming with impressive all-electric vehicles, it was time Audi took the challenge seriously. The Q4 e-tron is just not there yet to get recommendations from EV experts, and the Q8 e-tron is just too expensive, without the wow factor you’d expect from a flagship EV. So, this is where the newly launched Q6 e-tron steps in.

Most of us car guys have a love-hate relationship with EVs. While the impressive acceleration is undeniable, they often fall short of delivering the exhilarating driving dynamics synonymous with traditional sports cars. Meanwhile, some prioritize luxury and extended range instead. Porsche, renowned for crafting exceptional sports cars, embraces the electric revolution, focusing on delivering driving pleasure alongside environmental sustainability, and this commitment was clearly demonstrated with the launch of the Taycan in 2019.

The Macan is Porsche’s compact luxury crossover SUV that combines a sports car’s performance, technology, and style with the practicality and comfort of an everyday family vehicle. Introduced in 2014, it’s the smallest SUV from the German marque, below the Cayenne. Over the years, Porsche provided several updates and facelifts to the Macan, the latest being in 2021.

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E Rally breaks new ground as the first-ever rally-inspired electric vehicle, as well as the first off-road Mustang. Joining the Mustang Mach-E family, the Rally variant steers Ford’s EV range into a unique direction, trekking dirt roads, kicking up gravel, and mixing milkshakes while doing so with zero tailpipe emissions. With its rally-tuned suspension, dual-motor electric powertrain, and distinctive styling, the Mach-E Rally stands apart from its GT Performance siblings.

In the race towards electrification, Porsche and Audi offer powerful contenders - the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and the Audi RS e-tron GT. Both manufacturers are rewriting the EV market’s performance, style, and innovation rules with these stunning machines.

The 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo is an all-new offering from the Stuttgart-based luxury marque, marking its arrival in the EV market. This electric performance sedan is propelled by a 670-horsepower dual-motor powertrain that propels it from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. A 93.4-kWh battery pack provides up to 201 miles, while an 800-volt architecture enables charging up to 270 kW.