Looks like the Ferrari Luce reveal stunk so bad that other automakers are afraid to continue with their own electric vehicle plans.
Ferrari revealed the Luce, an all-electric supercar, last week. Priced at $640,000, it was seen as offensively ugly and underwhelming. With no roaring, high-revving engine, no aggressive lines, and worse performance numbers than a Tesla Model S Plaid, it had no Ferrari DNA. Even Ferrari’s former chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said it was not worthy of the prancing horse logo.
In response, Lamborghini voiced relief that it had put a pause on its own EV, the Lanzador. Earlier this year, Lamborghini noted that supercar buyers have no interest in a supercar without an engine. Without any way to create an alternative connection to a silent Lamborghini, the project was delayed.
Now, Lotus is also questioning its previous decision to go electric.
Lotus CEO was confused at first, but totally got it after a track day
I’d obviously never say that Lotus is a supercar maker like Ferrari or Lamborghini. But it’s still a performance-focused brand that is beloved for making a specific type of sports car: light, exceptional handling. It’s another brand that upset people when it announced an EV pivot.
While CEO Feng Qingfeng gave us the Emira, but car enthusiasts were really questioning all the EV talk. But in a very raw interview with Automotive News Europe, he admitted that electric may not be the way to go for Lotus after all.
“Certain customers simply enjoy the thrill of driving a car with a powerful engine, even with some lag in the power delivery. They somehow just don’t like the smoothness of EVs. We have even had some crazy ideas to make the electric motors run more like a combustion engine,” he said.
At first, Qingfeng didn’t really understand it. Progress is progress. Why not use the latest technology? EVs are quicker, aren’t they? But he started to see there was a distinction between commuter cars and sports cars. Smooth powertrains are great for daily driving, but they lack the “thrills” and “fun” of a more visceral vehicle on the track. That fast 0-60 means nothing without the noise, shakiness, and power of a gas engine.
He explained: “Before I raced on a track, I found it difficult to understand. However, the moment I put my hands on a racecar, I felt the pleasure and the thrill that driving a big engine that could grant you.”
Real.
I think EV hate is a little forced. I see the merits the more I write about them. The R2 looks really cool and I would love if some of those cheaper Chinese EVs reached the United States. But there’s a time and place for them. And it’s commuting to work.
EVs can save you money on gas (in some instances) and offer a smooth, luxurious ride to work, school, or Trader Joe’s. There is no denying that. But EVs on the track? Just lame. Sorry. While they are quick for those first few seconds, they are not engaging. Nobody drives a sports car just to go fast for a few seconds, unless they are 12. People want to feel they are one with the car: turning with it, hearing the engine roar, getting that complete control of a manual gearbox…
An electric Lotus makes no sense. And I’m glad they realized this before bringing us another Luce moment.
