Lotus puts it on the line with 2000ps and a $2million price tag.

The Lotus Evija (pronounced ‘E-vi-ya’) means ‘the first in existence’ or ‘the living one’ was announced recently and it marks a huge commitment by Lotus to the EV Supercar marketplace. Here are the facts according to Lotus…

Target power output of 2,000 PS makes it the world’s most powerful series production road car
Target 0-62 mph (0-100km/h) in under three seconds, top speed over 200 mph (320 km/h)
Ultra-lightweight carbon fibre monocoque makes it the world’s lightest production EV hypercar, at 1,680kg
Pure electric driving range target of 250 miles (400 km)
Mid-mounted battery pack echoes celebrated Lotus mid-engined sports car layout
World-first main and dipped beam laser lighting technology
Comprehensive personalisation and experiential programmes for customers
Designed, engineered and hand-built at Lotus’ famous home in Hethel, UK
Cements the UK’s position as the world leader in high-performance, advanced technology automotive manufacturing
Lotus Evija production limited to just 130 cars – in tribute to its Lotus ‘Type’ number, 130 – beginning in 2020

Lotus and its electric battery partner Williams Advanced Engineering are still working with the same lithium-ion technology that its rivals have said is not ready for sports car applications. In fact the famed British F1 and sports car designer Gordon Murray was even more dismissive of the technology. "Just about the most ridiculous thing you could do at present is make an electric supercar," he told the magazine Autocar at the announcement of his latest supercar project in June.

"With batteries in their current state, you'd end up with something that weighed two tons, would go well in a straight line for a while, but wouldn't corner because of the weight, and wouldn't have much range," he said.

Lotus says it will prove them wrong. For one thing the weight of the Evija is not two tons but a targeted 1680kg (or 1.7 tons), which is still heavy by Lotus standards but not by electric-car standards.

LOTUS EVIJA: FACT FILE

NOTE: THESE ARE TARGET SPECIFICATIONS

Name: Lotus Evija (Type 130)

Powertrain: Pure electric, 4WD

Power: The target is to be the most powerful production car in the world, at 2,000 PS

Battery power: 70 kw/h / 2,000 kW

Torque: 1,700 Nm with torque vectoring

0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): Under three seconds

0-300 km/h (0-186 mph): Under nine seconds

Max speed: in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h)

All-electric range (WLTP Combined): 250 miles (400 km)

Charging time (350kW charger): 18 mins

Weight: 1,680 kg

Production run: Maximum of 130 cars

Overall dimensions (L/W/H): 4,459 / 2,000 / 1,122 mm

Price: From £1.7m + duties and taxes

Reservation process: £250k deposit secures a production slot

Start of Production: 2020