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Lotus Evija: Testing On Top Gear Test Track Before 2020 Release

It was difficult to believe that Lotus was back with an all new car, but thanks to Geely and its input, the British company is back and making waves with its new flagship, the Evija.

2020 will bring a breath of fresh air to the Lotus brand with new models, the revival of the Elan, and, ahem, maybe an SUV or two. But before this happens, the Evija must prove its worth as it enters production next year after a debut earlier this year.

Now, dressed in yellow and black camouflage, we can watch it sliding around the Top Gear Test Track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey. It looks low and planted as it silently slips over the damp track with #FORTHEDRIVERS printed on its carbon fibre side skirt.

This early test car is more than likely going to still undergo quite a few major changes before it reaches its production form, but Lotus is said to be testing it on its home circuit at Hethel, as well as several other circuits around Europe.

130 units are to be built, and in Lotus fashion, it’s to be the lightest electric car on the market at only 1680kg (ironically, it will be the heaviest Lotus yet). Match that with a power of 1,973bhp plus AWD, and the EV will reach 62mph in less than three seconds. Top speed is said to be 200mph, and range currently sits at 250 miles on WTLP.

This performance doesn’t quite touch the Aspark Owl, but we know for sure that it will perform just how we expect it to on the track – to a Lotus degree of excellence.

Alex Harrington

Alex started racing at a young age so certainly knows his way around a car and a track. He can just about put a sentence together too, which helps. He has a great interest in the latest models, but would throw all of his money at a rusty old French classic and a 300ZX. Contact: [email protected]

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