Can an EV be as exciting as a Petrol car ?
Discussion
Think this is the crux, remove the battery/range argument for a while but will a pure EV ever be as engaging as a Petrol Engined Sportscar.
Never driven an EV, but I want to try one, definitely think its the future of personal transport and inevitably, eventually there will
be more enthusiast models, they wont all look like an extra frumpy Micra, ok there was the original Tesla but not much since, they are
all erring on the side of economy but performance is actually pretty good.
What will we miss ?
Noise, they just kind of whine
Gearchange, doesnt need one, suppose it could be used with a gearbox ?
Weight, EV's are heavier
Performance, I suspect it may end up with power actually being more readily accessible, motors are much simpler and throw a few more amps at it, you go faster, if you have ever seen a Brushless RC car go you will know what I mean.
Never driven an EV, but I want to try one, definitely think its the future of personal transport and inevitably, eventually there will
be more enthusiast models, they wont all look like an extra frumpy Micra, ok there was the original Tesla but not much since, they are
all erring on the side of economy but performance is actually pretty good.
What will we miss ?
Noise, they just kind of whine
Gearchange, doesnt need one, suppose it could be used with a gearbox ?
Weight, EV's are heavier
Performance, I suspect it may end up with power actually being more readily accessible, motors are much simpler and throw a few more amps at it, you go faster, if you have ever seen a Brushless RC car go you will know what I mean.
:
I think something like the Tesla Roadster could be exciting, fairly lightweight, manual steering for lots of feel and instant torque. I'd miss the engine noise, but I still think it could be fun.
If I had the money an electric car for commuting would be great, paired with a nice petrol sports car for the weekend.
If I had the money an electric car for commuting would be great, paired with a nice petrol sports car for the weekend.
Depends what exactly you mean.
"Can an EV be as exciting as a Petrol car ?"
If you meant "can an EV be more exciting that a petrol car" then: Yes, I'm sure I can find a Petrol car and an EV, where the EV is the more exciting of the two. For example, a Diahatsu Charade vs. a Tesla Roadster. The Tesla will be more exciting.
If you meant "can an EV be more exciting than any petrol car" then: No, whatever EV you choose I'm sure I can choose a petrol car which is more exciting.
"Can an EV be as exciting as a Petrol car ?"
If you meant "can an EV be more exciting that a petrol car" then: Yes, I'm sure I can find a Petrol car and an EV, where the EV is the more exciting of the two. For example, a Diahatsu Charade vs. a Tesla Roadster. The Tesla will be more exciting.
If you meant "can an EV be more exciting than any petrol car" then: No, whatever EV you choose I'm sure I can choose a petrol car which is more exciting.
J4CKO said:
Think this is the crux, remove the battery/range argument for a while but will a pure EV ever be as engaging as a Petrol Engined Sportscar.
Never driven an EV, but I want to try one, definitely think its the future of personal transport and inevitably, eventually there will
be more enthusiast models, they wont all look like an extra frumpy Micra, ok there was the original Tesla but not much since, they are
all erring on the side of economy but performance is actually pretty good.
What will we miss ?
Noise, they just kind of whine
Gearchange, doesnt need one, suppose it could be used with a gearbox ?
Weight, EV's are heavier
Performance, I suspect it may end up with power actually being more readily accessible, motors are much simpler and throw a few more amps at it, you go faster, if you have ever seen a Brushless RC car go you will know what I mean.
Test drove the Tesla Model S last Friday and as a petrol head (but now high speed cars powered by anything head) was mightily impressed - 4.2 seconds to 60 belies the immediacy of the performance, feels like a 3.7 seconds to 60 car. I have ordered one and intend to use it as a daily driver - try and you won't be missing any engine noise nor will you notice the weight given the performance of the car.Never driven an EV, but I want to try one, definitely think its the future of personal transport and inevitably, eventually there will
be more enthusiast models, they wont all look like an extra frumpy Micra, ok there was the original Tesla but not much since, they are
all erring on the side of economy but performance is actually pretty good.
What will we miss ?
Noise, they just kind of whine
Gearchange, doesnt need one, suppose it could be used with a gearbox ?
