Top 11 'Petrolhead-Converting' Electric Vehicles to buy for a Thrill-Ride Without the Tailpipe this year - Goh Ling Yong
Let's be honest. For those of us who grew up with the smell of unburnt fuel, the symphony of a naturally aspirated engine, and the satisfying thunk of a manual gear change, the electric vehicle revolution has felt... a little sterile. We hear the arguments: they're soulless appliances, silent transportation pods devoid of the mechanical character that makes driving a passion, not just a task. The very idea of an EV converting a true petrolhead seems like a fantasy.
For years, that skepticism was justified. Early EVs were built for efficiency, not exhilaration. They were sensible, quiet, and about as exciting as a tax return. But the automotive world moves at lightning speed. The engineers and designers who grew up idolizing the same performance icons we did are now in charge, and they've started building EVs with a different mission: to capture the heart of the driver.
This list isn't about replacing your weekend project car or trying to convince you that a battery is better than a V8. Instead, here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we're showcasing the electric vehicles that get it. These are the cars built with chassis dynamics, driver feedback, and pure, unadulterated fun in mind. They deliver the kind of thrill-ride that will make you forget all about the tailpipe and focus on the road ahead.
1. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
If any single EV is a direct shot at the petrolhead's heart, it's this one. The mad geniuses at Hyundai's N division didn't just make a fast electric crossover; they created a digital-age hot hatch that simulates the very sensations we thought we'd lose. It's a rebellious, joyful, and slightly unhinged machine that prioritizes fun above all else.
The Ioniq 5 N’s magic lies in its N e-Shift and N Active Sound+ systems. The e-Shift brilliantly simulates an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, complete with jolts on upshifts, rev-matching downshifts, and even a bouncing "rev limiter." It’s so convincing you'll find yourself instinctively reaching for a clutch pedal that isn't there. Paired with a soundtrack that mimics a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it creates a layer of engagement no other EV has managed to replicate.
Petrolhead-Proof Feature: N Drift Optimizer. Yes, it has a dedicated mode designed to make holding lurid, smoke-filled (or at least, tire-shredding) drifts easier and more accessible. It’s proof that Hyundai's engineers value raw, childish fun as much as we do.
2. Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Porsche couldn't afford to get its first EV wrong, and it absolutely didn't. The Taycan is, first and foremost, a Porsche. The battery and motors are just the means of propulsion. From the moment you slip into the driver-focused cockpit and grip the steering wheel, it feels familiar. The steering is telepathic, the chassis is balanced, and its impossibly low center of gravity makes it feel glued to the tarmac in a way that defies its weight.
Unlike most single-speed EVs, the Taycan features a two-speed transmission on the rear axle. This isn't just a gimmick; it provides brutal, neck-snapping acceleration from a standstill and allows for stronger pulling power at autobahn-shredding speeds. It gives the car a characterful shift in power delivery that feels more engaging than the relentless, single-gear surge of many rivals.
Pro-Tip: While the Turbo S is the headline-grabber, consider the Taycan 4S or GTS with the larger battery. You get 90% of the real-world thrill with a more accessible price tag and a driving experience that is pure, unfiltered Porsche.
3. BMW i4 M50
For decades, the BMW 3 Series has been the benchmark for the sports sedan. The BMW i4 M50 is the car that proves that ethos can survive and thrive in the electric age. Developed by the M division, it's not a numbers-obsessed drag racer; it's a finely-honed driving machine designed for those who appreciate balance and poise.
The i4 M50 feels remarkably "normal" in the best possible way. The weight distribution is a near-perfect 50/50, and its adaptive M suspension provides a brilliant blend of comfort and corner-carving capability. It delivers the classic rear-wheel-drive feel that BMW purists crave, with the electric motors providing instantaneous throttle response that even the best combustion engines can't match. It’s the EV for the person who loves their M3 but is ready to see what the future holds.
