10 Electric Cars That Have Redefined Speed And Power

Oct 23, 2023

With horsepower and speeds to slay the mightiest of supercars, these EVs have established themselves as the ones to beat on and off track.

Talking about electric cars going for hundreds of miles on a single charge decades ago would've earned you some strange looks. Fast-forward to 2023, and it's "Electric O'Clock" in the automotive industry. Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars are slowly getting relegated to the back burner, with revered manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, GMC, and Land Rover all committing to an all-electric future.

Some individuals have preconceived notions that although electric vehicles are great and all, their performance values aren't on par with automobiles hosting ICE engines. Well, this assertion doesn't hold water, as EVs feature electric motors that propel them in an instant. Agreed, some electric cars are boring and outright slow (i.e., the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV and 2013 Renault Fluence ZE); nonetheless, certain iterations are the hallmark of performance — notably the Rimac Nevera (an EV that set 23 performance records in 24 hours).

Although the Rimac Nevera ranks "first among equals" in the EV performance segment (for now), other cars are stepping up to the plate. This article will feature the top 10 electric cars that have redefined speed and power (spoiler alert: the record-breaking Rimac Nevera makes an appearance). Let's get started!

Audi is one German automaker with plans to go all-electric by 2033. The car manufacturer has made solid strides in the EV scene, notably via the RS e-tron GT. The 2023 iteration of this nameplate has made waves with its impeccable styling, improved all-wheel drive (AWD) system and a carbon fiber-based roofline.

The 2023 RS e-tron GT hosts regulated synchronous motors on the rear and front axles, churning out 637 galloping horses. This motor integration propels the automobile from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds and allows it to reach a top speed of 155 mph.

RELATED: 10 Best Audis Ever For Performance And Comfort

Porsche isn't relenting in its commitment to create performance-centric EVs. The 2022 Taycan Turbo S is the highlight of the endeavor, delivering 750 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque, all thanks to an over-boost functionality embedded.

Like the Audi e-tron GT we've given credence to, the 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo S has two electric motors (one at the front and rear axles) and can go from a complete halt to 60 mph in a mere 2.6 seconds. With speeds maxing out at 162 mph, the Taycan Turbo S has stellar road manners and top-tier handling capabilities. Wielding an adaptive air suspension, this EV makes long and short trips comfortable.

The Model 3 is referred to as the entry-level Tesla due to its affordable price point. Starting at $40,240, this EV gives users access to an innovative cabin, swift acceleration, and Tesla's state-of-the-art supercharger network. However, if you'd like an extra oomph alongside some aesthetic upgrades, the Performance trim is the perfect fit (albeit $10,000 more than the base model).

The 2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance offers 455 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque. This electric vehicle can rocket to the 60 mph mark from zero in 3.1 seconds. On the freeway, the 2023 Model 3 Performance can clock a top speed of 162 mph. So, if you're looking for a car that combines style, efficiency, and performance, the Model 3 Performance should tickle your fancy.

When making a list of the fastest-accelerating cars on the face of the planet, names like the Bugatti Chiron and Koenigsegg Agera might come to mind. But can you imagine an SUV (one without an Internal Combustion Engine) breaking up this hypercar pair in terms of acceleration? Here's where the 2022 Tesla Model X Plaid comes into the picture. A tri-motor electric powertrain (rated at 1,020 horsepower) that can go from 0 to 60 mph in a mesmeric 2.5 seconds makes this the fastest accelerating SUV!

But there's more. The 2022 Model X Plaid also has a top speed that's capped at 163 mph. Hosting a 100 kWh battery pack, this EV can deliver 333 miles of range on a full charge. That said, the car's interior is also spacious, and can seat six passengers in absolute comfort.

Lucid is an EV manufacturer taking the fight to Tesla with automobiles featuring improved ranges, opulent interiors, and advanced software. The 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance attests to the fact that Lucid isn't giving up in the battle for global EV reverence. This sedan has two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors that deliver a combined 1,111 horsepower and 1,025 lb-ft of torque. As such, the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance can reach speeds maxing out at 173 mph.

