While Lotus’ current offerings are designed primarily with race track intentions, including the GT-styled Europa - which is largely based on the Elise - the new Evora is designed for people seeking real-world usability matched with stunning design and performance.
Powered by a 3.5L V6, the new car employs innovative lightweight chassis technology for first-rate track performance but with ride and handling more akin to a luxury model. Beneath the skin the entire front-end structure is a high tech aluminum sacrificial modular unit, attached to the main extruded aluminum tub. This modular unit is designed to deform for maximum safety, and to reduce repair costs in the event of a frontal impact. The car’s final kerb weight comes in at 1,350kg but Lotus stresses that it’s still a prototype and this could figure could change by the time production starts later this year.
Despite the wider target audience expected for the Evora, Lotus claims the car is considerably faster around Germany’s benchmark Nurburgring circuit than the Elise and more stable than the Exige. The engine in the Evora is based on Toyota’s global 3.5L V6 but has been extensively modified for application in the Lotus. Changes to the engine management and exhaust systems also allow the V6 to rev more freely and provide rapid throttle response.
The car’s power output is rated at 276hp (206kW) and 252lb-ft (342Nm) of torque. Engineers are still working on the car’s final specifications but early indications suggest a maximum speed of close to 260km/h and a 0-100km/h time of less than five seconds.
Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a manual six-speed gearbox, again Toyota-sourced. A close-ratio version of this gearbox is also currently under development for the even more sport-focused driver.
The brake package consists of Lotus AP Racing 4 pot calipers and vented and cross-drilled discs measuring 350mm up front and 332mm in the rear. These reside within 18 and 19in alloys, the bigger wheels located at the rear.
In keeping with its luxury overtones, the Evora features plenty of leather and aluminum surfaces in its interior. The dashboard will be dominated by a stylized speedometer and rev counter, backlit with blue LEDs, and all controls are positioned towards the driver in true sports car tradition. Other details include figure hugging bucket seats, hand-stitched leather and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The Evora will also come with a 7-inch touchscreen multi-media system with satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.
As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a two-seater with extra storage space located behind the seats. The rear seats will be strictly for children or small adults. Wider, taller door apertures and narrower sills also make getting in and out of the cabin a less athletic undertaking than in previous Lotus models.
Anti-lock brakes are standard on all models, as are traction and stability control. These systems have been specially developed in co-operation with Bosch to provide enhanced safety features whilst maintaining performance characteristics.
Deliveries in Europe will start in the first half of next year, with only 2,000 of the hand crafted cars planned each year. Other derivatives are also planned for the future, including a convertible and a high-performance variant.
Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley describes the new Evora as the biggest milestone ever achieved by the company since the Elise was born 13 years ago, but he hinted that this is just the start of things to come. He reaffirmed his earlier comments that Lotus is executing a five year plan that will see the launch of two additional models.
Reader Comments
Thu May 15 2008 9:25 PM
CK says
What a noise ;D
Mon Jun 30 2008 12:32 PM
Ayax says
I find it stupid to add "small children" seats... and call it a 2+2, just make it a full 2 seater and live with it. I'm sure its so cramped even a child would have hard times fitting in...
Mon Jun 30 2008 10:34 PM
Gus says
As a father, I can say that small rear seats work fine for kids under 10, and makes an otherwise impractical car something to enjoy (I have a Mustang GT convertible, and a 4 year old daughter in the back who loves it more than any minivan...)
Tue Jul 15 2008 3:45 PM
Gus says
Now with the new picture, I really like it.
However, I wish they would bring back the Esprit, something larger, more on the order of a 911 size car...
Tue Jul 15 2008 4:33 PM
Fred uk says
AT LAST THE OFFICIAL PHOTO!!!!!
Hi Gus, the Esprit will come in 2010.
Can't wait to see the Eagle in couple of weeks. After a great Elise I've enjoyed to drive for 3 years, may be the convertible Eagle in 2009ish...
Tue Jul 15 2008 7:38 PM
Ayax says
This Eagle is a grown elise, they kept it rated close but just under 300HP (at least on paper) so as to not focus it as a huge power monster, but rather on agility, While bigger I really do hope it can live up to the handling claims.
Gus, it wasnt until now that I revisited the post and I guess you have a valid point, as long as a small kid is able to fit in without being cramped *and potentially dangerous to the child under crash conditions*
Also its good to see it will be available without the Faux rear seats as just a two seater GT.
Styling wise, its a nice step up and is diff enough without going away from the current lotus lines. Honestly this is what the Europa should have been...
Tue Jul 15 2008 11:32 PM
InkMaster says
Wow... talk about a let down... w/ all that camouflage on the track I was hoping for something more fun... I mean you look at the Elise/Exige and that just screams excitement, this looks boring at best... Also, I can't imagine the '+2' seats in this being any good, maybe for a chihuahua or the like but doubt you could fit anything bigger there...
Sigh... I'll wait till more shots are released before making up my opinion completely, but judging by this, there isn't much else to show...
Tue Jul 15 2008 11:39 PM
Turkle says
In the video the engine really sounds muted. I hope that this is a standard 3.5L V6 from Toyota that is in the car for testing purposes. That would make sense if they are testing/fine tuning issues with the car that don't require the production power plant. In case this is the 300Hp version, it would need some louder pipes before entering production.
Wed Jul 16 2008 5:03 PM
InkMaster says
***now having seen more photos of this from other angles and the interior... my opinion hasn't changed. It looks horribly boring, outdated and in general, mediocre at best...
Lotus really screwed this one up....
Thu Jul 17 2008 7:53 AM
Lotus Fan says
I think it looks great! One problem with the Elise / Exige is that many persons thought the car looked too cartoonish. (Apologies to the Elise owners here :-).
Perhaps this design was made to appeal to the more conservatve who woud have bought the Elise / Exige if the cars looked more "regular"
Tue Jul 22 2008 9:15 AM
Stephen says
I hope they keep the interior the same. I think this car is great, you will finally be able to get Elise performance with everyday practicality. Have you ever tried to get in and out of an Elise? Its more difficult than getting in an out a DTM car!
Tue Jul 22 2008 10:15 AM
Gus says
Not sure about that name...
Tue Jul 22 2008 10:21 AM
TURBO-LENTO says
I wonder if the choise of the name "Evora" was an accident that came out of a computer. Let's not forget a couple years back Opel had the "Sintra" and it was a Portuguese reporter that pointed auto to the people of Opel that it was the name of a POrtuguese town.
I'm Portuguese and I know and love the town of Evora but it's got nothing to do with speed or performance. Actually it's the other way around, it's so hot there that people actually spend most of the day waiting for night fall so they con work the fields.
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