Emerson Fittipaldi launches special edition Lotus Evija hypercar

The new Lotus Evija Fittipaldi electric hypercar commemorates 50 years since the Brazilian's F1 title, and uses material from original Type 72

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Fittipaldi-edition Evija comes in JPS livery

Lotus

Fifty years after winning the Formula 1 world championship, Emerson Fittipaldi and Lotus have reunited to launch a special edition of the Evija electric hypercar.

The Lotus Evija Fittipaldi features the black and gold colour scheme that adorned the JPS-sponsored Lotus 72, which won the championship in 1972.

It also includes a rotary dial made from aluminium that was originally used in a Type 72.

Fittipaldi travelled to Lotus’s Hethel HQ for the launch of the car, where all eight surviving Type 72s were brought together and run on the test track.

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Car has “greater than 1972bhp”

Lotus

“It’s fantastic to be back at Hethel for such a special occasion,” said Fittipaldi.

“Having the opportunity to drive both the Evija Fittipaldi and my championship-winning Type 72 Formula 1 car on the test track at Hethel has been an incredible experience.”

All eight examples of the Evija Fittipaldi have already been sold, and will be delivered to owners next year.

No price has been given for the Fittipaldi edition, though the standard model was put on sale for around £2 million.

From the archive

Fittipaldi’s signature is stitched into the dashboard, a plan view of the Lotus 72 is etched into the carbon fibre roof, and it carries the number 8, which he used during the 1972 season, including at Brands Hatch where he won the 1972 British Grand Prix.

“The word ‘legend’ is often overused, but this project has brought together the Lotus Evija hypercar, Emerson Fittipaldi, the Type 72 race car and our brand’s celebrated Formula 1 heritage,” said Simon Lane, director of Lotus Advanced Performance. “That is four legends, all collaborating to deliver a truly unique hypercar.

“Production of the Evija has commenced at Hethel, and these eight cars are a very special celebration of this important moment in our history.”

The October issue of Motor Sport profiled all remaining examples of the Lotus 72, which made a champion of Jochen Rindt in 1970, and then secured the drivers’ and constructors’ championship with Fittipaldi in 1972.

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Interior features aluminium from original 72

Its success, innovative design and six-year spell of racing in the top flight has led many to name it the greatest Formula 1 car of all time.

The Evija is an unconventional way of marking the titles, although the electric hypercar’s power output is conveniently described as more than 1972bhp. It accelerates from 0-62mph in under 3sec and has a top speed of 217mph.