Lotus Evija 2023

The Evija name is generally pronounced “E-vi-ya” and refers to the ideas of life and being first in existence. The maximum production figure of 130 cars was chosen to echo the project’s Type 130 code name. Lotus also presented the Evija as its first road car with a full carbon-fibre monocoque and as the first production road car to use laser lighting technology for both main and dipped beams. (media.lotuscars.com)

Lotus announced a maximum production run of 130 Evijas, a figure directly linked to the Type 130 project code. The cars were intended to be hand-built in a dedicated facility at the company’s historic Hethel site in England. The original plan called for production to begin in 2020, but the schedule was later revised toward 2023. That timing explains the model’s association with the 2023 model year, but it does not prove that every car was assembled or delivered during that calendar year. A Lotus Technology financial filing states that Evija deliveries began in 2024. The Fittipaldi special edition accounts for eight cars within the limited programme rather than representing a separate 130-car production run. (media.lotuscars.com)

Press coverage of the Evija has focused mainly on its engineering ambition and exceptionally exclusive positioning. Car and Driver gave the 2023 model a 9/10 rating, praising the output of its four motors, its steering and braking systems without conventional electric assistance, and its status as the quickest Lotus yet evaluated by the magazine. The review also noted drawbacks associated with battery depletion during hard driving and the absence of a traditional mechanical engine sound. Available road impressions therefore portray the Evija as an extraordinary acceleration and technology exercise, but one defined by uncompromising choices. Such comments largely concern prototypes or development cars and should not be treated as a universal judgement of long-term reliability or everyday usability. (caranddriver.com)