Driven: Did You Expect, What Could Be, Dan Neil's Car Of The Year To Be THIS?

As one of the two cars I am most excited to drive in 2010, the Lotus Evora just received an absolutely glowing review from LA Times writer, Dan Neil. With exception of pre-production press car ailments.

Neil says that the Evora is "...all about lightness..." and "I love it."

I love it? From an auto writer? That is NOT easy to obtain.

My lust for the Evora has just grown, substantially.

The Los Angeles Times' Dan Neil reports:

"Every time I write about a high-performance sports car, I'm guaranteed to get letters from readers to this effect: "How can you possibly glorify the Badminton Dual-Cowl 87B? No one needs a car that goes 200 mph, costs $300,000 and gets five miles per gallon. With all that's going on in the world [climate change, war in the Middle East, balance of trade etc.]. For shame. For shame!"

All right, then. I present to you perhaps the most fun available on four wheels: The 2010 Lotus Evora. No, not fun. Joy. Inexpressible, diamond-showering, running-naked-through-a-field-of-virgins ecstasy. Handling perfection. This is transit gloria, and it is sick.

In my career as an automotive journalist, I've never written these words: I am going to buy one.

Oh, and it gets about 30 mpg..."

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WorldofLuxury - 1/22/2010 7:01:13 PM

+2 Boost

Dan Neil and Clarkson: both are journalists who have great passion for cars (and other machinery, of course).

However, Dan Neil praised the Crossfire; Jezza didn't.
I don't know any more than that although I would say Neil has always been as unpredictable as Clarkson, just less in hype but more in unpredictability.

I used to read Neil's article all the times until the internet became popular and very efficient. tired of paying for a one-sided printed news provider.

I don't know if this knowledge might help or not, but when I took a tour (as a student) of the LA Times headquarters and printing factory, my tour guide complimented Dan Neil of all other journalists. And I have yet to hear about Clarkson.

Too bad Top Gear America was canceled even though Dan Neil didn't make the auditions. It would've been a nice substitute for when Top Gear is on a break... like now...

pcar4evr - 1/23/2010 9:05:34 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry not gonna spend upwards of 90K for a 3000 lb car with a toyota engine and Lotus reliablity when the Cayman S exists.

XYZZ - 1/23/2010 9:18:12 AM

+2 Boost

in a big comparo by R$T, the lotus elise beat out nearly ALL other sports cars on the short circuit.

even on the long circuit, it placed quite high in the lap timings. only the dodge viper (with 7 liters vs. 1.8) and one or two other cars i believe, could best the elise.

now comes the lotus evora with a 3.5 liter engine!