The Lotus Evora is a sports car produced by British car manufacturer Lotus. The car, which was developed under the project name Project Eagle, was launched as the Evora on 22 July 2008 at the British International Motor Show. The Evora S was launched in 2010 with a supercharged 3.5-litre V6. A facelifted and more powerful Evora 400 model was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, followed by a hardcore and more powerful variant, the Evora GT430 which was unveiled in 2017.
The Lotus Evora is based on the first all-new vehicle platform from Lotus Cars since the introduction of the Lotus Elise in 1995 (the Exige, introduced in 2000, and the 2006 Europa S are both derivatives of the Elise). The Evora was planned to be the first vehicle of three to be built on the same platform.
Sales were expected to start in summer 2009, The sales target was 2000 cars per year, with prices between £45,000 and just over £50,000. and in America from the beginning of 2010.
Overview
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Evora is the first product of a five-year plan started in 2006 to expand the Lotus line-up beyond its current track-specialized offerings, with the aim of making Evora somewhat of a more practical road car that would appeal to the mainstream. As such it is a larger car than recent Elise models and its derivatives (Exige, Europa S, etc.), with an unladen weight of 1,383Â kg (3,049Â lb), with the automatic version weighing in at 1,442Â kg (3,179Â lb).
It is currently the only Lotus model with a 2+2 configuration, although it has been announced that it will also be offered in a two-seater configuration, referred to as the "Plus Zero" option. It, along with the BMW i8, are the only 2+2 mid-engined coupés on sale. This, however is the only one out of the two cars that has no hybrid system. The interior is larger to allow taller persons to fit, such as the then Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley, and two 6'5" (195.6 cm) tall people.
The cooled boot behind the engine is large enough to fit a set of golf clubs, although Lotus Design Head Russell Carr denies that this was intentional. Lotus intends Evora to compete with different market sectors including the Porsche 991.
Nomenclature
The name "Evora" keeps the Lotus tradition of beginning model names with an "E". The name is derived from the words Evolution, VOgue, and auRA. Other names considered were Eagle, Exira and Ethos; Exira was rejected as it was considered not good enough and the other two because it would be difficult for Lotus to claim them as a trademark. The name "Evora" sounds similar to Évora, which is the name of a Portuguese city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Portugal.
Specifications
The Evora is equipped with a mid-mounted, transverse, Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre 24-valve V6 engine. The Evora S uses the same engine but with a supercharger. Both versions are available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with "Intelligent Precision Shift" by Aisin. The Evora has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.337. The Evora is constructed from a modular lightweight bonded aluminium structure with composite body panels. It features forged aluminium double wishbone suspension with Bilstein high-performance gas dampers and Eibach coaxial coil springs. Steering is by hydraulically assisted power steering.
Evora S
In 2010, Lotus unveiled a new variant of the Evora which was much more focused and more powerful than the regular version, called the Evora S. The "S" in the name stood for "Supercharged". The car had the same standard design but was more powerful, now producing 345Â hp (257Â kW; 350Â PS) and 295Â lbâ‹…ft (400Â Nâ‹…m), thanks to a new supercharger manufactured by Harrop. The exhaust of the car was also replaced with a single-tubed exhaust system. The suspension's dampers have been re-calibrated to suit the vehicle's new suspension characteristics. The steering has also been re-calibrated. The car's price was also raised, now at US$77,175.
The car was able to do 0â€"60 mph (0â€"97 km/h) in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 172 mph (277 km/h).
Lotus ceased production of the S in 2014 and later replaced it and the regular car with a new variant called the Evora 400 in 2015.
The Romanian Police have a Lotus Evora S in their line-up as of 2012.
Evora 400
The Evora 400 is a new variant that replaces the Evora and the Evora S. The "400" in the name is a reference to the vehicle's horsepower rating. The improved engine output of 400Â hp (298Â kW; 406Â PS) and 302Â lbâ‹…ft (409Â Nâ‹…m) is due to an intercooled supercharger developed by Edelbrock. The Evora 400 has an all-new body kit design, which helps produce an extra 23Â kg (51Â lb) of downforce. The exhaust now has a new driver-activated system which allows the driver to increase the roar of the exhaust. The interior has been slightly revised, with a new dashboard design and center console design. The wheel set is also different. The wing has been changed into a split rear wing. The car weighs 1,395Â kg (3,075Â lb).
Acceleration from 0â€"60 mph (0â€"97 km/h) is at 4.1 seconds, 0.5 seconds faster than the S variant. Top speed is at 186 mph (299 km/h).
Evora Sport 410
At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, Lotus revealed the Evora Sport 410, a slightly enhanced version of the 400. The car's 3.5-liter Toyota-derived V6 puts out an extra 10Â hp (7Â kW; 10Â PS), for a total of 410Â hp (306Â kW; 416Â PS). The torque is also up, now at 310Â lbâ‹…ft (420Â Nâ‹…m).
The design stays the same, as it is only a variant of the Evora 400. The weight falls drastically, and is now at 1,325Â kg (2,921Â lb).
The performance figures become faster, thanks to higher horsepower and lower weight. 0â€"60 mph (0â€"97 km/h) is now at 3.9 seconds, and top speed is now at 190 mph (306 km/h). However, if the IPS automatic transmission system is used, top speed settles at 174 mph (280 km/h).
