An advanced, aggressive new version of the Lotus Evija electric hypercar has been spotted sculking around the Nurburgring, fitted with a massive rear wing and brandishing its ‘X’ factor.
Unlike other pre-reveal models, Lotus has made no effort to disguise what looks to be a track or even race-ready version its flagship speed machine.
Indeed, the British sports car-maker has even gone so far as to tell us what it is via the car’s livery – the Lotus Evija X.
Our European spy photographers tell us the intense-looking but near-silent EV was the only vehicle on track at the time due to Lotus having booked exclusive use of the world’s highest-profile proving ground.
Usually this is indicative of a lap record attempt at Germany’s ‘Green Hell’, which could be the outright EV Nurburgring record currently held by the Volkswagen ID.R (6:05.336).
With its carbon body, enormous rear wing and ground-hugging aero aids, the Evija X looks even more aggressive than the purpose-built ID.R in terms of track capability.
Power? Well, the regular Evija is one of the fastest production cars ever built, churning out 1470kW/1700Nm from its Williams-developed battery-electric powertrain that can see it devour 0-100km/h and 100-200km/h in less than three seconds apiece.
Word from our spy shooters is that the Evija X was clearly faster in every respect than the road-going version, which suggests Lotus has turned the wick up even further.
By the looks of things, Lotus may also have found new ways to reduce weight with the Evija X, slipping under the donor model’s relatively light (for an electric car) 1680kg benchmark.
Stand by for more details on the Evija X as they come to hand, potentially with Lotus claiming bragging rights for a new ’Ring record.