WATCH: Electric showdown rekindles Hammond-May rivalry

LONDON: British presenters Richard Hammond and James May have revived their iconic car-vs-plane race in electric form, pitting Hammond’s Porsche Taycan Turbo GT against May’s Pipistrel Velis Electro on May 7.

The 174 km route eastward from Henstridge Airfield to Dunsfold Aerodrome tested both vehicles’ range and charging logistics across southern England.

Hammond’s Taycan, with up to 1,108 PS and 1,240Nm via Launch Control, sprinted to 100kph in 2.3 seconds and could recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes at 320 kW.

Yet traffic, roadworks and 129km as the crow flies hindered its pace.


May’s Velis Electro, limited to about 50 minutes’ flight time, made a midpoint charging stop at Thruxton Aerodrome. A 20–30 knot tailwind aided his airborne leg, offset by pre-flight checks that proved as straightforward as an EV’s.

The duo performed a similar stunt in 2005 — then in a Bugatti Veyron versus Cessna 182. They shared the cockpit of the plane as they raced from the Italian town of Alba to London against their co-presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, in the Veyron.

Hammond lauded the Taycan’s Active Ride chassis for blending sports-car agility with comfort, while May savoured the novelty of electric flight.

Which one wins? Watch the video to find out.