HYBRID AND ELECTRIC: Supercars take on super technology
October 8, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist Chris Griggs
Selling for $1.2 million for charity at the 2016 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, this 2017 Acura NSX VIN #001 utilizes the latest in hybrid technology.
When you think of hybrid and electric cars, the first thing that used to come to mind is a Prius or a Nissan Leaf, not a supercar from Ferrari, McLaren or Porsche. But the idea of electric motors and high performance are no longer mutually exclusive. By now car enthusiasts are aware of the performance benefits offered with electric motors – like instant torque, better throttle response and even more balanced weight distribution – so it’s no surprise that more manufacturers are incorporating the technology.
A magnificent example of advanced high-performance hybrid technology, this 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder sold for $1.76 million at the 2017 Las Vegas Auction.
When the last round of supercars debuted – the Porsche 918, the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari – the concept of using hybrid technology for performance was groundbreaking. The same type of technology that allowed a Prius to get 50 mpg was now used to create 0-60 times of under 3 seconds. At the same time, Tesla was on the rise, having created a luxury-oriented performance electric car for the masses with the Model S.
As the perception of the electric car began to shift, so did manufacturers’ focus; today almost all major manufacturers have at least one electric or hybrid vehicle. Some companies are taking it a step further. McLaren, for example, announced plans to feature a fully electrified lineup by 2024, completely phasing out all internal combustion engines. Ferrari is claiming they will have 60 percent of their lineup utilizing hybrid technology by 2022, and even Lamborghini confirmed its next generation of cars will feature a hybrid powertrain.
The biggest hurdle with electric cars used to be the batteries; they were big, bulky and, worst of all, heavy. However, as technology progresses, batteries are becoming lighter, thinner and more powerful, which the automotive world has found a way to transfer into more performance with the additional benefit of lower vehicle emissions. Although the combustion engine will still be around for many more years to come, there’s no doubt the future of supercars is electric.