Driving the $2 Million, 2,000-horsepower Rimac Nevera EV

The combination of electric power delivery and Croatian engineering makes this hypercar both incredibly fast and impressively controllable. 

As the automotive industry moves towards electric vehicles, the future of high-performance cars is undoubtedly electric as well. This vision was realized by Mate Rimac 15 years ago when he founded his own car company with the goal of creating cutting-edge electric supercars that offer unmatched performance.

Rimac, who started the company at just 20 years old, had a clear goal in mind: to develop a 2000-horsepower electric hypercar. The result is the Nevera, a vehicle that exceeds expectations with its four electric motors producing a total of 1914 horsepower and 1,740 lb.-ft. of torque. This power allows the Nevera to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.85 seconds and reach a top speed of 258 mph.

During my visit to Zagreb, Croatia, the home of Rimac Automobili, I witnessed the unbelievable performance of the Nevera firsthand. This hypercar, led by the youthful 35-year-old Rimac, is a testament to innovation and engineering prowess.

Rimac and his company have attracted a dedicated following through their YouTube videos showcasing the company’s work and providing a glimpse into Croatian culture. The company gained international attention after a 2017 incident where a Rimac prototype crashed, involving former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond. Despite the dramatic crash and subsequent fire, Hammond emerged unscathed.

The Nevera is powered by a 120-kilowatt-hour battery that drives four custom motors, delivering precise power to each wheel for optimal performance on both road and track. Similar to the Rivian R1T, the Nevera utilizes advanced technology to enhance its driving experience.

One of the standout features of the Nevera, aside from its hefty price tag starting at $2.2 million, is its user-friendly interface that allows drivers to access its incredible performance effortlessly. Despite its compact interior, the Nevera offers a luxurious driving experience with a blend of carbon fiber and leather upholstery.

The Nevera’s rigid carbon fiber body shell sets it apart as one of the most structurally sound cars in the world, boasting a rigidity score of 70,000 newton-meters per degree. Additionally, the car combines modern technology with traditional elements, featuring physical controls alongside digital displays.

Starting the Nevera is a simple process, with a rotary shifter and drive mode selector for ease of use. The Rimac All-Wheel Torque Vectoring 2 system enhances the driving experience by adjusting power delivery to each wheel based on various factors, ensuring optimal performance in different driving conditions.

As drivers cycle through the available drive modes, the Nevera gradually shifts power to the rear wheels, adjusts regenerative braking, and fine-tunes power steering assistance, starting from Comfort mode.

When the Select Comfort mode is chosen, the computer is programmed to strike a balance between mileage and performance. This mode ensures that the vehicle operates efficiently while still delivering a satisfactory level of performance. Please rewrite this sentence.