While Lotus has had a bumpy road for the past several years, I must say the company's product still remains one of my most favorite to drive. Boy, I had it way back in 2010 — I think — and the Evora S still remains a car I think about.
It may not have been built with the greatest car and some of the interior materials were suspect, but what I do know is this: it was damn quick, it sounded staggeringly good in Sport mode at about 3,200 RPM and it had one of the best shifter and clutch combinations I've ever experienced in a manual.
Oh, and it looked like the love child of an Elise and a Lancia Stratos.
As the company experienced tough times, the Evora was phased out. It looked like the end of an era. Clearly, that's not the case though. That's because the Evora is back with a new fighting form and more power than ever.
That's where the Evora 400 comes into play.
The first one rolled off the production line this week and according to Lotus the first ones will arrive in customer's hands come August. Hopefully I can get some wheel time and tell you all about it!
**Read Lotus' press release, below!Lotus Evora 400 #GVAMotorShow
Lotus' press release follows:First Lotus Evora 400 drives off the assembly line at Hethel
Ÿ Hand Made at the Lotus HQ in Hethel, England
Ÿ First customers to receive their cars in August 2015
In a small celebration with a selection of senior management, manufacturing and engineering staff, the first new Lotus Evora 400 has driven off the assembly line at Hethel.
Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, says, “Today is a very significant stage in our long term plan, which we set-out more than a year ago. With the first Evora 400 coming off the line, we have achieved a key milestone for Lotus.”
Jean-Marc Gales continues, “None of this would be possible, of course, without the confidence and commitment of our workforce who, with great skill and talent, hand build every Lotus car at Hethel.”
The new Lotus Evora 400 laps the Lotus test track at Hethel six seconds faster than the previous Evora S in a time of 1 minute 32 seconds. Combining high performance with the legendary Lotus benchmark handling, it is faster and dynamically more capable than the previous Lotus Evora leading to greater agility and a more involving drive.
Maximum speed is 186 mph (300 km/h) and acceleration 0-60 mph is just 4.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds). Over two thirds of the Lotus Evora 400 is new, including its supercharged and charge-cooled mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. A new aluminium chassis incorporates a new interior and the lightweight composite body has changed significantly both front and rear.
The new Evora 400, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will enter production for European markets in the summer and deliveries will commence in August this year. China and North American markets will receive the Evora 400 as a 2017 model year in early 2016.
The first Lotus Evora 400, finished in metallic black is destined to be a promotion car for Lotus.
Lotus Evora 400 International pricing including local taxes where applicable:
UK (Pound Sterling) - £72,000
Germany (Euros) - €96,000
Japan (Yen) - ¥13,200,000
USA (Dollars) - $89,900 (excluding local sales taxes)
China (RMB) - 1,318,000
Official fuel consumption figures and CO2 emissions figures are not available at the time of going to press. They will be provided on the Lotus website www.lotuscars.com as soon as they are available.