Mercedes-AMG E 63 S vs Audi RS7 Performance

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The wild Mercedes-AMG E 63 S meets the Audi RS7 in a mega 600bhp 4WD saloon fight

2017-08-02 11:15

Performance saloons have taken yet another step towards supercar territory, and it’s the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S that’s arrived looking to upset the apple cart. This twin-turbo V8 four-door has more power than a Lamborghini Huracan, highlighting just how much potential Mercedes and rival Audi are packing into their family cars these days.

To harness all that force, the new E 63 S is now four-wheel drive. This is a controversial step for some, but it’s in an attempt to maximise acceleration and security, allowing the driver to access more of that power more of the time.

• Best performance cars on sale

One consequence of this move is that the AMG now falls in the firing line of one of the best high-performance four-wheel-drive cars on sale: the Audi RS7 Performance. It, too, boasts a turbo V8 with nearly 600bhp and all-wheel drive, but with enough comfort, space and tech to make any journey easy. Which will be victorious in our battle of ultra-fast family cars? 

Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 

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Model:	Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+
Price:	£88,490
Engine:	4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 604bhp
0-60mph:	3.3 seconds
Test economy:	20.7mpg/4.6mpl
CO2:	207g/km
Annual road tax:	£450

Mercedes’ in-house tuning division AMG is known for packing an incredible level of power into its saloon car bodies, and the latest E 63 pushes boundaries further than the brand has before. Here we test the more potent £88,490 E63 S model.

On the road is where the E 63 really asserts its authority. The 604bhp twin-turbo V8 is ferocious and, thanks to launch control and four-wheel drive, it hurled the E 63 from 0-60mph in just 3.3 seconds on test. Not bad for a near-two-tonne saloon.

With 850Nm of torque on overboost (100Nm more than the Audi) from as low as 2,500rpm, in-gear performance was colossal, too. The E 63 was 3.1 seconds faster from 50 to 70mph in eighth, while it held an advantage pretty much everywhere over the RS7. Its sharper nine-speed dual-clutch transmission ripped through the gears from 30 to 70mph in just 1.8 seconds, 1.9 seconds faster than
the Audi. The gearbox is also more responsive in manual mode, rifling up the ratios quicker than the Audi and downshifting with less hesitation.

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With the £1,000 performance exhaust, the E 63 is more vocal than the RS7. It’s also more hardcore on the move. The Mercedes is stiff; even with the three-stage adaptive dampers in the softest setting the body is controlled more tightly than the Audi’s. The air suspension has been tuned by AMG for better body control and the tauter chassis relays more movement through to the cabin, its fat 20-inch wheels thumping over creases in the road.

While the RS7 is softer and more supple, this means it’s nowhere near as capable in corners. The E 63’s steering is lighter and communicates in more detail what’s going on with the front wheels, which gives you confidence to push. Active engine mounts improve agility, but it’s not all about flat-out performance. It’s as much about fun, and while the E 63 isn’t quite as comfortable, the Drift mode – which turns the car into a rear-drive saloon – means you can easily indulge in some traditional AMG behaviour and unlock the chassis’s balance. 

Testers’ notes: “E 63 owners get a free driver training package so they can safely learn to explore the car’s limits. With 604bhp and rear-wheel-drive-only potential, it’s a worthwhile exercise.” 

Audi RS7 Performance 

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Model:	Audi RS7 Sportback Performance
Price:	£94,185
Engine:	4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 597bhp
0-60mph:	3.9 seconds
Test economy:	18.4mpg/4.1mpl
CO2:	221g/km
Annual road tax:	£450

Audi boosted the RS7’s appeal halfway through the model’s lifecycle by adding this £94,185 Performance version. This increased the power to 597bhp, meaning it can compete with Mercedes’ E 63 S on paper, but is this enough to challenge the AMG for supremacy on the road?

With 100Nm less torque and no race-start function due to the conventional eight-speed automatic gearbox, the RS7 covered 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds – still quick, but some way behind the E 63. The transmission also showed its downside going through the gears between 30 and 70mph, where it trailed the Mercedes by 1.9 seconds.

