The Rimac Nevera is the fastest production EV in the world after hitting 256 mph (412 km/h) on the track with test driver Miro Zrnčević behind the wheel. This is an incredible achievement for a road legal vehicle with a fully electric powertrain, showing that Rimac is ahead of its rivals in terms of performance.
The record attempt took place in the Automotive Testing Papenburg oval track located in Germany, which is famous for its two 2.5-mile (4 km) long straights. The hypercar was set to the top speed mode which reduces drag while keeping downforce at appropriate levels to ensure stability.
Read: SSC Tuatara Hits 295 Mph In 2.3 Miles, Breaks Its Own Record
[embedded content]
The Nevera came out of the banking at an impressive 155 mph (250 km/h), reaching the targeted 256 mph (412 km/h) before the end of the straight. According to Rimac, the top speed – now confirmed by a Racelogic V-Box high-precision GPS measurement device – was simulated during the development of the C-Two prototype.
Notably, this was the highest recorded top speed at the Automotive Testing Papenburg. To put it in perspective, the new EV top speed record is higher than the 253 mph (407 km/h) set by the ICE-powered Bugatti Veyron in 2005, although much lower than the mind-blowing 304.77 mph (490.48 km/h) set by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ in 2019. Currently, the official record for the fastest production vehicle belongs to the SSC Tuatara with an average speed of 295 mph (474.8 km/h) in opposite directions.
Miro Zrnčević, Rimac’s Chief Test and Development Driver, probably knows the Nevera better than anyone else in the world. Following the successful attempt, he said: “To travel at 412 km/h, or 256 mph, means traveling at a third of the speed of sound…I’ve driven Nevera since it first turned a wheel and to see the perfectly honed car that is today is a really emotional moment. The most important thing I have learned during the top-speed attempt is how composed and stable the car was – confirming that our aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics teams have done an amazing job”.
The Nevera was fitted on Michelin Cup 2R tires that had been checked by a Michelin technician prior to the record run. There were no modifications compared to customer vehicles, other than removing the 219 mph (352 km/h) speed limiter that is set to protect the tires. Still, Rimac says that the full 256 mph (412 km/h) top speed can be achieved by all of the Neveras in “special customer events with the support from the Rimac team and under controlled conditions”.
As a refresher, the Rimac Nevera is fitted with quad electric motors producing a combined 1,887 hp (1,408 kW / 1,914 PS) and 1,740 lb-ft (2,360 Nm) of torque, connected to a 120 kWh battery. Besides being the record holder for the highest top speed amongst EVs, the Rimac Nevera is also the fastest accelerating production vehicle, running an 8.582-second quarter mile in 2021.
