2023 Rimac Nevera Review: A New League Of Hypercar

The Rimac Nevera is an electric hypercar like no other, with stupendous performance figures that simply defy logic and seem sent from the future. With four electric motors producing a combined 1,877 horsepower, the Rimac Nevera will blitz the 0-60 mph run in an unbelievable 1.85 seconds. And, while many EVs run out of steam at higher speeds, the Nevera will reach 258 mph at the top end. Yes, this Croatian carmaker has entered a new league of performance with the Nevera, a car that will leave the Bugatti Chiron eating its dust, although it's the similarly powerful Lotus Evija and the Nevera's Italian sibling, the Pininfarina Battista, that it will have to answer to. An aerodynamic masterpiece, and with an advanced monocoque construction, the Nevera is not only capable in a straight line but is a superbly balanced hypercar, too. In every facet, the Nevera proves itself as a worthy successor to the Concept_One. Only 150 people will have the privilege of driving off in one of these as Rimac keeps production numbers low.

2023 Rimac Nevera

The first Nevera bound for the USA arrived in the country midway through 2023. No major changes were made to the Nevera for this model year, although Rimac did confirm that the car shattered 23 speed and acceleration records earlier in 2023. In August 2023, Rimac revealed the Nevera Time Attack that set a new Nurburgring record for EVs at just over seven minutes - only 12 examples will be produced.

2022 Rimac Nevera

Revealed midway through 2021, the Rimac Nevera compels us to rethink everything we thought we knew about hypercars. It has four electric motors producing a combined 1,877 horsepower and 1,740 lb-ft of torque. That allows the Nevera to comfortably reach 60 mph in under two seconds. The Nevera has sleek looks, a modern cabin filled with the latest technologies, and a rigid monocoque structure. Active aerodynamics help to make it as slippery as possible while maintaining downforce at incredibly high speeds.

2023 Rimac Nevera

Make

Rimac

Model

Nevera

Model Year

2023 Rimac Nevera

Year

2023

MSRP

$2,400,000

Engine

Electric

Horsepower

1,914 hp

Transmission

single-speed direct drive

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Torque

1740 lb-ft

Length

187 in

Height

47.6 in

Max Width

78.2 in

Wheelbase

108.1 in

Curb Weight

4,300 lbs

Seating Capacity

2 seater

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Nevera Exterior

Considering its breathtaking performance, the 2023 Rimac Nevera is actually not the most dramatic hypercar to look at. That's not to say that it won't turn heads, but it's obvious that the focus has been on function over form, and aerodynamics above all else. The car rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The active aerodynamic systems are found all over the Nevera. There is a front underbody flap, a hood flap that reduces drag, and an active rear wing. In Range mode, the underbody vents are closed and the rear wing is retracted for lower drag. As for that rear wing, it also functions as an air brake that can activate in just 0.2 seconds. Finally, there are active flaps in the rear valance that manipulate airflow and improve cooling. Those dihedral doors never cease to draw attention and must be mentioned.

Dimensions

At 187 inches in length, the dimensions of the two-door Rimac Nevera make it significantly longer than the Bugatti Chiron. The Rimac is 78.2 inches in width, a low 47.6 inches in height, and has a 108.1-inch wheelbase. At 4,740 pounds, the Nevera is over 500 lbs heavier than a Chiron, no doubt because of the car's electronic components. Just as well, then, that the Rimac Nevera has almost 2,000 hp to wipe out any hint of a disadvantage caused by its weight.

Exterior Colors

Rimac promises that no Nevera is made exactly the same, so we hope that means that the Nevera has a broader color palette than what's shown on the company's official website. As it stands, the only colors for the Rimac Nevera are Gunpowder Grey, P5 Silver, E-Racing Blue, Polar White, and Riviera Blue. The white and silver do a good job of contrasting with the various carbon panels, but E-Racing Blue evokes the kind of energy we'd associate with such a viciously quick machine. The first customer car in the US featured a dark exterior with exposed carbon fiber.

Nevera Performance

The numbers are simply staggering. With four electric motors, the Rimac Nevera produces a sensational 1,877 hp and 1,740 lb-ft of torque. Each wheel is powered independently by one of these motors, allowing for maximum traction and dramatically different dynamic behavior depending on which mode the car is in.

It all translates to a claimed 0-60 mph time of only 1.85 seconds, although Rimac specifies that this is on a high-friction surface with a one-foot roll-out. In real-world testing, the Nevera bested that time with a 0-60 time of 1.74 seconds. It also completed the 0-249-0 mph dash in under 30 seconds, another record. No gas-only models can compete with that, and even the 1,020-hp Tesla Model S Plaid - the fastest sedan in the world - is slower. The quarter-mile time is just as impressive, with the Nevera taking just 8.582 seconds for this. That's comfortably quicker than the previous record attained by the Plaid of just over nine seconds. It's also been doing battle with the Pininfarina Battista in this regard.

