Automotive Stars of Electric Vehicle Racing

Here are (some of) the current stars in the electric vehicle (EV) race. From legacy brands to an up-and-coming Chinese brand, one can find plenty of features aimed at enticing the modern driver who craves power and performance without harmful emissions.

Seal WORLD

The BYD brand is no stranger to the electric vehicle market in Singapore. The BYD Seal was designed to beat Tesla’s Model 3. The sleek coupe is as fast and powerful as the BMW i5 M60 xDrive (2.38 tonnes), where a generous 523 hp and 670 Nm of torque accelerate the car to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The vehicle handles curves confidently; Even at 2.2 tons, it feels agile and light. The variant that offers this power and performance is the top-of-the-line “Electric Performance” model with a top speed of 180 km/h. Battery capacity is 82.56 kWh, giving a claimed range of 520 km.

Two further variants are offered in Singapore: “Dynamic” with 61.4 kWh and “Premium” with 82.6 kWh. The car features an all-black interior with an eye-catching 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen being the highlight. The car has all the bells and whistles to provide an immersive experience for the driver and passengers. The Seal offers a proper sports car setup with appropriate shifter and rear derailleur. The all-wheel drive car doesn’t have a paddle shifter to adjust brake regeneration – a feature that would have made this car more user-friendly. The EV offers a luggage capacity of 400 liters and an oversized panoramic sunroof with UV-resistant function to prevent the interior of the vehicle from becoming too hot. The oversized sunroof makes the interior appear airy and flooded with light. The vehicle’s elegant aesthetics, such as the headlights with curved daytime running lights, the wavy light strips on the bumps and the stylish taillights with a dotted design, make this vehicle an attractive electric car.
www.byd.com

BMW i5 eDrive40

The all-electric BMW i5 eDrive40 is almost magical in everything: driving dynamics, elegant design and premium accents. There’s a lot to like about this car, from the driver-centric cockpit and communicative steering to the taut suspension and precise handling. This electric car is more authentic than its competitors like Mercedes and Tesla, whether you’re driving straight or taking sweeping turns. You never have any doubts about that.

The power and performance are linked to the 81.2 kWh battery that powers the electric motor, which immediately delivers 335 hp and 430 Nm of torque to the rear wheels. Of course, this means the car accelerates to 100 km/h in less than six seconds, which appears significantly faster in real driving than on paper. The designers have also made sure that the vehicle has a high priority when it comes to sustainability – from the seat covers and door panels to the steering wheel cover, dashboard and “Veganza” upholstery (i.e. vegan leather), all of these materials can be recycled. The practical luggage volume of 490 liters and the 20 mm longer wheelbase at the rear ensure more legroom. The car features 20-inch wheels and blue accents on the exterior to express its electric character. This 5-meter electric vehicle weighs more than 2.2 tons but always feels energetic on the road. The car’s performance – the eDrive40 variant – offers an instant torque of 400 Nm and produces 335 HP to take the car to the Century Sprint in 6 seconds. The BMW i5 has an 81.2 kWh battery and offers a range of up to 582 km. However, with typical, real driving habits, you can get around 450 km. Once you get behind the wheel, the BMW i5 eDrive40 is definitely for the forward-thinking driver who loves the elevated sportiness of this vehicle.
www.bmw.com

Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Engine

The Polestar 2 made its debut in 2021. The current model – the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor – will be the successor in 2024. The model has undergone a facelift, according to the brand: “A facelift brings with it superficial visual changes that often destroy the original intent of the car’s design theme.” If you look closely, you won’t find any noticeable signs on the outside, as the optimizations ” lie beneath the surface,” says the brand. In the facelift model, the nose is completely smoothed apart from a small, noticeable camera. This grille is now the car’s “SmartZone” – a special area where all of the car’s important sensor systems are integrated. The car’s signature Thor hammer headlights are still part of a tidy design.

The long-range variant of the Polestar 2 with two engines gives this car incredible power: 469 hp and 740 Nm of torque (its predecessor produced 204 hp and 660 Nm) and accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. With this speed and performance, the vehicle is in the range of the Audi e-tron GT and the Mercedes AMG EQE 43. The well-insulated cabin is chic and functional and invites you to relax in peace. The electric vehicle has an 82 kWh battery and can travel 400 km on a single charge if you use the one-pedal driving mode to regenerate energy. The Polestar 2 features an impressive minimalist aesthetic with a futuristic array of technical features that put the driver at the center.
www.polestar.com

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Electric 4S

The wagon-style Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Electric 4S is one of the best electric vehicles on the market. It’s incredibly fast and drives like a sports car. It has the most unusual estate body style and offers 39 liters more boot space than the standard Taycan. This design makes the car appear more muscular and with broader shoulders. The vehicle is 20 mm higher than the standard Taycan sedan. And did we say the car is fast? It certainly is; When you press the accelerator pedal, you can unleash 563 hp and 650 Nm of torque without delay, accelerating the car to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds.

The 93.4 kWh battery offers a range between 388 and 452 km. Even at 2.3 tonnes, this electric vehicle still feels agile and stable on the road. The 5-seater car can serve as a workhorse when shopping or picking up the kids from school. Thanks to all-wheel drive and instant electric torque, you can deftly corner through corners even in “normal” mode (that is, there is also a “Gravel” mode). With a sleek interior, instant torque, and a cool-looking exterior, this electric car could turn serious gasoline fans into electric vehicles.
www.porsche.com

Kia EV9 Electric GT Line

With flush door handles and a premium Meridian speaker system in its plush interior, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped out of a Range Rover. In fact, you just got out of the Kia EV 9 – one of the most futuristic electric vehicles on the market today. The car is more than 5 meters long (5,015 mm long) and can comfortably accommodate six people.

The second-row seats can be rotated to face the passengers behind them. The seats can also be swiveled outwards to enjoy the view when the doors are opened. The quality of the interior is excellent and there are plenty of bells and whistles to make your time in the cabin feel like a first class flight. Unique to the EV9 are the practical digital side mirrors that are integrated into the side doors. The 2.5 tonne electric vehicle still runs fast as it produces 380 HP (700 Nm) and accelerates to 100 km/h in 6 seconds. The 99.8 kWh battery offers a claimed range of 512 km. The trunk holds around 333 to 393 liters. The Kia EV9 is huge, but with plenty of external cameras to help you park, you don’t have to sweat it. If you want a large SUV without selling your kidneys to buy a continental brand, then this Asian-designed electric vehicle could be a good investment.
www.kia.com

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