Updated 2,107hp Nevera R is fastest Rimac yet

'Radical, Rebellious Relentless' Nevera flagship promises aggressive edge, mad speed

By Matt Bird / Friday, 16 August 2024 / Loading comments

With Nevera build slots still available, Rimac has decided to make a ‘thrilling evolution’ of its first EV hypercar that promises to be an ‘aggressive alter ego’ to the standard Nevera - it’s the Nevera R. As might be expected given the name, this is a more focused take on Rimac’s incredible hypercar. So that means increased downforce, for starters, most notably through the enormous fixed rear wing; in conjunction with a new diffuser, overall downforce is said to improve by 15 per cent, with a 10 per cent improvement in aero efficiency.

The tyres are a new generation of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, the ceramic brakes are now ‘EVO2’ spec with a silicone matrix layer for better performance and durability, plus Rimac’s all-wheel torque vectoring has been revised to take advantage of the grippier tyres for ‘sharper, tighter cornering’. The result is a 3.8-second improvement on the Nevera’s lap time at Nardo’s handling circuit. There are stats that show it understeers less and grips more.

There’s more, too, with changes to the traction control to best utilise the grippier tyres and improved torque vectoring, recalibrated Drift Mode with similar considerations, plus revised steering for better feel and response. The Nevera R is definitely a whole lot more than just a wing and a new shade of green (Nebula Green now, where the Time Attack was Lightning Green). Indeed it’s claimed by Rimac that this new model benefits from a complete rethink of every element ‘for agility and handling’.

It’s not just about cornering for the R, however, as the latest version of the 108kWh battery pack can now help the motors generate 2,107hp. Or more than two Lamborghini Revueltos, not far off three Ferrari Purosangues, and more than the output of four Giulia Quadrifoglios - truly stupendous power. Rimac claims an 8.23-second quarter-mile for the Nevera R, which is probably too fast even for Fast & Furious, very soon after which (8.66 seconds) it’ll reach 186mph. Seriously. It accelerates to 124mph in the time it takes a fast car to reach 62mph (4.38 seconds), having catapulted to 62 in 1.81 seconds. There seems little reason at this stage to doubt those claims.

Mate Rimac said of the new car: “When we developed the Nevera, an important part of the brief was that it should be a Grand Tourer. We made sure it was spacious, comfortable and finely balanced between thrilling and accessible… But we’re relentlessly tweaking to customers’ desires, and many were looking for a car that really emphasised the Nevera’s cornering ability, using all the advanced technology on board. We responded with the Nevera R: all the DNA of the record-breaking Nevera, but lighter, faster and more focused.”

It’ll be interesting to see whether those original customers will be adding an R to their collection, Mate Rimac suggesting earlier this year that only around 50 of the planned 150 Neveras are so far spoken for. No more than 40 of those remaining will be R spec - could this be the model that turns fortunes around?