Update: Lotus’ PR Manager, Rob Borrett, has confirmed the report, telling CarScoops the following:
“The [Evija] project has been delayed due to the pandemic and we are currently looking at a loss of 5 months testing and development. Our plan is that the first customer deliveries will arrive mid 2021.”
“The global pandemic and resulting lockdown meant we could not follow the planned testing programme we have for the car in Europe. Mainly affecting hot weather testing, which we have missed out on completely. Plus travel bans and the now certain return quarantine means we cannot just pick up our team and drop them back into testing straight away.”
“However, it is key to understand that the delay in on-the-road testing has allowed us to focus on development in other areas, making improvements to the Evija’s aerodynamics and downforce, as well as finding that its power is actually above 2000bhp rather than the 1973bhp quoted at its reveal last summer. We do not sit still at Lotus, we have used lockdown as an opportunity for some fantastic engineering advances.”
-Original article follows below-
Lotus has reportedly been forced to delay the deliveries of the Evija over the current global situation.
The first units of the electric hypercar were supposed to be shipped before the end of the year, but the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions that followed it have forced the company to put a pin in the testing program, which has inevitably affected the initial shipping date.
Lotus’ chief Phil Popham told Autocar the following: “We have lost five months of testing, mainly in continental Europe. We have missed hot weather testing in Spain. It’s not as simple as moving everything to the right, as you have to book facilities, and there’s a queue, with everyone in the same boat.”
As a result, deliveries of the Evija have been pushed back by five months, and the first owners are expected to take delivery before mid-2021. There are apparently 70 potential customers, many of whom have already placed deposits, Popham said, and the number should increase once the world tour of the car, which was postponed earlier this year due to the pandemic, kicks off.
On a more positive note, the delay in the road-testing phase of the extreme model has allowed Lotus to focus on other aspects, such as improving the aerodynamics and downforce. Moreover, they also found out that the combined output stands at over 2,000 HP (2,029 PS / 1,492 kW), rather than the initial estimate of 1,972 HP (2,000 PS / 1,471 kW) and 1,254 lb-ft (1,700 Nm) of torque.
Limited to 130 units and with UK pricing set at £1.7 million (equal to ~$2.2 million), the Evija packs four electric motors, can sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in under 3 seconds and has a top speed of over 200 mph (320 km/h). The estimated driving range stands at 250 miles (400 km).