Fastest Tri-Motor Electric Vehicles In 2024, Ranked By Total Horsepower
In 2024, there will be no shortage of electric vehicles[1] to choose from, no matter what segment or price range you’re looking into. While the biggest selling point for EVs thus far has predominantly been their increased efficiency compared to combustion-engined cars, more and more manufacturers are turning their attention to the performance benefits that electrified powertrains can offer. Despite many performance-focused EVs using a dual-motor setup[2], a handful of manufacturers add yet another electric motor, resulting in a tri-motor layout that delivers levels of power and performance that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in the segments they compete in.
Here’s a look at the fastest tri-motor EVs on the market and how much power they manage to put down. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including fueleconomy.gov and Motor Trend. The Models below have been ranked based on their combined horsepower.
Model Overview
2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing[3]
The Audi SQ8 e-tron is a brand new all-electric luxury SUV, and this guide will teach you everything you need to know before you deicde to buy one.
9 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron
Power Output: 496 Horses
Audi
In 2024, there’s no shortage of options if you’re in the market for a German electric car.
Key automakers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche have all invested in electrified powertrains, but Audi[4] offers something unique with their top-of-the-range electric SUV, the SQ8 e-tron[5].
Performance Specifications
Powertrain Three Electric Motors Transmission
Single-Speed Automatic Horsepower (combined)
496 HP Torque
718 LB-FT Driveline AWD
0-60 MPH
4.2 Seconds Top Speed
130 MPH Towing Capacity
3,300 lbs Payload Capacity N/A
Battery
114 kWh EPA-Estimated Range
253 Miles kWh/100 Miles
46 kWh With an increased focus on performance, the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron uses three electric motors to produce an impressive 496 horsepower and 718 pound-feet of torque[6]. One electric motor powers the front wheels, and two power each wheel at the rear, subsequently giving the SUV Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
As for speed, the 2024 Sq8 e-tron is no slouch, managing to stay competitive with many of its similarly-priced gas-powered counterparts of the line. The electric SUV goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds, which is only 0.2 seconds slower than the gas-powered SQ8 despite its weight. With a top speed of 130 mph, the 2024 SQ8 e-tron comes in with a starting price of £89,800.
8 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast
Power Output: 845 Horses
Tesla
Tesla[7] has been at the forefront of the EV industry since its first car was released in 2008.
Fast-forward to 2024, and the American brand led by Elon Musk is still trying to find ways to become even more unique. The recent release of the Cybertruck[8] has massively helped with this. While we’ve seen other electric pickup trucks, none are quite like the Cyberpunk truck.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain
Three Electric Motors Transmission Single-Speed Automatic
Horsepower (combined)
845 HP Torque
1,000 LB-FT Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
2.6 seconds Top Speed
130 MPH Towing Capacity
11,000 lbs Payload Capacity
2,500 lbs Battery
123 kWh Estimated Range
320 Miles kWh/100 Miles
N/A Aside from its unmistakable futuristic appearance, the tri-motor Cyberbeast offers ultra-competitive performance to justify its £96,390 price tag[9]. Producing 845 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque, the 2024 Cybertruck Cyberbeast rockets to 60 miles per hour in just 2.6 seconds and has a top speed of 130 miles per hour.
7 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV
Power Output: 830 Horses
GMC
In recent years, very few electric vehicles have garnered as much attention as the GMC Hummer EV[10].
The Hummer was already one of the most recognizable vehicles on the road, but with its electrified powertrain, it became one of the most powerful. The SUV doesn’t have as much power as the pickup variant, but it still comes out ahead of most of the EV segment.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain Three Electric Motors
Transmission Single-Speed Transmission Horsepower (combined)
830 HP Torque N/A
Driveline AWD
0-60 MPH
3.5 Seconds Top Speed
N/A Towing Capacity
10,000 lbs Payload Capacity
N/A Battery N/A
EPA-Estimated Range
314 Miles kWh/100 Miles kWh/100 Miles
When equipped with the 3X tri-motor setup, you get up to 830 horsepower from the Hummer EV SUV[11]. While GMC has an 11,500-pound-feet torque rating, this equates to around 1,000 pound-feet torque, which is still a mind-bending amount of power. The give-digit rating comes from the total amount of torque being applied to each wheel, rather than the output of the three electric motors.