Weight, EV's are heavier
Performance, I suspect it may end up with power actually being more readily accessible, motors are much simpler and throw a few more amps at it, you go faster, if you have ever seen a Brushless RC car go you will know what I mean.
adamfawsitt said:
J4CKO said:
Think this is the crux, remove the battery/range argument for a while but will a pure EV ever be as engaging as a Petrol Engined Sportscar.
Never driven an EV, but I want to try one, definitely think its the future of personal transport and inevitably, eventually there will
be more enthusiast models, they wont all look like an extra frumpy Micra, ok there was the original Tesla but not much since, they are
all erring on the side of economy but performance is actually pretty good.
What will we miss ?
Noise, they just kind of whine
Gearchange, doesnt need one, suppose it could be used with a gearbox ?
Weight, EV's are heavier
Performance, I suspect it may end up with power actually being more readily accessible, motors are much simpler and throw a few more amps at it, you go faster, if you have ever seen a Brushless RC car go you will know what I mean.
Test drove the Tesla Model S last Friday and as a petrol head (but now high speed cars powered by anything head) was mightily impressed - 4.2 seconds to 60 belies the immediacy of the performance, feels like a 3.7 seconds to 60 car. I have ordered one and intend to use it as a daily driver - try and you won't be missing any engine noise nor will you notice the weight given the performance of the car.Never driven an EV, but I want to try one, definitely think its the future of personal transport and inevitably, eventually there will
be more enthusiast models, they wont all look like an extra frumpy Micra, ok there was the original Tesla but not much since, they are
all erring on the side of economy but performance is actually pretty good.
What will we miss ?
Noise, they just kind of whine
Gearchange, doesnt need one, suppose it could be used with a gearbox ?
Weight, EV's are heavier
Performance, I suspect it may end up with power actually being more readily accessible, motors are much simpler and throw a few more amps at it, you go faster, if you have ever seen a Brushless RC car go you will know what I mean.
The thing is, driving a sports/performance car is a visceral experience, and a number of factors contribute;
-the feel and response of a well balanced, lightweight chassis
-the sound and sensation of the engine pulling from the sensible end of the gauge and building to a crescendo at the rev limit, with the induction roar on power and the pops and crackles on overrun
-the smell of petrol, oil... brakes and tyres if you've been trying hard
-the art and the rare satisfaction of executing the perfect cadence brake, heel & toe downchange, rev match etc.
Basically, what I like is unadulterated driving where I communicate directly with the machinery via mechanical controls.
I have no problem with the EV as a concept, I expect I'll probably embrace it as most others will, but I'll need a second car for thrills.
-the feel and response of a well balanced, lightweight chassis
-the sound and sensation of the engine pulling from the sensible end of the gauge and building to a crescendo at the rev limit, with the induction roar on power and the pops and crackles on overrun
-the smell of petrol, oil... brakes and tyres if you've been trying hard
-the art and the rare satisfaction of executing the perfect cadence brake, heel & toe downchange, rev match etc.
Basically, what I like is unadulterated driving where I communicate directly with the machinery via mechanical controls.
I have no problem with the EV as a concept, I expect I'll probably embrace it as most others will, but I'll need a second car for thrills.
adamfawsitt said:
Test drove the Tesla Model S last Friday and as a petrol head (but now high speed cars powered by anything head) was mightily impressed - 4.2 seconds to 60 belies the immediacy of the performance, feels like a 3.7 seconds to 60 car. I have ordered one and intend to use it as a daily driver - try and you won't be missing any engine noise nor will you notice the weight given the performance of the car.
I also really like the tesla and would love one as a daily, but is it not ridiculously expensive as to not really make sense? The fast one not around the £80k mark?John
steelej said:
I also really like the tesla and would love one as a daily, but is it not ridiculously expensive as to not really make sense? The fast one not around the £80k mark?
John
About the same price as the comparable internal combustion powered cars, isn't it? What does an S55AMG cost these days?John
The S is a superb car, and I have had some great experience with it....thread here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=131...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=131...
RDMcG said:
The S is a superb car, and I have had some great experience with it....thread here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=131...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=131...
