Sports cars of the future will be electric, which will appeal to everyone

Since the advent of automobiles, their development has never been determined solely by the utilitarian need to get from point A to point B. Manufacturers and buyers have always felt the spirit of competition – who will be faster, who will be prettier, etc.

So it's no wonder that, alongside the core offering, most companies have always invested in sports models whose job it is to showcase engineering achievements. But what does this tradition look like today, and is it affected by the growing popularity of electric cars?

There are different types of luck

The trio of German premium brands has always stood out with bright dynamic solutions. For manufacturers of expensive models, demonstrating technological progress or setting new performance limits is quite simply a necessity. In this regard, the BMW M family, Audi S and RS models and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz AMG series are at the vanguard. Today, in the age of electric cars, new players are boldly joining the leaders. For example, South Korean manufacturer Hyundai has an electric range Ioniq 5N with impressive technical parameters and performance.

Sporty models play a big role in creating a company's image. Although they make up a small part of the market, it turns out that they can take you up the hill of popularity and just as easily push you down.

People have dreams - they want the best in their lives. If it weren't for that, we'd all be driving Dacias of the previous generation, and businessmen would settle for Skodas instead of S-classes or Bentleys. Because, rationally speaking, they would provide the basic driving needs. However, choosing a car is an emotional step.

Toms Timosko, reviewer of Klubs auto magazine

That is why manufacturers continue to invest, even though it requires a lot of money. For example, Volkswagen also offers a GTI and an R version for each new generation of the Golf, while Honda is still refining the Civic Type R.

True, not all brands have done equally well in the field of sports cars, some have even quietly removed them from their offer a long time ago. For example, the Opel Astra OPC has faded into obscurity, and the company is currently focusing on what the majority of people prefer. The same happened to others, and these companies have reoriented themselves to crossovers. For example, the French Peugeot wanted to continue the story of the legendary 205 GTi, but the 208 GTi saw only one generation. The Ford Focus RS was also retired - it was slowed down by stricter emission requirements and high development costs.

Electric car turn

Another example of today's reality: the Swedish company Volvo transformed its sports sub-brand Polestar into a separate company that now produces electric cars. Yes, it's a fact – the electric car boom has shaken up the industry, begging the question: what could the dizzying cars of the future look like.

Many experts call the Hyundai Ioniq 2023 N, released on the market in 5, one of the brightest examples of future sports cars. It seems that this South Korean car has widened the eyes of more than one industry professional - it was immediately recognized as the best in 2023 in the polls of the cult channel Top Gear. car of the year, and it also won the Best Performance Car award at the 2024 World Car of the Year competition.

Tom Tymoshko also believes that in the electric era it is important for manufacturers to maintain an exclusive, sporty model offer, as this can bring double benefits. First, Hyundai has proven that with the latest technology it is possible to create an impressive car without harmful emissions. Second, manufacturers need models that attract a wide audience.

Honda came up with an environmental campaign a few decades ago and stopped producing sports cars, even though these models had gained a lot of public recognition. A few years later, they admitted their mistake and returned to Type R and motorsport, because without them interest in the brand quickly faded.

Toms Timosko, reviewer of Klubs auto magazine

This is how the future begins

The Ioniq 5 N also attracted attention with some non-traditional solutions, which were taken over from the internal combustion racing car in an innovative way and which even ordinary electric car adepts might not know. For example, this car allows you to virtually shift gears and gives a small push at that moment, it also simulates an engine rev limiter and emits sounds characteristic of an internal combustion sports car. All this stirs up emotions even in the emission-free model.

Two electric motors, one on each axle, develop a total of 650 hp and 605 Nm of torque, while the electronics provide 11 levels that regulate the distribution of torque between the front and rear wheels. From 0 to 100 km/h, the Ioniq 5 N accelerates in 3,4 seconds and can reach 260 km/h. With a fully charged 84 kWh battery, the range is 448 km.

Compared to the standard Ioniq 5, the sporty version is 20mm lower, 80mm longer and has a 50mm wider rear wheelbase. Its suitability for the racetrack is also evidenced by many finer details, including tight-supporting seats, knee-friendly center console padding and a 20mm lower seating position.