The new McLaren Artura is part of a new generation of electrified performance cars that are now covered by Motorsport Australia’s new electric vehicle regulations.
Last week, Motorsport Australia released its new regulations for electric vehicles to take part in local motor sport competition.
Specifically, the new guidelines set out the different requirements for “Mass Production” and “Competition” electric vehicles, which made us think about which current production electric vehicles would be good to get on the track.
READ MORE: Electric Vehicle Standards published by Motorsport Australia
Motorsport Australia regulations currently focus on “Self-Test, Speed and Rally / Road Proper Events”, but cover any electrified vehicle, including all-electric, plug-in hybrids and hybrids.
While there are obviously some complexities surrounding charging, safety and autonomy with electric vehicles, there are also some obvious advantages to competition. Electric cars tend to accelerate fiercely and, despite being heavier than equivalent-sized models, tend to handle well because the extra weight is usually mounted low on the car.
These are our choices of electric or hybrid vehicles currently available to those of us who would like to get off the track. But these are just the beginning, more and more car brands are poised to introduce high-performance electric vehicles in the future. This includes Ferrari and Lamborghini to Hyundai and Kia.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Let’s start with the obvious choice of a special day without a gas track. Every model Porsche builds is designed to feel right at home on the track, even its all-electric Taycan. We’ve already done a track test on the Taycan Turbo S and were blown away by how it was handled on a circuit.
TRACK TEST: Review of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S 2021
With 560 kW of power and 1,050 Nm of torque, there is never any doubt that the Turbo S would be fast on the straights, but the way it was handled on the curves was what really left us speechless.
This surprises a lot of people if you take it to your next track day, making a quieter lap faster than many purebred gasoline-powered sports cars.
Polar star 2
2022 Polestar 2
The first Australian car derived from Volvo would be a great choice if you are looking for something quick and fun for your next day of gymkhana or track.
When we reviewed the Polestar 2 earlier this year, we were impressed with the performance thanks to the dual electric motors pumping 300 kW and 660 Nm. However, since we last drove it, Polestar has introduced a software update that increases performance to 350 kW and 680 Nm. It also means it accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in just 4.4 seconds, and does so easily thanks to its four-wheel drive.
ROAD TEST: Polestar 2 2022 review
Even if you want to take it to longer events, the Polestar 2 ‘Long Range’ is equipped with a battery with a theoretical range of up to 480 km.
BMW i4 M50
2022 BMW i4 M5
The first electric BMW to carry an “M” badge is an obvious choice for this list. The i4 M50 is effectively the Grand Series 4 Coupe with the petrol engine removed and a couple of electric motors installed.
These new engines equip the M50 with 400 kW and 795 Nm, which is thicker than the M3 Competition, which only makes 375 kW / 650 Nm with its turbo six-cylinder petrol engine. This helps the M50 to run from 0 to 100 km / h in just 3.9 seconds, which should make sure you are competitive in a competitive autokhana or even on a track day.
ROAD TEST: review of the BMW i4 M50 2022
And while it may not be a specific “M” model in the same line as the M3 / M4, it’s all packed into BMW’s impressive 4 Series chassis, so the handling is sharp enough to on the track.
Kia EV6 GT-Line
The Kia EV6 GT at the 2022 Goodwood Speed Festival
This is the most powerful car the South Korean brand has ever offered in Australia, with 239 kW and 605 Nm, and it’s just the beginning. In 2023 Kia will present the EV6 eGT which will release 430 kW and 700 Nm.
ROAD TEST: Kia EV6 GT-Line 2022 review
But even in its current form, the EV6 GT-Line would be a fun and competitive machine at a variety of Motorsport Australia events. And not just short sprints, the EV6 is based on the Hyundai-Kia Group’s “e-GMP” architecture that is shared with the Genesis GV60 that Hyundai was testing at this year’s Targa Tasmania for a possible future entry into a multi-day road rally. .
Ferrari 296 GTB
Ferrari 296 GTB
The new Motorsport Australia regulations also cover hybrids, so we were able to sneak this Italian stallion. The newest member of the Ferrari family is powered by a brand new 489 kW 2.9-liter V6 biturbo engine with a backup of a 122 kW electric motor. While it only adds 25km of electric-only driving, the combination of V6 and electric motor means the 296 GTB has a combined power of 610 kW and 740 Nm.
READ MORE: Why the Ferrari 296 GTB will redefine the brand
Ferrari is also not the only supercar manufacturer to follow the hybrid path. The obvious rival of the 296 is the new McLaren Artura, which runs on its own petrol-electric hybrid V6 that makes 500 kW and 720 Nm.