Centrica plc, the parent company of British Gas, and British motor manufacturer Lotus are working together to develop a new model for electric vehicle ownership that fully integrates future mobility and energy.
Read More
Lotus EVIJA Production comes alive 🏁
Evija’s new manufacturing facility readied to deliver final prototypes for the stages of the testing program
Series production to begin in Hethel this summer
“With our new factory-ready, we are ahead of the pack in the emerging EV hypercar segment and 100% ready for some healthy competition” – Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars
New film shows Evija assembly hall coming ALIVE at
(Hethel, UK – 19 February 2020) – 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 the er 2019. The interior has been fitted on three sides with gantries that 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.
Facts on 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 recognizable – 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
LOTUS LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION ELISE CUP 250
Lotus Elise Cup 250 Bathurst Edition launched in honor of the famous race
Challenging Mount Panorama circuit is home to one of the world's most famous endurance races – the Bathurst 12 Hour
Lotus-owner track day at 'The Mountain' draws more than 150 enthusiastic fans
Lotus has a long history in Australia, starting with the Tasman Series of the 1960s
(Hethel, UK – 11 February 2020) – Lotus has hosted the Southern Hemisphere’s best track day, and biggest celebration of the Lotus brand, at Australia’s greatest race circuit – Mount Panorama.
The iconic motorsport venue, home to the legendary Bathurst 12 Hour race, is steeped in competition history and etched into the psyche of car fans the world over.
Australia was the sixth-largest market globally for Lotus in 2019 and to mark that success the company has produced a highly exclusive limited edition – the Lotus Elise Cup 250 Bathurst Edition. Paying homage to the circuit and Lotus’ pedigree in motorsport on the continent, the limited-run, Australia-only cars enjoy a host of eye-catching upgrades. These include black forged alloy wheels, a special numbered build-plate, and bespoke ‘Bathurst Cup 250’ decals.
With more than 45,000 fans attending the Bathurst 12 Hour race weekend, Lotus took its place a trackside for the three-day event. There is offered a unique opportunity to more than 150 enthusiastic Lotus owners, who witnessed some of the world’s finest drivers tackle the challenging Mount Panorama circuit.
Many then drove it in their own Lotus cars, taking advantage of an on-site mentoring program that allowed them to get the most out of the experience. They were also able to sign up for hot laps with professional Lotus drivers.
Some of the world’s most illustrious and recognized racing names have claimed victory in Australia for Lotus. These include Jim Clark’s dominance in the Tasman Series during the late 1960s, through to 2013 where Kimi Raikkonen claimed Formula One success at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne.
David McIntyre, Regional Director, Asia Pacific & China, Lotus Cars joined the group at Bathurst and commented: “It’s great to kick the year off in Australia, a market that was very successful for us in 2019. Lotus and Australia have a long and rich history and we are committed to building on this close relationship moving forward.”
He added: “Through stand-out events such as the Lotus-only track day, we will continue to build the brand across Australia, adding to the success we experienced last year. Globally 2020 is an exciting year for us, with the first of our all-electric Lotus Evija models being delivered to customers.”
