20 October 2022
Lotus is making headlines; it is unveiling the new Lotus Evija Fittipaldi, with a target output of 2011 hp; this means the Evija is the world’s most powerful series production road car.
This incredibly rapid four-wheel-drive machine hits 62 mph in less than three seconds while 0- 186 mph in under nine seconds, with a governed top speed of 217 mph.
In a total limited run of 130 for the Evija, Lotus will produce just eight examples of the Evija Fittipaldi, the number of Type 72 race cars that were built.
The ultra-exclusive model features a throwback livery and recycled aluminium from the driver’s Type 72 race car. The car’s rotary dial on the floating central instrument panel is the most impressive detail. It’s an element most people don’t pay much attention to, but the dial is made from recycled aluminium taken from one of the driver’s Type 72 race cars.
Appropriately, the special Evija wears the same livery as Fittipaldi’s Type 72 car did in 1972, without the giant John Player Special branding.
The Fittipaldi edition celebrated the 1972 F1 season when Emerson Fittipaldi and Team Lotus took home the F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
In 1972, there were only eleven races in the F1 season, whilst next year we have a 24-race calendar.
Emerson was racing for the Lotus-Ford team when he won his first F1 World Championship of Drivers title that season. The Brazilian won five of the 12 races that year, finishing at an additional three on the podium.
Just as noteworthy as his performance on the track was his age. Fittipaldi was just 25, making him the youngest champion in the sport’s history at the time, a distinction he’d hold for 25 more years.
Oh, and the Lotus Evija is the first new model since Geely took control in 2017.