However, it is genuinely smooth in auto mode, which makes the RS7 easy to live with. The chassis set-up is softer, too, and even on large 21-inch wheels the Audi rolls over bumps where the Mercedes tends to get upset. It’s still no super-smooth cruiser, but it offers more long-distance comfort than the E 63.

Turn on to some country lanes and it’s clear the Audi is outclassed. The engine revs with a bassy rumble through its sports exhaust, popping and banging on downshifts, but the throttle response is snatchy in Dynamic mode and the gearbox jerks going up and down the ratios in manual as if it’s right on the limit of what it can handle.

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The steering is more corrupted by the presence of a pair of driveshafts at the front, too. There’s little feel and it’s more resistant to your inputs, and although there’s plenty of traction, the RS7’s chassis feels heavy and lethargic compared with the more agile AMG’s. Even in the firmest damper setting, it struggles to contain its mass and isn’t as adjustable as the E 63. It also pitches more violently under hard acceleration and braking. Ultimately, it doesn’t have the control or composure of the AMG, nor the bombastic engine. It’s still fairly fun and ridiculously fast, but the AMG shows the pace of progress.

Testers’ notes: “Both the RS7 and E 63 place their turbos inside the cylinder block’s V for improved throttle response. The Mercedes engine is the sweeter and offers unbelievable urge.” 

Verdict 

First place: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S

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Image 7 of 32

The E 63 S is a stunning supersaloon. It’s not lost much of its character in the move to 4WD, while drift mode adds a dose of old-school AMG flavour. Instead, it’s even more effective most of the time, mixing huge pace and usability. It’s pricey and won’t be cheap to run, but the savings over the RS7 and the extra tech highlight just how comprehensive a package the E 63 is.

Second place: Audi RS7 Performance

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Image 21 of 32

There’s no denying the RS7 now feels at least a generation behind the curve. It’s not as fast nor as fun or as adjustable as the AMG, and can’t match its practicality or cutting-edge tech. The RS7 still has its merits thanks to its quality, comfort and true all-weather pace, but a high price and eye-watering running costs limit its appeal compared with the E 63. 

Is it worth waiting for this model? 

BMW M5

Due: Late 2017 
Price: £85k (est)
Engine: 4.4-litre V8, 610bhp (est)

It’s not just AMG turning to four-wheel drive. BMW’s next M5 will send power from its twin-turbo V8 to all four wheels. There’ll be a drift mode, too, along with practicality and tech that should give the E 63 a serious rival.

Figures

	Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+	Audi RS7 Sportback Performance
On the road price/total as tested	£88,490/£101,320	£94,185/£115,360
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)	£49,103/55.5%	£39,850/42.3%
Depreciation	£39,387	£54,335
Annual tax liability std/higher rate	£6,495/£12,989	£6,877/£13,754
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)	£2,938/£4,896	£3,305/£5,508
Ins. group/quote/road tax cost	47/£1,340/£450	50/£1,534/£450
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service	£45pm (3yrs/3 services)	£376/£669/£1,213
Length/wheelbase	4,988/2,939mm	5,012/2,915mm
Height/width	1,463/1,907mm	1,419/1,911mm
Engine	V8/3,982cc	V8/3,993cc
Peak power/revs	604/5,750 bhp/rpm	597/6,100 bhp/rpm
Peak torque/revs	850/2,500 Nm/rpm	750/2,500 Nm/rpm
Transmission	9-spd dual-clutch/4wd	8-spd auto/4wd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel	66 litres/compressor	75 litres/repair kit
Boot capacity (seats up/down)	540 litres/N/A	535/1,390 litres
Kerbweight/payload	1,955/570kg	1,930/585kg
Turning circle/drag coefficient	12.5 metres/N/A	11.9 metres/N/A
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery	3yrs (unlimited)/3yrs	3yrs (60,000)/3yrs
Service intervals/UK dealers	15,500 miles (1yr)/147	Variable/118
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos	21st/12th	18th/15th
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars	95/90/77/62/5 (2016)	91/83/41/86/5 (A6, 2011)
0-60/30-70mph	3.3/1.8 secs	3.9/3.7 secs
30-50mph in 3rd/4th	1.6/2.6 secs	2.1/2.4 secs
50-70mph in 5th/6th/7th/8th	2.6/3.7/5.0/7.9 secs	2.8/4.0/6.1/11.0 secs
Top speed/rpm at 70mph	155mph/1,500rpm	155mph/1,700rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph	44.9/33.2/8.9m	48.4/32.2/9.1m
Noise outside/idle/30/70mph	63/56/63/69dB	68/51/59/67dB
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range	20.7/4.6/301 miles	18.4/4.1/304 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined	24.1/37.2/31.0mpg	21.2/38.7/29.7mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined	5.3/8.2/6.8mpl	4.7/8.5/6.5mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket	315/207g/km/37%	355/221g/km/37%
Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/camera	Seven/yes/yes/yes	Six/yes/yes/£810^
Auto box/stability/cruise control/AEB	Yes/yes/yes/yes	Yes/yes/yes/£2,100
Climate control/leather/heated seats	Yes/yes/yes	Yes/yes/yes
Met paint/LED lights/keyless entry & go	£645/yes/£2,595*	Yes/yes/£750
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth	Yes/yes/yes/yes	Yes/yes/yes/yes

