Hethel, UK – 14 October 2022 The world’s strongest manufacturing automotive, the gorgeous Lotus Evija hypercar, now delivers much more exclusivity and desirability. Inspired by the previous to boost the future, Lotus has unveiled the Evija Fittipaldi. It’s a tribute to one of many best car-and-driver pairings that Formula 1 has ever seen.
That driver is, after all, Emerson Fittipaldi, the younger Brazilian racer who joined Lotus and have become a legend, cementing his place in F1 historical past in 1972. Behind the wheel of the now-iconic Lotus Type 72 and successful 5 of that season’s 11 races, Fittipaldi secured the Drivers’ Championship for himself and the Constructors’ Championship for Team Lotus.
The Lotus Evija Fittipaldi celebrates greatness
Exactly 50 years on, the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi is a becoming celebration of that partnership. Just eight examples of the all-electric two-seater are being hand-built at Hethel in Norfolk, UK – the worldwide HQ of Lotus sports activities automotive design and manufacturing – and all are bought. Customer deliveries will start early subsequent 12 months. It is the most recent mission from Lotus Advanced Performance, the bespoke design and experiential division of the enterprise launched earlier this 12 months.
Showcasing the world-famous black and gold color scheme – additionally 50 years previous in 2022 – the hand-painted exterior and quite a few different distinctive design options have been created to commemorate this wonderful collaboration. They embody a hand-tinted plan view of the Type 72 etched into the uncovered carbon fibre roof, and Fittipaldi’s signature hand-stitched into the dashboard.
And maybe essentially the most emotive element of all is the rotary dial on the floating central instrument panel. It has been hand-crafted from recycled authentic Type 72 aluminium, making certain a real piece of the enduring F1 racer is a part of every Evija Fittipaldi.
Such a particular automotive deserved a particular world premiere; clients, their households and different VIP visitors have taken half in an unique, once-in-a-lifetime expertise day at Hethel to rejoice the launch of the brand new automotive and the enduring Type 72.
Guest of honour was Emerson Fittipaldi himself, who mentioned: “It’s fantastic to be back at Hethel for such a special occasion. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this project and it’s been a wonderful experience revealing the car to some of the new owners. Having the opportunity to drive both the Evija Fittipaldi and my championship-winning Type 72 Formula 1 car on the test track at Hethel has been an incredible experience.”
More Lotus highlights
Other highlights of the day included the primary time in historical past that every one eight surviving examples of the Type 72 – therefore the variety of Evija automobiles being constructed – have been introduced collectively in a single place and run on the Hethel take a look at monitor.
Simon Lane, Director, Lotus Advanced Performance, commented: “The word ‘legend’ is often overused, but this project has brought together the Lotus Evija hypercar, Emerson Fittipaldi, the Type 72 race car and our brand’s celebrated Formula 1 heritage. No argument, that is four legitimate legends, all collaborating to deliver a truly unique hypercar and a world premiere that was a real ‘pinch yourself’ moment.”
He added: “Production of the Evija has commenced at Hethel, and these eight cars are a very special celebration of this important moment in our history.”
The bespoke specification of the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi begins with its distinctive paint end, which incorporates its designation written on the physique work in gold lettering to the aspect of the rear window. Complementing it are black and gold ‘Type 72’ wheels full with anodized centre lock surrounds – pink on the left aspect of the automotive and inexperienced on the fitting – in addition to black and gold brake calipers.
Decals that commemorate the Type 72’s race victories from the 1972 season are offered on the energetic rear wing, whereas a quantity 8 has been utilized to the B-pillar. Fittipaldi raced with that quantity on his automotive throughout the 1972 season, together with for his win on the British Grand Prix. A carbon and gold Lotus nostril badge completes the outside styling.
Inside, the theme of luxurious and bespoke design continues. Black leather-based inside with gold distinction stitching might be discovered all through the cabin, alongside with unique roof liner stitching, plus gold finishes to the air vent surrounds, centre rotary dial, begin/cease button and pedals.
The automotive has been developed with the beneficiant assist of Classic Team Lotus, the historic motorsport enterprise run at present by the household of Lotus founder Colin Chapman to take care of and function Lotus F1 automobiles. Also based mostly in Hethel simply throughout the street from Lotus, it hosted the gala dinner on the launch occasion.
Clive Chapman, Managing Director, commented: “Emerson Fittipaldi and my father enjoyed a very special relationship, and their spectacular success was a brilliant team effort by the dedicated designers and mechanics at Team Lotus. One of motorsport’s most admired drivers, it is always emotional whenever Emerson is reunited with the Lotus Type 72, which he describes as the greatest car he ever raced.”
He added: “Bringing together the Lotus Evija, the Lotus Type 72, the black and gold livery and Emerson Fittipaldi, all in celebration of his World Championship victory 50 years on – need I say more?”
Despite its unimaginable energy and efficiency, the driving force stays on the centre of the Lotus Evija expertise, simply because it was for the Emerson Fittipaldi and the Type 72. The technical specification and efficiency figures of the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi are really astonishing; greater than 2,000 PS makes it essentially the most highly effective sequence manufacturing automotive on the earth, creating greater than 1,700Nm of torque. The 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) is accomplished in underneath three seconds, and 0-186 mph (0-300 km/h) takes 9 seconds from a standing begin. The restricted most velocity is 217 mph (350 km/h). The full technical specification is detailed within the desk under.
From one world champion to a different, earlier within the week Jenson Button visited Lotus to check drive the Evija and Emerson’s Type 72 on the well-known Hethel take a look at monitor. It was the primary time Jenson had seen the Evija in manufacturing and took one out on monitor to present it a shake down earlier than the launch of Evija Fittipaldi. Quickly getting in control Jenson drove the automotive across the 2.2-mile take a look at monitor, testing the automotive’s experience, dealing with and efficiency. He was additionally seen unleashing the facility in a number of standing begins. Full of reward when he jumped out of the driving force’s seat of the world’s strongest manufacturing automotive. Jenson commented: “It sounds like a jet engine! You think of an EV as quiet but it’s not. The torque is astronomical. It’s amazing, it puts a big smile on your face. It feels like a spaceship, the drivability and direction in the steering certainly lets you know you are driving a Lotus; I am amazed by the agility of it. Itt is a Lotus of the future and I can’t wait to drive my own Evija.”
Jenson additionally bought the prospect to show again the clock and drive Emerson’s 1972 Lotus Type 72. The automotive that helped Emerson clinch his first driver’s championship. Jenson Button added: “It’s lovely to get into a bit of racing history. There isn’t a lot of space, but everything is in the right position. It was easy to heel and toe. It’s a real privilege to drive such a special car.”
A shocking piece of latest automotive design – the work of a staff led by Lotus Design Director Russell Carr – the Evija options a dramatic Venturi tunnel by means of every rear quarter, giving it a really breath-taking presence. This ‘porosity’ means optimised airflow, with air channelled not simply over, underneath and across the Evija however by means of it, maximising downforce whereas minimising drag. Its entrance splitter aids grip whereas channelling cooling air to the battery pack, E-motors and brakes, and energetic aero options equivalent to a Formula 1-style DRS (Drag Reduction System) bestow the Evija with cutting-edge efficiency. With driving dynamics overseen by the staff of Gavan Kershaw, the world-renowned Vehicle Attributes Director for Lotus, the Evija is a automotive like no different.
The first Lotus street automotive to function a one-piece carbon fibre monocoque chassis, the cabin – from the absolutely adjustable race-style seats to the multi-function steering wheel – is the very pinnacle of motorsport-inspired street automotive design and expertise.
Just because the Lotus Evija is defining a new period of pure electrical efficiency, so the Lotus Type 72 stays essentially the most profitable racing automotive not simply of its day, however in F1 historical past. In 2019 Autosport journal named it the best ever F1 automotive. A revelation each on the drafting board and on the monitor, the Type 72 was the primary racing automotive to include aerodynamics as a part of its preliminary design. The built-in rear wing and entrance splitter have been designed particularly to permit the automotive to slice by means of the air whereas additionally creating very important downforce.
The Type 72’s air consumption was relocated above the driving force’s head, making certain undisturbed and clear air might be sucked straight into the engine, whereas its radiators have been positioned within the sidepods of the automotive reasonably than the nostril. This not solely elevated cooling effectivity however improved weight distribution – and due to this fact efficiency – within the course of.
The identical strategy was additionally taken for the brakes, mounting them inboard reasonably than on every wheel to help cooling because the tops of the discs protruded by means of the bodywork. The Type 72 was the primary of what turned the normal “wedge on wheels” designs that quickly impressed each different competitor on the grid.
Lotus Evija Fittipaldi technical specification
| Powertrain | Pure electrical, 4WD |
| Power | 1500kw (4 x 375kw) / 2,039 PS |
| Battery energy | 93 kW |
| Torque | 1,704 Nm with torque vectoring |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | Under three seconds |
| 0-300 km/h (0-186 mph) | Under 9 seconds |
| Max velocity | Electronically restricted to 350 km/h / 217 mph |
| All-electric vary (WLTP Combined) | 250 miles (402 km) * |
| Charging time (350kWh charger) | 18 minutes |
| Weight | 1,887 kg * |
| Production run | Maximum of 130 automobiles |
| Overall dimensions (L/W/H) | 4,459 / 2,000 / 1,122 mm |
| Start of Production | 2022 |
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