With seemingly hundreds of all-electric car buying options in 2025, it might seem like there is a car to fit everyone’s personal style. Some of us, however, like to sit and daydream about the potential for a performance version of an otherwise “regular” electric car. Are you looking for something that’s a little more aggressive, or accelerates a little quicker, or can turn a better lap time at Willow Springs? This is the spot to bench race and discuss our desires for more.
Earlier this week we asked which electric vehicles you thought deserved a performance variant the most, and your picks did not disappoint. Here are a few of our favorite picks for answers to that question. If there’s something you think we missed, or you have a better idea, feel free to drop them in the comments section here, and we can discuss it.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
There arent many for sale right now that need one because there arent many cool EVs out there id want a performance model of. Obviously a performance hatch or wagon would be great like a Mini-cooper performance EV without FWD, or a Golf R EV. But for the cars that exist id most like to see the Hyundai Ionic6 get its performance N version.
Make A New Omni GLHS
Lancia already has an HF version of the Ypsilon planned, but since a) regular Italian cars don’t do great in North America and b) Chrysler dealers have nothing affordable without a ton of cash on the hood of Compasses, bring some variant of Ypsilon/208/Corsa over as a new cheaper car, and give us a GLHS while we’re at it.
For that matter, why not performance 208/Corsa, but neither of those would fly in North America either.
Mega Mustang
Mustang Mach E. Giving it the Mustang name was an abomination, Ford could at least give it better performance. I can’t recall a single review that sang the praises of the Mach-e, compare that with the Ionic 5N.
It’s Supervan Time
VW ought to bring the GTI nameplate to their EVs.
not with the ID3 or ID4, though, do that too, but specifically with the ID Buzz.
Let’s get Ford Supervan levels of performance; Lucid Sapphire/Tesla Plaid levels of performance in a family van. Make a crazy 4 motor version with over 1000 horsepower, and tack a giant aero kit on it in a desperate effort to keep the thing planted on the ground.
Simplify And Add Lightness
Frankly, to me you could take almost any EV non-CUV/SUV, strip out all the bullshit ADAS, cameras, connectivity and infotainment, reduce the battery size and weight, and call it a performance model. And I’d be happy with that.
Mini Cooper, But With A Twist
I bought a 2022 Cooper SE 2-dr hardtop a little over a month ago. (Which I wish they still made/offered here in the US, but that’s a different convo)
Honestly I don’t think it needs any more power, but a slightly more hardcore version would be fun. Off the top of my head I can think of a few things that might be a cool fit for a ‘Works’ version:
Lighter weight - The SE carries it’s weight well, it’s balanced, but knocking off a like 200-300 lbs would be amazing. Strip out some content, no moonroof, no backseat, but put in a harness/rear strut tie bar.
Faster Ratio Steering in Sport Mode: My Mini makes the steering a bit heavier in Sport mode, compared to the other modes, but no increase in ratio.
LSD - Open diffs on a performance FWD car are just
More aggressive suspension/tire combo: Bigger rear sway bar, somewhat stiffer dampers/springs. A factory 225 or 235 17" tire would be really nice.
Better cooling/software tuning for aggressive power delivery, longer high performance envelope in aggressive driving settings. Re-jigger the DTC modes a bit too.
Sub 6 second 0-60 times are just dumb and impractical.
Rivian Raptor
I’d like to see Rivian make a high performance off roader like Ford’s Raptors. We already have a ton of power and torque in these trucks but no true locking diff and I think some high performance Fox shocks would be superior to the air suspension currently used.
Make Like A Tree And Leaf
The Nissan Leaf. Not like the “Ariya AWD Performance” (can’t believe I looked that up.... and that such a thing exists), but maybe a more peppy Leaf that has some sporty intentions.
Not a Nissan guy at all, but I have a soft spot for Leaf’s for some reason. I think it’d make a good electric hot hatch, just not a great one.
Make Hyper-efficient Cars, Not Hypercars
I kinda think EV’s should focus more on efficiency v power. Boring I know. I understand much of the reason EV’s have high power is because they have to based on their battery and motors. I’d much rather more range than more power. Every EV is fast, even the lowly Bolt. So lets see some range. The fact that the Bolt in my fleet at work can’t best 125 miles of estimated range when the temp is 32 degrees is a problem. Typically I see 250-285 estimated range on an 85% top off when temps are higher.