Petrolhead-Proof Feature: The Hans Zimmer-composed "IconicSounds." While synthetic, the sound rises and falls with your throttle input, providing an auditory cue for speed that makes driving it on a twisty road a more intuitive and immersive experience.
4. Tesla Model S Plaid
You simply cannot have a conversation about performance EVs without mentioning the king of straight-line speed. The Tesla Model S Plaid is a weapon, a four-door sedan that can out-accelerate multi-million dollar hypercars. Its 1,020 horsepower and 1.99-second 0-60 mph time are figures that bend the laws of physics and your internal organs.
For the petrolhead who lives for the sheer, brutal force of a top-fuel dragster, the Plaid is a revelation. The experience of launching it is something every enthusiast should feel at least once. It’s so violent and immediate that it recalibrates your entire understanding of speed. While it may not be the most engaging car in the corners, its undeniable dominance in a straight line earns it a spot on this list. It commands respect.
Pro-Tip: The controversial Yoke steering is an option. If you plan on doing any spirited driving that involves hand-over-hand turning, we recommend sticking with the traditional round steering wheel for better control and predictability.
5. Kia EV6 GT
Think of the EV6 GT as the slightly more sophisticated, stylish sibling to the Ioniq 5 N. It shares much of its electrifying powertrain but wraps it in a sleek, futuristic crossover body. With 576 horsepower, it's the most powerful production car Kia has ever made, rocketing from 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.4 seconds.
But like its Hyundai cousin, the EV6 GT is about more than just speed. It features electronically controlled suspension, a limited-slip differential, and, most importantly, a dedicated Drift Mode. Activating it sends the majority of power to the rear wheels, turning this all-wheel-drive family hauler into a genuine hooligan machine. It’s a brilliant dual-purpose car for the enthusiast with a family.
Petrolhead-Proof Feature: The bright, neon-green brake calipers and heavily bolstered sport seats. They’re a constant visual reminder that this isn’t just any EV; it's a serious performance machine.
6. Audi RS e-tron GT
If the Porsche Taycan is the sharpened scalpel, the Audi RS e-tron GT is the beautifully crafted broadsword. It shares its fundamental platform with the Taycan but is tuned for a different mission: to be the ultimate electric grand tourer. It blends face-melting performance with stunning design and long-distance comfort.
The RS e-tron GT feels wide, low, and incredibly planted. It might be the best-looking EV on the market today, with muscular haunches and an aggressive stance that screams performance. The driving experience is one of effortless, overwhelming power. It’s quieter and more refined than the Taycan, making it an incredible companion for devouring hundreds of miles at a time, punctuated by bursts of supercar-like acceleration.
Pro-Tip: Pay close attention to the unique sound Audi engineered for the e-tron GT. It’s a deep, multi-layered electronic hum that gives the car a distinct, sci-fi character without trying to mimic a gas engine.
7. Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance
Let's get it out of the way: putting the Mustang name on an electric crossover was controversial. But ignore the name for a moment and focus on the drive. The GT Performance Edition is a seriously quick and surprisingly fun machine that captures a surprising amount of the classic Mustang spirit.
With 480 horsepower and a massive 634 lb-ft of torque, it delivers that instant, shove-in-the-back feeling that muscle car fans adore. Ford’s engineers also tuned the MagneRide suspension and all-wheel-drive system to feel distinctly rear-biased, allowing for a playful, tail-happy character when you push it. The "Unbridled" drive mode even pipes in a V8-esque rumble to complete the experience.
Petrolhead-Proof Feature: The GT Performance Edition comes with Brembo brakes and Pirelli summer tires as standard. Ford isn't just bolting in a big battery; they're fitting the proper performance hardware to back up the power.
8. Polestar 2 with Performance Pack
In a world of outrageous horsepower figures, the Polestar 2 with the Performance Pack is a breath of fresh, Scandinavian air. This car is for the true driving connoisseur—the enthusiast who understands that handling, braking, and chassis feedback are more important than winning a drag race.
