Video Transcript
Fifty-six years ago, the Lamborghini Miura used its V12 engine to reach 170 miles per hour and set a record as the world’s fastest production car. Now, in 2023, Croatian electric automobile manufacturer Rimac Automobili hasreportedthat its Nevera beat that speed, only it was driving backward when it accomplished the feat.
The automaker said Guinness World Records officials watched the reverse record at the Automotive Testing Papenburg facility in Germany and verified the results, giving the Nevera the title of fastest speed in reverse.
According to Rimac, the Nevera was sporting its rare Time Attack Edition livery when it broke the record at a top speed of just over 171 miles per hour.
The Nevera’s drivetrain does not feature any gears. Instead, its four individual motors can go backward or forward and provide acceleration speeds of 0 to 100 miles per hour in 3.21 seconds or 0 to 200 miles per hour in under 11 seconds in either direction.
Matija Renić, a chief program engineer for the Nevera, said the team realized during the vehicle’s development that it could become the world’s fastest car in reverse. Renić said the concept amused the team because they did not engineer the Nevera’s cooling, stability, and aerodynamics for such backward speed. But when simulations showed the car could exceed 150 miles per hour in reverse, they went for it.
It was an unusual experience for test driver Goran Drndak, who said driving the Nevera at 171 miles per hour in reverse pulled his neck forward in a manner one would expect while braking.
Earlier this year, the Nevera broke over 20 braking and acceleration records in one day at the Papenburg facility. It was also the site where the vehicle achieved a record-breaking forward speed of 256 miles per hour.
