Will our electric car future be charged up with fun and excitement? The answer is yes, based on the concepts unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Check out these electric entries from Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. They are all unique, and they all promise at least a sprinkle of fun.
Nissan LEAF NISMO
If you want a bit of sporty flavor with your Nissan Leaf electric car, how about a LEAF NISMO concept? Just because you have a battery and electric motor or motors propelling you down the road does not mean you cannot have sport-tuned suspension, steering, and a unique look inside and out.
Mitsubishi e-Evolution
Mitsubishi is bring the iconic Evolution name back with a whole new twist. The electric e-Evolution shown in Tokyo is battery-fed all-wheel-drive crossover. AWD crossovers are all the rage these days, so this makes a lot of sense. Mitsubishi has not forgotten about high-performance rally car roots with this concept. The 4WD system in the e-Evolution uses three electric motors, one to drive the front wheels, and two in rear that combine together to achieve torque-vectoring and yaw control capability. Mitsubishi calls the system – Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC). If the system works as advertised, then the electric version of the Evolution crossover should be a lot of fun to drive.
Honda Sports EV
While we do not know many power-train specifics under the skin of the Honda Sports EV concept. We do know that the electric power unit is very similar if not the same as the one used in the Urban EV economy car concept the company recently showed at the Frankfurt Auto Show. However, the styling of the Sports EV concept is all about driving fun. The bulging fenders, long hood, and fastback rear profile combine classic sports car lines with a unique futuristic flair. It’s possible that Honda will produce the Sports EV concept, but there is no official word about this yet.
Can production electric cars be fun? We decided to find out by putting a brand-new Chevy Bolt EV against a VW Golf GTI in a heads up friendly drag race. Check out the video below. The Bolt EV is a quick little hatch.