Automotive Stars of the Electric Vehicle Race

Here are (some) of the current stars in the Electric Vehicle (EV) race. From legacy brands to an up-and-coming Chinese marque, one may find many features bent on tantalising the modern driver who craves power and performance without harmful emissions.

BYD Seal

BYD Seal Dual Motor variant can hit 100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Image: BYD.

The BYD brand is no stranger to Singapore’s EV market. The BYD Seal was designed to beat Tesla’s Model 3. The sleek coupe is as fast and powerful as the BMW i5 M60 xDrive (2.38 tonnes), where a generous 523bhp and 670Nm of torque propels the car to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds. The vehicle handles corners with aplomb; even at 2.2 tonnes, it feels agile and light. The variant that offers this power and performance is the top-of-the-line “Electric Performance” with a 180km/h top speed. The battery capacity is 82.56kWh, or about a purported range of 520km.

Two other variants are offered in Singapore: “Dynamic” 61.4kWh and “Premium” 82.6 kWh. The car provides an all-black interior with an arresting rotating 15.6-inch infotainment screen, which is the highlight. The car has all the bells and whistles for an engaging experience for the driver and passengers. The Seal offers a proper sports car setup with an appropriate gear lever and switchgear. The all-wheel drive car does not provide a paddle shifter to adjust the braking regeneration — a feature that would have made this car more user-friendly. The EV offers a luggage load of 400 litres and a panoramic oversized sunroof with a UV-resistant feature to prevent the car’s interior from getting too hot. The oversized sunroof makes the cabin feel airy and light-filled. The car’s sleek aesthetic, such as headlamps with curved daytime running lights, wavy light strips on the bumped and chic tail lights with dotted design, make this an appealing EV.
www.byd.com

BMW i5 eDrive40

BMW i5 eDrive40. Image: BMW.

The all-electric BMW i5 eDrive40 is almost magical at everything: driving dynamics, elegant styling, and premium touches. This car has much to appreciate, from the driver-centric cockpit and communicative steering to the taut suspension and precise handling. This electric automobile is more genuine than its competitors, like Mercedes and Tesla, whether you’re driving straight ahead or around expansive turns. You never have any doubts about it.

An engaging and plush cabin feel with sophisticated instrumentation. Image: BMW.

The power and performance are related to the 81.2kWh battery that powers the electric motor, which immediately delivers 335 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque to the back wheels. Naturally, this helps the car reach 100 km/h in under six seconds, which seems considerably faster in actual driving than on paper. The designers have also ensured that the vehicle is high on sustainability — from the seat covers and door panels to the steering wheel wrap, dashboard, and “Veganza” (i.e. vegan leather) upholstery, all these materials can be recycled. The functional 490-litre luggage capacity and extra wheelbase of 20mm at the back give one the spoils of better legroom. The car is kitted with 20-inch wheels and blue accents on the exterior to express its electric nature. This 5-metre EV weighs more than 2.2 tonnes but always feels energised on the road. The car’s power — the eDrive40 variant, offers instant torque of 400Nm, producing 335bhp to send the car to hit the Century Sprint in 6 seconds. The BMW i5 offers 81.2kWh battery, providing up to 582km range. However, with typical, real-world driving habits, you get around 450km. Once you get behind the wheel, the BMW i5 eDrive40 is definitely for the forward-thinking driver who loves the executive sportiness of this vehicle.
www.bmw.com

Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor

Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor. Image: Polestar.

In 2021, the Polestar 2 made its debut. In 2024, the current model — the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor — is the successor. The model has undergone a facelift, cited by the brand, “A facelift introduces superficial visual changes that often destroy the original intention of the car’s design theme.” Stare hard, and one will find no apparent clues on the exterior because the tweaks are “below the surface”, cited the marque. The facelifted model has a nose completely smoothed out except for a small, conspicuous camera. This grille is now the car’s “SmartZone” — a dedicated area where all the car’s vital sensor systems come integrated. The car’s signature Thor Hammer-shaped headlights are still part of an uncluttered design.

The long-range, dual-motor variant of the Polestar 2 gives this car incredible performance: 469bhp and 740Nm of torque (its predecessor provided 204bhp and 660Nm), propelling the car from 0 to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. This speed and performance puts the vehicle in the Audi e-tron GT and Mercedes AMG EQE 43 territory. The well-insulated cabin is chic and purposeful, allowing one to relax in silence. The EV offers an 82 kWh battery pack and can eclipse 400km on a single charge if you use the One-Pedal drive mode to recuperate energy. The Polestar 2 is executed with an arresting minimalist aesthetic with a futuristic plethora of tech features bent, putting the driver first.
www.polestar.com

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Electric 4S

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Electric 4S. Image: Porsche.

The wagon-style Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Electric 4S is one of the best EVs in the market. It is blindingly fast and drives like a sportscar. It has the most extraordinary wagon body style and offers an additional 39 litres of boot space than the standard Taycan. This design makes the car appear more muscular with broader shoulders. The vehicle stands 20mm taller than the standard Taycan sedan. And did we say the car is fast? It certainly is; floor the accelerator, and you can deploy 563bhp and 650Nm of torque with no lag, hurtling the car to 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds.

The 93.4kWh battery touts a range between 388 to 452km. Even at 2.3 tonnes, this EV still feels agile and planted on the road. The 5-seater car can serve as a workhorse doing your grocery runs or picking up kids from school. The all-wheel drive and instant electric torque means you can power over corners deftly even in “normal” mode (i.e. there is also a “Gravel” mode). With a sophisticated cabin, instant torque and cool-looking exterior, this EV might convert bona fide petrol heads to electric vehicles.
www.porsche.com

Kia EV9 Electric GT-Line

Suicide doors of Kia EV9 Electric GT-Line. Image: Kia.

With flushed door handles and a Meridian premium speaker system in its plush cabin, you might be fooled into thinking you stepped out of a Range Rover. In fact, you’ve just stepped out of the Kia EV 9—one of the most futuristic EVs on the market today. The car is more than 5 metres long (5,015mm long) and can comfortably seat six people.

The seats in the second row can swivel to face the passengers behind. The seats can also swivel outwards to take in the views when the doors are opened. The interior build quality is stellar, and there are plenty of bells and whistles to make your time in the cabin feel like a first-class flight. Unique to the EV9 is the purposeful Digital Side Mirrors integrated within the side doors. The 2.5-tonne EV still drives fast as it offers 380bhp (700Nm) with a 6-second time to hit 100km/h. The 99.8kWh battery provides a touted range of 512km. Boot space is around 333 to 393 litres. The Kia EV9 is enormous, but with plenty of external cameras to guide you in your parking, you won’t have to break a sweat. If you want a big SUV without selling your kidneys to buy a continental marque, then this Asian-designed EV might be money well spent.
www.kia.com

For more automobile reads, zoom here.