A top speed of 258 mph is attainable in the Nevera, but that would no doubt quickly drain the battery. Still, just knowing it can be done is what sets apart this electric hypercar from everything else.

The Nevera has fast steering and grip levels that will rarely, if ever, be challenged by most drivers. The electric steering isn't quite as pure as sports cars of old, with the sense that the electronics are more involved than they should be, but hardware isn't enough when you're managing this much power and weight. Rimac positioned the battery low in the floor, which helped to achieve a lower center of gravity and a 48:52 front/rear weight distribution.

The company's all-wheel torque vectoring 2 system replaces traditional electronic stability and traction control programs. Reading the road ahead, it makes more than 100 calculations every second and directs the ideal amount of torque to each corner. The driver has an amazing amount of control over the system and can switch between numerous configurations like a front-wheel to rear-wheel-drive setup, or even drift the Rimac if the desire arises. It would take a long time to delve into all of this car's dynamic layers, but the speed it can carry through corners is astonishing, especially in Track mode.

Dial down the tempo, switch to Comfort mode, and the Nevera is also accomplished. With a double-wishbone suspension and electronically controlled dampers, it provides a comfortable enough ride that won't leave you fatigued on longer trips. The car is also adept at not being knocked off course by mid-corner bumps. In certain conditions, the regenerative braking means that you don't need the brake pedal to slow down. When you do need to stop in a hurry, the Brembo CCMR carbon-ceramic discs with six-piston calipers provide powerful, fade-free stops.

Powertrain and Transmission

It's not just the total outputs of 1,877 hp and 1,740 lb-ft that are impressive. It's how the four electric motors work together so that the driver can actually use all of it. These four independent, surface-mounted, carbon-sleeve, permanent-magnet electric motors are positioned at each wheel. The Rimac Nevera's powertrain also has four independent inverters and gearboxes. This enables all-wheel drive with software-controlled torque vectoring.

The rear motors are more powerful, making 653 hp each, whereas those in front make 299 hp each. At the back, there is a double single-speed direct-drive gearbox, effectively two gearboxes in one housing positioned between the motors. In front, there are two single-speed gearboxes but these are each placed at the outer end of the axle.

The whole setup requires five cooling systems and two refrigerant circuits. The final piece of the complex puzzle is a 120-kWh lithium manganese nickel battery.

To drive, the AWD Rimac is quite docile at first. You know the power is there, but you can navigate congested streets effectively if you need to. When space opens up, though, nothing can quite prepare you for the organ-repositioning acceleration that follows. It is mind-bendingly fast, and shockingly easy to reach illegal speeds.

Range, Charging, And Battery Life

The EPA has not yet published MPGe specs for the Rimac Nevera, but the absence of an ICE engine means you can avoid the shocking fuel economy and costs of something like a Bugatti Chiron - not that anyone buying a Nevera will be concerned about running costs, of course. According to the automaker, the Nevera has a range of up to 340 miles based on the WLTP cycle. We expect that number to be closer to 300 miles when the EPA shares its findings.

The 120-kWh battery can be recharged from 0-80% in as little as 19 minutes with 500 kW DC fast charging, when this becomes available. With 350 kW charging, that time increases to 25 minutes, and to 30 minutes at 250 kW.

Nevera Interior

The two-seater cabin has been designed to suit both track driving and grand touring. Rimac has divided the space into two zones, with the top segment being focused on performance and driving pleasure, and the lower section containing infotainment controls and comfort feature settings. There is a trio of TFT screens that can be customized to show the amount of information desired by the driver. While far from a Bentley in terms of luxury, the Nevera is built to a high standard. This is noticeable in details like the billet aluminum used for the rotary controls, and the soft upholstery for the seats.

Seating and Interior Space

There is only enough interior space for two lucky individuals in the Rimac Nevera, and that's exactly how it should be. There is enough legroom and headroom for even taller people over six feet, and the cabin feels appreciably wide too. Seating is snug, with good side support so that you don't go flying out of them at the speeds this car is capable of. Unlike some other hypercars, the Rimac affords the driver good visibility, which makes it more practical to drive every day.

Interior Colors and Materials

Climb inside the Nevera and you'll see a lot of exposed carbon fiber, a reminder of how extensively utilized this material is throughout the car's construction. It's paired with generous lashings of leather and Alcantara, and overall, it feels and looks special. It's not as glossy or opulent as the interior of a Bentley or even a high-end Mercedes-Benz, but Rimac wasn't exactly looking to compete with those brands. A nice touch is the billet aluminum used for the rotary controls and switches. A wide range of customization options will be available, with customers being able to choose bespoke trim and materials.

