If there’s one thing you can look forward to in the newest range of electric vehicles (EVs) besides the feeling of instant torque pushing you back into your seat, it’s got to be their incredible acceleration. Of course, not all EVs are designed to have blistering speed, but for the electrically motivated cars and SUVs that are, we’ve put together a list of the “seven fastest.”

This is a mighty impressive list, too. We’re talking zero to 60 mph times in the range of 2.6 to 3.6 seconds (as tested on a closed course by each automotive manufacturer listed below). Please keep in mind, though, that our list only includes new EV models sold by our Leith Automotive Group new vehicle brands* in North Carolina.

So, without further delay, here’s our list of seven Leith EVs from fast to fastest, beginning with the 2024 BMW iX M60.

7

BMW iX M60: 0–60 mph in 3.6 Seconds

The all-electric 2023 BMW iX M60 is around the size of the gas-powered BMW X5 Sport Activity Vehicle, but the similarities end there. The body and structure of the iX are made from high-strength steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and plastic to save weight and improve performance.

How much improvement? It’ll do zero to 60 miles per hour in a scant 3.6 seconds, according to testing by BMW.

The M60, based on the BMW iX, gives owners enhanced front and rear electric motors that, together, produce a healthy 610 horsepower in Sport mode. But you really feel the M60’s extra performance when you let loose using the launch control and unleash the available 811 pound-feet of torque under your right foot!

Want to see the new BMW iX xDrive50 up close? Watch our LeithCars Car Tour video, here.

6

Ford Mustang Mach-E Performance Edition: 0–60 mph in 3.5 Seconds

With styling cues taken from the legendary Ford Mustang coupe, the Mustang Mach-E only shares part of its name and the galloping horse on its nose with the famous pony car that’s been lighting up drag strips and cruising American boulevards for nearly six decades.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a 21st-century battery-powered, electric-motored, 4-door SUV that also happens to be pretty darn quick. It comes in several model trims from a base “Select,” a more robust optioned “Premium,” an extended range trim called “California Route 1,” and a couple of GT trims that bring together a ton of features and gobs of extra power.

For a power and speed comparison, the standard Select trim (with rear-wheel drive) provides 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, propelling the e-Stang from 0 – 60 in 6.3 seconds. But, if you check the order box for the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition, you get 480 hp and 634 lb.-ft. of torque matched with eAWD (electric all-wheel-drive). With that powerful combo, you’ll be able to blast to sixty mph in 3.5 seconds, which might even make a Mustang Shelby GT500 owner jealous.

5

Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4Matic+ Sedan: 0–60 MPH in 3.4 Seconds

If you’re unfamiliar with the Mercedes-Benz EQS, here’s a quick summary. The slick, aerodynamic luxury sedan pictured above is the electric flagship of the line for Mercedes-Benz. Think of the EQS as an “electric” S Class. It’s a big, super comfy, top-of-the-line, advanced technology masterpiece, with perhaps the most outstanding feature being its Hyperscreen touch-screen that spans the full width of the dash to the benefit of both driver and passenger.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4Matic+ Sedan simply amps everything up from the EQS 580 when it comes to overall driving performance. In other words, the AMG version of the EQS is what you would expect from their in-house high-performance division.

The upgraded Dual Permanently Excited Synchronous electric motors in the AMG EQS serve up 649 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. But wait, there’s more! With the optional boost mode engaged, your available power increases to 751 hp and 752 lb-ft, which is capable of rocketing the Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4Matic+ Sedan from zero to sixty miles per hour in 3.4 seconds according to Mercedes-Benz.

4

Kia EV6 GT: 0–60 MPH in 3.4 Seconds

The next car on our list of the seven fastest new EVs at Leith dealerships (from zero to 60)* may be the biggest surprise of them all. Yes, Kia has a super-cool EV sport sedan called the EV6, and its Kia EV6 GT is the high-performance variant.

Available in six trims beginning with the EV6 Light (Rear-Wheel Drive) rated at 167 horsepower & 258 lb-ft. of torque, the other trim options include the Wind (RWD) 225 hp & 258 lb-ft., and Wind (e-All-Wheel Drive) that tops out at 320 hp & 446 lb-ft. of torque. The sportiest of trim/power options include the GT-Line (RWD) which packs the same power output as the previously mentioned “Wind (RWD),” and the GT-Line (e-AWD) which mirrors the same output of the “Wind (e-AWD).” But where does all that performance leave the top-tier GT (e-AWD)?

