The world of performance cars is transforming, and 2024 looks promising with the arrival of very interesting electric sports cars in terms of power, drivability, and driving enjoyment.
From those capable of perfectly replicating manual transmission to those focusing on breathtaking accelerations, let’s see what the next year has in store.
Abarth 600e
Let’s start with an Italian entry and the complete shift of the Abarth brand to electric. If 2023was the year of the electric Abarth 500, perhaps slightly below expectations, by the end of 2024, we should learn about the Abarth 600e, a high-performance version of the Italian B-SUV.
As always, there will be modifications to the chassis and performance, with a more flashy and sporty aesthetic. Performance-wise, it will also be the first car on the CMP II platform with increased power, reportedly up to 240 horsepower, perhaps from two electric motors. Similar to the 500, it is expected to feature sport seats and Alcantara upholstery.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Introduced in 2023, the 33 Stradale is a true work of art. It is the second model in the brand’s revival after the Tonale, embodying the oldest values of the brand as a limited edition two-seater supercar with only 33 units. It is also Alfa Romeo’s first electric model, already sold out with an estimated cost of over 1 million euros.
Built on the Maserati MC20 platform, it has both a thermal version with a V6 engine and an electric version reaching 750 horsepower with 0-100 acceleration in less than 3 seconds, and an estimated range of 450 km on the WLTP cycle.
Alpine A290_β
Renault has confirmed the return of the R5, in an electric version and as the French response to the success of the electric Fiat 500 and the new generation of the Mini. There will also be an electric return of the Renault 5 Turbo, but under the Alpine brand.
The concept car Alpine A290_β has already been revealed, and its production version is expected to be unveiled in 2024 with a different name. It will be Alpine’s response to the Abarth 500 electric.
It’s unclear whether it will be called Alpine 5 or if it will keep the A290 designation without the Beta. There are no performance data yet, but the power should remain around 200 horsepower from a single front electric motor. On the technical side, electronic control hydraulic suspensions are expected to provide comfortable or sporty behavior as needed.
Audi A6 e-tron
2024 will finally mark the debut of the A6 e-tron, the electric successor to the German brand’s most acclaimed sedan, featuring a beautiful design.
Like the high-riding Q6, it is based on the PPE platform with an 800-volt system, recovering 80% charge in 25 minutes. Power reaches 600 horsepower with 0-100 acceleration in less than 4 seconds, thanks to an 800 N/m torque.
BYD Seal
Despite being a sedan, the BYD Seal is particularly powerful (and one of the finalists at COTY 2024). The base version already has 313 horsepower, while the more powerful version, equipped with two electric motors, reaches 530 horsepower.
It is the first car with cell-to-body technology, integrating the battery and inverter into the body, with Blade Battery LFP up to 82 kWh providing a range between 520 and 570 km.
Cupra Tavascan
It may not be the most powerful in the group, but it is undoubtedly a true sports car. In fact, it’s a sporty fastback SUV, also the first to use the most powerful version of Volkswagen’s new electric powertrain, capable of delivering up to 340 horsepower.
As Cupra’s second electric model, it is also the first to exclusively use electrons, bearing the VZ designation, introducing a more evolved and distinctive stylistic direction. We also met this car at eCar Expo 2023.
Dodge Charger Daytona SRT EV
2024 will also see the debut of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT EV, Dodge’s first electric car, following Stellantis’ plans to produce only electric cars in the coming years.
Built on the new Stellantis Banshee platform, it features an 800-volt system for fast charging and a sound level of up to 126 decibels, reproducing the typical Hellcat engine sound. There are no performance data available yet.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Highly anticipated is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, one of the most anticipated models. If the Ioniq 5 already captivates with its aesthetics, the N version takes it a step further with a completely revised and even sportier chassis.
But it’s the performance and the entire technical package that stand out: 650 horsepower from two electric motors make it the most powerful Hyundai ever, and the N-eShift, the electric manual transmission. The car has managed to attract attention even from the most skeptical.
Lotus Emeya
Launched in New York last September, the Lotus Emeya will officially arrive in 2024 (together with Eletre, in Denmark). It is the brand’s first Gran Turismo, a Hyper GT with a refined and elegant aesthetic, in true Lotus style.
Based on Geely’s SEA platform, modified by Lotus, it shares many features with the Eletre SUV, such as power up to over 900 horsepower in the most powerful version, spacious and well-finished interiors. It accelerates from 0 to 100 in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h.
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
Direct competitor to the Emeya is the GranTurismo Folgore, the first electric grand tourer from the Italian brand and the second electric model after the Grecale. Although launch and initial tests occurred in early 2023, the car will be available for sale starting in 2024.
Impressive performance with an 800-volt system and a battery powering three permanent magnet motors of 300 kW each (one front and two rear), capable of delivering up to 761 horsepower with 0-100 in 2.7 seconds. The range is 450 km, and the car can recover 100 km in 5 minutes. The top speed of 320 km/h makes it one of the fastest electric cars on the market.
MG Cyberster
The first and, for now, only electric roadster in this list, and one of the electric cars with the most pleasing design, inspired by both past roadsters and video games.
Not as small as it seems in photos, it has a power of up to 544 horsepower and a relatively low weight of 1.8 tons. It accelerates from 0 to 100 in 3 seconds and has a range of around 500 km on the WLTP European cycle. It also features high-quality interiors and aims to expand MG’s audience with the return of the brand to sports cars.
Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 is perhaps the most interesting car produced so far by Volvo’s former racing team. It is also the most powerful electric car, and the most powerful in general after the Polestar 1. It also features interesting stylistic and technological solutions, such as the absence of the rear window, replaced entirely by a digital display.
The car has a power of up to 544 horsepower and a range of 600 km, with an 800-volt system that recovers 80% battery in 25 minutes. It accelerates from 0 to 100 in 3.8 seconds.
Zeekr 001 FR
We conclude with the most powerful electric sports car among those mentioned: the Zeekr 001 FR, the first car from the Chinese brand that emerged just 2 years ago in the world of racing.
FR stands for Future Roads, and it is a highly modified version of the Chinese shooting brake capable (tested here) of developing a whopping 1247 horsepower from 4 independent electric motors, rotating on itself, and reaching 100 km from a standstill in 2.07 seconds. This also makes it the most powerful road-going electric car in the entire Geely group.
