Lotus Evora 2+2 GT

[Cynthetiq]

View: Lotus names new 2+2 GT ‘Evora’
Source: Motorauthority
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Lotus names new 2+2 GT ‘Evora’
Lotus has revealed the new name of its latest model, a 2+2 GT that made its official debut today at the London Motor Show. The car will from now be known as the ‘Evora’ (named after a city in Portugal) and it joins the ranks of Lotus’ existing models, including the Elise, Exige and Europa. The new Evora is the first all-new car from Lotus since the introduction of the Elise back in 1995, and it’s the only sports car on the market with a mid-engine layout and a 2+2 seating configuration.

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.

What a beautiful ride. Has all the trims of a supercar with the engine under glass. I wonder how this performs...

[Willravel]

Beautiful, sure, but heavy. 2,976 lbs. is really heavy for a Lotus, and quite frankly it's too heavy for 270hp to be particularly impressive. $5 says they release a special edition of some kind with 320-350hp some time in the near future.

[SSJTWIZTA]

oh thats beautiful.

yeah, i guess that is really heavy for a lotus. At the lotus booth at the last Le Mans race i went to, the chick let me push a lotus with one hand....oh so light.

[Willravel]

The 2008 Elise is 1984 lbs. 270hp in that? Holy crap. 7 pounds per hp. The Evora would need 430hp to compete with that.

[Cynthetiq]

Originally Posted by Willravel

The 2008 Elise is 1984 lbs. 270hp in that? Holy crap. 7 pounds per hp. The Evora would need 430hp to compete with that.

Why would it want to compete against it's own product lineup??? It's a different sector that the vehicle is trying to capture "the new Evora is designed for people seeking real-world usability matched with stunning design and performance."

Notice that performance is last.

I'd love to have an Elise, but it's not very practical for a single vehicle. This makes for something that is a bit more acceptable since I can shove at least a third person in the back seat.
-----Added 26/7/2008 at 09 : 05 : 42-----
I'd also add that any serious performance vehicle isn't a 2+2. It probably is a lot more fun to drive than my Neon.

[Tech]

i'm actually not sure if you can even throw a 3rd person in the back. as with most 2+2's the back is really only usable by small children. here's a pic i found when i first saw the car, the woman's knees are literally in the back of the driver, without even accounting for the seat... notice it also shows it's size in comparison to the Elise (accounting for a good bit of the weight i'm sure)

[Bear Cub]

If only the Elise had a more user-friendly interior like this car does, my name would probably be on the waiting list within 12 months time.

[Willravel]

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

Why would it want to compete against it's own product lineup??? It's a different sector that the vehicle is trying to capture "the new Evora is designed for people seeking real-world usability matched with stunning design and performance."

Notice that performance is last.

I'd love to have an Elise, but it's not very practical for a single vehicle. This makes for something that is a bit more acceptable since I can shove at least a third person in the back seat.

As someone who owns a 2+2, please believe that you almost certainly can't. I'd have trouble fitting anyone bigger than a toddler in the back of the Eclipse.

I've driven the Elise, it can work as a daily driver.

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

I'd also add that any serious performance vehicle isn't a 2+2. It probably is a lot more fun to drive than my Neon.

You know better than to hate on Neons. I could make your car faster than an Elise for less than $10,000 and maybe 5 solid weeks of work. I'm just waiting for the cashier's check and the keys.

[Bear Cub]

Originally Posted by Willravel

You know better than to hate on Neons. I could make your car faster than an Elise in a straight line for less than $10,000 and maybe 5 solid weeks of work. I'm just waiting for the cashier's check and the keys.

Fixed.

[Willravel]

Originally Posted by Bear Cub

Fixed.

$20,000 and I'll match one on an autocross... which would still be $15,000 less than an Elise. Muhahahah....

[Tech]

^ yeah but you still look like a stupid kid in a neon!

a lotus is just like a ferrari or lambo in the sense that you are, indeed, paying a certain amount for to look COOL

[bobby]

Back in the 60's,Lotus had a team of enginers whose job was to "ADD LIGHTNESS" to all it's designs..................xoxoxoo

[Ilow]

Originally Posted by Willravel

Beautiful, sure, but heavy. 2,976 lbs. is really heavy for a Lotus, and quite frankly it's too heavy for 270hp to be particularly impressive. $5 says they release a special edition of some kind with 320-350hp some time in the near future.

exactly my thoughts. How come Nissan can get over 270 out of their normally aspirated 3.5L family car engines and this GT car only has 270? I am used to Lotus' seeming underpowered because they are featherweights, but a ton and a half is a lot for an unimpressive engine to tow around. If nothing else turbo the thing or something...

[Willravel]

Yeah. Still, the exterior and interior are causing my to salivate.

[Daniel_]

Very pretty.

My dad re-built a Lotus Élan when I was a kid (early 70's) and i loved it.

It did teach me where they gt the name from though.

LOTUS = Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious.

[Halx]

If its under $50k like the Elise, I will be longing for one.

[blahblah454]

That is a sexy car.

I agree with Hal on that one. One thing Lotus is good at is making great performance vehicles for a good price.

