Lotus announces Evija EV hypercar

The Evija will have nearly 2,000 horsepower.

British sports car maker Lotus has unveiled its latest project -- the Evija pure electric hypercar.

Billed as the world's first pure electric British hyper, the Evija (pronounced E-vi-ya) arrives with a "target output” of 2,000PS (1,973 horsepower). If Lotus hits that target, the Evija will be the most powerful series production road car ever built.

Despite being a new kind of vehicle for Lotus, the Evija stays true to the brand's ethos. The hyper EV is made out of carbon fiber so it weighs just 3,700 pounds, which is admittedly heavy for a Lotus, but light for an EV. The Evija's battery pack is mid-mounted, just like the engines in Lotus' normal cars.

"The Lotus Evija is a car like no other,” said Phil Popham, CE of Lotus. "It will re-establish our brand in the hearts and minds of sports car fans and on the global automotive stage. It will also pave the way for further visionary models.”

Lotus promises the Evija will be able to accelerate from 0-60 in less than 3-seconds and hit a top speed in excess of 200mph. Range is stated at 250 miles.

Lotus plans to build just 130 units of the Evija, with a price tag befitting of that exclusivity. Lotus' first EV hypercar will cost a cool $2.1 million, with buyers required to plunk down a $310,000 deposit. Production is scheduled to start next year.