It's the sound that first gets you. EVs, even massively powerful ones, can feel synthetic, what with their eerie silence or space commander theme music. Then there are the sounds coming from the Rimac Nevera's four motors and their attendant reduction gears through the carbon-fiber conduit that is the one-piece chassis. They create the impression this thing is alive-connecting human and machine like no other EV has.
The Nevera brings an almost preposterous 1813 horsepower to bear via four AC motors, one driving each wheel with its own direct-drive gearbox. At full whack, the total output is rear-biased, because while the front motors produce 295 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque apiece, the two rear units each kick out a monster 644 horses and 664 pound-feet. The result is a claimed 1.9-second 60-mph time, 8.6-second quarter-mile, and 258-mph top speed.
Five preset drive modes tailor the motors' output, steering effort, and damper tuning. Sportiness ratchets up through Range, Cruise, Sport, and Track modes. Only Track unleashes all 1813 horses. Drift mode puts the front motors to bed while allowing the driver to light up the rears to the fullest.
The chassis is otherworldly, with immense torsional stiffness. It's bolstered by the massive 117.0-kWh battery pack, which is a fully stressed chassis member between and behind the seats with wings of cells spreading under occupants' feet. The absence of cells beneath the seats allows for a low H-point and roofline.
This story is from the October 2022 edition of Car and Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2022 edition of Car and Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Great Aspirations
Highs: Excellent fuel economy, good controls, quiet on the highway. Lows: Bigger outside than inside, just-average dynamics, premium pricing.
Treading Water
Highs: Sharper styling, big new touchscreen, solid electric range. Lows: No all-wheel drive, steep pricing, rivals are quicker.
Higher-Purpose Hybrid
Forget electric range. This plug-in hybrid delivers 791 horsepower.
1979-93 - WHAT TO BUY: SAAB 900
Echoing the design of the long-running 99 that preceded it, the updated and modernized Saab 900 was the car that brought the fringe Swedish brand into its closest proximity to the mainstream, which honestly wasn't that close.
12-Cylinder Salute
Bentley makes 18 Continental GT-based Baturs as a send-off for its W-12.
How to Winch in a Pinch
We head out into the Utah wilderness with the Cameron Advanced Mobility team to learn to off-road like military special forces.
Time Machines
A trip to Duncan Imports prompts an unexpected rendezvous with cars from my past. And want them all back. Well, except maybe the Ram.
Now Hear This
Automakers are going to new lengths to create the sounds of modern cars.
Getting Hammered
Jonathan Hodgman isn't afraid of a challenge, and his shop, Blue Ridge Mercedes, specializes in the difficult task of repairing early AMGS.
2022 GENESIS GV70
Long-Term Test AFTER TRACKING EVERY FILL-UP, SERVICE, PROBLEM, COMPLAINT, DENT, AND DOG HAIR, CAR AND DRIVER PRESENTS THE 40,000-MILE EVALUATION.