[Cynthetiq]

Originally Posted by Willravel

As someone who owns a 2+2, please believe that you almost certainly can't. I'd have trouble fitting anyone bigger than a toddler in the back of the Eclipse.

I've driven the Elise, it can work as a daily driver.

You know better than to hate on Neons. I could make your car faster than an Elise for less than $10,000 and maybe 5 solid weeks of work. I'm just waiting for the cashier's check and the keys.

Daily driver isn't the same as single vehicle.

I do have to consider that the luxury of having a car in NYC is that it needs to be able to function more than getting from point A to point B. This means I have to sometimes use it to go to Walmart, Target, BJ's, Petsmart. I need to be able to fit at least 2 roller suitcases in order to go to the airport. Larger suitcases aren't so much a consideration as I'll take a car service or subway when on lengthy trips as $15/day for parking there is a pricepoint where it's not worth it.

as far as toddlers... well I have short friends.
-----Added 28/7/2008 at 04 : 21 : 41-----
Okay... they even talk about a replacement for the Espirit.... wow!

Lotus Evora | evo News | News | evo

The 3.5-litre Toyota V6 is just the start for the Evora. Future options include hybrid power, while Kimberley is very enthusiastic about the Lotus-built Tesla. ‘You can’t ignore the environmental issue,’ he says. ‘Chapman’s ethos of lightweight, efficient sports cars has always kept us ahead of the game in that respect. It’s our job to continue to be innovative and combine that with a car that is friendly yet entertaining to drive.’ CO2 emissions are low: Lotus quotes less than 225 g/km for the VVTi engine running under the command of its own ECU. Helped by a drag co-efficient of just 0.337, the Evora returns above 30mpg on the combined cycle.

Right now the team are keeping tight-lipped about performance: 0-60mph is said to be in the sub-five second bracket. Kerb weight is estimated at 1350kg (split 39/61 per cent front/rear) if you go easy on the options. With a surprisingly modest 276bhp on tap from the 3456cc V6, that gives a power-to-weight figure just below that of the Cayman S.

Recent tests at the Nürburgring have enthused Kimberley even further, the unflappability and strong performance of the four-pot AP Racing brakes having been a particular highlight. All Evoras will have stability control, but pressing the Sport button just to the right of the steering wheel will allow for a greater slip angle before it intervenes or alternatively it can be switched off completely.

The first cars will all come with the regular Toyota six-speed manual, but one of the first developments will be a US-friendly auto box with steering wheel paddles. Other future developments will include a race car, so expect a GT challenger sometime soon, plus further more extreme derivatives and a convertible. All these models are to sit alongside the £70K-plus range-topping and platform-sharing Esprit, due to be with us in around three years from now.

[DEI37]

I'll take one, please.

[hunnychile]

WoW - Great looking car. How much is the retail price for one BTW? Oh and where are they made?

Just curious.

[bodypainter]

Pretty car.

But, that's almost exactly the same weight & horsepower as my 13 year old NSX. I can predict right now that no one is going to be happy with that in a new sports car.

[Cynthetiq]

View: Lotus Evora has room for supercharger, 400 hp "S" variant coming
Source: Autoblog
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Lotus Evora has room for supercharger, 400 hp "S" variant coming
After the Evora was officially revealed in London, Lotus CEO Michael Kimberley has made it clear that more variants of the 2+2 were on the way. Six different versions are planned, including a convertible – originally confirmed the day the Evora debuted – that will keep the coupe fresh over its eight-year lifespan.

While a drop-top is nice, power is what the people crave. So within two years expect another naturally aspirated variant that boosts the 3.5-liter V6's engine from 280 to 320 hp. After that, it's all about forced induction. The mid-mounted V6 has been positioned in the engine bay to accept a supercharger, which will bring output up and over 400 hp, dropping the 0-60 time to under four seconds and making the Evora "S" a serious contender to the Porsche 911 Turbo.

all in due time all in due time...

will, seems like it will hit your mark of 430 hp with a little more tuning.

[Cynthetiq]

View: Engineers continue testing Lotus Evora at Nurburgring
Source: Motorauthority
posted with the TFP thread generator

Engineers continue testing Lotus Evora at Nurburgring
Posted on Thursday 14 August 2008

While the Lotus Evora has already been revealed in full production trim, engineers are still fine-tuning the car ahead of its expected sales launch early next year. At its London Motor Show debut, Lotus claimed the Evora would weigh in at 1,350kg and be capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds. However, all the stats came with the disclaimer that the car’s final specifications were still being worked on and that anything could change by the time full production starts.

New prototypes of the Evora have been spotted at Germany’s Nurburgring, and this time the test cars are completely undisguised. There’s another reason why Lotus is still testing Evora prototypes at the benchmark circuit. The Norfolk-based carmaker is also planning to launch several new variants of the car including a convertible and a high-performance supercharged edition.

In standard form, the car’s power output is rated at 276hp (206kW) and 252lb-ft (342Nm) of torque. Add a supercharger to the Toyota-sourced 3.5L V6 engine and power outputs could easily be boosted as high as 400hp (298kW). To match the extra oomph, engineers will likely have to upgrade the suspension settings and brakes. However, the release of this model, and the convertible, is still several years away

blue... normally I like blue cars.... some reason I don't like it in this color.