Model Overview
2024 Rivian R1T: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing[12]
Rivian has taken the EV world by storm with its flagship all-electric pickup truck, so let’s see how the 2024 Rivian R1T stands up to the competition.
6 2024 Rivian R1T Ascend Tri-Max
Power Output: 850 Horses
Rivian
A much newer brand that has been quickly climbing the ranks in the EV space is Rivian[13], with their first model only being released in 2021.
This was the R1T pickup truck[14], which is still setting standards across the board for its competitors to chase. The 2024 R1T comes in five trims, with the choice between dual-motor, tri-motor, and quad-motor setups. The tri-motor Ascent trim starts at £99,900, becoming the most expensive R1T you can currently spec[15] until the quad-motor Ascend trim becomes available.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain
Three Electric Motors Transmission Single-Speed Automatic
Horsepower (combined)
850 HP Torque
1,103 LB-FT Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
2.9 Seconds Top Speed
111 MPH Towing Capacity
11,000 lbs Payload Capacity
1,764 lbs Battery
149 kWh Estimated Range
380 Miles kWh/100 Miles
N/A While not quite achieving the same stats as the top-spec quad-motor trim, the tri-motor layout paired with the max battery pack still delivers performance that puts the R1T among the most powerful electric pickups. Two motors are positioned with an additional motor up front, resulting in a total power output of 850 horsepower and a whopping 1,103 pound-feet of torque.
With eight different drive modes, including all-terrain, rally, and rock crawl, the R1T is one of the most capable pickups you can find in 2024.
5 2024 Rivian R1S Ascend Tri-Max
Power Output: 850 Horses
Rivian
A year after the R1T hit the road, Rivian rolled out the R1S SUV[16] in 2022 after years of fine-tuning and development. The R1S has had the same massive impact on the market, receiving standout reviews and allowing Rivian to expand into the electric SUV segment with authority. In the coming years, the smaller R2 and R3 will join the lineup, with the R1S laying the strongest of foundations for these EVs to build on.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain
Three Electric Motors Transmission Single-Speed Automatic
Horsepower (combined)
850 HP Torque
1,203 LB-FT Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
2.9 Seconds Top Speed
111 MPH Towing Capacity
7,700 lbs Payload Capacity
1,764 lbs Battery
149 kWh Estimated Range
380 Miles kWh/100 Miles
N/A While looking different, the Rivian R1S shares quite a few mechanical similarities with the R1T pickup, resulting in the same overall power output with its tri-motor setup. The 2024 R1S Ascend Tr-Max produces the same 850 horsepower and 1,103 pound-feet torque, as well as an equal 380-mile range prediction.
Expectedly, however, it tows a lesser 7,700 pounds, which is still more than impressive. Pricing starts at £105,900 for the Ascend Tri-Max trim[17].
4 GMC Hummer EV Pickup
Power Output: 1,000 Horses
GMC
Just like Rivian, GMC offers its flagship electric vehicle in both SUV and pickup form. While the SUV version produces serious power, the pickup truck version takes it to the next level.
To unlock the increased performance, opting for the 24-module battery back is the way to go.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain Three Electric Motors Transmission
Single-Speed Automatic Horsepower (combined)
1,000 HP Torque
N/A Driveline AWD
0-60 MPH
3.5 Seconds Top Speed
106 MPH Towing Capacity
12,000 lbs Payload Capacity
1,485 lbs Battery
212 kWh Battery (24-module pack) EPA-Estimated Range
314 Miles kWh/100 Miles
63 kWh/100 Miles The 2024 Hummer EV pickup’s 24-module battery pack provides up to 1,000 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful electric vehicles on the market. The 20-module pack, which is used in the SUV version of the Hummer EV, produces the same 830 horsepower, showcasing the vehicle’s exceptional performance capabilities[18] across different configurations.
Model Overview
2024 Tesla Model S
The Model S has been around for a long time, but it is still one of the most competent EVs currently on sale.
