It’s also good demonstration of the versatility of electric motors, which, unlike a conventional car’s transmission, can spin the wheels at top speed in either direction. This record joins Rimac’s Nürburgring lap record, as well as over 20 acceleration and braking records. Rimac is quick to note that the Nevera’s new reversing record speed matches the forward-facing top speed record set by the Lamborghini Miura in 1967.
“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,” said Marika Renic, the Nevera's chief program engineer.
“The aerodynamics, cooling and stability hadn’t been engineered for travelling backwards at speed, after all. But then, we started to talk about how fun it would be to give it a shot. Our simulations showed that we could achieve well over 150mph but we didn’t have much of an idea how stable it would be – we were entering unchartered territory.”
Honestly, it sounds bloody terrifying and, even to Goran Drndak, Rimac’s test driver, it sounds like it was. When first reading about the record, we wondered if the front wheels were in some way locked onto the straight ahead for the run. Apparently not.
“On the run itself, it definitely took some getting used to. 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. Despite it being almost completely unnatural to way the car was engineered, Nevera breezed through yet another record.”
Got any ideas of what record the Nevera should try and break next? Let us know your thoughts…
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