The Rimac Nevera broke the previous EV production lap record, 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 the 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 explains: “We had challenging weather conditions during our practice sessions this week and have chosen what seems like one of the hottest days on the track this summer to set a lap time. However, a 7:05:298 lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife is commendable. 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. It’s such a well-rounded piece of engineering and design; gentle and usable in the city, thrilling to drive on twisting B-roads, comfortable over long distances and devastatingly fast on a race track.
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.”
Emilio Scervo, Chief Technology Officer at Bugatti Rimac said: “Breaking records with the Nevera is a testament to the innovation and dedication of the Rimac team. I’m proud of what we achieved in our first time at the Nürburgring. Our virtual performance optimization, combined with only about 20 laps of industry pool testing, led to a great result. 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, including 0-60mph, 0-100mph and 0-186mph. 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. Now, in homage to this record-breaking year, Rimac Automobili will produce just 12 Nevera Time Attack edition cars – all already sold out.
Rimac Group Founder and CEO, Mate Rimac, said: “In many ways the Nevera has reinvented the world of the hypercar, bringing new technologies, new abilities and new levels of performance. But the simplest way we can demonstrate its capabilities is to go out and break records. And that’s exactly what we’ve done in 2023 time and again. The Nevera Time Attack is a Limited Edition that celebrates the achievements of the past year, wearing a bespoke livery inspired by the car that set of each of them. 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…”
The first customer, Californian, Jeff Miller, receives his Nevera Time Attack today at its unveiling at the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering. Having been through the bespoke hand-built construction process at the Rimac facility in Zagreb, the Nevera Time Attack makes its global debut during the iconic Monterey Car Week in California.
Commenting on his journey with Rimac, Jeff Miller, said: “I am thrilled to take my delivery of the first Nevera Time Attack today, at this iconic event, and in Mate’s presence. A gigantic thank you to Mate and the entire Rimac team for designing and building such an amazing vehicle. The finish and fit on this car blow me away.
The experience has been nothing less than incredible. From the time O’Gara Coach introduced me to the idea until today. I simply cannot wait to put this car on the curvy roads and feel it pull over 200 mph on tracks. Having my family and close friends here to share this moment makes it even more special.”
The Time Attack’s bespoke paintwork was designed in-house by the Rimac Automobili Color and Trim team and hand-applied to create a perfect finish. Jeff’s car, as well as the example that has toured the world breaking records, feature a base of Squadron Black, with Lightning Green highlights, including a pair of stripes running from front to rear. This bespoke shade of Lightning Green is inspired by a peculiar weather phenomenon that happens before a storm, when charged ionized particles give the sky a beautiful, powerful vivid green hue. It’s a visible warning of the power about to be unleashed. The color is also a direct homage to the e-M3 – Mate Rimac’s converted electric BMW 3 Series that was independently verified by the FIA in 2012 as the fastest accelerating electric vehicle in the world at the time. Rimac’s first record breaker, and the genesis for the Nevera.
The remaining eleven owners chose between a base of Squadron Black or bare carbon fiber, highlighted by a range of colors, including Rimac Racing Red and Stiniva E-Blue. Each is paired with a subtle color reflection in the Vertex alloy wheels. On the underside of the rear wing – clearly visible when Nevera is set up in its most extreme mode, sits a message: “Dedicated to those coming after us.”
The Time Attack’s bespoke touches carry through to the interior, which is finished in a base of black Alcantara, highlighted with accents and contrast stitching in the chosen exterior shade. Each example features bespoke ‘Time Attack’ stitching on the seat backs and an engraved ‘Time Attack: 1 of 12’ plaque.
