Lightning Speed In the Lotus Evija

Ladies and gentlemen, the next generation of automotive performance has arrived! Designed by Anthony Bushell and Barney Hatt under British automobile designer Russell Carr, the Lotus Evija is a limited production electric sports car manufactured by Lotus Cars and is one of the most powerful automobiles on the road, writes Oliver Taylor.
 

The name Evija means ‘the first in existence’ or ‘the living one’. It was derived from Eve, the first woman on Earth from Biblical scripture, and the vehicle is a one piece carbon structure which is remarkably strong. The passenger cell is larger than typically expected for a hypercar; most similar vehicles require you to stand on the seats and slide in, whereas the Evija is easier to get in and out of, with everyday practicality considered in the design.

A high performance four-motor electric powertrain with impressive handling and a whopping 2,011 horsepower (1.5 megawatts) and 1,700 Nm of torque, the Lotus Evija does 0-300 km in 9.2 seconds, and possesses more power at each wheel than the total power of any Lotus automobile ever produced. Production is limited to 130 cars and this vehicle does not just raise the bar for Lotus driving performance, but challenges the very essence of what makes a supercar. The Lotus Evija is among the most exclusive cars ever launched and urges us to envisage a future where the beautiful roar of engines is replaced by the humming pulse of electric propulsion.
 

A SLEEK CARBON DESIGN

The Lotus Evija has a 93Kwh lithium-ion battery pack that sits in the centre of the vehicle behind the two seats, with cells that are liquid cooled and housed within a carbon fibre case. The chassis, body, panels and front sub-frames are uniquely engineered and entirely made of carbon fibre, in order to best aid structural rigidity. The car’s striking exterior is a perfectly proportioned blend of fluid forms and crisp lines. It is built using the same technology used on Formula 1 cars to make it light, strong, stiff and safe. The design appears shrink-wrapped over the mechanical components and the carbon fibre tub is the longest single piece of carbon fibre fitted to any road car, ever.

There are no door mirrors, but instead- pop out rear view cameras, while the reversing camera on the interior roof can be viewed on the screen in place of the rear view mirror. Able to withstand extremely robust duty cycles, the battery pack was crushed, dropped, set alight and even frozen during testing, and was designed to withstand high-intensity use for up to eight minutes without significant de-rating. At a whopping 753 KG, the battery pack of the car alone weighs more than the Lotus Elise and is the heaviest component in the vehicle, although the Lotus Evija is still considered to be lightweight for an electric hyper car at approximately 1,887 KG (4,160 Ibs).
 

WONDERFULLY ENGINEERED

The batteries are housed in a way that almost replicates the physics similar to having an engine and because of where the battery is located, the vehicle feels like a mid-engine internal combustion car to drive. The software engineering of the Lotus Evija is just as impressive as the physical engineering. Expect a different world of torque and power; with no conventional rpm to have an audible reference point, this car will deceptively gather pace as you drive. With its unbelievable quickness, the Lotus Evija might have you feeling like you’re driving a spaceship! Despite this, the handling, braking and steering feel wonderful, and you really won’t miss having a screaming V12 engine. The F-1 style steering wheel with hydraulic power feels natural, with great tactility and buttons are grouped for intuitive control of functions like cruise control, phone use and Drag Reduction System (DRS) deployment.
 

Motorists can also look forward to next-gen controls with a state-of-the-art digital display providing motorists with important details like driver mode, remaining range and battery charge information which appears on screen and fades when no longer needed. The Lotus Engineering team are on a quest for innovation through creating new and more efficient technologies. The three core competencies they emphasize are their commitment to exceptional chassis and vehicle dynamics, a lightweight design, and overall aerodynamic efficiency. With the Lotus Evija, this is all clearly evident. Lotus Engineering is today renowned as an internationally recognised consultancy, providing a comprehensive range of technical services to many of the world’s well-known car manufacturers and suppliers.
 

There are five modes which have been developed for precise performance which are; Range, City, Tour, Sport and Track mode. Range and City modes have 800 Nm of torque. Levelling up from here to Tour mode brings you up to 1,000 Nm. When you go into Sport and Track modes, the vehicle’s true potential is unleashed; the suspension stiffens up, and you crank up to 1,700 Nm of torque. Track mode is highly alert and responsive, The car has a range of 195 miles, but this may be significantly less if you are in Sport mode on an empty road. When you select Track mode, the lower part of the diffuser recess to make the diffuser deeper, making the angle steeper, although Track mode is not possible on ordinary roads, because this requires the removal of the number plate. Your perspective of a vehicle can change from the road to the track, which is why it is important to drive in both environments.
 

The Lotus Evija also uses a unique concept of ‘porosity’ in its design, featuring Venturi tunnels through the rear quarter panels that channel air through the car. This creates downforce to aid cooling and the tunnels help manage air flow and counter low pressure behind the vehicle, reducing drag. The Lotus Evija’s aerodynamic properties are determined by the air flowing not just over and under the car, but also through it. Aerodynamics and thermal management engineer Richard Hill, has been an asset to Lotus since 1986, providing his expertise to ensure vehicle cooling, cabin ventilation, and thermal management systems work optimally. Hill stated that comparing the Lotus Evija’s aerodynamic performance to a regular sports car is ‘’like comparing a fighter jet to a child’s kite.’’
 

A STYLISH AND THRILLING DRIVE

The front and rear electronic drive units contain two 500bhp motors together which are separately cooled, while each wheel is independently controllable. The Evija has a computer system that runs torque vectoring and runs all of the other systems on the car. The four e-motors provide a fantastic dynamic response and agility on the road and the fully automatic, self-adjusting system can instantaneously distribute power to any combination of two, three, or four wheels within a fraction of a second. The fully powered push button doors give way to an elegant carbon tub interior which is a combination of motorsport-inspired functionality and luxury.

Supplied by an Italian company named CPC, the cabin incorporates lightweight carbon fibre shell seats with Alcantara-finished pads, incorporating black leather with gold contrast stitching, and gold finishes on the controls.
 

The interior style can generally be defined as minimalist in approach, with the focus being on essential elements and a clean aesthetic. The rear end of the vehicle is a stunning sight, with inboard suspension and heave damper visible through the glass. The tail lamps on the rear are designed to mimic the afterburners of a fighter jet, especially when seen at night. The car was designed, engineered and hand-built at Lotus Hethel headquarters in the UK, with about 85% of the vehicle’s components coming from UK suppliers. There can be no doubt that the Lotus Evija solidifies the UK’s status as the world leader in high-performance, advanced technology automotive manufacturing. Delivering luxury without compromise, the Lotus Evija offers an unprecedented performance enabled by electricity, and is a highly thrilling drive that lives up to its £2,300,000+ price tag.   EG