From everything I have read, they just seem to have got it right.
Pretty good accomplishment for what is essentially their first car (Roadster being a heavily modified Elise).
They appear to be investing heavily in proper charging infrastructure too, with some smart solutions if you live in the right area.
Would you buy one?
Mezzanine said:
From everything I have read, they just seem to have got it right.
Pretty good accomplishment for what is essentially their first car (Roadster being a heavily modified Elise).
They appear to be investing heavily in proper charging infrastructure too, with some smart solutions if you live in the right area.
Would you buy one?
kambites said:
About the same price as the comparable internal combustion powered cars, isn't it? What does an S55AMG cost these days?
Not the point for me, i wouldn't be in the market for an SL55 AMG, i'd like the efficiency of the tesla and the performance but i wouldn't be looking to buy a performance car if that makes sense, if the tesla s was £40k then it would appeal to those who wanted to take advantage of the electric range and still gave decent power, that's where it should sit, not with M6's or SL55's.John.
adamfawsitt said:
J4CKO said:
Think this is the crux, remove the battery/range argument for a while but will a pure EV ever be as engaging as a Petrol Engined Sportscar.
Never driven an EV, but I want to try one, definitely think its the future of personal transport and inevitably, eventually there will
be more enthusiast models, they wont all look like an extra frumpy Micra, ok there was the original Tesla but not much since, they are
all erring on the side of economy but performance is actually pretty good.
What will we miss ?
Noise, they just kind of whine
Gearchange, doesnt need one, suppose it could be used with a gearbox ?
Weight, EV's are heavier
Performance, I suspect it may end up with power actually being more readily accessible, motors are much simpler and throw a few more amps at it, you go faster, if you have ever seen a Brushless RC car go you will know what I mean.
Test drove the Tesla Model S last Friday and as a petrol head (but now high speed cars powered by anything head) was mightily impressed - 4.2 seconds to 60 belies the immediacy of the performance, feels like a 3.7 seconds to 60 car. I have ordered one and intend to use it as a daily driver - try and you won't be missing any engine noise nor will you notice the weight given the performance of the car.Never driven an EV, but I want to try one, definitely think its the future of personal transport and inevitably, eventually there will
be more enthusiast models, they wont all look like an extra frumpy Micra, ok there was the original Tesla but not much since, they are
all erring on the side of economy but performance is actually pretty good.
What will we miss ?
Noise, they just kind of whine
Gearchange, doesnt need one, suppose it could be used with a gearbox ?
Weight, EV's are heavier
Performance, I suspect it may end up with power actually being more readily accessible, motors are much simpler and throw a few more amps at it, you go faster, if you have ever seen a Brushless RC car go you will know what I mean.
In terms of excitement, I'm sure electric cars can offer as much as petrol cars. However, I don't really find cars 'exciting', I just love cars. Part of that love that people have is the interest and passion surrounding the internal combustion engine, much like people love steam engines - the noise, smell and feeling of driving a car with an IC engine. People use electric trains to get to work, but nobody builds recreations of them in miniature, or takes their family for a ride on one at the weekends, they do with steam and they do with IC engine cars.
I hope in the future we'll have a situation where our daily drivers may be electric or hybrid, like our trains, but our racing cars and weekend fun cars will continue to be fuelled by petrol and make all the right noises, vibrations and smells. Perhaps this would be a time where the EU could stop sanitising the tiny minority of enthusiast based cars, realise they make up 0.001% of cars registered for the road and then we can have a return to engines like the M3 V8 and Honda VTEC n/a screamers and maybe even actuated by a good old cable rather than a laggy computer.
I hope in the future we'll have a situation where our daily drivers may be electric or hybrid, like our trains, but our racing cars and weekend fun cars will continue to be fuelled by petrol and make all the right noises, vibrations and smells. Perhaps this would be a time where the EU could stop sanitising the tiny minority of enthusiast based cars, realise they make up 0.001% of cars registered for the road and then we can have a return to engines like the M3 V8 and Honda VTEC n/a screamers and maybe even actuated by a good old cable rather than a laggy computer.
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