Overview
Like most hypercars, the Lotus Evija—pronounced eh-VIE’-ya—is a rare sight. Unlike most hypercars, the Evija has four electric motors that make nearly 2000 horsepower (1972 to be exact). That powertrain alone makes it the wildest Lotus ever built. When it was first revealed back in 2019, the company said it will only build 130 of them, and all of those have been scooped up by people who can afford its more than $2 million asking price. That type of money buys a machine that its maker estimates can blast to 186 mph in under 9 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of over 200 mph. That’ll stretch your neck muscles. Lotus has held to its mantra of “add lightness” with the Evija, which comes in around 3700 pounds, according to the company—svelte for a mega-powerful EV. Despite its electric power source and a battery that allegedly can reach an 80 percent state-of-charge in 12 minutes, it features an old-school hydraulic steering system that makes the Evija feel extra communicative on the track. It’s just a pity that so few people will never get to experience this over-the-top hyper machine.
What’s New for 2024?
While the Evija’s entire production run is sold out, Lotus says some 2024 models still need to be built and delivered. There aren’t any changes between the previous model year, though.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
This Lotus comes in a single trim that offers enough equipment to meet the needs of discerning hypercar shoppers. The car’s list of standard interior amenities includes climate control and a premium infotainment system. Lotus offers a plethora of paint finishes and interior trims, allowing you to personalize the Evija to your liking. Keep in mind that production is limited to just 130 models. Also, the Evija isn’t street legal in the U.S. Also, it’s sold out, so all you can do is dream of owning one, even if you happen to have the means.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The star of the show is the Evija’s muscle-bound electric powertrain. Motivation is provided by a team of four electric motors, and Lotus claims they generate a total output of 1972 horsepower and 1254 pound-feet of torque. That’s almost double the horsepower provided by more expensive hypercars such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie. A single-speed automatic transmission governs it all, sending power to all four wheels. The car’s light curb weight is designed to optimize handling. The company claims the Evija weighs just over 3700 pounds, making it supposedly the lightest EV hypercar ever to enter production. The Evija can reach a top speed of more than 200 mph, and Lotus expects it to sprint to 62 mph in under three seconds. The car’s performance can be customized via five driving modes: Range, City, Tour, Sport, and Track. Our drive of an Evija prototype gave us a little taste of what to expect from the production version, namely its communicative steering rack and responsive handling characteristics. While the prototype had a detuned electric powertrain and was without some of its niftiest features, such as active aerodynamics and torque vectoring across its axles, it still generated just over 1600 horsepower and showcased its brutal acceleration.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
EVs typically require you to wait for long periods for the battery to charge. The Evija is different. It’s equipped with technology that’s designed to make charging the battery almost as quick as getting a fill-up at the gas pump. The car takes just 12 minutes for an 80 percent charge, and a full charge takes a mere 18 minutes. Lotus said it expects its hypercar will deliver a 250-mile driving range on the European WLPT test, which is more optimistic than the EPA range testing we get on this side of the Atlantic.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
Since the Evija isn’t street-legal, it’s unlikely the EPA will estimate its fuel efficiency. We’re sure exactly none of the über-rich car enthusiasts who will be able to buy one will care.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Lotus Evija seats two passengers, and its cabin is accessed via a pair of dihedral doors. These doors do without handles to preserve the car’s clean, sculptural aesthetic, and they’re operated using the key fob. Once you’ve entered the car, the doors can be closed using a switch on the overhead console. The Evija’s electrically adjustable front seats feature a carbon-fiber shell and thick pads swathed in microfiber. The driver can manually adjust the tilt and length of the steering column, and there are two bespoke storage spaces placed close to the occupants’ hip points. The list of standard interior amenities includes climate control and three-point seatbelts, with four-point harnesses offered as optional equipment. Overall, the Evija’s cabin has a look that’s somehow both retro and modern. Lotus says certain design elements were inspired by the company’s racing cars of the 1950s and ’60s.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Evija hypercars come with tech features such as Bluetooth connectivity and an infotainment system. In front of the steering wheel, there’s a digital display that provides the driver with pertinent information like battery charge and remaining range. This is the car’s only screen. The Evija comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and Lotus has installed an onboard modem that facilitates connection to the cloud. A smartphone app is available that allows drivers to monitor the Evija from any location, checking on things such as battery charge status and driving range.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
With driver-assistance technology becoming more prevalent on modern performance cars, we expect Lotus to at least offer some assists on the Evija. For more information about the Evija’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Lotus doesn’t offer a particularly impressive limited or powertrain warranty. The company also doesn’t include any complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance