The electric automotive world witnessed a new milestone as the Rimac Nevera surpassed the time set by the Tesla Model S Plaid Track Pack on the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. This renowned racetrack in Germany, often referred to as the “Green Hell,” has become a benchmark for performance in the automotive world. It’s a popular venue for automakers to test their vehicles and set lap records.
On August 18, 2023, the Rimac Nevera broke the previous EV production lap record (by Tesla), beating it by 20 seconds on its first debut at the famous and ever-challenging Nürburgring track. In the historical, shorter track configuration of 20.6 km (12.8-mile), the Nevera set an impressive time of 7:00:928. The record-breaking lap, driven by Croatian racing driver Martin Kodrić, was undertaken using Michelin Cup2R tires, and verified by independent timing data, TÜV SÜD, and on-board telemetry.
Commenting on the record-breaking lap, Kodrić explained, “The fact that the Nevera can achieve this kind of speed on track, when it’s been developed to be a comfortable hyper GT for the road, is what makes it so special. Driving it around the Nordschleife is a real thrill, from launching out of the Carousel, with 1,914hp being distributed between the four wheels, or pinning the accelerator to the floor down the 1.30-mile (2.8-kilometre) straight section.”
The Rimac Nevera has just set a mind-bending time of 7:05.298 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, breaking the production EV lap record around the revered 20.8km-long circuit.
— Rimac Automobili (@AutomobiliRimac) August 18, 2023
Buckle up for the complete onboard lap: https://t.co/YAQ7uvQfZ1#BendingPhysics #RimacNevera pic.twitter.com/ARB0jpqdpe
Emilio Scervo, Chief Technology Officer at Bugatti Rimac, praised the achievement, stating, “Breaking records with the Nevera is a testament to the innovation and dedication of the Rimac team. This achievement showcases the engineering prowess and adaptability of the Nevera, which was primarily designed as a hyper GT.”
This record is just the latest in a list of more than 20 that the Nevera has shattered this year. In April 2023, at the Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP), Germany, the Rimac Nevera claimed a spectacular 23 performance records in a single day. The Nevera had already arrived at ATP track already holding the title of EV with the highest verified top speed, having achieved 256mph (412 km/h).
In July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Nevera once again demonstrated its record-breaking ability. In front of a capacity crowd, the Nevera set a 49.32-second time during the timed Supercar Shootout, making it not just the fastest electric production car to have ever taken on the famous hillclimb, but also the fastest production car to run the hill in 2023.
To commemorate this record-breaking year, Rimac Automobili introduced the Nevera Time Attack edition, a one-of-12 limited edition series, all of which have already been sold out. The first customer, Californian, Jeff Miller, received his Nevera Time Attack at its unveiling at the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, during the iconic Monterey Car Week in California.
Rimac Group Founder and CEO, Mate Rimac, reflected on the achievements, saying, “The Nevera Time Attack is a Limited Edition that celebrates the achievements of the past year. Built in a series of 12, each has already been spoken for by our customers keen to capture their very own part of performance car history. And it’s only August, too, so there’s plenty of time for more records to be broken.”
Quick notes:
The Rise of Rimac: With this achievement, Rimac has further solidified its position in the high-performance EV segment. Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has been at the forefront of the EV revolution and has set multiple records with its range of electric vehicles. What could be the next milestone for both companies?
Performance Benchmarking: As electric vehicles continue to break records and redefine speed, how will traditional racing circuits and competitions adapt to this electric revolution? The Nürburgring Nordschleife’s significance as a testing ground for automotive prowess remains unchallenged, but the players are rapidly evolving.
The Future of EV Racing: The achievements of Rimac and Tesla signal a shift in the automotive landscape. As technology continues to advance, the boundaries of what electric vehicles can achieve are constantly being pushed.
