Brilliant Or Bonehead? Genesis CEO Believes That Electric Cars Will Eliminate The Need For Performance Models

He is somewhat correct in that it doesn't really take much engineering to increase the power output of an EV. There could be some differentiation in the terms of chassis development. Maybe MB and BMW feel the same way and that's why they are pimping the M/AMG badges out while they are worth something...

malba2367: +1!

It all depends on what one considers "performance". Tesla offers breathtaking acceleration, but do you think they can spank a 911 Carrera 4 at Willow Springs? Nope. (They're not meant to).

So for some people, a Tesla's brisk 0 to 60 time is what they desire in terms of performance. For others, they might like more of an AMG or BMW or Porsche-like experience, and that might include EV propulsion some time in the future.

How do you produce higher-performance versions of its current ICE-powered lineup? Add intelligent electric motors & gearing to the existing or to a modified transmission.

But they will need to start installing higher voltage systems in order to do so more efficiently. What is the auto industry trying to transition to...48V or 96V systems?

dumpsty asks "...How do you produce higher-performance versions of its current ICE-powered lineup?..."


Forced induction is proving to be a potent and convenient solution. Today, virtually every 2017 Porsche sold has turbochargers, right down to the entry level 718 and 911 models.

Porsche is also using turbos to beef up their top end, which already had turbos, like the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S. They're using tech like variable vane geometry turbochargers, lighter materials for quicker spool-up times, software that holds revs longer during brief deceleration periods so the driver feels no turbo lag, and has tons of power on tap.

Further ICE refinements include variable compression ratios, and a new approach to compression/ignition/combustion, like Mazda's new SkyActiv 2 HCCI engine (alleged to be available in about 2 years), which alleges to deliver significantly more power and significantly better fuel economy with significantly lower emissions; all good things!

Aside from engines themselves, if you look into what's happening in fuel development, great things are happening there, too! For example, the US is leading in a new technology that creates diesel fuel from coal. Us being a coal-rich nation, and considering the new fuel burning cleaner than traditional diesel while delivering the same power per gallon, this shows promise on many fronts. Algae-based biodiesel is also making its advances.

Although there's a lot of exploration in the direction of electrification of ICE, and in pure EVs, pure ICE is still going strong on its own!

Tesla has already shown that EVs deliver tremendous speed right out of the box and for most consumers, performance = acceleration.

For the vast majority of buyers it will be 0-60.

"CEO Believes That Electric Cars Will Eliminate The Need For Performance Models"

And driverless cars will eliminate the need for branded cars or even private car ownership. Soon you'll be using your garage as a rec room and just summoning a ride as needed on your smart phone.

Popular misconceptions for "performance" in car world and their defenders/offenders:

1. Linear acceleration - EV, Hellcat-anything
2. Horsepower - "muscle" cars, exotics
3. Torque - same as 2
4. Speed - same as 2 & 3 - yeah those EVs with 0-60 or 1/4 mile numbers don't mean shit if they can't drive at 175 MPH all day long or lap the Nurburgring in less than 7 minutes, yada yada yada, ...
5. Aerokits - Honda Civics, ...
6. Loud exhaust - "muscle" cars
7. Peeing Calvin decals - Pepboys employees
8. Balls hanging on tailgate - rednecks, Texicans, Calxicans
9. Gun rack - rednecks. When you can't beat someone fair and square, shoot them

Seriously though, performance is far more complicated than dyno or track numbers - for me handling is number one. My ideal performance car is the Porsche Cayman GTS (981 MY 2014-2016, not the new 718/982) that has the right balance of weight, power and (mid-engine) handling, flat-6 sound, and gorgeous styling.

The Tesla Model 3 has many ingredients to be the Cayman of the EV world - relatively light weight, low center of mass, low moment of inertia, right amount of power/torque with large battery and dual motors ("performance" version coming out next year), excellent chassis, suspension tuning, ...

@henryn....you are 100% correct, but the reality of the matter is that the vast majority of customers (even those buying Porches, M. , AMG etc) base performance on 0-60 times.

Genesis is too small of a company to even support a sub-brand. There is still going to be a market for performance cars, but it will likely get smaller when even ~$30k EVs are able to achieve 0-60 times in the 4-5 second range.

Possible, but manufacturers(read: their shareholders) rarely give things away for free.

Instead of eliminating performance sub-brands, manufacturers will probably just have those performance sub-brands tune electric cars