▷ Electric cars: the end or rise of sports cars?

Different success

It is not surprising that the trio of German manufacturers of the “premium” class have consistently shone with one of the most striking dynamic solutions in automotive engineering. For manufacturers of expensive vehicles it was simply necessary to demonstrate examples of technological progress. They were installed in the sportiest creations and close to the limit of possibilities: BMW models of the M series, Audi cars decorated with the letters S and RS or Mercedes-Benz that came out of the AMG salon workshop.

Today, in the era of electric cars, more and more manufacturers are boldly entering the ranks of the leaders in this segment, for example, Hyundai from South Korea presented the electric Ioniq 5 N with impressive capabilities. According to automotive reviewer Egidijus Babelis, production units of sports models create a good brand image, because in the enthusiast community it is precisely these types of cars that attract the most attention: sports cars that have reached the pinnacle of engineering.

“People are dreamers, so they want the best and most solid thing in their lives. If they didn’t want that, we’d all be driving Dacias, and businessmen would be fine with Škodas.” Because, rationally speaking, there is nothing else to look at. But a car is an exciting purchase,” says a permanent member of the “Lithuanian Car of the Year” election commission.

According to the interviewer, for this reason more and more manufacturers demonstrate their capabilities in this segment: Volkswagen updates the GTI and R versions of the latter with each new generation of the Golf, Honda continues to improve the Civic Type R, etc. However, not all manufacturers can satisfy the demand for sports cars.

Some of them quietly killed their most dynamic creations long ago – for example, the Opel Astra OPC disappeared – and focused on what the majority of drivers choose, others still tried to fight for the sympathy of enthusiasts, but in the end they spat and also focused on crossovers.

This is how the French manufacturer Peugeot can describe its attempt to resurrect the successor to the legendary 205 GTi, the 208 GTi, and the end of the project after only one generation of production. The same fate befell the Ford Focus RS model: its manufacturers declared it no longer viable due to a combination of stricter emissions requirements and high development costs.

The turning point of electric cars

Another example reflects today’s reality. Here the Swedish manufacturer Volvo has transformed its Polestar sports car division into a separate brand: it now produces electric cars. It’s the rise of electric vehicles that has shaken up the industry, leaving enthusiasts with plenty of questions about what the future holds for thrill rides.

Critics admit that one of the brightest examples of what the future of sports cars could be was demonstrated by Hyundai, which presented the aforementioned Ioniq 5 N model in 2023. The Korean product seems to have raised the eyebrows of more than one market professional: it was immediately voted the best car of the year in 2023 by the cult automotive media channel Top Gear, and also won the World Performance Car award in the World Car of the Year competition in 2024.According to E.Babel, even in the era of electric cars, it is important for manufacturers to preserve the offer of exclusive models, because this can bring double benefits. On the one hand, Hyundai has demonstrated that, without restrictions on pollution, electric vehicles can transform into spectacular sports cars suitable for showcasing technological progress. On the other hand, manufacturers need models that catch their attention.

“This was demonstrated almost a few decades ago by the example of the Honda company, when it started an ecological campaign and stopped the production of sports models, despite the fact that they had achieved great recognition among motorists. After a few years, the mistake was recognized and we returned to Type R models and motor sports, because without them the interest in the brand quickly faded,” recalls the interviewer.

Differs in decisions

Ioniq 5 N also attracted attention for its unconventional solutions. Manufacturers have adapted many elements of traditional racing cars into the electric sports sedan, which often elude electric motorists.

This electric vehicle offers a virtual gear-shifting experience with noticeable jolts during gear changes, simulates a rev limiter, and emits a sports car-like sound. Even as a zero-emission model, all these elements are designed to ignite the passion of car enthusiasts.

Equipped with an electric motor on each axle, it delivers up to 650 hp and 605 Nm of torque, while an electronic system ensures 11 levels of torque distribution between the front and rear axles. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 260 km/h. With an 84 kWh battery, it boasts a range of up to 448 km on a single charge.

Compared to the standard Ioniq 5, the sport version is 20 mm lower, has a 50 mm wider rear track, and is 80 mm longer. Its suitability for the track is also reflected in various details: the car is equipped with more supportive seats, there are cushions on the center console to support the knees when turning, and even the seat position has been lowered by 20 millimeters.