With all the clamour about vehicle exhaust emissions, car manufacturers have developed cleaner and more efficient engines and of course electric vehicles (EV). What they have not stinted on is luxury. There have been some truly beautifully appointed cars over the years and, although the world is now focused on clean air, it doesn’t mean that motorists have to skimp when it comes to a luxurious car. There are plenty of them available and here we feature our ten choicest electrically-driven selections:
Porsche Taycan
Porsche have always been at the cutting edge of sports car design and this has carried over to the sleek and desirable Taycan electric car. It comes in with a choice of body styles and power configurations. In the saloon version there’s four seats, four doors and a boot (trunk) that will accept a reasonable amount of luggage. It’s the sensible Porsche option that will travel up to 250 miles or more, depending upon the model, one a single charge.
Interior accents and trims underline the attention to detail, while meeting the highest quality standards typical of Porsche in terms of material characteristics and workmanship. The cockpit signals the start of a new era with its clear structure and a completely new driver-focussed architecture. Packed with technology, there’s a choice of seats; the bucket-shaped furnishings are supportive and comfortable for a long journey. This is a powerful sports saloon with real class that’s available to buy now.
Jaguar i-Pace
Over time the EV market has grown in size and choice. The Jaguar i-Pace was an early trend-setter which time has not diminished. It remains a luxury SUV-style choice from a trusted brand. The i-Pace’s interior is modern and great to look at. Being a Jag, there’s touches of traditional wood and leather (in certain models). Despite that tradition the technology is bang up-to-date with a trio of screens where there once was analogue dials and physical buttons.
The front seats are supportive and well-shaped, while the rear is as roomy as would be expected in a car of this type. There’s plenty of headroom in the rear, and even with a panoramic roof, there’s more than space in the front. The British brand claim up to almost 300 miles of travel time on one charge. This car is available now.
Lotus Eletre
This iconic sports car company has really moved with the times. For a start, the Eletre is a full-size SUV aimed at a new generation of Lotus customers; those who value the world-class dynamic performance and striking design which have always been part of the Lotus ethos. This fabulous looking car is great inside and out being practical, versatile and spacious. It’s packed with the latest digital technology to make driving life safer and more convenient.
Despite the size, the Eletre is true to the name.
It, say the company, takes the heart and soul of the latest Lotus sports car, the Emira, and adds revolutionary aerodynamics for an SUV. It is indeed a hyper-SUV for the age. Like most Lotus cars over the years, the Eletre is the epitome of beautiful design, efficient and elegant engineering solutions, embracing technology, the best craftsmanship, advanced materials, innovation and ingenuity, and pushing new boundaries. More on this car very soon and it should be available to order later this year.
Rolls Royce Spectre
Who would have thought it? An electric Rolls Royce. When it comes to real craftsman-like quality the Rolls Royce has always been at the pinnacle of luxury motoring; why should that change just because this model is powered by electricity?
Spectre is the Rolls-Royce prestige car that changes everything: Arguably the world’s first ultra-luxury electric super coupé, ushering in the British marque’s new all-electric future. Don’t think for a moment that this car loses anything in translation; it is first and foremost a Rolls Royce. Even as an electric car there no concessions or compromises in terms of interior space, comfort, performance or ride quality. In fact, all have been refined and augmented by the car’s latest underpinning architecture and engineering. Spectre’s interior contains a wealth of technologically advanced bespoke features. Superb.
Genesis G80
Hailing all the way from South Korea, Genesis is the luxury arm of the Hyundai/Kia conglomeration. A growing range of cars are becoming available in the UK, including the premium G80 a fully-electric super-saloon. The G80 features an advanced and refined all-wheel drive dual motor power-train that delivers a powerful 272kW combined output, which in combination with the 87.2kWh battery provides an impressive range of 321 miles.
As standard, the electrified G80 comes chock full of cutting edge technology, including a 12.3 inch instrument cluster and a 14.5 inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment display, a 17-speaker sound system and state-of-the-art driver safety assistance features.
The spacious and luxurious interior also benefits from elegant design and high grade premium materials, while the availability of naturally-dyed leather upholstery and recycled Forged Wood trim underlines Genesis’ commitment to luxury and sustainability.
Further enhancing the appeal of Electrified G80 is a range of specially selected option packs that allow customers even greater scope for personalisation, including, most interestingly, a solar panel roof to help enhance the vehicle’s range.
BMW i7
The German brand BMW have always been at the forefront of prestige motoring and nothing has changed with the BMW i7. When it comes to luxury, BMW have pushed the proverbial boat out on this model. The i7’s intention is to redefine the high standards of the luxury car market.
