When Zhejiang Geely Holding Group took over Lotus, a lot of us were excited to see what would come of it. After all, these were the guys who helped Volvo Cars come back stronger than ever. It didn’t take long for a big announcement to be made concerning Lotus’ first-ever all-electric hypercar, the Evija.
The latest piece of information from Lotus indicates that despite Brexit officially happening, there has been significant progress. The production facility responsible for the final prototypes of the Evija is being readied as we speak with full-scale production set to commence by Q3 2020. This year, the company aims to handbuild 130 of these, and they’ve all already been sold.
More information and fun facts about the Lotus Evija are available below.
PRESS RELEASE
The facility in question is situated on the company’s famed grounds in Hethel, Norfolk.
The new manufacturing facility where Lotus will build the Evija all-electric hypercar is being readied for final prototype production.
Series production and first customer deliveries of the all-electric two-seater will begin in the summer.
The hall is situated at the brand’s historic home of Hethel, in Norfolk, UK. It has been built trackside, next to Lotus’ storied 2.2-mile circuit which has hosted testing and shake-down sessions with many Formula 1 legends such as Ayrton Senna, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jim Clark and others.
The result is a versatile and inspiring workspace that will see Lotus hand-build up to 130 examples of the Evija. The first year’s production allocation is already designated to customers around the world.
Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, commented: “This is now the newest car production facility in the world, and to witness it move from the drawing board to reality has been deeply satisfying. It’s testament to the commitment of all involved, and is the perfect sleek and high-tech production home for the Evija at our iconic Hethel headquarters.”
He proudly unveiled the completed hall to more than 1,400 Lotus employees during a series of staff briefings held in the new facility, telling them: “With our new factory ready, we are ahead of the pack in the emerging EV hypercar segment and 100% ready for some healthy competition.”
Work on the new Evija factory began in summer 2019. The interior has been fitted on three sides with gantries which frame the build stations. These have been designed and engineered to be sleek and unobtrusive, though robust enough to carry the necessary power, data and compressed air systems required to assemble the Evija.
An overhead gantry crane, multiple vehicle lifts and a wheel alignment ramp have also been installed. The interior is illuminated by more than 30,000 of the latest high-density, low-energy LEDs. A state-of-the-art light tunnel will house the rigorous final inspection, before each Evija is driven out directly on to the famous Hethel test track for dynamic validation.
Highly collaborative in nature, the project has involved the co-ordination of 20 specialist contractors with more than 50 experts on site over the last six months.
About the Lotus Evija:
- The name means ‘the first in existence’
- The world’s first all-electric British hypercar
- The first electrified Lotus, the first Lotus hypercar and the first Lotus developed under the stewardship of majority shareholder Geely
- At 2,000 PS, the world’s most powerful series production road car
- 0-62mph in under three seconds; 0-186mph in under nine seconds; a top speed of more than 200mph
- Full battery charge capability in under 10 minutes; battery power output of 2,000 kW; full EV driving range of 250 miles
- Outstanding aerodynamic performance and downforce
- A Lotus like no other. A hypercar like no other. Yet instantly recognisable – as a beautiful car, as a Lotus
- Destined to be driven, not left unappreciated in a gilded cage. It is ‘For The Drivers’
- A statement of intent, and a global calling card for Lotus Cars and Lotus Engineering
- It performs like a beast, but looks like a beauty – a technical masterpiece
