Rimac Nevera production model (2021)
OMG! 1.85 s to 100, 412 km/h, 1,914 hp, 2,360 Nm
Originally, the electric sports car was supposed to make its debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, but the show was cancelled as one of the first major European events due to the rampant Covid 19 virus. Instead, the presentation of the production car was postponed until 2021. Now the time has come: the Rimac Nevera has been officially unveiled.
The powertrain
Four electric motors catapult the hypercar to 100 km/h in 1.85 seconds after a light roll. The thrust spectacle only ends at 412 km/h. Rimac gives the total output as 1,914 hp and 2,360 Newton meters of maximum torque. Rimac packs the rapid performance into different driving modes. In addition to Range and Comfort, Sport, Track and Drift are also available. The driver can also program two individual settings.
The Croatian manufacturer dispenses with a classic ESP or conventional traction control. Instead, the R-AWTV 2 all-wheel torque vectoring system is used. This electronic assistant collects data on road conditions via various sensors and performs up to 100 calculations per second. In this way, each individual wheel is always provided with the appropriate force/traction ratio. If at some point a complete standstill is called for, a carbon ceramic brake system from Brembo takes over the deceleration. Its discs measure 390 millimeters in diameter at the front and rear, and six pistons each press the lining onto the discs. Before this happens, recuperation with an output of up to 300 kW slows the car down.
The sprint from zero to 100 km/h (rolled off) is achieved in 1.85 seconds
The chassis is also responsible for the balancing act between comfort and sportiness. Double wishbone suspension, electrically adjustable dampers and level control work together here. By the way, drive influences on the steering are not to be expected, because the Nevera has a steer-by-wire system without mechanical connection between steering wheel and wheels. Here, a control unit passes on the steering commands detected by sensors electrically.
The battery
The hypercar’s H-shaped traction battery extends from the footwell to behind the seats and has a capacity of 120 kWh. 6,960 cells store up to 1.4 megawatts, and the cell chemistry is composed of lithium, manganese and nickel. The battery design not only powers the powertrain, but also contributes 37 percent to the structural rigidity of the entire vehicle.
In range driving mode, skilled electric car drivers should be able to reel off up to 550 kilometers (WLTP). Rimac specifies the maximum charging power at 500 kW. This means the battery can be filled from zero to 80 percent in just 19 minutes.
The 120 kWh battery in the floor not only supplies the car with energy, but also makes the whole structure significantly stiffer.
The construction
It goes without saying that a car of this caliber has to make dramatic appearances. The wide butterfly doors also help. More relevant in terms of driving dynamics, however, are the improvements in aerodynamics. The modeling of body parts, diffuser, splitter and air intakes has improved their efficiency by 34 percent compared with earlier prototypes in the production model. All active aero parts, which include the rear wing, adjust independently depending on the driving situation. However, the driver can also exert influence himself and choose between “low drag” and “high downforce”.
The basis of the design is a carbon monocoque, which the company claims is the largest single carbon fiber component in the entire automotive industry. It weighs less than 200 kilograms and offers torsional stiffness of 70,000 newton meters per degree. Rimac also ranks this value at the top of all cars ever built.
The carbon monocoque weighs less than 200 kilograms.
The interior
The interior appears in the first pictures to be a combination of light brown leather and carbon. However, this is only one of countless possible configurations. Three model variants are offered by Rimac – GT, Signature and Timeless. In addition, customers also have the option of customizing the car completely according to their own ideas. In any case, occupants take their seats on Alcantara-covered carbon seats that can be electrically adjusted.
The digital instruments are joined by a central touchscreen, below which there are also some mechanical buttons on the center console. The drive mode dial sits on the left side of the steering wheel and starts the vehicle after a press command, while other aluminum dials control drive modes and power distribution between the front and rear axles. The passenger also gets his own display, which shows the speed and the power currently being called up. Rimac dispenses with steering column levers altogether. Turn signals, lights and wipers are operated via steering wheel buttons. The air vents are made of matte aluminum, and the entire dashboard is slightly tilted toward the driver.
All data on the car’s performance can be shown on the central display and also transferred to a mobile device if required. A Rimac smartphone app is also part of the overall package. The integration of a virtual driving instructor is also exciting. Supplied with data on all known race tracks, the artificial intelligence provides acoustic and visual tips on the ideal line, braking and acceleration points in real time – i.e. directly live while driving on the respective course.
The prize
Superlatives are rarely available on the automotive market for little money, and the Rimac Nevera is absolutely no exception. CEO Mate Rimac wants two million euros for his new electric sports car. As usual, the limitation to 150 units also contributes its share to the price. So even “used” cars will hardly be available at a lower price in the years to come. At least the boss doesn’t miss the opportunity to sign every single car personally. That’s something, too.
