The new Lotus manufacturing facility in Hethel, UK is now ready for the testing and full-scale production of the fully-electric Lotus Evija.
Lotus Evija EV hypercar production facility light tunnel. Credit: Lotus Cars
The newest car production facility in the world according to Lotus
Interior is illuminated by more than 30,000 LED’s
All 130 examples of the $2.2 Million EV hypercar will be produced here
When the new fully-electric two seat Lotus Evija was
announced in July last year, work was already underway to complete the new
production facility where the EV hypercar would see its final testing and full
scale production take place.
Lotus have now revealed the assembly hall is ready and some of the first examples to roll off the production line will be rolled out next door to undergo further testing on Lotus’ notable 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 new workspace will see Lotus hand-build up to 130
examples of the Evija with full-scale production expected to commence soon in
the second half of 2020.
Phil Popham, the Lotus Cars CEO spoke to his 1400 employees
and stated “With our new factory ready, we are ahead of the pack in the
emerging EV hypercar segment and 100% ready for some healthy competition.”
Commenting on the new milestone for Lotus, Phil went on
further to say “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.”
Gantries on 3 sides with an overhead crane. Credit: Lotus CarsOne of the Evija production facility’s vehicle lifts. Credit: Lotus Cars
30,000 of the latest high-density, low-energy LEDs will shower the build hall that contains gantries on three sides, an overhead gantry crane, multiple vehicle lifts and a wheel alignment ramp. Lotus have also included a state-of-the-art light tunnel where rigorous final inspections take place before each Lotus Evija is driven out directly on to the test track for dynamic validation.
The last six months has reportedly seen the project involve the co-ordination of 20 specialist contractors and more than 50 experts.
Some of the Lotus Evija will be hand built. Credit: Lotus Cars Every element of the Evija will be meticulously analysed and validated. Credit: Lotus Cars
Lotus Evija Specs
*Note these are target specifications
Name: Lotus Evija (Type 130)
Powertrain: Pure electric, 4WD
Power: The target is to be the most powerful production car in the world, at 2,000 PS
Battery power: 70 kw/h / 2,000 kW
Torque: 1,700 Nm with torque vectoring
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): Under three seconds
0-300 km/h (0-186 mph): Under nine seconds
Max speed: In excess of 200 mph (320 km/h)
All-electric range (WLTP Combined): 250 miles (400 km)
Charging time (350kW charger): 18 mins
Weight: 1,680 kg
Production run: Maximum of 130 cars
Overall dimensions (L/W/H): 4,459 / 2,000 / 1,122 mm
Price: From £1.7m + duties and taxes Reservation process – £250k deposit secures a production slot
The Lotus Evija EV hypercar interior. Credit: Lotus Cars
Lamborghini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Countach with a special edition LPI 800-4 model debuting at this year’s Monterey Car Week.
The new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4. Credit: Lamborghini
In celebration of the Countach’s 50th anniversary, Lamborghini has unveiled a special limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 as a futuristic tribute to the poster car of the 1980s.
While sharing the same name and drawing on the visual legacy of its predecessor, the new Countach LPI 800-4 is powered by Lamborghini’s aspirated V12 engine combined with new hybrid supercapacitor technology initially developed for the Sian.
Powered by Lamborghini’s V12 engine with hybrid supercapacitor. Credit: Lamborghini
Delivering 802hp maximum combined power (rounded to 800 for the sake of its model name), the LPI 800-4 can reach 0-62mph acceleration in just 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 220mph.
The Lamborghini Countach has a top speed of 220mph. Credit: Lamborghini
“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams.
“The Countach LPI 800-4 pays homage to this Lamborghini legacy, but it is not retrospective: it imagines how the iconic Countach of the 70s and 80s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade. It upholds the Lamborghini tradition of looking forward, of exploring new design and technology avenues while celebrating the DNA of our brand. It is a Lamborghini that innately expresses the marque’s enduring and emotive power: always inspirational and thrilling to see, hear and most of all drive.”
Inspired by the Quattrovalvole edition with low rectangular headlights. Credit: Lamborghini
Inspired by the Countach’s distinctive silhouette, sharp angles, and wedge shape, the Countach LPI 800-4’s exterior inspiration was taken specifically from the Quattrovalvole edition in the bold lines of the front bonnet with long, low rectangular grille and headlights, as well as in the wheel arches with their hexagonal theme.
