The Rimac Nevera breaks the world speed record... in reverse

We already knew the Rimac Nevera was genuinely quick, not only on the track but also at the charging point. What we didn’t imagine is that it could also boast being the fastest vehicle in the world in reverse. A skill that probably has little practical use, but which undoubtedly catches the eye.

The Croatian manufacturer’s electric supercar has now officially secured the Guinness World Record for reverse speed, after reaching 275.74 km/h. A significant achievement considering the previous record was set more than 20 years ago by the Caterham 7 Fireblade, which reached 165.08 km/h on that occasion. In other words, the Nevera has raised the bar by more than 100 km/h. Quite something.

The supercar’s unconventional propulsion system, with a permanent-magnet electric motor for each wheel, is what has allowed it to reach this astonishing reverse speed, since each of these motors can spin at full power in both directions. Together, these four motors deliver no less than 1.4 megawatts of power, with torque that is no less impressive at 2,360 Nm.

These crazy specifications allow it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in under two seconds and complete the quarter mile in 8.25 seconds, with a top speed going forward of 412 km/h.

A capability nobody was looking for

In statements to the media, Matija Renić, Chief Engineer at Rimac, revealed that his team realised in the early development phase of the Nevera that this electric supercar could be the fastest vehicle in the world in reverse. He explained that the vehicle was not designed for this, so aerodynamics, system cooling and stability were going to work against it. Nevertheless, despite this, the simulations showed it could comfortably exceed 250 km/h.

The Guinness World Record was recently achieved at the ATP test tracks in Papenburg, Germany, where Rimac has already broken other speed records with the Nevera. The Croatian supercar can now add a new medal shortly after becoming the fastest electric vehicle around the Nürburgring circuit, after completing the lap in 7 minutes, 5 seconds and 298 thousandths.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm13uiZ0KWc