The Performance Pack is what transforms the Polestar 2. It adds manually adjustable Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers, massive four-piston Brembo brakes, and forged 20-inch wheels. This isn't software; it's serious, motorsport-grade hardware. The result is a car that communicates with the driver on a level few EVs can match. It’s firm, direct, and rewards a skilled driver, feeling more like a finely tuned European sports sedan than a typical electric car.
Pro-Tip: Take the time to experiment with the adjustable Öhlins dampers. Finding the setting that's perfect for your favorite back road is a level of analog involvement that is deeply satisfying for any true car enthusiast.
9. Lotus Eletre
A two-and-a-half-ton electric SUV from Lotus, the company whose mantra was "simplify, then add lightness"? It sounds like sacrilege. But the Eletre is a bold attempt to translate the legendary Lotus handling DNA into a completely new format. And all signs point to them having pulled it off.
With up to 905 horsepower in the "R" model, the performance is a given. The real magic is in the chassis tech: rear-axle steering, active anti-roll bars, and a complex torque-vectoring system work in concert to make this large SUV feel as agile as a vehicle half its size. It’s a testament to the fact that the principles of great handling—low center of gravity, responsive steering, and a controlled chassis—are universal, regardless of the powertrain. As we often discuss on the Goh Ling Yong blog, it's the engineering philosophy that truly defines a driver's car.
Petrolhead-Proof Feature: Active aerodynamics. The Eletre features a complex system of active grilles and a multi-stage rear wing that adjust to prioritize either cooling and downforce or low-drag efficiency. It's pure race-car tech on a road-going SUV.
10. Lucid Air Sapphire
If the Tesla Model S Plaid is a sledgehammer, the Lucid Air Sapphire is a laser-guided missile. This is what happens when a company full of obsessive engineers decides to build the ultimate electric super-sedan. With three motors producing over 1,200 horsepower, it’s even more powerful than the Plaid, but its true genius lies in its handling.
The Sapphire's twin rear motors allow for mind-bogglingly advanced torque vectoring. It can pivot and rotate through corners in a way that seems to defy physics, turning a large luxury sedan into a nimble track weapon. This isn't just about raw power; it's about usable, intelligent performance that makes the driver feel like a hero. It represents the pinnacle of current EV performance technology.
Petrolhead-Proof Feature: No gimmicks. The Sapphire comes standard with carbon-ceramic brakes, a full track-tuned suspension, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. It’s built from the ground up for one purpose: to be the fastest and best-handling sedan on the planet, full stop.
11. Rimac Nevera
While you’re unlikely to see one on your daily commute, no list of petrolhead-converting EVs is complete without the hypercar that shattered the world’s perception of electric performance. The Rimac Nevera is a 1,914-horsepower statement of intent, a rolling showcase of what is possible when you remove all limits.
The Nevera holds world records for everything from acceleration to braking, but its most impressive feat is its approachability. Despite its monumental power, its four-motor torque-vectoring system is so advanced that it makes the car feel predictable and controllable at the limit. It’s the ultimate halo car, proving that an electric future doesn’t have to be a compromise. It can be faster, more capable, and more technologically astounding than anything that came before it.
Petrolhead-Proof Feature: Its very existence. The Nevera is the poster child that silences the skeptics. It's the car you show your V8-loving friends to prove that the pursuit of speed and engineering excellence is alive and well in the electric era.
The roar of a high-revving engine will always hold a special place in our hearts. But the soul of a driver's car isn't just in its sound; it's in the way it responds to your inputs, the way it grips the road, and the smile it puts on your face. The electric vehicles on this list prove that the thrill of driving has a bright, exciting, and incredibly fast future.
Which of these 'petrolhead-converting' EVs would you be most excited to get behind the wheel of? Are there any others you think deserve a spot on the list? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—let's keep the conversation going
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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