As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity, automakers are competing to offer the fastest acceleration times. However, experts argue that there needs to be a balance between speed and comfort.
According to Steve Swift, director of vehicle engineering at Polestar, the obsession with brutal acceleration is a quirk of the early stages of widespread EV adoption. While impressively quick acceleration may be enticing to some, it can actually become disorientating if it is too extreme.
Rolls-Royce, a brand known for luxury and comfort, also recognizes the importance of finding the right balance between acceleration and ride comfort. Mihiar Ayoubi, the director of engineering at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, explains that there needs to be a timing and delay built into the acceleration to ensure a natural feeling of speed. The goal is to deliver a comfortable and smooth ride, rather than a jarring experience.
Rolls-Royce has coined the term “waftability” to describe the feeling of comfort and ease while traveling at any speed. The company has chosen a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds for its EV, the Spectre, which is still incredibly fast compared to historic standards but maintains the desired level of comfort.
In the world of motorsport, timing is everything. Lap times, acceleration times, and average speeds are meticulously measured and analyzed. This precision has now made its way into road cars, with many luxury and sports cars featuring sophisticated timing systems that allow owners to monitor their driving performance down to the millisecond.
While there is certainly a fascination with speed and performance, there is also something to be said for taking one’s time and enjoying the journey. Some of the most memorable drives are those that prioritize comfort, relaxation, and the freedom to explore without any time constraints.
As EV technology continues to advance, automakers will need to find the right balance between acceleration and comfort to offer the best driving experience for all types of drivers and preferences.
Sources: Steve Swift, Mihiar Ayoubi