With all the talk surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) recently, it’s no wonder they’re growing in popularity amongst luxury car owners. Electric car technology has made leaps and bounds in recent years, offering a greener alternative to fuel-guzzling engines while boasting zippy acceleration, regenerative braking and a blissfully quiet ride. The race is now on for the luxury car giants to produce their own fleets of battery-powered vehicles.
Below are our top picks of all-electric automobiles revolutionising the way we drive without compromising on quality.
Aston Martin Rapide E
British automaker Aston Martin recently unveiled their first electric vehicle at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. The project has been four years in the making since its announcement in 2015, and it’s still shrouded in secrecy. No price has been named and the car is strictly limited edition, with only 155 slated for production at a South Wales facility. The sleek sports saloon looks almost identical to its predecessor, the Rapide S, save for the bright blue accents and a 65kWh lithium-ion battery fuelling its twin engines. It’s slightly faster too, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in less than four seconds and topping out at a speed of 250 km/h. The car has been built with aerodynamics in mind, from its streamlined body to its lightweight aluminium wheels. All in all, the Rapide E is Aston Martin’s test run in preparation for the electrification of the future.
Tesla Model S
Iconic manufacturer Tesla still reigns king in the electric car department with its range of battery-powered vehicles built from the ground up. The Model S, a perennial favourite, was launched in 2012 and is crushing its competition in sales figures. The grand tourer is large and powerful, with an impressive range of 613km on a full charge. Its acceleration surges from 0 to 100 km/h in as little as 2.6 seconds, hitting a maximum speed of 249 km/h. Safety comes first in this EV, with its automatic emergency braking, collision avoidance, 6 airbags and superior traction control. The 17-inch touchscreen display allows the driver to control everything at the tap of a button.
A leader in the self-driving tech space, Tesla offers its famous Autopilot feature as an add-on, allowing the car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically for a fuss-free driving experience. With the promise of fully self-driving capabilities in the near future, Tesla is ahead of the game in crafting innovative electric vehicles.
Jaguar I-Pace
Jaguar’s first fully-electric car made its debut last year to widespread acclaim. The SUV nabbed 62 accolades worldwide, including the prestigious 2019 European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year awards. It’s not hard to see why – the vehicle is far from your normal SUV. Its sports car-like acceleration takes you to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and its two engines, generating 249 kWh and 696 Nm of torque, are reminiscent of the company’s I-Type Formula E racecar. The vehicle has a range of 470km and a gamut of nifty-sounding features, including adaptive dynamics, active air suspension and torque vectoring. Tracking technology that alerts the driver of theft and an interactive app that transmits the car’s location in case of an emergency ensures you’ll always be in safe hands. The aerodynamic exterior is a marvel to behold with its compact body, large grille and slim headlights. The sleek cream interior features handcrafted elements and double-stitched seats which can be cooled or heated for maximum comfort.
Porsche Mission E
This concept car won’t be rolling off the production line anytime soon, but it’s a testament to the rapid pace at which EV technology is evolving. A sports car to the core, its futuristic body is unmistakably Porsche, riding low to the ground with an arrow-like front and oversized fenders. Its 440 kWh engine accelerates to 100km in less than 3.5 seconds, then 200 km/h in less than 12 seconds. The in-car technology is even more impressive. Move over touchscreens, the Mission E boasts a holographic dashboard display controlled by gestures, which are detected by inbuilt sensors. Eye and face tracking and a panel that moves with the driver’s body add to the vehicle’s futuristic charm.
By Jennifer Luu