It starts with a beefed-up dual electric motor that punches out 576 horses and a whopping 545 lb-ft. of torque. To tame your urge to use up all that available power in everyday driving, Kia has built a Normal and Sport mode that limits the dual motors to 460 horsepower, and Eco mode cuts horsepower to 288. Don’t worry though, because you’ll always have access to all 545 pound-feet of torque and that’s enough motivation to enable the EV6 GT to rocket to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.

3

Audi RS e-tron GT: 0–60 MPH in 3.1 Seconds

Audi and Porsche have a storied history of collaborative efforts, with possibly the most striking example being the 1994 Audi RS2 Avant based on the Audi 80 sport wagon. This ferocious little wagon carried Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel drive system but under the hood, you’d find a Porsche-tuned 2.2-liter turbocharged five-cylinder supplied by Audi. For its time, the Audi RS2 was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, easily putting larger, more powerful sport sedans and coupes to shame.

Fast-forward to now, and we have another Audi/Porsche mash-up that has once again yielded incredible results. The 2023 Audi e-tron GT is Audi’s first electric super sedan and it shares its platform with the Porsche Taycan, which we’ll get to later.

Like any proper Audi, all-wheel drive is standard on the entry-level e-tron GT with an electric motor pairing that manages a stout 522 horsepower that’s good for a 3.9 second zero to 60 miles per hour time. But if that’s not fast enough for you and what you really crave is a track-ready electric supercar, then step into the RS e-tron GT. There, you’ll have 637 electrified ponies at your disposal, which Audi has been able to hit the 60 miles per hour mark with, in a lightning-quick 3.1 seconds!

If you’re wondering how the range is with all that performance potential, well, there is a slight trade-off in speed versus miles per charge. But, with 249 miles between plug-ins, the six-figure Audi RS e-tron GT is exclusively made for those who want to smile while they drive.

2

GMC Hummer EV Pickup Edition 1: 0–60 MPH in 3.0 Seconds

This is not your ordinary truck. This is what GMC calls a “super truck,” and for good reason. This is a behemoth on four wheels, weighing in at a hefty 9,063 pounds. Just for reference, the Ultium battery pack the Hummer EV Pickup carries low in its frame, and weighs 2,923 pounds, is actually heavier than the smallest sub-compact car that General Motors currently builds.

But no worries, this all-new Hummer brings three electric motors that make a combined 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb. ft. of torque to the party. In fact, according to GMC, when you use the available Watts to Freedom launch control, you can rocket to 60 mph in a blistering 3.0 seconds!*

That is an insane performance number considering the size and weight of this new Hummer EV. But with off-roading being more important than speed for an EV like the new Hummer, you also get a rear-wheel steering system that makes the Hummer EV extremely maneuverable when you leave the pavement. In fact, this big brute can even drive sideways with what GMC calls “Crab driving mode.” Other niceties include GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system, a gigantic 13.4-inch infotainment system, an adjustable air suspension, and more than enough places to store or conceal your gear for your next EV road trip.

* Watts to Freedom is intended for use only on a closed course and should not be used on public roads.

1

Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 0–60 MPH in 2.6 Seconds

As mentioned earlier, the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT share the same platform, so many of the good bits you’ll find in the four-ringed version of this sleek, curvaceous four-door sports sedan, you’ll also be treated to in the Porsche Taycan. However, rest assured that Porsche’s engineers have specially tuned the Taycan to drive like a proper Porsche sports car should.

Beginning with a single-rear-motor (rear-wheel-drive) base model that makes 402 horsepower up to the wickedly fast dual-motor (all-wheel-drive) 750-hp Turbo S, the Taycan offers buyers three body styles to choose from. There’s a fastback sedan, a long-roof wagon Cross Turismo that includes some lower body cladding, and a Sport Turismo with a lower, sportier suspension without the off-road look. Each body style comes in several trims, too: the 4S, GTS, Turbo, and Turbo S. (Just to clarify…there is NOT an actual turbocharger anywhere on the model trims called Turbo). “Turbo” is simply a unique nomenclature for Porcshe’s top-performing electric model.

Performance enthusiasts will most surely appreciate that each Taycan model features a two-speed transmission too (as opposed to a single-speed unit like in most EVs). This unique two-speed transmission actually shifts during hard acceleration, like a proper sports car should. Drivers will also enjoy the Taycan’s agile handling, no doubt aided by the car’s rear-axle steering. Put all this performance together and you have a 750 horsepower, 774 pound-feet of torque rocket that’ll accelerate you from zero to sixty miles per hour in a blurring 2.6 seconds!

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Now that you’ve whetted your appetite over these seven fastest new EVs at Leith, click the green button for even more info on today’s electric vehicles.

By Mark Arsen, LeithCars.com

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