In an electrifying spectacle that defies all odds, the Rimac Nevera, one of the latest additions to the electric hypercar family, has notched up yet another remarkable feat by achieving a breathtaking reverse speed of 171.34mph (275.75km/h). The Nevera has etched its name in the annals of Guinness World Records by setting the record for the fastest speed in reverse, leaving the previous record, held for over two decades at 102.58mph by a Caterham 7 Fireblade, in the dust.
The groundbreaking reverse speed record was achieved at the Automotive Testing Papenburg facility in Germany. Interestingly, this is the same place where the Nevera previously shattered over 20 other acceleration and braking records in a single day, including the astonishing 256mph (411.99km/h) top-speed run.
Matija Renic, the chief program engineer behind the Nevera, shared some insights into this extraordinary endeavor, stating, “It occurred to us during development that Nevera would probably be the world’s fastest car in reverse, but we kind of laughed it off. The aerodynamics, cooling, and stability hadn’t been engineered for traveling backward at speed, after all.”
Test driver Goran Drndak offered a thrilling glimpse into the experience, saying, “You’re facing straight out backwards watching the scenery flash away from you faster and faster, feeling your neck pulled forwards in almost the same sensation you would normally get under heavy braking. You’re moving the steering wheel so gently, careful not to upset the balance, watching for your course and your braking point out the rear-view mirror, all the while keeping an eye on the speed.”
Rimac, which also boasts a majority stake in the legendary Bugatti, has made quite a name for itself in the realm of speed and electric performance. Earlier this year, the Nevera blazed its way into the record books by setting an outright Nürburgring electric car lap record with a jaw-dropping time of seven minutes and five seconds. To put this achievement in perspective, it’s a staggering eight seconds faster than a Porsche 918 Spyder.
The Nevera’s astounding performance can be attributed to its unique drivetrain, consisting of four liquid-cooled electric motors and a formidable 120kWh battery. The result? A peak output of 1,914bhp and a staggering 1,740 lb-ft of torque. With its single-gear setup, the Nevera can effortlessly sprint from 0 to 200mph in under 11 seconds, translating to an impressive 8.25-second quarter-mile time.
