Due to start production in 2020, the world’s first fully electric British hypercar, the all-new Lotus Evija, has been revealed to the world (July 16 2019). With unparalleled performance and a target power output of 2,000 PS, it sets new standards in terms of advanced EV engineering. Quite simply, the Lotus Evija is the most powerful series production road car ever built.
The Evija marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the history of an iconic and much-loved British sports car brand. It is the first hypercar from Lotus, and the company’s first model with an electrified powertrain. As the first completely new car to be launched under the stewardship of Geely – the world’s fastest growing automotive group – its significance cannot be overstated.
Pronounced ‘ev-eye-a’ it means ‘the first in existence’ or ‘the living one’. It is highly appropriate; Lotus has an unquestionable reputation for its pioneering approach in both automotive and motorsport. The Evija – as the first all-electric hypercar from a British car maker – continues that story of innovation.
Production is limited to no more than 130 examples, making it among the most exclusive cars ever launched. It’s a figure set in tribute to the car’s project code, Type 130. Lotus road and race cars throughout the brand’s seven decades of success have been assigned a Type number, and the Evija is no exception.
Speaking at the unveiling in London, Lotus Cars CEO Phil Popham said: “The Lotus Evija is a car like no other. It will re-establish our brand in the hearts and minds of sports car fans and on the global automotive stage. It will also pave the way for further visionary models.”
He added: “This is another amazing moment in the history of our company. The Evija is a true Lotus in every sense – it has been developed with an unwavering passion to push boundaries, to explore new ways of thinking and to apply ground-breaking technologies.”
-
Lotus Evija Front -
Lotus Evija Front 3/4 -
Lotus Evija Rear 3/4 -
Lotus Evija Side -
Lotus Evija Rear
With target figures of 2,000 PS of power and 1,700 Nm of torque, the Lotus Evija is the world’s most powerful production road car. At the heart of the Evija is an ultra-advanced all-electric powertrain. Key to that exceptional power output is the 2,000 kW lithium-ion battery, supplied with its management system by Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) as part of a joint venture with Lotus to collaborate on advanced propulsion technologies.
The battery pack is mid-mounted immediately behind the two seats and supplies energy directly to four powerful e-motors. This highly efficient system is the lightest, most energy dense, electric power package ever fitted to a road car. With a target weight of just 1,680 kg, it will be the lightest pure electric hypercar ever to go into series production.
Power is fed from the battery pack to a bespoke in-line axial arrangement of two high-power density e-motors. These feature integrated silicon carbide inverters and epicyclic transmission on each axle of the four-wheel drive powertrain. The motors and inverters being supplied by the e-Drives division of Integral Powertrain Ltd.
Of being selected to partner with Lotus Cars, Luke Barker, Integral Powertrain Ltd Director said “Integral Powertrain is committed to extending the boundaries of e-drive technology and enabling our clients worldwide to produce amazing products. This is exemplified in this project with Lotus Cars for which we will be engineering and supplying one of the most power dense integrated motor inverter packages available. It is a privilege to work with Lotus and we are looking forward to seeing the Evija on the road”.
-
Lotus Evija Design Concept -
Lotus Evija Design Conept -
Lotus Evija Design Concept
The high performance EV powertrain is rounded with four exceptionally compact, extremely light and highly efficient single-speed, helical gear ground planetary gearboxes transfer power to each driveshaft. Measuring a mere 100mm in depth, each gearbox comes packaged with the e-motor and inverter as a single cylindrical Electrical Drive Unit (EDU). With a target power of 500 PS per e-motor, this is the most efficient and elegant engineering solution to deploying so much power with precision.
Torque-vectoring, enabled by the four e-motors, provides exceptional dynamic response and agility on the road. This fully automatic, self-adjusting system can instantly distribute power to any combination of two, three or four wheels within a fraction of a second. In track mode the ability to add more power to individual wheels enables the radius of corners to be tightened, potentially reducing lap times.
The Lotus Evija in Detail
- Lotus Evija – the first all-electric British hypercar – makes its world debut in London
- Target power output of 2,000 PS makes it the world’s most powerful series production road car
- Target 0-62 mph (0-100km/h) in under three seconds, top speed over 200 mph (320 km/h)
- Ultra-lightweight carbon fibre monocoque makes it the world’s lightest production EV hypercar, at 1,680kg
- Pure electric driving range target of 250 miles (400 km)
- Mid-mounted battery pack echoes celebrated Lotus mid-engined sports car layout
- World-first main and dipped beam laser lighting technology
- Comprehensive personalisation and experiential programs for customers
- Designed, engineered and hand-built at Lotus’ famous home in Hethel, UK
- Cements the UK’s position as the world leader in high-performance, advanced technology automotive manufacturing
- Lotus Evija production limited to just 130 cars – in tribute to its Lotus ‘Type’ number, 130 – beginning in 2020
Images (C) Group Lotus