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New 2018 Porsche Macan facelift spied testing

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Facelifted version of three year old Macan due to be revealed next year

2017-08-02 10:40

Porsche is gearing up for an SUV product offensive with an all-new Cayenne due by the end of the year, while spy shots also reveal that a coupe-styled Cayenne is currently under consideration.

However, these brand new spy shots reveal that Porsche’s smaller offering – the Macan – won’t be left out. It’s three years old, and is due a facelift.

• Best SUVs on sale 2017

The Macan has become a core part of Porsche’s line-up since launching in 2014, rapidly rising to become the brand’s bestseller. In 2016 Porsche delivered 237,778 cars globally - 95,642 of those were accounted for by the Macan.

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With 40 per cent of its sales now coming from its smallest SUV, it’s important that Porsche keeps the Macan fresh against newer rivals, such as the Jaguar F-Pace and Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

This test mule wears a fairly light disguise, suggesting that the Macan’s impending facelift will be a light one. At the front, masking suggests that new headlights are on the way, while a wider grille is also planned. Compared to recent spy shots of the next-generation Cayenne, it appears that Porsche is plotting a similar makeover for its smaller SUV.

Looking at the rear of the car, the stuck on taillights are a giveaway – Porsche is likely plotting to introduce a revised rear end with a single LED strip running the width of the tailgate. It’s a design feature introduced on the latest Panamera, and will be rolled out across the brand’s entire portfolio as a new trademark rear lighting signature.

With the new Cayenne’s debut likely to happen before the year is out, we expect Porsche to pull the wraps off the facelifted Macan in 2018.

Is the Macan ready for a facelift? Let us know in the comments!

James Brodie

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Different levels of autonomous car tech are confusing motorists say insurers

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The insurance industry is concerned that drivers may not understand the distinction between autonomous and semi-autonomous systems

2017-08-02 10:00

The car insurance industry has warned manufacturers against potentially confusing car buyers with different levels of driverless car tech on board new cars which could result in a higher numbers of accidents.

The Automated Driving Insurer Group (ADIG), led by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in collaboration with Thatcham Research has launched a white paper highlighting the industry’s concerns over drivers being confused by different levels of autonomous driving tech on board new cars.

There are six different levels of vehicle autonomy, with level 0 offering no self-driving tech, and level 5 being fully autonomous cars. It’s the middle levels that worry insurers, as there are concerns drivers may not be fully aware of when to take back control from the car. Most manufacturers now offer some form of autonomy as part of their line-up. 

• Autonomous car levels: the steps to your car driving itself explained

The paper suggests that manufacturers start clearly labelling different levels of autonomy in their cars and explain the differences to drivers. It’s also calling on regulators to consider new design standards for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. The insurance industry also wants instant access to the car’s data following incidents to determine whether the driver or the vehicle was liable for the accident. 

Peter Shaw, CEO of Thatcham Research said: “Vehicles with intermediate systems that offer assisted driving still require immediate driver intervention if the car cannot deal with a situation. Systems like these are fast emerging and unless clearly regulated, could convince drivers that their car is more capable than it actually is. This risk of autonomous ambiguity could result in a short term increase in crashes.” 

