Lotus has officially unveiled its new all-electric hypercar, the Evija.
It represents the first all-new model from the famous Norfolk car brand since 2008, and it's quite a way to announce a comeback; a 1,972hp, 200mph gull-winged monster with ambitions to be the most powerful road car in the world no less.
Although there have been false dawns at Lotus before, this looks to mark the start of a shiny new era with more new models in the pipeline.
A bespoke new production plant will build the Evija - pronounced "ee-vie-ya" by the way - at its Norfolk HQ, where hundreds of engineers are currently being recruited and there's more buzz than a breakout at a beehive.
Now backed by ambitious Chinese auto group Geely, which has also regenerated Volvo and launched the electric performance brand Polestar, the 71 year-old British marque is known for its lightweight sports cars like the Elise and Evora, and has enjoyed plucky underdog status for years, so a car of this scale, cost and ambition represents uncharted waters and is not what Lotus loyalists could ever have expected.
Taking its design cues from Le Mans and F1, it should be capable of going from 0-62mph in less than three seconds and hitting 184mph in under nine seconds.
Lotus are also hopeful of achieving an impressive 250 miles on its 70kWh battery, supplied by F1 partners Williams Advanced Engineering.
Looks-wise, this is not a car to go unnoticed, featuring dramatic Venturi tunnels through each rear side quarter.
“We studied how Le Mans race cars use air flow creatively to go over, under and around the vehicle, but also through it," said Design Director Russell Carr. "This concept of ‘porosity’ is key to the Evija and has enabled us to create a timeless design with exceptional amounts of downforce.”
Only 130 Evijas will be made, with production starting next year. We're looking forward to following this British comeback tale as it continues.
