Late to the Party but Dressed to Kill: Lotus Evija Hypercar Hits the Road!
Grab your party hats and unfurl the banners, ladies, and gentlemen, because Lotus is finally sending out the invites to its long-awaited hypercar shindig. The Evija, a spicy little number that has been simmering in the Lotus crockpot for a molasses-paced four years, is gearing up to make its grand debut in the coming month.
You remember Evija, don't you? Of course, you do. It's the stunning debutante that's been teasing us with brief glimpses and enigmatic whispers since 2019. A glimpse here, an update there, and a heap of radio silence to keep the mystery alive. It's a strategy akin to your favorite rock band releasing a single every two years, then disappearing into a puff of smoke.
Speaking at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Gavan Kershaw, the man whose business card reads 'director of Attributes and Product Integrity at Lotus,' was oozing confidence about the Evija finally being ready for its prime-time debut. "You're invited to the ball," he seemed to say, "and the belle of the ball is the Evija."
Now, if you're thinking this party sounds familiar, you're not wrong. After all, Lotus was all geared up for a 2020 grand entry, complete with a live band and a confetti cannon. But, alas, COVID-19 decided to crash the party, delaying the grand entrance. "Ain't no party like a Lotus party" quickly became "Sorry, the Lotus party is postponed."
Lotus did, however, bring along an Evija to Goodwood, specifically the Evija Emerson Fittipaldi Edition, which reportedly has a one-way ticket booked to a customer in China. So, at least one of these elusive beasts will soon be stalking the streets, even if it's on the other side of the world.
Now, if you're still reading this and not already scrambling to your piggy bank to scrape together the cash to snag one of the 130 Evijas Lotus is producing, here's the kicker. This high-octane beauty isn't sold out yet. Take that, Rimac Nevera and Pininfarina Battista! You may have beaten Evija out the door, but Lotus is keeping the suspense alive right up until the last moment.
So, what's all the hullabaloo about? Well, let's break it down. The Evija is packing a quartet of electric motors, delivering a jaw-dropping 1,973 horsepower and 1,254 lb-ft of torque. Top speed? A breezy 200+ mph, with 0-186 mph covered in less than 9 seconds. And with a 70 kWh battery pack, this isn't a one-trick pony either.
Remember though, this road monster was originally partnered with Williams Advanced Engineering to develop its electrified heart. But, like many a celebrity couple, the partnership ended before it could bear fruit, leading to further delay. The Evija, ever the drama queen.
So, there you have it. The Evija is finally ready for its close-up. Just don't hold your breath waiting for it to arrive. But when it does, oh boy, will it be a sight to behold.
