Here's How the Lotus Evija's Aerodynamics Are So Unique

TopSpeed

By Tudor Rus

Published May 13, 2020

Supercars, electric or ICE-powered, and aerodynamics go hand in hand

Just like love and marriage, you can't have a supercar without top-shelf aerodynamics to keep it stable at high speeds and help the tires extract as much grip as possible from the ground.

Throw in an all-electric powertrain and the need for a body that lets air flow smoothly becomes even more pungent. Here's how Lotus solved the aero equation for the Evija.

Every square inch matters

While developing the Evija, Lotus assigned the aerodynamics task to Richard Hill, one of its senior engineers and chief aerodynamicist. And according to Mr. Hill, comparing the Evija to regular sports cars is "like comparing a fighter jet to a child's kite." So, there's that.

So, basically, the whole car acts like an inverted wing that keeps it glued to the road.

Another interesting point is the Evija's 'porosity'. Lotus is adamant that instead of having to break the air to go forward with brute force like most cars, the Evija breathes in the air and lets it pass through its various body elements, such as the venturi tunnels on its rear quarters. On top of that, the Evija is fitted with an active rear wing and an F1-style DRS setup (Drag Reduction System).

Let's not forget that the EV powertrain needs cooling, too

On one hand, its gaping mid section has the role of catching air and pass it on to the battery pack mounted behind the seats.

On the other hand, the outside sections of the splitter do the same thing, but the extracted air reaches and cools the front e-axle. Other than that, it also acts like a traditional splitter, reducing the amount of air that goes under the car, to reduce drag and lift on the underbody.

Lotus still has to do some testing by the end of 2020, and after that the company is set to announce drag coefficient and downforce figures for the Evija. Check out the video below for a detailed look at how the Evija handles the airflow.