Consisting of all-aluminum construction like the current Elise/Exige, the car goes one step further in using suspension pieces that bolt directly to its aluminum box structure, a system used no where else and, according to Lotus, is “revolutionary.”
Power once again come from Toyota. This time it is in the form of a 276 horsepower/252 lb-ft of torque V6. It will be mounted midships, of course, like any proper contemporary Lotus.
Styling proves to be in line with the current Lotus aesthetic with its tidy proportions and swoopy surfaces, though there's nothing that ties in the design to its predecessor. That is likely intentional however, this car being a 2+2. it seems far removed from the supercar-like intent of the Esprit.
The Evora's versatile construction and the Lotus propensity to have multiple variations of each offering should see a higher performance as well as an open roof variant be created as well. Time will tell if it'll also be named differently like the Elise/Exige.
Our take? A good looking car, but it lacks both the supercar presence of the original Esprit and the fun lightness of the current Elise/Exige.
THE EVORA IS HERE
With its stunning visual impact, exhilarating all-round dynamic performance, innovative chassis technology and high levels of luxury, packaging and convenience, the Evora heralds an exciting new era for Lotus.
The first all-new Lotus since the iconic Elise made its debut in 1995, The Evora enters the sports car market as currently the world’s only mid-engined 2+2. Powered by a Lotus-tuned 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 PS, and weighing just 1350 kg (prototype specification), the Evora promises breathtaking performance. During preliminary testing around the famous Nürburgring, the Lotus chassis engineers report that it is extremely agile and great fun to drive - even when clad with the full development disguise that hid the beautiful lines from the prying motor-industry paparazzi.
In addition to its excellent performance and exemplary handling, the Evora offers a more refined ownership experience than Lotus’s existing smaller fourcylinder models. Its elegantly styled cabin is elegantly trimmed and its equipment list includes contemporary features such as an advanced touchscreen multi-media system and electric power-fold door mirrors.
Because one of the roles of the Evora is to attract new customers to the Lotus brand, much attention has been paid to its ease of use. Wider, taller door apertures and narrower sills make getting in and out of the cabin a less athletic undertaking than it is in Lotus’s smaller sports cars (the Elise, Exige, Europa and 2-Eleven), while the design of the cabin itself will accommodate two 99th percentile (6ft 5in tall) American males in the front seats.
The ‘convenience factor’ of the Evora extends to less obvious areas of the car. For instance, beneath the skin the entire front-end structure is a high tech aluminium sacrificial modular unit, attached to the main extruded aluminium tub. This modular unit is designed to deform for maximum safety, and to reduce repair costs in the event of a frontal impact.
The Evora has been designed with global automotive regulations in mind, and uture derivatives are planed, these including amongst others, a convertible. The Evora will be hand crafted and built on a dedicated new assembly line ithin Lotus’s advanced manufacturing facility at Hethel in the east of England; capacity limitations will restrict production to approximately 2000 cars a year, ensuring the dynamic new sports car’s rarity and exclusivity. ike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, has this to say about the exciting ew model: “The Evora is the biggest milestone Lotus has achieved since the lise was born 13 years ago and is part of our bold five year strategic plan, which includes the introduction of new cars and technologies to many more arkets around the world. The Evora also represents Lotus core values of erformance through light weight and efficiency and proves that you can have henomenal performance, fuel efficiency elegant design and practicality all in class leading mid-engine 2+2 sportscar, which will meet global safety and homologation standards”. Mike Kimberley continues, “Looking to the future, we will continue to research, develop and produce lighter, more efficient vehicles which are linked to our extensive and well-regarded work on all aspects of future fuels, alternative engines and electric and hybrid vehicle solutions for the future. We all have an environmental responsibility to future generations and the Evora is another example where Lotus is seen to make significant steps towards improving the efficiency and sustainability of the motorcar keeping Britain at the forefront of the high technology motor industry.”
Press release via Lotus