The electric hypercar: all torque, no talk?

Raw performance alone is no longer enough to make a hyper-EV truly desirable. These days, driving engagement and a sense of control are essential ingredients. The idea that EVs could deliver eye-watering acceleration really gained traction with Tesla, and credit where it’s due — Elon Musk and his team understood that EVs had to be more than just quiet and smooth. By focusing on performance, Tesla drew in driving enthusiasts and cleverly aligned excitement with eco-consciousness.

There was also solid engineering behind that mind-bending acceleration: instant torque from electric motors, better traction thanks to added weight over driven wheels, and incredibly fast electronic power delivery. Together, these factors allowed EVs to put down more power more effectively than traditional combustion cars with slower-responding drivetrains.

Naturally, this led to the “more is more” mindset: more motors, more torque, bigger batteries, and increasingly ludicrous power outputs. The thinking was simple — if performance EV sedans were successful, why not apply the same formula to sports cars and hypercars? With instant speed, green credibility, and cutting-edge tech, the appeal seemed obvious. The customers, however, haven’t exactly lined up.

That’s because many EV hypercars have become one-trick ponies. They dominate the quarter mile, sure, but lack depth. The initial shock of brutal acceleration fades quickly, and the experience often feels detached. There’s no gearshift to play with, no crescendo of revs, no visceral exhaust note — just push-and-go, and maybe a bit of nausea after repeated launches.

More concerning are issues with steering feedback, handling, and throttle modulation, particularly when exiting corners. Yes, they grip. Yes, engineers can dial in decent body control. But the finesse — the light-footed agility, the intimacy between driver and machine — often gets lost beneath the sheer mass and overwhelming torque. Many of these cars tip the scales at over two tonnes, some even brushing 2,500kg, while pushing out close to 2,000 horsepower from four separate motors.

This disconnect is likely a big reason why legendary names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Porsche have yet to fully commit to pure electric hypercars — and why combustion-powered performance cars are quietly making a comeback in their lineups.

So, can the electric hypercar survive? Possibly. But survival will demand evolution. Just as hybrids and diesels had to reinvent themselves after rocky starts, EV hypercars will need to become more than numbers and straight-line stats. To truly succeed, they’ll have to rediscover what makes driving thrilling — and make that thrill electric.