Officially, the EV is expected to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.42 seconds on a prepped track. Moving away from performance, the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance turns heads with a luxurious interior, futuristic-looking exterior, and handling that rivals the Porsche 911 GT3.

Chinese car manufacturer, NIO, showcased the EP9 back in 2016. Tagged the Chinese EV Warrior, this piece of well-sculpted automotive art got tongues wagging with its four motors (one paired to each wheel) that could put out a combined 1,340 horses.

Developed from scratch to completion in just 18 months, the NIO EP9 has a curb weight of 3,825 lbs, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 196 mph. What's better? Unlike most EV vehicles, the battery pack of the EP9 is accessible, aiding seamless replacements.

RELATED: Nio EP9 Sets Goodwood Record

The Tesla Model S kick-started the massive adoption of electric vehicles in the United States when it was unveiled in 2012 (just three years after it made rounds as a prototype). Even now, the reverence of the Model S hasn't waned, with Tesla integrating top-tier features to every model year.

For the 2023 Model S, there's a Plaid trim that integrates three permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors capable of generating 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. With these performance add-ons, the 2023 Model S Plaid can leap from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds.

Although Tesla promised 200 mph on the 2023 Model S Plaid, the vehicle could only deliver 163 mph when it was first released last year; this figure was later improved to 175 mph when the automaker released a "Track Mode'' update. However, Tesla has promised to roll out a "ceramic brake-wielding" Model S Plaid Track Package that'll deliver the benchmarked top speed of 200 mph without fuss.

Despite the hype around their cars, Lucid isn't looking to rest on its laurels just yet. Recently, the automaker released the 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire. This flagship EV sedan comes loaded with a tri-motor that'll deliver more than 1,200 horsepower. With this hp value in the mix, the Lucid Air Sapphire will achieve a top speed of 205 mph and rocket its way to 60 mph (from a standstill) within two seconds.

Nicknamed the "Plaid Killer," the 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire will also feature a track-tuned suspension and carbon-ceramic brakes to ensure impeccable handling and comfort in-between rides. Renditions of "opulence" also reign supreme in the car's interior, with black leather upholstery and doors denoting Mojave dark wood veneers. Besides redefining performance, the 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire seeks to impress with head-turning aesthetic add-ons. Talk about the perfect EV package!

The Battista, an EV concept visualized and actualized by Pininfarina, is one of the fastest hypercars on the planet. With a top speed of 217 mph, this car can do 0 to 60 mph within 1.79 seconds — that's much quicker than the average Formula 1 car. Yes, it's that impressive!

But how does this EV hypercar attain these mesmeric milestones? Well, it's not the NOS nitro — but the presence of a permanent-magnet electric AC motor paired to each wheel to deliver a heart-throbbing 1,877 horsepower and 1,696 lb-ft of torque.

But, does the awesomeness of the 2022 Pininfarina Battista end here? Not really. This EV hypercar is the only iteration in the world with an estimated range of 300+ miles. With these values attached to the Pininfarina Battista, it's unsurprising it had a limited production run alongside a hefty price tag ($2.2+ million).

RELATED: With Production Commencing, Here Is What We Know About The Pininfarina Battista

The engineering boffins at Pininfarina will most likely be looking at the 2022 Rimac Nevera with a hint of jealousy, knowing that their "Battista'' would've occupied the position of fastest EV in the world.

The 2022 Rimac Nevera is the hallmark of EV performance that'll see most ICE automobiles shudder. Like the Pininfarina Battista, the Nevera has an electric AC motor mated to each wheel to generate a combined 1,914 horsepower and 1,741 lb-ft of twist. Reaching speeds that max out at 258 mph, the Rimac ranks as the "fastest electric production car in the world."

In May 2023, Rimac put their Nevera to the test and broke 23 records under 24 hours — that's a record for each hour, and just maybe, a 60-minute break for the driver. Notable milestones accomplished include going from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.74 seconds and rocketing from 0 to 249 to 0 mph in a mind-blowing 30 seconds.

Benson's love for automobiles isn't waning anytime soon. Having ghostwritten for multiple automotive-themed sites for the last three years, he's decided to pitch his tent at HotCars -- churning out stellar content bound to keep you immersed.