Nevera Trunk and Cargo Space

The Rimac Nevera coupe has a long but shallow trunk at the back. It measures only 3.5 cubic feet in size, and because of its unusual shape, taller items simply won't be able to fit in there. Then again, we never expected the Nevera to be a serious cargo hauler. In the cabin, there is possibly the smallest glovebox you will find on any production car; anything bigger than a slim diary is unlikely to fit. Beneath the center armrest is a dedicated space for your mobile phone, and behind that are two speed-tested cupholders. Essentially, these can hold bottles in place even when you're hooning the Nevera in Drift mode. The central infotainment screen can also be tilted forward to reveal a small storage area behind it.

Features

Rimac hasn't published a complete list of the Nevera's features, but it comes with most of what you'd expect plus a few advanced extras dedicated to the driving experience. The Nevera is equipped with climate control, three TFT displays, power-adjustable seats, a rearview camera, a power-adjustable steering column, and push-button start. The majority of functions, including the power mirrors and seats, are adjusted via the central touchscreen. Via this screen, the driver can also make adjustments to the suspension, throttle response, and steering assistance.

The Rimac will be offered with the world's first artificial intelligence driving coach that helps one to extract the best out of the car. This system uses 12 ultrasonic sensors, 13 cameras, and six radars to provide both audio and visual guidance.

Infotainment

The Nevera has three TFT screens in its high-tech cabin, and the company has designed its own infotainment software from scratch. This includes a digital instrument cluster, a large central touchscreen, and another narrow screen ahead of the passenger. The gauge cluster can be adjusted via buttons on the steering wheel and displays speed information, settings for the suspension, and a lot more.

The central touchscreen can be used to access navigation and music settings, but it is also used to adjust comfort features like the climate control system. Real-time telemetry is downloadable to a laptop or smartphone, and customers can easily access information like charging speed and battery status via Rimac's in-house app, accessible on both Android and iOS devices. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also offered, although Rimac hasn't released specific information about the car's sound system.

Rimac Nevera Coupe Problems and Reliability

Until more Rimac Nevera models start reaching customers, we won't have access to any review or data about the car's reliability or potential recalls.

While warranty information is also unknown, Rimac says the four electric motors are completely maintenance-free for their entire operating life. You can also bet that the electric components will be covered by a mandatory warranty in the US, which is a minimum of eight years/100,000 miles.

Nevera Safety

Unsurprisingly, no Rimac Nevera safety reviews have been conducted by the IIHS and the NHTSA. Considering the price of the 2023 Rimac Nevera, along with its limited production run, this will likely never happen. However, Rimac has submitted Nevera mules for crash testing purposes, so the safety systems are up to scratch.

Key Safety Features

The monocoque passenger cell on its own should be considered a safety feature. With aluminum and carbon fiber crash structures and deformation zones, it should hold up extremely well in the unfortunate event of a collision. The 2023 Nevera also comes with a driver's airbag, a passenger airbag, and side airbags. Torque vectoring with traction and stability control, along with that powerful carbon-ceramic braking system, will all help the driver maintain control.

With 13 cameras, six radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors, the Nevera is literally keeping an "eye" (or several eyes) on its surroundings and transferring this information back to the driver. The surround-view camera system is a useful feature. Eventually, the Nevera will be capable of Level 4 partially autonomous driving.

Verdict: Is the 2023 Rimac Nevera A Good Car?

Where does one even begin with this car? The new Rimac Nevera electric coupe accesses a level of performance that we never previously thought possible. Cars with a third of the Nevera's power are less able to put it down to the ground as well as this car does. Yes, the straight-line speed dominates the headlines, but the Nevera is not a one-trick pony. It can corner with the best of them, and it'll also glide along the highway confidently. Rimac has packed in so much technology to get the best out of the driving experience that it'll take a long time to unpack all of the car's talents. While that may prove tiresome to the typical Bentley owner, it'll thrill a newer generation - if they can somehow afford the $2.1-million-plus price tag, of course. As a technical and engineering achievement, the Nevera is remarkable.

What's the Price of the Rimac Nevera?

The Rimac Never has an MSRP of 2 million euros. At current rates, that translates to about $2.1 million. Few hypercars occupy space in this price range. Its Battista twin falls into this price range, too, while the Koenigsegg Gemera plug-in hybrid comes in at under $2 million. The Lotus Evija is one of the Nevera's closest competitors. It is also a fully electric hypercar, it also makes nearly 2,000 hp, and it costs nearly as much as the Nevera.

Additional Packages

Rimac promises that every Nevera will be unique, which is little surprise since just 150 examples will be made. However, the company hasn't gone into great detail about what packages, if any, are on offer. We do know that customers will be able to tailor the Rimac Nevera's interior as they see fit, likely for a substantial cost.

What Rimac Nevera Model Should I Buy?

There is only one Rimac Nevera trim on offer. If you have the means to acquire one, consider yourself fortunate. All Neveras are mechanically identical but you'll be able to choose your own interior and exterior colors, interior materials, and more.