For example, a great deal of attention has been paid to the vehicle’s acoustics. Great importance was attached to noiseless power delivery from the electric motor. Contributing factors here include acoustic optimisation of the electric drive units and a newly developed noise encapsulation for the electric motors. Taken together, these measures enable the BMW i7 to achieve effective acoustic decoupling across a wide frequency range, thereby ensuring maximum noise-less comfort in the interior in all driving situations. As a result, the driver and passengers of the purely electrically powered luxury saloon can revel in the peace and quiet.
Increased body rigidity at the front end and tyres with a foam absorber on the inside for integrated noise insulation likewise help raise the acoustic and vibration comfort to an outstanding level. Add to this options like the ‘Sky Lounge’ roof or the big screen (pictured) for rear seat passengers and you’re all set for an opulent ride.
Mercedes Benz EQS
Another German saloon, this time from Mercedes-Benz. It’s the superb EQS all-electric premium express and one that offers long-range capabilities; but it is luxury we’re concerned with here: The EQS 450+ Luxury models feature equipment levels equal to the AMG Line Premium trim found in fossil-fuel variants, but replace the sporty focus with a more classic style.
This includes all new ‘Microcloud Artico’ upholstery combined with ‘ship-deck’ wood; comfort seats with comfort headrests and a heated steering wheel while 22 inch alloy wheels embellish the exterior. Exclusive Luxury trim adds multi-contour massage seats with climate control; an air balance package; and Nappa leather upholstery but at an addition cost.
The optional rear ‘Luxury Lounge’ package is also available on the Exclusive Luxury model line. This package includes electrically adjustable rear seats with massage functions; comfort rear armrest with wireless smartphone charging and Android tablet; climate control for rear seats; Mercedes interior assistant; additional USB ports and adaptive interior lighting. That said, most passengers will be entirely happy with the standard package. Mercedes Benz know how to do luxury.
Audi Q8 e-tron
The Q8 super-SUV has been a mainstay of Audi’s output; now there’s an electric version. Offering the same space and versatility, the Q8 e-tron is just as classy and refined as it’s petrol-powered sibling; just quieter. The build quality also remain intact as does the long-distance cruising ability. The driving experience is impressive. The Q8 e-tron is responsive while precise and well-balanced handling keep the passengers in the sort of comfort they could easily become accustomed to. It’s the ride quality that sets this car firmly in the luxury bracket, the air suspension effortlessly and silently absorbing broken road surfaces and the like. This is a superb luxury car from a prestige brand.
BMW iX3
The BMW iX3 is an established layer packed with comfort and technology features. Vernasca leather is offered in a choice of four colours. Elsewhere, there’s a ‘Sensatec’ dashboard, sun protection glazing, ambient lighting plus electric seats which are offered as standard within the vehicle interior, enhancing comfort and style. Additional standard features include the M Sport Package, wireless phone charging, heated front seats and the brand’s very latest driver assistance technology, including Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant and BMW Live Cockpit Professional.
Further, this premium model is equipped with the latest generation BMW Operating System 7, which allows for every line of software code in the car to be updated over the air in the future. The standard-fit BMW Live Cockpit Professional offers a fully-digital screen grouping comprising a high-resolution 12.3 inch instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a 12.3 inch Central Control Display.
The enhanced intuitive multimodal interaction allows the driver to take their pick of control interface for the situation at hand: Control Display touchscreen, iDrive Controller, multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, voice control or BMW gesture control. You can even chat to your car simply by saying ‘Hey BMW!’
Lucid Gravity
New names are lining up to make the EV marketplace more crowded than ever. Without too much fuss Lucid have come forward recently with a growing portfolio of electric vehicles. Orders are being taken now for delivery in 2024 for the Gravity model, the brand’s first foray into the world of the SUV.
The Lucid Gravity SUV is designed and engineered to serve almost any lifestyle or need, with a previously unheard-of combination of spaciousness, performance, and driving range, we learn. This luxury electric SUV will offer comfortable seating for up to seven adults and their gear, the driving dynamics of a sports car and, what’s more, greater electric range than any SUV on the market today. The Lucid Gravity will also introduce new Glass Cockpit high-resolution displays, powered by the next generation of Lucid UX, Lucid’s intuitive and elegant software interface. Watch this space.
So there you have it: Ten top EV’s to consider for your next import from the UK to Kenya, New Zealand and other global destinations; and of course buying your EV through the MHH International service means that your purchase will be VAT-free.