So much power and exclusivity come at a price: Rimac wants two million euros for the Nevera.
Once series production starts on the new production line at the plant in Veliko Trgovišće, Croatia, it takes five weeks to produce a model. If the plant operates at full capacity, four customer cars will later be produced per month. However, only pre-production has been underway since the end of December 2020. The final tests are taking place in parallel. The final touches are being made to power electronics, aerodynamics and chassis on a total of 17 prototypes and ten pre-production cars; Mate Rimac’s squad has also been conducting crash tests with them for some time. “We want this car to be intuitive and user-friendly, yet snappy and powerful,” says the company’s founder. “This process of testing and refinement is critical to ensure we deliver on our promises.”
Developing as a C_Two prototype
To that end, Rimac recently took to the same unused airfield where he set acceleration records a decade ago in his poison-green BMW 3 Series E30 converted to electric drive. This time, the Croatian brought along a C-Two prototype, professional equipment for measuring times, a camera, and a Porsche Taycan Turbo S as a comparison vehicle. And his hypercar delivered: After just 8.94 seconds, the quarter mile was completed. This meant that Rimac was not only faster than the Porsche, but also than the select e-car competitors Lucid Air and Tesla Model S Plaid, as well as the Bugatti Chiron.
Rimac Automobili
Rimac Automobili
Rimac Automobili
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Rimac Automobili / Screenshot: Youtube
KW automotive GmbH
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Rimac Automobili
Rimac / Youtube
Rimac / Youtube
Rimac / Youtube
Rimac Automobili / Screenshot: Youtube
Rimac Automobili / Screenshot: Youtube
Rimac / Youtube
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RimacIn the video, Rimac itself seems unsurprised by the performance of the car that bears its name. At the current stage of development, his team has only released 85 to 90 percent of the torque. What’s more, the C-Two competed on road tires (Michelin Pilot Sport 4S), on a rather dusty track, with Launch Control deactivated and the foam braked. As Rimac’s software showed, the C-Two called up just 1,312 kW / 1,759 hp on the fastest run. So there’s still untapped potential there (see below).
Incidentally, this also applies to the zero-to-60-mph acceleration (96.6 km/h) of 2.33 seconds; at the start, the Porsche actually came out of the blocks better. In terms of top speed, too, more is possible than the 249.7 km/h reached at the finish line and the 255 km/h indicated overall. Says Rimac: “We still have software problems that limit the top speed.”
The suspension comes from KW Automotive
When it comes to driving dynamics and comfort, Rimac relies on the expertise of KW Automotive. The Swabians supply an active coilover suspension with adaptive valve control and hydraulic lift system for the electric hypercar. The chassis control system and the necessary control electronics also come from Fichtenberg. KW managing director Klaus Wohlfarth calls the system “currently the most innovative product we have in our range.” The specialists have been working with Mate Rimac since the latter’s first electric walking tests with converted BMW race cars. In this respect, it was obvious that the partnership would continue with the Croatian’s production cars.
During his quarter-mile test, Mate Rimac also gave a detailed insight into the C-Two’s driving profiles. He demonstrated their four: in range-optimized Range mode, a maximum of 50 percent of torque is released front and rear. In Sport tuning, the value rises to 70 percent each, while full power is available in Track mode. Electric driving fun of a different kind is offered by the drift setting, which by default provides no power at all at the front and full power at the rear. However, the distribution of power is largely infinitely variable.
Although the Rimac C-Two is not even properly on the market yet, Mate Rimac is already thinking about further model versions. “Future variants of the car will be race track focused,” he told Top Gear magazine. In its current state, he said, the C-Two is geared more toward comfort, with features such as electrically adjustable seats and tires suitable for everyday use. That leaves room for something “with more punch,” as our British colleagues correctly note.
Is Rimac planning to set the Nürburgring record?
Rimac’s statement was in response to the question of whether the Croatian electric car specialist is planning an attack on the Nürburgring record. “I would be interested, but maybe not with the C-Two.” After all, he said, the current record holders, the VW ID.R and Nio EP9, are race cars, and the Rimac is more like the reliable, daily-use electric hypercar.
Survey
… I get all nostalgic. Such noble cars should basically not be crashed.
… I think: That’s right! Whether small car or hypercar – equal rights for all car manufacturers.
Conclusion
Even a young small series manufacturer like Rimac has to prepare conscientiously for the start of series production, as well as go through the usual registration scenario and crash tests. All this takes time, which is why – also in view of all the upheavals surrounding the Corona pandemic – it is not surprising that the debut of the electric hypercar was delayed.
Given the impressive performance figures, the immense purchase price and the exclusivity, it was probably worth the wait. The 150 units of the Nevera may sell out quickly.