Witness the Crash: 26 Million Electric Supercar Lotus Evija X at Goodwood Festival

Introduction

On July 11 at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the $26 million Lotus Evija X crashed at the start of the track, damaging its front bumper. Fortunately, the driver was not seriously injured. While it is common to see high-powered cars hit the grass at Goodwood, this incident was unique as it occurred at the starting line, rather than the tricky Molecomb corner known for causing crashes even among professional drivers.

Incident Analysis

The crash footage shows the Evija X skidding with great power, then suddenly slamming to the right and veering into the grass. The front of the car was damaged, but the cockpit seemed intact. The live broadcast speculated that the software related to the car's four independent motors, producing 1500 kW (2040 PS) and 1700 N·m of torque, might have contributed to the driver's loss of control. Lotus officials have not yet announced specific details. The car needs a new front piece to get back on track, but since the Evija X is a one-off project car, Lotus may have to build a new one if spare parts are unavailable. Despite the accident, it doesn't appear to be a costly mishap overall.

Before the Goodwood accident, the Evija X set the record for the fastest production car chassis on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a lap time of 6 minutes 24 seconds, making it the third fastest electric car ever to lap the track, behind the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo and the Volkswagen ID.R.

History and Evolution of the Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Goodwood Festival of Speed, initiated by the 11th Duke of Richmond, has grown into one of the most important automotive events in the world since its inception in 1993. What began as a small gathering of car enthusiasts has become a major platform for car manufacturers to showcase their latest technology, design, and performance. Each year, car manufacturers from around the globe present their latest technology, concept models, and even classic racing cars, making it a "holy land" for many car fans and attracting celebrities, car influencers, and enthusiasts alike.

The Rise of Ultra-High-Performance Models

In recent years, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has exhibited many impressive top models. In 2018, the NIO EP9 was unveiled, and in 2021, Rolls-Royce showcased its all-electric prototype Spectre, highlighting the future trend of electric luxury cars. In 2022, Bentley presented its Batur supercar, marking a new peak in performance and luxury. In 2023, McLaren's Artura and Porsche's Taycan Turbo S captured attention, with McLaren's breakthrough in hybrid technology and Porsche's prowess in electric supercars.

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed continued this trend, with the Lotus Evija X representing the pinnacle of electric vehicle performance. It not only set a new production car record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife but also demonstrated the immense potential of electric technology in the supercar field. Although the accident was unfortunate, the Evija X's performance underscored the progress of electric vehicles in extreme performance.

Top 5 Cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

1. Peugeot 208 T16 "Pikes Peak"

   • Fastest lap: 44.6 seconds
   • Driver: Sebastien Loeb
   • Highlights: The Peugeot 208 Pikes Peak is a high-performance car built for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It features advanced technology, lightweight materials, and a powerful 3.2T twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 652 kW (887 PS) and 883 N·m of torque.

2. Williams-Cosworth FW07B Formula

   • Fastest lap: 44.58 seconds
   • Driver: Robert Anthony Maxwell Reid
   • Highlights: This historically significant car was used by the Williams team in 1980, equipped with a Ford-Cosworth DFV-3.0-V8 engine. It showcased excellent performance, aerodynamic design, and powerful handling, laying the foundation for the Williams team's success.

3. Jaguar XJR8/9

   • Fastest laps: 44.4 seconds (first time); 44.19 seconds (second time)
   • Driver: Justin Rowe
   • Highlights: The Jaguar XJR8/9 is a racing masterpiece with a 7.0L naturally aspirated V12 engine, producing 559 kW (760 PS) and 828 N·m of torque. Its sleek design and powerful performance made it a legendary car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

4. NIO EP9

   • Fastest lap: 44.32 seconds
   • Driver: Peter Denbock
   • Highlights: The NIO EP9, launched in 2016, is equipped with 4 motors and 4 independent gearboxes, producing 1000 kW (1360 PS). It accelerates from 0 to 200 km/h in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 313 km/h. It set the fastest lap record for mass-produced electric vehicles at the Goodwood Classic Hill Climb in 2018.

5. Volkswagen ID.R

   • Fastest laps: 43.05 seconds (first time); 39.9 seconds (second time)
   • Driver: Romain Dumas
   • Highlights: The Volkswagen ID.R, with a monocoque carbon fiber structure and two motors, produces 680 PS and 650 N·m of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.25 seconds. The ID.R set a record for pure electric vehicles in 2018 and broke its own record in 2019, becoming the first pure electric car to defeat an F1 car.

Conclusion

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed highlighted the remarkable advancements in automotive technology, especially in the field of electric vehicles. The Lotus Evija X's record-setting performance, despite the accident, showcased the incredible potential of electric supercars. Alongside other high-performance models, the festival underscored the evolution of automotive excellence and the exciting future of electric and hybrid vehicles.