• Tesla hits back at German regulators who say 'Autopilot' is misleading

Shaw added: "Vehicle manufacturers should be judicious in badging and marketing such systems, avoiding terms which could be misinterpreted as denoting full autonomy. Hybrid systems which creep into the intermediate grey area between Assisted and Automated should also be avoided." 

James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at ABI said: “The insurance industry strongly supports the development of automated driving technology – which we see as the logical conclusion to work over several decades to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on the roads.

“However, we know all too well from conventional vehicles that drivers often misunderstand what their vehicles can and can’t do. Therefore, consistent standards are needed so that those taking up automated driving technology can do so with confidence.”

Do you know the differences between all of the different levels of autonomy? Tell us in the comments below... 

Martin Saarinen

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Auto Express Issue 1,484

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Jaguar F-Type 4-cyl 2017 review

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Image 1 of 15

2 Aug, 2017 (All day) Steve Fowler

Jaguar has followed Porsche along the 4-cyl route, and it has produced the best F-Type of the range

If some posts on social media are to be believed, those responsible for putting a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine into Jaguar’s F-Type two-seat sports car should be hung, drawn and quartered. Anything other than a supercharged V6 or burbling V8 is sacrilege, surely? We’re not ones to pre-judge, so let’s start by looking at the numbers.

Jaguar’s engineers have boosted the 2.0-litre Ingenium engine found in the XE and XF saloons to 296bhp. Torque is up, too, with that figure now standing at 400Nm. That equates to a 0-62mph time of just 5.7 seconds, which isn’t too shabby. In fact, it’s just six-tenths of a second slower than a Porsche 718 Cayman.

• Best sports cars

But cars like this are as much about character as they are pure performance, and this is where the Jaguar team has worked its wonders. The existing V6 and V8 F-Types are the hooligans of the sports car world, and are all the better for it. They’re brutally fast and unsociably loud. And thankfully, the new 2.0-litre fulfils this brief, too.

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In the real world, and on real roads, the new four-cylinder version feels pretty much as fast as its more expensive siblings. Better than that, it has an alertness that the other cars are missing. If anything, its throttle response is crisper and its turn-in is tighter. The car feels lighter and fitter than before.

Jaguar chose to launch the new F-Type in Norway, alongside the sleek new Range Rover Velar, where the speed limit is just 50mph. However, that probably played to the 2.0-litre model’s strengths, because this is the sort of car that you can have fun in, even within the legal limits. This is the most powerful four-cylinder engine ever seen in a Jaguar, and it’s a gem. It revs freely with only a hint of turbo lag.

With Dynamic mode selected and the loud button (or switchable active exhaust as Jag calls it) pressed, there’s an instant response to a prod of the throttle from pretty much any revs, accompanied by a bassy exhaust rumble. It’s addictive.

It’s clearly a manufactured sound, but the noise is far preferable to what Porsche has achieved from its four-cylinder cars. You even get the odd pop and whizz from the exhaust as you lift off. It can’t match the drama found on the V6 or V8, but it’s enough to put a grin on your face.

The handling is only likely to widen that smile, because the new four-cylinder, like the bigger engines, sits quite a long way forward in the engine bay. That means most of the claimed 52kg weight saving has been made over the front axle.

With recent steering tweaks, the F-Type reacts quicker to inputs, feeling grippier and more controlled as it changes direction. Jaguar still seems to confuse steering weight for feel, though, and the F-Type lacks the delicacy of a Porsche Boxster or Cayman’s controls – but there’s definitely more fun to be had behind the wheel.

The 2.0-litre lacks the adaptive dampers of other models, but its new-found poise doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. Out of Dynamic mode, with the steering and throttle response a little more languid, this newest F-Type is a brilliant GT – surprisingly comfortable, refined and relaxing to drive.

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Other recent changes to the range have mildly refreshed the looks, but the F-Type remains one of the most stylish sports cars you can buy, especially in Coupé form. The safety kit has also been updated, but the interior is pretty much unchanged. It’s just as well built as Jaguar’s most recent saloons and SUVs, but the small touchscreen looks a little old-hat these days. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mobile connectivity aren’t even available as options yet.

