The one-off Lotus Evija X crashed at Goodwood starting line

The Goodwood Festival of Speed has claimed its first ‘victim’. The Lotus Evija X – a one-off track machine built for a specific Nurburgring record – was involved in an accident at the Goodwood event, causing extensive damage to its front end. Fortunately, the driver escaped unharmed.

While it’s not uncommon to see high-powered cars go off track and crash at this short Goodwood course, the Lotus incident is somewhat unusual.

It didn’t occur at Molecomb corner, a challenging left-hander in the middle of the course capable of catching out even professional drivers. Instead, the incident took place right at the start line.

Footage shows the Evija X performing a burnout with thick smoke before suddenly veering to the right and crashing into a hay bale wall. Its front clamshell is crushed, but the driver compartment remains intact.

Analysts suspect it may have stemmed from the software controlling the four electric motors on each wheel, generating almost 2,000hp causing a loss of control. The accident doesn’t appear to be too severe, and it is hoped that the vehicle can be repaired and back in action.

Only one unit was ever produced, and Lotus surely doesn’t have any spares or replacements. In a statement released by Lotus, a few days after the incident:

Evija X is a one-off track version of our electric hyper-car, Evija; one of the most powerful production cars in the world. The Evija X took part in a hill run at Goodwood Festival of Speed on Thursday, 11th July, where it was involved in an incident at the start line.

Following a formal evaluation by both Goodwood and Lotus, asymmetric grip caused by overcorrection during rapid acceleration at the start line was determined to be the cause. Driver was unharmed in the incident and there was minimal damage to the car.