Lotus Evija electric hypercar revealed

Lotus have finally lifted the lid on their Type 130 all-electric hypercar.

The Lotus Evija in numbers

Sub 3  seconds to 62 mph (although it’s likely to be well under this).

8 x more powerful than a Formula-E race car

Under 9.0 seconds to 186 mph (the Bugatti Chiron takes 13.6)

18 minutes to fully charged (350 K/W charger)

130 – maximum number of cars to be built

200+ miles per hour

250 – 270 – range in miles

1,700 Nm torque

1,680 kg

1973 BHP (2000 PS)

2000 Kw lithium-ion battery

£1.7 million + taxes starting price in the UK

 

“The worlds most powerful automotive drivetrain.”

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Design

 

The Evija’s design is striking and progressive without being outrageous. In size it’s only a little larger than the Lotus Evora although the lack of wing mirrors masks the width statistics a little – so it’s as long as an Evora but as wide as a Lamborghini Aventador. The battery is mid-mounted in the carbon monocoque chassis behind the teardrop cockpit which is sculpted by two large Venturi tunnels to the rear which are illuminated by LEDs.

Handle-free dihedral doors, the absence of wing mirrors and a high-tech cabin tick all the hypercar design boxes and Lotus have announced that the Evija marks a new design language for the brand which also harks back to previous  Lotus race car designs as well as a nod to the iconic Lotus Esprit.

 

Performance

It’s going to be fast. The Bugatti Chiron can hit 300 kmh in 13.6 seconds – Lotus says the Evija should do it in under 9. Weighing in at just under 1700 kg it will be the lightest ever all-electric hypercar, and if anyone can make the best part of two tons ride & handle well, it’s Lotus.

Technology

Carbon-ceramic brakes, active aerodynamics with DRS, motorsport-derived suspension, multiple driving modes, super-fast charging, magnesium wheels, over-the-air software updates and a decent range should keep owners happy. The electric powerplant has been developed by Lotus in conjunction with Williams Advanced Engineering who electrified the first four seasons of Formula E and are also developing the British Dendrobium electric hypercar.

 

Verdict

The lightest most powerful all-electric hypercar ever developed  – by Lotus. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it.

With the financial muscle of Geely behind them, the masters of handling and lightweight performance look set to shake up the sports and supercar market once more by delivering the hypercar of the future. For Lotus this has been some time coming – production starts in 2020.

 

Gallery – Lotus Evija

All images courtesy of Group Lotus