You can get a 2.0-litre F-Type Coupé for £49,900. The R-Dynamic, with its loud button and 19-inch wheels (rather than 18s), costs another £3,700, while the cheapest 3.0-litre starts at £52,265. The Convertible adds £5,485 but, to our eyes, doesn’t look as good – although that’s splitting hairs. A Cayman with a manual gearbox is £10,000 less, however, and losing the roof (by buying a Boxster) will cost less than £2k.

And if it really matters to sports car buyers, the 2.0-litre Jag claims nearly 40mpg and CO2 emissions of 163g/km. That puts it on par with the Cayman PDK.

4

We were already fans of the Jaguar F-Type and the 2.0-litre is the best of the lot. It takes the looks, comfort and quality of the other models and adds even more fun, due to its drop in weight and a deeply impressive four-cylinder engine. Ultimately, it may not be quite as capable as a Porsche 718 Cayman, but it’s pretty close and it has a whole lot more character – exactly as a Jaguar sports car should.

• Model: Jaguar F-Type 2.0 R-Dynamic Coupé
• Price: £53,600
• Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
• Power/torque: 296bhp/400Nm
• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

• 0-62mph: 5.7 seconds
• Top speed: 155mph
• Economy/CO2: 39.2mpg/163g/km
• On sale: Now

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New Audi RS5 Sportback gearing up for Frankfurt Motor Show

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RS5 line-up to grow with the addition of a four-door Sportback model at Frankfurt in September

2017-08-01 12:00

Audi has confirmed two new RS models will be taking the stage at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and latest spy shots indicate that the RS5 Sportback will be one of them. 

The prototype spotted has been disguised as an S5 Sportback, with S5 bumpers and badging in an attempt to conceal the car’s true identity. But you don’t have to look hard to spot the wheel arch extensions, RS alloy wheels and RS tailpipes, which mark it out as a top spec model.

• Frankfurt Motor Show 2017 preview

When the covers come off at Frankfurt, we’d expect the RS5 Sportback to have similar specifications to its coupe sibling, meaning it should feature the same 444bhp 2.9-litre V6 biturbo. Being an RS model, it will feature Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system as standard, hooked up to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Performance is likely to take a slight knock due to the extra weight of the five-door body.  

The 5-door RS5 Sportback will of course have the upper hand when it comes to practicality compared to the coupe. The car will be 10mm longer than the two-door RS5, meaning a more spacious cabin, an extra rear seat and a 480-litre boot over the 465 litres offered in the coupe. 

Elsewhere at Audi Sport, company boss Stephan Winkelmann has previously told Auto Express that the brand will begin to develop more RS versions of its SUV portfolio. First tipped for the performance makeover is the Q5, with a flagship version of the forthcoming Q8 also on the cards.  

Coupe or Sportback - which RS5 would you prefer? Tell us in the comments!

Adam Hamza

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Fastest electric cars in the world

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Electric cars have come on in leaps and bounds, and here are 10 of the fastest there have ever been

2017-08-01 09:00

There was a time when if you wanted a fast electric car, you'd have to look to the world of radio-controlled RC cars. But today full-sized electric vehicles (EVs) have some real speed machines in their ranks. Here we round-up some of the EVs that can out drag a supercar from 0-60mph, set record breaking quarter-mile times and lap the nurburgring like a GT3 racer, all the while making zero emissions.

Electric cars really seem to be making in-roads into the dominance of petrol and diesel models, with more production models than ever available in dealers. But another clear sign of this growth is the number of people attempting to break speed records with them, while the recent influx of mainstream manufacturers entering the Formula E electric single-seater championship at the expense of other racing programs just goes to show how serious some makers are at furthering the development of EVs.

• Best electric cars on sale

It's about time that electric cars got the same kind of development as their internal combustion-powered counterparts. Back at the start of the 20th Century, electric cars were on an equal footing with petrol as the motive power for cars. Indeed, an electric car held the Land Speed Record for a brief period in the 1890s before some bright sparks started fitting aero engines in car frames to put the LSR well out of the grasp of any EVs.

Now that car makers are realising that electricity is going to be the only way to meet ever-stricter emissions laws, the pursuit of records and involvement in motorsport will only accelerate developments. Breakthroughs in these areas will filter to production cars eventually, so one day EVs will deliver the same kind of performance and battery range that buyers are accustomed to from conventional power sources.