Futuristic hexagonal rear lights like those of the Sián. Credit: Lamborghini
Unfortunately for fans of the Wolf of Wall Street Countach, there’s no fixed rear wing on the latest model. However, there are still air scoops integrated fluidly into the car’s shoulders and the distinctive Countach slatted “gills” and famous scissor doors.
The rear of the Countach LPI 800-4 still features a distinctive inverted wedge shape, with the rear bumper featuring a lower, sleeker line and the hexagonal rear light design similar to that of the Sián.
The famous scissor doors still remain. Credit: Lamborghini
Lamborghini has revealed only 112 models of the new Countach LPI 800-4 will be produced (a number chosen in honor of the internal project name “LP 112” used for the original Countach development) with allocations already fulfilled prior to the public launch.
Only 112 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4’s will be produced. Credit: Lamborghini
Porsche Motorsport celebrates 25 years partnership with Manthey-Racing and reveals the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25.
The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. Credit: Porsche
Porsche Motorsport is celebrating 25 years of collaboration with Manthey-Racing GmbH and has unveiled the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 to commemorate.
Founded by racing driver Olaf Manthey in 1996, Manthey-Racing GmbH is responsible for running the Porsche 911 RSR of the factory squad in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and has made a name for itself in both the motor racing world and as a GT road car specialist.
Celebrating 25 years partnership with Manthey Racing. Credit: Porsche
The basic concept and technical ideas for the new special edition was provided by Manthey and based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport with Porsche providing the final design.
Developed specifically for track days and circuit racing, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six twin-turbo engine and produces 515 HP directed to the rear wheels through Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (PDK).
Green and yellow design accents inspired by “Grello”. Credit: Porsche
Taking inspiration from Manthey’s 911 GT3 R, known as the “Grello” because of its distinctive green and yellow livery, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 sports a similar green and yellow color scheme to highlight functional areas of the vehicle and adopts many vehicle components and elements from future Porsche racing cars.
Limited to 30 vehicles worldwide. Credit: Porsche
“The design of the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 expresses the long-standing collaboration between Porsche Motorsport and Manthey,” emphasizes Grant Larson from Style Porsche. “It amalgamates the respective strengths of each partner into one racing car, and at the same time bridges the gap between the 991 and 992 model generations of the 911.”
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is limited to 30 vehicles in total (only six are allocated for North America) with deliveries expected to begin in early 2022.
To order, customers will need to email 911GT2RSClubsport25@porsche.de directly and have a spare $620,00 on hand.
The new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta is set to make its debut at this year’s Monterey Car Week and celebrates ten years of the Huayra supercar.
The new Pagani BC Huayra Pacchetto Tempesta. Credit: Pagani Automobili
This year at Monterey Car Week, Pagani celebrates ten years of the Huayra with the world premiere of the new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.
Based on the Huayra BC, the new Pacchetto Tempesta package means the Huayra BC’s high-performance platform can be equipped with a range of “state-of-the-art technical and artisan solutions” to maximize the car’s racing abilities and achieve an 8% power increase to deliver 827 hp and 1,100 Nm torque.
Pagani has only teased several introductory images of the green carbon fiber bodied beauty ahead of the premiere, and although full details are yet to be shared, Pagani has noted that the Pacchetto Tempesta features a new front splitter, dedicated air intake, rear wing with an integrated central fin, and six-pipe exhaust system to maximize aerodynamic efficiency.
New rear wing design with an integrated central fin. Credit: Pagani Automobili
A tweaked suspension system and the addition of an all-new “Soft Driving mode” also ensure drivers are afforded maximum comfort in the aggressive Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.
The Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will make its debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering event on Friday 13th August at Monterey Car Week 2021 and will be seen alongside the Huayra R project and an up-close-and-personal look at the all-new Pagani V12-R engine, six-speed sequential gearbox.
While no prices have been revealed yet, the Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will no double start above the $2.25 million price tag of the Huayra BC.
New six-exhaust design (four central and two below). Credit: Pagani Automobili