Norfolk-based Lotus chose the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed to reveal the name of the first British all-electric hyper-car which is due to go into production in 2020; it will be called the Lotus Evija (pronounced
‘Ev-eye-a’) and is the first major Lotus model launch under the stewardship of Geely, which acquired a majority stake in 2017.

Lotus Cars CEO Phil Popham said: “The Evija is a Lotus like no other, yet a true Lotus in every sense. It will re-establish our brand on the global automotive stage and pave the way for further visionary models.”

Sports-car fans who attended the Festival of Speed earlier this month were invited to visit the Lotus stand for a glimpse of the Evija, provided during a dramatic ‘light show’.

Since its existence was confirmed at the Shanghai International Auto Show in April, the car has been known only by its Lotus type number — Type 130.

In May Lotus confirmed that no more than 130 examples will be built at its factory in Hethel.

Also on show at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed were some of the most pioneering and record-setting Lotus cars ever made.

The event also hosted the recently unveiled Lotus Evora GT4 Concept car, which made its debut on the famous Hillclimb course — as well as examples of the current Lotus range of Elise, Exige and Evora.