At the moment, there are a diverse variety of cars vying for assorted electric car speed records. Here we feature 10 cars that defy preconceptions that EVs are dull...

The world's fastest electric cars

1. La Jamais Contente

Top speed: 66mph
0-62mph: N/A

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Image 2 of 11

A list of fast electric cars wouldn't be complete without the great-grandfather of them all - La Jamais Contente (Translation: The Never Satisfied). This was the electric car from Belgium (of all places!) that set the World Land Speed Record in 1899 at a nosebleed-inducing 66mph. It was the first car, with driver Camille Jenatzy at the wheel, to break an existing record, which incidentally was set by another electric car a month earlier.

The torpedo-shaped body was quite advanced for the time, as it was made of a mix of aluminium and magnesium. But the separate chassis it was bolted to and an upright driving position negated any positive aerodynamic effect it could've had.

The Belgians held the LSR for three years before it their best mark was bettered by a real automotive cul-de-sac, a steam-powered car that did 75mph. Later in 1902 a petrol-powered car went 1mph faster, then another steam car blitzed the record by hitting 128mph, but after that petrol power took control.

Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Mode

Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 2.5 seconds

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The Tesla Model S is the halo car for the electric revolution. It's desirable, spacious, and it has the kind of driving range that rival EVs can only dream of matching. And while the basic models offer excellent cruising comfort and cutting-edge autonomous tech, the flagship P100D with Ludicrous Mode is one of the fastest accelerating production cars on sale.

Set it to Ludicrous mode, and the Tesla's full 762bhp is on tap, while the four-wheel drive and instant torque of the electric motors mean this four-door, five seat executive saloon can show a clean pair of heels to the fastest supercars.

You will pay a price for this performance, with a dramatic drop from the claimed 320-mile battery range, while the £100k-plus price tag is a big one to pay for low everyday running costs.

• Cheapest electric cars on sale

Aston Martin RapidE

Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 3.0 seconds (est)

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Image 4 of 11

British prestige marque Aston Martin is going fully electric with its four-door grand tourer. The RapidE ditches the traditional big-capacity V12 in favour of an electric motor/battery set-up co-developed with the technology division of the Williams Formula One team.

This means it'll have Tesla-rivalling performance figures, and bosses have said it'll deliver a unique driving experience unlike any V8 or V12-powered Aston. However, the RapidE will be just as luxurious as its ancestors inside, thanks to the hand-finished interior and bespoke materials used.

The plan is to build just 155 RapidEs at almost a quarter of a million pounds each. The first cars will hit the road in 2019.

Rimac Concept One

Top speed: 221mph
0-62mph: 2.5 seconds

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Image 5 of 11

The Rimac Concept One should be familiar, as it's the car that TV's Richard Hammond used to give up one of his nine lives when he crashed one in Switzerland. The Concept One is currently the world's most powerful EV on sale, and it comes from Croatia, of all places.

It was developed from a blank sheet of paper, and the company took out 24 exclusive patents while creating it. Power comes in at 1,224bhp, torque is rated at 1,600Nm, and there's an electric motor driving each wheel. Rimac claims a range of 210 miles from the battery, although it's the car's acceleration that steals headlines, with numerous videos of the Concept One beating assorted hypercars in drag races online. The big drawback is that the Concept One comes with a price tag that makes a Tesla seem cheap (if you have to ask, you can't afford it), although that hasn't stopped Rimac selling them to buyers across the globe.

Nio EP9

Top speed: 194mph
0-62mph: 2.7 seconds

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Image 6 of 11

Here's an EV that looks more like a full-size R/C car than your average electric car. The EP9 is a showcase for Chinese electric car start-up Nio, and it's similar in concept to Rimac's car. It has a similar in-wheel motor arrangement as the Rimac, and it makes 1,341bhp in total. Nio also claims a longer range, at 265 miles, although it has the added facility of swapping the batteries for fully charged replacements (another nod to the world of R/C cars) in just eight minutes.

