Lotus unveils Fittipaldi-themed hypercar

Lotus has unveiled the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi hypercar, an all-electric car dedicated to Emerson Fittipaldi, more precisely a historic event that took place 50 years ago: in 1972 the Brazilian driver won his first title, driving for Team Lotus.

The car will be produced in a very limited edition and is distinguished, among other things, by a characteristic black-gold shell – the champion Lotus Type 72, which Fittipaldi once drove, was painted exactly like this. The interior also contains a number of special decor elements, including the signature of the two-time world champion, embroidered on the dashboard.

The world premiere of Lotus Evija Fittipaldi took place in the United Kingdom, at the headquarters of the famous British car manufacturer, and Emerson Fittipaldi himself was invited to the presentation.

A total of eight of these cars will be produced, all of which have already been sold on pre-order, have already been hand-assembled by the company’s racing division Lotus Advanced Performance, and the first customers will receive their hypercars early next year.

“To be back at the Lotus base for such a special occasion is fantastic! said Fittipaldi. – I am very happy to be involved in this project and it is great that we have presented the car to its future owners. I had the opportunity to drive on the factory circuit in both the Evija Fittipaldi and the Type 72, my Formula 1 championship car, and it was an incredible experience.”

Lotus actually managed to bring to the presentation all eight Type 72s that have survived to this day, so Emerson Fittipaldi’s emotions are very understandable.

Clive Chapman, son of legendary British engineer Colin Chapman, the company’s founder, said of the historic event: “Emerson had a special relationship with my father and their spectacular success was the result of the efforts of the entire team, which included people – designers and installers – very passionate about their work.

Getting behind the wheel of a Lotus Type 72 is always an emotional moment, as the famous driver, one of motorsport’s most popular heroes, calls this car the best he’s ever driven.”

Lotus Evija Fittipaldi doesn’t just impress on the outside: the makers ensure that the electric power plant develops more than 2000 hp, making this sports car the most powerful mass-produced car in the world. The four-wheel drive hypercar accelerates to 100 km/h in less than three seconds and to 300 km/h in nine seconds. Jenson Button, the 2009 World Champion, was specially invited to test the novelty, and he was also delighted with its dynamic properties.

‘Her engine sounds like a jet engine! You think the Evija is a quiet car, but it isn’t, he said. – The couple is just cosmic, it’s unbelievable, I immediately got a big smile on my face. I am amazed by the handling of the car, this is the Lotus of the future and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of my own Evija.”