Fittipaldi’s signature is stitched into the dashboard, a plan view of the Lotus 72 is etched into the carbon fibre roof, and it carries the number 8, which he used during the 1972 season, including at Brands Hatch where he won the 1972 British Grand Prix.
“The word ‘legend’ is often overused, but this project has brought together the Lotus Evija hypercar, Emerson Fittipaldi, the Type 72 race car and our brand’s celebrated Formula 1 heritage,” said Simon Lane, director of Lotus Advanced Performance. “That is four legends, all collaborating to deliver a truly unique hypercar.
“Production of the Evija has commenced at Hethel, and these eight cars are a very special celebration of this important moment in our history.”
The October issue of Motor Sport profiled all remaining examples of the Lotus 72, which made a champion of Jochen Rindt in 1970, and then secured the drivers’ and constructors’ championship with Fittipaldi in 1972.
Interior features aluminium from original 72
Its success, innovative design and six-year spell of racing in the top flight has led many to name it the greatest Formula 1 car of all time.
The Evija is an unconventional way of marking the titles, although the electric hypercar’s power output is conveniently described as more than 1972bhp. It accelerates from 0-62mph in under 3sec and has a top speed of 217mph.