Witness the Lotus Evija X crash at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Update: The story has been updated with official comments from Lotus regarding the crash.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed encountered its first incident as the Lotus Evija X, a high-performance, track-focused version of Lotus’ electric supercar, encountered a mishap before even starting its run. Despite the setback, the driver emerged unscathed from the collision with hay bales, which occurred during the car’s inaugural public appearance. As confirmed by Lotus, the driver was not harmed in the incident.

The crash unfolded during a run planned for the Evija X on Thursday, where, after being given the green light, the driver initiated an impressive four-wheel burnout that unfortunately ended with the vehicle swerving off course, colliding with the hay bales, and spinning. Although the front clip of the car sustained damage, the overall integrity of the vehicle remained intact, thanks to the crash occurring at a relatively low speed. Video footage showcasing the incident from various angles is available for viewing.

A Lotus spokesperson provided insight into the incident, explaining that the Evija X, a specialized track version of the immensely powerful Evija hypercar, experienced a loss of grip due to overcorrection during rapid acceleration at the start line. The company and Goodwood organizers evaluated the situation and determined the cause of the mishap. Thankfully, the driver emerged unharmed, and the vehicle sustained minimal damage.

While the Evija X may require some repairs before returning to the track, it is essential to remember its remarkable performance capabilities. Derived from the production model producing approximately 2,000 horsepower from four electric motors, the Evija X features extensive aerodynamic enhancements such as a large rear wing, front splitter, and additional winglets. Furthermore, the vehicle has undergone modifications to reduce weight and does not include production lights. With a notable lap time of 6:24.047 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, ranking it as the third fastest vehicle at the track, the Evija X is truly a force to be reckoned with on the racing circuit.