Evora GT430
In 2017, Lotus unveiled the most powerful variant of the Evora and in turn the fastest road legal Lotus ever made, the Evora GT430. It is the part of an entirely new range in the Evora family, called the performance range. The car's 3.5 liter Toyota-derived V6 puts out an enormous 430 hp (321 kW; 436 PS) thanks to an Edelbrock supercharger and a titanium exhaust system. The torque figures are also up as compared to previous variants 325 lbâ‹…ft (441 Nâ‹…m) for manual transmission cars and 332 lbâ‹…ft (450 Nâ‹…m) for cars with automatic transmission due to launch control and fast gear change ratios. This version is also the lightest and tips the scale at 1,258 kg (2,773 lb) for manual transmission cars and 1,310 kg (2,888 lb) for automatic transmission cars. The cars with automatic transmission weigh more due to the added weight of the gear box and its cooling system. Top speed also varies for manual and automatic cars due to added weight and gearbox differences and are rated at 174 mph (280 km/h) for automatic cars and 190 mph (306 km/h) for manual transmission cars. Due to the increased torque the automatic transmission cars are a little bit quicker than the manual transmission cars with 0â€"60 mph (0â€"97 km/h) times of 3.6 seconds(automatic) and 3.7 seconds(manual) respectively. It also generates more downforce (250 kg at 190 mph) than its previous variants. Only 60 units of the Evora GT430 will be produced. Exterior wise, the car has a new and aggressive body kit that features a bigger carbon fiber rear wing, bigger air intakes, forged aluminum wheels, poly carbonate lights and most of the body work made from carbon fiber in order to keep the weight low. The interior is also stripped down in order to save weight and removes the rear seats along with the addition of carbon fiber components and racing seats, it also features a plaque signifying the car's production number. The creature comforts are retained with air-conditioning included as standard.
Evora GT430 Sport
Later in 2017, Lotus unveiled another variant of the Evora GT430 called the Evora GT430 sport. It features a more aero dynamic body and removes the GT430's rear wing for smoother airflow and to reduce drag. This helps increase the top speed to 196Â mph (315Â km/h) with the automatic version having a top speed of 174Â mph (280Â km/h) due to added gearbox weight. The sport version is also lighter than the regular version and tips the scales at 1,300Â kg (2,866Â lb) for automatic version and 1,248Â kg (2,751Â lb) for manual version.
Special editions
Evora 414E Hybrid
In 2012, Lotus produced a prototype hybrid Evora, called 414E. Developed as a demonstration project for the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board, the range-extended electric coupe emits 55 g/km CO2 and has an electric only driving range of 30 miles. When combined with the 3-cylinder 1.2 litre (1198 cc) petrol engine acting as a generator (as a similar manner to the Chevrolet Volt), the 414E has a range of 300 miles. The 414E formed the basis of the Infiniti Emerg-e concept car.
Evora S Carabinieri
In July 2011, Lotus Cars donated two Evora S models with special equipment to the Carabinieri, the Italian gendarmerie. Lotus will take care of the maintenance of the cars and the training for the drivers.
Evora GTE Road Car
The Evora GTE road version is a variant of the Evora that was built to permit its racing variant to be able to race under GT3 and LM GTE regulations. There were only 25 of these special editions built. The road car uses the race car's engine, and produces 438Â hp (327Â kW; 444Â PS), making it the most powerful Lotus ever made. The weight of the car has been lowered drastically, and is now at 1,277Â kg (2,815Â lb).
Motorsport
LM GTE
During the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Lotus announced the Evora Enduro GT concept, as a follow up to the Type 124 and GT4 race cars. Lotus is aiming for this car to enter into the LM GTE category by mid-2011, with a 444Â hp (331Â kW; 450Â PS) Toyota-supplied V8.
Lotus entered two Evoras at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, which were run by the Jetalliance Racing team. Despite overheating issues during practice and qualifying, car #65 finished 22nd overall, completing 295 laps, whilst car #64 retired after 126 laps.
In 2012, Jetalliance Racing failed to negotiate a deal to run the cars in Europe; instead, Alex Job Racing chose to run a LM GTE in the American Le Mans Series. Alex Job Racing did not get a good outcome from this however, and the car was later replaced by a Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 as the main race car for the team.
Group GT4
Ollie Hancock won the Nürburgring round of the 2010 GT4 European Cup season. A team including Johnny Mowlem, Stefano D'Aste and Gianni Giudici finished on the podium in the 2011 Dubai 24 Hour endurance race.
In 2011, Stefano D'Aste was the first Italian driver after Mario Andretti to win on Circuit Park Zandvoort with an official Lotus car and the car was the Evora GT4. D'Aste was in first position of the GT4 European Series till the last race but due to a problem that occurred to the engine he got a third position in the series, which was still good, considering that it was the first year that the official Lotus Evora GT4 took part to a full season competing with cars like the BMW M3, Porsche 911, Aston Martin Vantage GT4, and the Chevrolet Camaro; cars that are much more competitive than the Evora. The car proved capable of keeping up with these cars.
GT300
Mooncraft runs a Lotus Evora in the GT300 class of the Japanese Super GT series. However, the car isn't really an Evora, but rather, a silhouette racer using on the Dome-GTA M101 "Mother Chassis" with Evora lookalike bodywork and some Evora bits. As with all current Mother Chassis cars, it's powered by the Nissan VK45DE naturally aspirated V8.
Reception
The Evora received several accolades at its launch from the British motoring press, including: Britain's Best Driver's Car 2009 from Autocar and Car of the Year 2009, from Evo.
The car was reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson on the television show Top Gear. Overall his review was positive: he was very happy with the performance, handling and comfort. He was extremely impressed with the ride comfort even after driving it into a field saying "Here, the suspension is taking the knocks, not me." and described the car as "the only car I've ever driven, ever, which is a killer attack dog and an old sofa". However, he considered the rear seats to have not enough legroom, the interior felt tinny and the satellite navigation was sub-optimal.
References
External links
- Official website
- SELOC TechWiki - Evora
- Anthology of Videos detailing the Evora model development and evolution