Motor Authority - blog Category: Evora

A leaked PDF file out today showing Lotus's plans for offering their Evora platorm to other carmakers--including a ready-made electric vehicle packaging solution--has the Lotus fan base alight with discussion. Who will be the first to build on the Evora platform? What might this mean for Lotus, or for companies like Tesla?

Well, the document isn't officially confirmed, and though it clearly documents what amounts to a sales pitch of the Evora platform targeted at other carmakers, the reality of licensing out the Evora's design may yet stand in the way of a flood of cheap Evora-based alternatives.

The "user-friendly" Lotus, the 2010 Evora is...

A leaked PDF file out today showing Lotus's plans for offering their Evora platorm to other carmakers--including a ready-made electric vehicle packaging solution--has the Lotus fan base alight with discussion. Who will be the first to build on the Evora platform? What might this mean for Lotus, or for companies like Tesla? Well, the document isn't officially confirmed, and though it clearly documents what amounts to a sales pitch of the Evora platform targeted at other carmakers, the reality of licensing out the Evora's design may yet stand in the way of a flood of cheap Evora-based alternatives. The "user-friendly" Lotus, the 2010 Evora is a 276-horsepower Toyota V-6-powered 2 + 2 compact GT car with an eye toward accommodation and style as much as performance, unlike the much harder-edged Elise and Exige models. Because the Evora is built on Lotus's Versatile Vehicle Architecture, which employs a modular design that can easily be modified for certain purposes, while at the same time being cheaper to manufacture than the bonded and riveted aluminum extrusion-based Elise family of vehicles. The Evora's platform adds some simple folded metal to the mix, making it cheaper to replicate. So what do you think? Who would you like to see get their hands on this chassis? What kind of cars could be built on it? Or should Lotus be diluting its stock at all by offering the chassis up to third parties? Let us know how you feel about it in the comments section below. [Lotus Enthusiast] Read More

Just months after leaving his position as Ferrari's marketing head, new Lotus CEO Dany Bahar is eying his old employer as a competitive target. According to a new report, Bahar plans to bring Lotus back to a level of competing heads-up against the world's greatest supercar marques, including the Prancing Horse itself.

While Lotus languished over the last decade, its Esprit supercar limping along and eventually falling by the wayside after the business changed hands several times in the 1990s, leaving it with just a tiny output of Toyota-powered sports cars. While still a significant influence in motorsports and grassroots racing, Lotus has...

Just months after leaving his position as Ferrari's marketing head, new Lotus CEO Dany Bahar is eying his old employer as a competitive target. According to a new report, Bahar plans to bring Lotus back to a level of competing heads-up against the world's greatest supercar marques, including the Prancing Horse itself. While Lotus languished over the last decade, its Esprit supercar limping along and eventually falling by the wayside after the business changed hands several times in the 1990s, leaving it with just a tiny output of Toyota-powered sports cars. While still a significant influence in motorsports and grassroots racing, Lotus has failed to keep pace with the retail side of now-giants like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. But that's all about to change, says Bahar. "We believe it's the right time to bring Lotus back to where it was," he told PistonHeads. Bahar is thought to have a five-year plan to bring the company back up to snuff, starting with the new Evora as th focal point. The exact nature of that plan hasn't been disclosed, but it's sure to revolve around developing a prestigious brand image based on high-performance cars. Upcoming supercharged and convertible variants of the Evora could be just what the brand needs to raise its profile among a broader audience, as the track-focused and brilliant Elise and Exige that are its current bread-and-butter aren't likely to win many hearts when it comes to creature comforts. With up to 400 horsepower on tap and just 2,976 pounds to hustle around, the supercharged Evora could cut its 0-60 mph times to under four seconds. The standard 276-horsepower Evora manages the dash in under five. The V-6 powered Evora, on the other hand, is every bit the Grand Tourer, with its 2+2 seating layout not exactly capacious, but better than a strict two-seater, and clad in much more comfortable and luxurious fittings than its smaller brethren. The U.S.-spec 2010 Lotus  Evora should be on sale here early next year. Read More

With a recipe for lightweight, fun and fast trackday cars for the street, Lotus Cars has been on a roll of late. The new Evora has been widely hailed as a styling hit, and as initial test drives roll in, it is also being recognized as an able sportscar. But for Mike Kimberley, CEO of Lotus, the ride stops here.

Kimberley announced his retirement on Friday. Kimberley is stepping down not due to any professional or business reason, but rather on the advice of his doctor, who has warned him that retirement is necessary to avoid further permanent injury of his problematic back, reports Automotive News.

