I’ve all the time been a fan of a black automobile with gold accents, just like the well-known John Participant Particular System One automobile liveries from 50 years in the past, the brand new limited-edition Lotus Evija Fittipaldi celebrates the race legend Emerson Fittipaldi and Crew Lotus profitable F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships 5 a long time in the past, naturally, this new all-electric hypercar mimics the black and gold colour scheme seen on the Lotus Sort 72 racecar from the early Seventies, the primary eight models of this particular version are already being hand-built at Hethel in Norfolk, UK, the worldwide HQ of Lotus sports activities automobile design and manufacturing, and are bought to purchasers that can obtain their unit in early 2023.
Showcasing the world-famous 50-year-old black and gold colour scheme, the outside of this Evija is hand-painted exterior and exhibits a number of distinctive design options particularly created to commemorate this wonderful collaboration between Emerson Fittipaldi and Lotus, together with a hand-tinted plan view of the Sort 72 etched into the uncovered carbon fiber roof, whereas a real Fittipaldi signature will get hand-stitched into the dashboard, however 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 Sort 72 aluminium, guaranteeing a real piece of the long-lasting F1 racer is a part of every Evija Fittipaldi.
Throughout the official unveiling at a once-in-a-lifetime expertise day at Hethel the visitor of honor was Emerson Fittipaldi himself, who mentioned: “It’s improbable to be again at Hethel for such a special day. I’ve actually loved being part of this challenge and it’s been a beautiful expertise revealing the automobile to a few of the new homeowners. Having the chance to drive each the Evija Fittipaldi and my championship-winning Sort 72 System 1 automobile on the take a look at monitor at Hethel has been an unbelievable expertise.”
The truth that a complete of all eight surviving examples of the Sort 72 have been gathered at this occasion for the primary time in historical past made it apparent to have the identical variety of Evija automobiles constructed for the early adopter who put of their order, Simon Lane, Director, Lotus Superior Efficiency, commented: “The phrase ‘legend’ is commonly overused, however this challenge has introduced collectively the Lotus Evija hypercar, Emerson Fittipaldi, the Sort 72 race automobile and our model’s celebrated System 1 heritage. No argument, that’s 4 legit legends, all collaborating to ship a really distinctive hypercar and a world premiere that was an actual ‘pinch your self’ second.”
He added: “Manufacturing of the Evija has commenced at Hethel, and these eight automobiles are a really particular celebration of this necessary second in our historical past.”
The bespoke specification of the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi begins with its distinctive paint end, which incorporates its designation written on the bodywork in gold lettering to the facet of the rear window. Complementing it are black and gold ‘Sort 72’ wheels full with anodized heart lock surrounds – crimson on the left facet of the automobile and inexperienced on the suitable – in addition to black and gold brake calipers. Decals that commemorate the Sort 72’s race victories from the 1972 season are introduced on the lively rear wing, whereas a quantity 8 has been utilized to the B-pillar. Fittipaldi raced with that quantity on his automobile throughout the 1972 season, together with for his win on the British Grand Prix. Carbon and gold Lotus nostril badge full the outside styling.
Naturally, the same colour scheme needed to be designed for the inside, luxurious and bespoke on the identical time, completed in black leather-based with lovely gold distinction stitching is seen all through the complete cockpit, whereas the roofline is one other unique contact only for this limited-edition model, to essentially add the of entirety the air vent surrounds, heart rotary dial, begin/cease button and pedals are all completed in gorgeous gold colour.
Clive Chapman, Managing Director, commented: “Emerson Fittipaldi and my father loved a really particular relationship, and their spectacular success was a superb workforce effort by the devoted designers and mechanics at Crew Lotus. Considered one of motorsport’s most admired drivers, it’s all the time emotional at any time when Emerson is reunited with the Lotus Sort 72, which he describes as the best automobile he ever raced.”
He added: “Bringing collectively the Lotus Evija, the Lotus Sort 72, the black and gold livery, and Emerson Fittipaldi, all in celebration of his World Championship victory 50 years on – want I say extra?”
Regardless of its unbelievable energy and efficiency, the motive force stays on the heart of the Lotus Evija expertise, simply because it was for the Emerson Fittipaldi and the Sort 72. The technical specification and efficiency figures of the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi are actually astonishing; greater than 2,000 PS makes it essentially the most highly effective sequence manufacturing automobile on this planet, creating greater than 1,700Nm of torque. The 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) is accomplished in below three seconds, and 0-186 mph (0-300 km/h) takes 9 seconds from a standing begin. The restricted most pace is 217 mph (350 km/h).
From one world champion to a different, earlier within the week Jenson Button visited Lotus to check drive the Evija and Emerson’s Sort 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. Shortly getting on top of things Jenson drove the automobile across the 2.2-mile take a look at monitor, testing the automobile’s experience, dealing with and efficiency. He was additionally seen unleashing the facility in a number of standing begins. Filled with reward when he jumped out of the motive force’s seat of the world’s strongest manufacturing automobile. Jenson commented: “It feels like a jet engine! You consider an EV as quiet but it surely’s not. The torque is astronomical. It’s wonderful, it places an enormous smile in your face. It appears like a spaceship, the drivability and course within the steering actually lets you recognize you’re driving a Lotus; I’m amazed by the agility of it. Itt is a Lotus of the longer term and I can’t wait to drive my very own Evija.”
A shocking piece of up to date automotive design – the work of a workforce led by Lotus Design Director Russell Carr – the Evija includes a dramatic Venturi tunnel via every rear quarter, giving it a really breathtaking presence. This ‘porosity’ means optimized airflow, with air channeled not simply over, below, and across the Evija however via it, maximizing downforce whereas minimizing drag. Its entrance splitter aids grip whereas channeling cooling air to the battery pack, E-motors, and brakes, and lively aero options resembling a System 1-style DRS (Drag Discount System) bestow the Evija with cutting-edge efficiency. With driving dynamics overseen by the workforce of Gavan Kershaw, the world-renowned Automobile Attributes Director for Lotus, the Evija is a automobile like no different.
The primary Lotus highway automobile to characteristic a one-piece carbon fiber monocoque chassis, the cabin – from the absolutely adjustable race-style seats to the multi-function steering wheel – is the very pinnacle of motorsport-inspired highway automobile design and know-how. Simply because the Lotus Evija is defining a brand new period of pure electrical efficiency, so the Lotus Sort 72 stays essentially the most profitable racing automobile not simply of its day, however in F1 historical past. In 2019 Autosport journal named it the greatest-ever F1 automobile. A revelation each on the drafting board and on the monitor, the Sort 72 was the primary racing automobile 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 automobile to slice via the air whereas additionally creating important downforce.
The Sort 72’s air consumption was relocated above the motive force’s head, guaranteeing undisturbed and clear air could possibly be sucked straight into the engine, whereas its radiators have been positioned within the facet pods of the automobile somewhat than the nostril. This not solely elevated cooling effectivity however improved weight distribution – and subsequently efficiency – within the course of. The identical method was additionally taken for the brakes, mounting them inboard somewhat than on every wheel to assist cooling because the tops of the discs protruded via the bodywork. The Sort 72 was the primary of what turned the normal “wedge on wheels” designs that quickly impressed each different competitor on the grid.
