Where are the small, sporty EVs?

[Laconian]

I'm kind of wondering why there aren't any affordably priced small sports cars with EV drivetrains out there. 0-60 in 5s with plenty of TIE fighter auditory excitement piped in to the speakers. I'd do that! A smaller battery pack would be fine, since road trips in a Miata are basically torture anyways.

[Rich]

I'm in for one with about a 100mi range.  Topless driving would be so fantastic in the woods with the quietness of an EV.

[Laconian]

I'm in for one with about a 100mi range.  Topless driving would be so fantastic in the woods with the quietness of an EV.

At low speeds, definitely. At 50+ it's all just the same tire noise and wind roar anyways.

[Soup DeVille]

I'm kind of wondering why there aren't any affordably priced small sports cars with EV drivetrains out there. 0-60 in 5s with plenty of TIE fighter auditory excitement piped in to the speakers. I'd do that! A smaller battery pack would be fine, since road trips in a Miata are basically torture anyways.

Why there isn't an electric Mini Cooper is beyond me.

[CaminoRacer]

There is

https://www.caranddriver.com/mini/cooper-s-e

[Soup DeVille]

There is

https://www.caranddriver.com/mini/cooper-s-e

Oh. nevermind then

[SJ_GTI]

The ID.3 seems like it could be fun to drive. Small, electric, and RWD. Its packaged as a hatchback, but you would think they could repackage it to a small coupe/convertible if there was demand.

[Speed_Racer]

This didn't get enough love/attention when it was being sold: the Spark EV. Apparently it was fairly easy to light up the front tires

[MX793]

I've pondered this as well.  One of the "perks" of EV architecture was supposed to be the flexibility to design all manner of different body shapes around a "skateboard" chassis.  Sedans, SUVs, vans, or swoopy sports cars.  Where are the swoopy sports cars?

[r0tor]

I posted this question in the other EV thread... If an EV is best used as a second car, and sports cars are best used as a second car... Where the crap are the EV sports cars

[CaminoRacer]

Sales for sports cars are always lower than sedans/SUVs/trucks. I'm assuming the manufacturers need volume right now to make the investments worthwhile and scale up their supply chain.

Sedans were first as a proof of concept, now they're all chasing EV trucks to get their profit margins back.

[Laconian]

Or maybe sports cars don't sell in enough numbers to provide meaningful offsets for aggregate fleet emissions?

[FoMoJo]

Would the battery weight not detract from the potential handling characteristics of sports cars, especially roadster types; which is the primary reason for having one. 

[CaminoRacer]

Would the battery weight not detract from the potential handling characteristics of sports cars, especially roadster types; which is the primary reason for having one. 

The weight isn't very noticeable in our Bolt, except maybe for braking. But the motor regen and decent brakes take care of it just fine.

[MX793]

Would the battery weight not detract from the potential handling characteristics of sports cars, especially roadster types; which is the primary reason for having one. 

The battery weight can be mounted very low and the CG position, fore-aft, optimized, which can offset any weight penalties associated.

[Morris Minor]

One of my buddies was posing this very question. He wants a small chuckable AWD EV.

[FoMoJo]

The battery weight can be mounted very low and the CG position, fore-aft, optimized, which can offset any weight penalties associated.

Still there is the problem of momentum in respect to inertia as well as acceleration.  Bound to shave a few tenths off your Autocross times.

[r0tor]

Would the battery weight not detract from the potential handling characteristics of sports cars, especially roadster types; which is the primary reason for having one. 

My experience with a Taycan says no

[Laconian]

What's the total weight penalty of an EV drivetrain + batteries vs. an ICE drivetrain laden with oil and gasoline?

Let's say a 200hp EV with a 60kWh battery compared to a turbo 4 with a 13 gallon gas tank (think GTI). Plus fluids, transmission, all that.

[MX793]

What's the total weight penalty of an EV drivetrain + batteries vs. an ICE drivetrain laden with oil and gasoline?

Let's say a 200hp EV with a 60kWh battery compared to a turbo 4 with a 13 gallon gas tank (think GTI). Plus fluids, transmission, all that.

Chevy Bolt is roughly 3600 lbs.  That's 1000 lbs heavier than a Fit, which is similar in size.

[Soup DeVille]

What's the total weight penalty of an EV drivetrain + batteries vs. an ICE drivetrain laden with oil and gasoline?

Let's say a 200hp EV with a 60kWh battery compared to a turbo 4 with a 13 gallon gas tank (think GTI). Plus fluids, transmission, all that.

It all depends on battery size of course, but yes; EV drivetrains are typically about twice the weight (battery included).
They're also very flexible with placement, so balance can be much better and center of gravity much lower versus a comparable ICE vehicle, so its sort of a trade off there.

[FoMoJo]

It all depends on battery size of course, but yes; EV drivetrains are typically about twice the weight (battery included).
They're also very flexible with placement, so balance can be much better and center of gravity much lower versus a comparable ICE vehicle, so its sort of a trade off there.

Definitely an advantage.  Hopefully, the next generation of batteries will be much lighter.

[Laconian]

Chevy Bolt is roughly 3600 lbs.  That's 1000 lbs heavier than a Fit, which is similar in size.

The Fit would need a turbo to be comparable on paper, but yeah, 'tis still porky.

[MX793]

The Fit would need a turbo to be comparable on paper, but yeah, 'tis still porky.

Turbo and associated kit isn't going to add much weight.

Fiesta ST or Polo GTI are about the same size, similar power, and ~800 lbs lighter.

[MrH]

Sports cars will be the last to go EV.  Slim margins, tiny volume, and very weight sensitive.  And a customer base that really likes ICEs.