DRIVEN + VIDEO: The Lotus Evora 400 — Making Reviewers Consider Something Else OTHER Than A Porsche?

So by now you all may have realized that I am particularly excited about the Lotus Evora 400. Yes, I've been chatting it up quite a bit, but the thing is I really, really liked the 2011 Evora S when I drove it.

I wouldn't be so keen on an all-new product unless I had reason to be.

While there's plenty of philosophical reasons why you'd want a Lotus over a Porsche or any other sports car, ultimately it all comes down to how it drives. That's what separates the men from the boys. The wheat from the chaff. You know what I mean.

But, for the curious, here's a few of those philosophical reasons:

- It will be more exclusive than a Porsche
- It is hand built, which means it will either be special or in the words of our British friends, "rubbish"
- While I like the original Evora's design, the Evora 400 still looks far more interesting than say a Cayman or 911
- Just listen to it

Aside from that, I'll let you be the judge as XCAR gives it a proper review.


The new Lotus Evora 400 should give those that want a Porsche pause for thought. Can this handmade sportscar change their mind?

TheSteve - 8/1/2015 2:42:38 PM

-4 Boost

Not a chance, for me.

In *MY* mind, Lotus has a long lineage of making problematic, quirky vehicles that necessitate a high level of tolerance/acceptance in their ownership.

Besides, I don't spend any time on the track, nor do I race people on the street, so for *me*, comfort and reliability are important. I'd rather get a Porsche, which, aside from sportiness, can also be used as a daily driver without visiting the shop every few months. An Audi R8 fits that nicely, too. I was especially impressed with the McLaren 12C for it's civilized handling and impressive comfort, even though it's an exotic.

I just won't knowingly buy something that'll spend a lot of time in the shop. Perhaps if I was stinkin' rich it wouldn't matter -- you can get several, because you're sure that at least one will be roadworthy at any given time.

TomM - 8/1/2015 6:25:19 PM

-3 Boost

Sorry - but the one thing that most high end exotic cars never had was reliability. These cars - out of necessity - were on the leading edge of new design - often without sufficient testing - and simply broke down far more often - although admittedly also because their owners pushed their limits too. ANd yes - people who bought these cars - almost always had several cars - to make sure that one was working at a given moment.

And Porsche is not longer purely exotic - it simply sells to many cars to fit into that moniker.

mre30 - 8/1/2015 5:12:51 PM

-3 Boost

They really shouldn't bother - not going to be many people who care about a Lotus.

MDarringer - 8/2/2015 12:40:46 AM

-3 Boost

I am no Porsche fan, but literally no Porsche fan is going to have 911 money in his pocket and spend it on a plastic shouty thing known as an Evora.

I know that my love for TVRs has people here scratching their heads. I will spend 911 money on new TVRs whyen they come out--fingers crossed, but literally never on a Lotus.