Hethel, United Kingdom

Designed by British designer Russell Car, the Lotus Evija looks every bit the hypercar part.

“This is one stunning and memorable car design,” states architecture critic Christian NarkiewiczLaine.

Its name “Evija” is derived from Eve of the Abrahamic religions, a name whose etymology can be traced back to the Biblical Hebrew meaning “alive” or “living.”

The car is not only the first British electric hypercar, but also the most powerful production car ever built.

It’s also the first road car to have laser lights for both the main and dipped beams. Its sharp design lines and the curved hood are reminiscent of past Lotus race cars, and those muscular haunches.

With its sleek aerospace inspiration, the Evija features a full carbon fiber body, gorgeous lines and angles, a ride height of only 4.1-inches, and a grand total of nearly 2,000 horsepower.

Carr’s stunning styling isn’t just meant to look just “slick.” Every component serves multiple purposes.

Take the rear quarters, for example. This Venturi tunnel design is inspired by Le Mans endurance race cars, optimizing airflow by directing it through the body and, at the same time, reduces drag.

Lotus even added a red LED light to each tunnel in order to replicate the look of a jet’s afterburner.

The bi-plane front splitter is also designed to improve aerodynamics.

The car’s sheet metal includes elements such as butterfly doors and a large rear wing.

The outside equals the inside. When one enters the Evija through the handle-free dihedral doors, one immediately discovers Alcantara-padded seats with three-point seatbelts (a four-point unit is optional) and plenty of exposed carbon fiber surfaces.

The steering wheel is not like that of a standard road car.

This one is inspired by LMP and Formula 1 steering wheels, hence its unique shape and various integrated controls including drive modes.

A single digital display screen shows all vital information drivers need to know, including current
driving mode, battery charge, and remaining charge.

Like most EVs, the Evija’s lithium-ion battery is centrally positioned for better weight distribution and center of gravity.

This 2,000 kW battery is located behind the driver and passenger. A total of just two electric motors provide a combined output of 1,972 horsepower and 1,253 lb-ft of instant torque.

In short, the Lotus Evija is officially the world’s most powerful road car. Total weight: just 3,703 pounds.

Recently, Carr teamed up with British music producer, Patrick Patrikios to develop a range of sounds for the all-electric Evija hypercar. Patrikios’ primary task was to craft Evija’s external
noise as it begins to deliver its immense ‘0-186mph (300km/h) in under nine seconds’ acceleration.

Russell Carr, Director of Design, Lotus, states: “The Evija is an incredibly important car for Lotus; it is inspired by our innovative past and is the ultimate statement of intent for our ambitious and exciting future. It also sets the standard for a new Lotus design language.”

The Evija was first unveiled in July 2019 with the code name Type 130.”

Production of the Lotus Evija started at the end of 2020.

Designers: Russell Carr, Lotus Cars Design Team
Manufacturer: Lotus Group