With the electric sports car, the automobile has reached its next stage of evolution and paves the path to a future of efficient sportiness, which is characterized by seamless performance. Electric cars owe their powerful character to the already sophisticated drive technology and their aerodynamic design. In this guide you will find all the important information about the battery, transmission and drive unit as well as the driving characteristics of four-wheeled representatives of electromobility.

1. The electric motor: quiet power delivery

2. The heart of the underbody: the electric car battery

3. Single-stage gearbox: happy gearless

4. Range, charging power and driving characteristics of electric sports cars

5. Conclusion: Electric sports cars combine maximum efficiency with high-energy performance

6. You can find the right car with us

The sound of conventional injectors and compression-ignition engines with engine blocks that are blessed with cubic capacity and rich in cylinders appears to be electrifying. But in terms of efficiency, which is a little over 40 percent for gasoline and diesel units, the quiet electric motor is well ahead at 90 percent - the efficiency of today's synchronous AC motors used in electric cars is remarkable. The two built-in electromagnets are supplied with the corresponding current from the battery via the power electronics - the immovable stator generates a constant magnetic field using direct current, the rotating rotor an alternating current magnetic field. The resulting magnetic interaction and the mutual, alternating attraction and repulsion of the two magnets set the rotor and thus the car in motion.

The comparatively subtle engine sound of the electric motor develops its own charm with its gradual, increasing and highly frequented sound, which can give an enthusiast the feeling of having taken a seat behind the wheel of a science fiction vehicle in order to drive into the automobile Record the future. However, the advantages of an electric drive are not limited to maximum energy efficiency and a comfortable sound experience while driving. The patenting of the electric motor was almost 200 years ago and the technology was able to prove itself in the mobile past, especially in electric railways for train traffic, thanks to its low-wear, low-maintenance and reliable nature. The automotive industry can fall back on these unmistakable advantages to shape the four-wheeled future.

This is complemented by the compact and weight-saving design of synchronous AC units, which enables one or even more electric motors to be installed at the level of the drive axle in order to ensure direct power transmission and a low center of gravity of the vehicle. For the all-wheel drive design, a motor is attached to the front and rear axles - mechanical components such as those used in vehicles with combustion engines can be dispensed with entirely. The wheels of battery-operated all-wheel-drive cars can be controlled digitally and therefore faster, which means that the slip control, popularly known as traction control, can work even more optimally. Another positive side effect is the elimination of the classic engine compartment, for example with Tesla in the form of a front luggage compartment and generally more storage space.

The rechargeable battery of an electric car can be referred to as a traction or secondary battery as well as an accumulator. In contrast to primary batteries, which cannot be reused after a single discharge, the secondary battery can continue to be used beyond the first charging cycle. When the battery is charged, electric cars can truly draw their power from unlimited resources. The high energy density of the comparatively light lithium-ion battery already enables respectable ranges beyond the milestone of 500 kilometers.

The chemical composition consisting of lithium, cobalt and graphite is also used in smartphone batteries, only on a smaller scale. The gigantic power storage counterpart in an e-car opens up new possibilities with its sheer size, which are reflected in a longer service life, the ability to withstand higher charging capacities and generally increased robustness. At the same time, new lithium-ion batteries in current electric vehicles are characterized by their low susceptibility to temperature fluctuations, they can be charged faster and faster and can do without the necessary charging cycle of classic batteries with full charging and discharging.

The sensors integrated in the mostly round or prismatic battery cells supply the intelligent battery management system with all the necessary data on voltage, current and temperature in real time, so that optimal battery efficiency is guaranteed and possible damage can be prevented.

The abundance of power of electromotive drive technology, in combination with the wide speed range, makes the use of a manual or automatic transmission equipped with several gears obsolete. Instead, the vast majority of today's electric cars rely on single-stage transmissions that adjust the engine speed via a fixed ratio. The ability of the electric motor to change its direction of rotation also saves additional weight because a conventional reverse gear can be dispensed with entirely.

The is an exception among the e-sports cars with a single-stage transmission Porsche Taycan Turbo with a two-speed automatic transmission, which shifts to second gear at higher speeds in order to delay the drop in the torque curve further backwards and to accelerate the achievement of the top speed of an impressive 260 km / h. At lower kilometers per hour, the two-speed rear derailleur also makes its contribution to reducing engine power consumption.

One of the characteristics of a sports car powered by an electric motor is the instantaneous speed pick-up after stepping on the right pedal, which results from the maximum torque that is available from the first engine revolution and remains available over a wide speed range - the first rollercoaster ride does not take place on site , but already on the way to the amusement park.

Braking down from high speeds during strong or emergency braking maneuvers is carried out as usual by the brake pads biting the brake discs. Normally, however, the main work of braking can be done by recuperation of the electric motor in generator mode, which is not only comfortable and efficient and supplies the battery with additional power, but also gives the disc brakes, which are usually pausing, a much longer service life than comparable combustion engines .

The braking force of the electricity-generating electric motor correlates with its available horsepower, which is why powerful sports cars with electric drives achieve a particularly powerful recuperation effect. From a driving dynamics point of view, the vehicle's center of gravity also proves to be advantageous, which in electric cars is not only in the middle but also extremely low due to the battery embedded in the underbody and provides incomparable driving behavior in curves. If this battery offers a capacity of 80 kWh or more, realistic ranges according to WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Test Procedure) of 400 to over 600 kilometers and charging capacities beyond 200 kW are quickly possible - everyday suitability guaranteed.

Enormous energy efficiency, a compact design and the maximum torque available from the first rotation make the synchronous AC motor the ideal power supplier for an e-sports car. Its recuperation function protects the brakes and simultaneously charges the lithium-ion battery, which, thanks to its large capacity, promises fast charging, long ranges and a long service life.

The direction of rotation of the electric motor is usually determined by a single-stage gear, which saves weight thanks to its well thought-out design. The center of gravity of sporty electric cars is particularly low due to the battery stowed in the underbody and the motors positioned at axle height and ensures fantastic handling.

Electric sports cars like that Porsche Taycan or the models S, X and E des Electric car pioneer Tesla impress with their low-maintenance technology, modern and comfortable interior and contagious driving pleasure. We at B&K would like to let the electric spark jump over and invite you to take a test drive with your favorite Electric sports car .