Having worked for Lotus several times,... With a recipe for lightweight, fun and fast trackday cars for the street, Lotus Cars has been on a roll of late. The new Evora has been widely hailed as a styling hit, and as initial test drives roll in, it is also being recognized as an able sportscar. But for Mike Kimberley, CEO of Lotus, the ride stops here. Kimberley announced his retirement on Friday. Kimberley is stepping down not due to any professional or business reason, but rather on the advice of his doctor, who has warned him that retirement is necessary to avoid further permanent injury of his problematic back, reports Automotive News. Having worked for Lotus several times, Kimberley's leadership has been undoubtedly solid over the last four years. Some of his previous projects - which included the front-wheel drive Lotus Elan roadster - were not as well-received, but the Elise, Exige and now the Evora are a strong trio of success to cap his 56-year career in the autmotive industry.2010 Lotus Evora Read More

The wraps first came off the Lotus Evora 2+2 GT back in July 2008 but despite the car looking production-ready Lotus engineers had plenty of fine tuning to complete before the car could finally go on sale. Then, almost nine months later, Lotus finally confirmed the production specifications for the Evora and announced a launch date for this May. That date got bumped to June, but the car is finally on its way - for Europe at least.

To ramp up excitement for the launch, Lotus has released a new set of images of the Evora, revealing the interior and several new exterior shots. The Evora will go on sale in Europe this June as a 2010 model with... The wraps first came off the Lotus Evora 2+2 GT back in July 2008 but despite the car looking production-ready Lotus engineers had plenty of fine tuning to complete before the car could finally go on sale. Then, almost nine months later, Lotus finally confirmed the production specifications for the Evora and announced a launch date for this May. That date got bumped to June, but the car is finally on its way - for Europe at least. To ramp up excitement for the launch, Lotus has released a new set of images of the Evora, revealing the interior and several new exterior shots. The Evora will go on sale in Europe this June as a 2010 model with a starting price of €50,412 for the basic two-seater model. Opt for the 2+2 seating configuration and buyers will have to pay an additional €3,000. No word on a U.S. launch has been announced yet but already some big name celebrities, both here and abroad, have announced interest in it. On the list are Jay Leno, Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, London Mayor Boris Johnson, musician Jay Kay, Richard Hammond and James May, Beyoncé, Dave Grohl, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey and Patrick Dempsey - to name just a few. To kick off the sales launch, Lotus will be releasing a special version built in a limited run of just 450 cars. Called the ‘Lotus Evora Launch Edition’, the special version will be available in either Ardent Red or British Racing Green, and come with 2+2 seating, silver cast alloy wheels, an Alpine stereo, bi-xenon headlights and a reversing camera as standard. The final specs for the car include a 3.5L petrol V6 producing 276hp (206kW) and 252lb-ft (342Nm) of torque. Straight line performance is impressive, with the zero to 100 km/h sprint taking place in just over 5 seconds with a top speed of over 260km/h. Official fuel economy figures for Europe are 19mpg (12.4L/100km) in the city and 36mpg (6.5L/100km) on the highway. Standard features include a six-speed manual transmission, optimal shift time indicator, Bilstein dampers, 18in wheels up front and 19in wheels in the rear, a Bosch electronic differential lock, twin airbags, four-piston AP racing brakes, 350mm ventilated discs, halogen headlights, Recaro leather seats, aluminum trim, and an Alpine stereo. Optional goodies include a 7in touchscreen display with satellite navigation, Bluetooth and USB connection, rear parking sensors and a camera, a titanium sports exhaust tailpipe, an engine oil cooler, a sports diffuser and an engine pack with enhanced throttle response.2010 Lotus Evora Read More

Until the Evora came along in the middle of this year, Lotus hadn't introduced a truly new car to its ranks since the Elise/Exige arose 13 years ago, instead contenting itself with special, high-performance editions. Now the Evora is out, and as a 2+2 promises more practicality and accommodation than its more track-bred siblings, and celebrities the world over are flocking to its sleek lines.

Already on the list are Jay Leno, Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, London Mayor Boris Johnson, musician Jay Kay, Richard Hammond and James May, Beyoncé, Dave Grohl, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey and Patrick Dempsey - to name just a few.

The low-slung... Until the Evora came along in the middle of this year, Lotus hadn't introduced a truly new car to its ranks since the Elise/Exige arose 13 years ago, instead contenting itself with special, high-performance editions. Now the Evora is out, and as a 2+2 promises more practicality and accommodation than its more track-bred siblings, and celebrities the world over are flocking to its sleek lines. Already on the list are Jay Leno, Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, London Mayor Boris Johnson, musician Jay Kay, Richard Hammond and James May, Beyoncé, Dave Grohl, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey and Patrick Dempsey - to name just a few. The low-slung Evora may offer more cargo room and easier ingress/egress than the Elise or Exige, but it's still bred with Lotus performance in mind. The 3.5L V6 generates 276hp (206kW), and the bonded aluminum frame provides light-yet-stiff construction for sharp handling. Los Angeles recently played host to the Evora, marking its U.S. debut, and it will soon be headed to the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show for its Australian - and southern hemisphere - debut. The organizers of the show, set for February, expect the Evora itself to be the star of the show. "This car will be one of the undisputed star attractions and it is also the first major star to be confirmed. We're sure that amongst the field of high performance and exotic supercars, the Lotus will be a standout," said Russ Tyrie, director of the Melbourne show.2010 Lotus Evora Read More