Under the skin, the carbon fibre chassis is built to Le Mans specification, while an active suspension system keeps things level. This combination of tech meant the EP9 lapped the Nurburgring Nordschliefe in 6:45s to make it one of the fastest production cars of any type, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Lamborghini Huracan Performante and Porsche 918 Spyder.

And yes, it is a production car, as six have been sold, while another 10 will be built, albeit for £1million each.

Vanda Dendrobium

Top speed: 200mph
0-62mph: 2.7 seconds

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Image 7 of 11

If you thought Croatia was a stange country for an electric supercar to come from, how about Singapore? With its tight city streets, there won't be much space to test a supercar's performance, but with sky-high vehicle running costs a fact of life there, a million dollar supercar will still have its buyers.

The Dendrobium (named after a rare orchid) is the product of tech firm Vanda Electrics, and like Aston Martin's RapidE, F1 team Williams has a hand in its motive power. It's reported to have the benchmark 1,000bhp power output, and it certainly looks like it'll hit 200mph, too.

Production is still being considered at this point in time, but again, we can expect a seven-figure price tag for one.

Toroidion 1MW

Top speed: N/A
0-249mph (400km/h): 11 seconds (est)

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Image 8 of 11

The Dendrobium does at least move under its own power, with the Toroidion 1MW, there's debate as to whether that is the case. From that other renowned supercar country, Finland, the 1MW is another electric supercar start-up that promises huge power and performance from an electric drivetrain - they've even hired ex-F1 star Mika Salo as a consultant.

However, apart from a couple of appearances in London and Monaco a few years back, the Toroidion hasn't gone much further. That's a shame, because it's arguably one of the best looking electric sports cars we've seen.

Spark-Renault SRT_01E (Formula E)

Top speed: 140mph
0-62mph: 3.0 seconds (est)

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Image 9 of 11

It's the car you know as the single-seat Formula E racer, and it's going to be even more relevant to motorsport over the coming years. While the Formula E series started small, manufacturers such as DS and Jaguar have already joined, while Audi, Mercedes and Porsche, are dropping their conventional motorsport programmes in favour of works teams in the all-electric series.

The Spark-Renault chassis was created by Italian single-seater expert Dallara, while the original electric motor was the same as the one found in the McLaren P1 hypercar, although rule changes mean that teams can now develop their own motor systems. Batteries came from Williams, British firm Hewland provided the gearboxes and Michelin supplied the treaded tyres on 18-inch wheels.

The car's 900kg weight means it can sprint from 0-60mph in around three seconds, while the short, tight street circuits the cars race on are designed to deliver close, entertaining racing. With the arrival of major manufacturers to the series, it can only be a matter of time before we see longer, faster races and close on-track action.

Genovation GXE

Top speed: 209mph
0-62mph: 3.0 seconds (est)

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Image 10 of 11

Want to know what the world's fastest EV is? You're looking at it. But it looks like a C6-generation Corvette?, we hear you say. That's because Genovation has based its EV on the legendary US sports car.

While the GXE's bodywork is likely to raise a few eyebrows at General Motors, the chassis and running gear are all Genovation's own. There's aluminium construction to counter the weight of the batteries, and while they only give a range of around 120 miles, there is genuine 200mph ability from the car.

Production models will be based on the current C7 Corvette Stingray, but with a $750,000 (£575,000) price tag, it's either a really expensive 'Vette, or a bargain compared to the seven-figure models in our top 10.

Buckeye Bullet 3

Top speed: 340mph
0-62mph: N/A

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Going for fast 0-60mph times is quaint, when you compare to the top speed achieved by the Buckeye Bullet, the world's fastest electric vehicle. This streamlined racer was created by Ohio State University with help from French firm Venturi, and took to the Bonneville Salt Flats in September 2016 to set a new electric Land Speed Record of 342.144mph. To put that into context, the first internal combustion-engined car to break 340mph did it back in 1938...

The Bullet is a one-off machine with the front and rear axles powered by two electric motors each, and with the cockpit set below the two axles. It has a two-speed transmission, with first gear suitable for speeds up to 275mph.

While 342mph is the current record, further attempts will eventually see the Bullet break 400mph. In addition, the team behind the Bullet is also developing a hydrogen-powered streamliner.

How fast can production electric cars get? Let us know your thoughts in the comments...

Dean Gibson

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