news

The $4.4 million Lotus Evija electric hypercar one step closer to reality

The Lotus Evija hypercar is one step closer to Australian showrooms with the online car configurator going live overnight.


Lotus Cars Australia says it has received three "expressions of interest" but so far no firm orders for the $4.4 million Lotus Evija, of which only 130 will be made.

The first pure electric car from Lotus has a staggering claimed power output of 1470kW and 2000Nm, promises a 0 to 100kmh time of less than three seconds, 0 to 200kmh in less than six seconds and 0 to 300kmh in about 9 seconds on the way to a top speed in excess of 320kmh.

Drive

The Lotus Evija body is made from carbon-fibre (though it still weighs a hefty 1680kg) and the vehicle will deliver its epic output via four electric motors – one for each wheel. Driving range between recharges is rated at approximately 400km.

Although a teaser video of the configurator for the Lotus Evija has been released (see below) – allowing customers to individually select colour and trim – only those who have paid a deposit of at least $495,000 (£250,000) for the car will be able to access the real one.

While exact Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed the Lotus Evija is said to cost “between £1.5 million and £2.0 million” in the UK, which at today’s exchange rate converts to $3.3 million in round numbers – using £1.7 million as a guide – before Luxury Car Tax is added.

Luxury Car Tax alone – which is 33 per cent for every dollar above the current $75,526 threshold for so-called ‘green cars’ or fuel-efficient vehicles – adds almost $1.1 million for a total price of about $4.4 million in Australia before registration. 

Drive

For the configurator, Lotus says the “ultra-powerful graphics processor” creates high-definition “photo-realistic” images and animations and was developed using advanced gaming software.

“Thanks to an advanced imaging technique known as ray-tracing, (customers) can even place their Evija into multiple environments around the world to see how localised sunlight levels will affect their choices,” the statement from Lotus says. 

“The final element is the creation of a fully personalised ‘360 degree fly-through’ film exclusive to each customer.”

Simon Clare, Executive Director, Global Marketing, Lotus, said: “With state-of-the-art digital tools such as the new configurator, we can accommodate customer preferences and requirements from anywhere in the world at the touch of a button.”

Drive

The teaser video released by the company depicts a car inside the Lotus design studios at Hethel, UK – the home of Lotus since 1966 – initially in red and black before switching to yellow and black.

Lotus Evija customers will also receive a book that includes photos of their car throughout the production process.

Production of the Lotus Evija is due to start mid-year with the first customer deliveries due by the end of 2020.

It is unclear when the first of the three Lotus Evija hypercars will come to Australia; the identity of the local buyers is also yet to be revealed.

MORE:Lotus Showroom
MORE:Lotus News
MORE:Lotus Reviews
MORE:Lotus Showroom
MORE:Lotus News
MORE:Lotus Reviews
Joshua Dowling

Joshua Dowling has been a motoring journalist for more than 20 years, spending most of that time working for The Sydney Morning Herald (as motoring editor and one of the early members of the Drive team) and News Corp Australia. He joined CarAdvice / Drive in 2018, and has been a World Car of the Year judge for more than 10 years.

Read more about Joshua DowlingLinkIcon
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent