Lotus declares Evija Fittipaldi | PistonHeads UK

In amongst a large number of vital anniversaries for Lotus in 2022, one sticks out: it’s 50 years since Emmerson Fittipaldi gained his first of 2 F1 titles, with Lotus securing the groups’ championship along. And it was once all completed in in all probability essentially the most well-known Lotus race automotive of all of them, the JPS-liveried Kind 72.

An instance like that couldn’t cross overlooked, and so we’ve got this: the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi. There might be 8 as a result of that’s what number of surviving 72s there are (plus it was once Fittipaldi’s quantity for that championship-winning yr), they usually’re all spoken for, with deliveries scheduled for the beginning of subsequent yr. Clearly, each and every unmarried one is hand-painted black and gold, however there are further distinguishing options together with the rotary sprint dial comprised of recycled Kind 72 aluminium. The nice guy’s signature additionally makes it to the internal, and an overview of the outdated F1 automotive is etched into the carbon roof.

Then it’s a case of black and gold anyplace it could actually cross, together with black leather-based with gold sewing, black and gold wheels with black and gold calipers, a carbon and gold Lotus badge, gold air vent surrounds, gold pedals, gold get started button… It’s by no means going to be wrong for the rest however an Evija Fittipaldi, put it that manner.

Efficiency is the same to the common Evija – even though with greater than 2,000hp from 4 electrical motors, there gained’t had been many potential shoppers clamouring for extra. As a reminder, Lotus claims an Evija will every 186mph in not up to 9 seconds forward of its 217mph restricted best velocity, with a ‘goal’ WLTP vary determine of 250 miles.

The Fittipaldi is the advent of Lotus Complicated Efficiency, the bespoking department introduced previous this yr. Probably Lotus AP gained’t simply be making use of outdated liveries to new vehicles, however you’ve gotta say this Evija does glance sensational, charging round Hethel with Jenson Button on the wheel. With manufacturing underway now, probably we aren’t too some distance from a 2,039hp Lotus EV that appears like this being observed at the highway, which needs to be a second to savour.

The previous F1 international champion himself was once in attendance for the Fittipaldi expose, which featured all 8 of the ones surviving 72s. He added: “It’s unbelievable to be again at Hethel for this type of special day. I’ve in reality loved being part of this venture and it’s been an attractive enjoy revealing the auto to one of the crucial new house owners. Having the chance to pressure each the Evija Fittipaldi and my championship-winning Kind 72 System 1 automotive at the take a look at monitor at Hethel has been an implausible enjoy.”