Here’s all you need to know about it.
3 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid
Power Output: 1,020 Horses
Tesla
While the Cybertruck is the latest addition to the Tesla’s lineup, the American brand has ensured to give its long-standing models the same attention. Released back in 2012, the Tesla Model S[19] set the stage for the rapid development of EVs across the board, and still leads the pack with the Plaid trim starting at £87,990 in 2024.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain Three Electric Motors
Transmission Single-Speed Automatic Horsepower (combined)
1,020 HP Torque
1,050 LB-FT Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
1.99 Seconds Top Speed
200 MPH Battery
100 kWh EPA-Estimated Range
359 Miles kWh/100 Miles
31 kWh/100 Miles The 2024 Model S Plaid’s standout feature is the addition of a third electric motor, resulting in a total power output of 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. This makes it one of the fastest-accelerating cars on the market[20], going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 1.99 seconds.
2 2024 Tesla Model X
Power Output: 1,020 Horses
Tesla
While the Model S Plaid fetches a high price tag, the 2024 Model X[21] Plaid comes in just ahead with a starting MSRP of £92,990.
The Plaid version of the Model X follows the same route as the Model S in terms of its setup, with a tri-motor layout producing an equal 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain Three Electric Motors Transmission
Single-Speed Automatic Horsepower (combined)
1,019 HP Torque
1,050 LB-FT Driveline AWD
0-60 MPH
2.5 Seconds Top Speed
149 MPH Towing Capacity
5,000 lbs (with towing package) Payload Capacity N/A
Battery
100 kWh EPA-Estimated Range
326 Miles kWh/100 Miles
35 kWh/100 Miles Due to its size, however, the Model X Plaid can’t quite manage the same performance as the lighter Model S. Nevertheless, you can still go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds[22] behind the wheel of the SUV, topping out at 149 mph.
In addition, the extra space inside goes a long way for practicality and overall comfort.
1 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire
Power Output: 1,234 Horses
Lucid Motors
With a range-topping price tag of £249,000[23], you’d expect the Lucid[24] Air[25] Sapphire to produce the best performance you can find in an electric sedan, and that’s precisely what you get. While models like the Model S Plaid and the dual-motor Porsche Taycan Turbo GT manage to come close, the 2024 Air Sapphire’s focus on sheer performance is too much for anyone else to match so far.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain Three Electric Motors
Transmission Single-Speed Automatic Horsepower (combined)
1,234 HP Torque
1,430 LB-FT Driveline
AWD
0-60 MPH
1.89 Seconds Top Speed
205 MPH Battery
118 kWh EPA-Estimated Range
427 Miles kWh/100 Miles
32 kWh/100 Miles
Going more than 400 horsepower over the dual-motor Grand Touring trim[26], the tri-motor Air Sapphire produces a thunderous 1,234 horsepower and 1,430 pound-feet of torque, allowing the sedan to reach 60 miles per hour in just 1.89 seconds with a top speed of 205 miles per hour.
Alongside its performance, the Sapphire trim doesn’t forget about the luxury seen in the lower trims, with its blend of speed and comfort further justifying the quarter-of-a-million-dollar price tag.
References
- ^ electric vehicles (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ many performance-focused EVs using a dual-motor setup (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ Audi (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ e-tron (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ 496 horsepower and 718 pound-feet of torque (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ Tesla (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ Cybertruck (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ offers ultra-competitive performance to justify its £96,390 price tag (www.hotcars.com)
- ^ GMC Hummer EV (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ you get up to 830 horsepower from the Hummer EV SUV (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ 2024 Rivian R1T: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ Rivian (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ R1T pickup truck (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ the most expensive R1T you can currently spec (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ R1S SUV (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ at £105,900 for the Ascend Tri-Max trim (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ the vehicle’s exceptional performance capabilities (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ Tesla Model S (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ one of the fastest-accelerating cars on the market (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ Model X (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ range-topping price tag of £249,000 (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ Lucid (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ Air (www.topspeed.com)
- ^ over the dual-motor Grand Touring trim (www.topspeed.com)