There are several models in Lotus' current line-up, including a couple that aren't available in Canada, but they're all based on the Elise that has been around since 1995. So the arrival of the all-new Evora is big news for the small British automaker.
More importantly, the new car will appeal to a broader range of people, as the Elise is just too small or too unpractical for a lot of folks. Lotus claims the Evora is currently the only mid-engined car that can sit four passengers. Okay, we're pretty sure average-sized humans won't fit in the back of the Evora, but there are four seats and four seat belts. And the company says even 6-foot-5 adults can sit in front.
V6 power
The Elise and Exige are powered by Toyota 4-cylinder engines massaged by Lotus. For the Evora, the Japanese automaker is called upon, donating its 3.5-litre V6 engine (code-named 2GR-FE). With reprogrammed engine management software, the V6 develops 276 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque in Lotus' new car. With an estimated curb weight of 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs), the Evora has a power-to-weight ratio of 10.8 lb/hp, which is pretty much like the Elise.
The company estimates the Evora is capable of reaching a 0-100 km/h time of under 5 seconds and should hit a top speed of just over 250 km/h. On the highway, the car is said to consume about 7.8 L/100 km.
A suspension setup with forged aluminum bits and pieces, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs should bless the Evora with swift handling characteristics, which is Lotus' trademark. Yokohama was chosen to develop unique tires for the car, which wears 225/40ZR18 rubber up front and 255/35ZR19 at the rear.
Like many other in-house developments, Lotus produced its own traction control system for duty in the Evora; it works in conjunction with the anti-lock braking system, jointly developed with Bosch, and can be fully deactivated. Vented cross-drilled disc brakes are obviously fitted to each corner.
Other safety features include dual front airbags, and the passenger-side one is designed to deploy upwards and deflect on the windscreen; according to Lotus, this allows greater protection for both adults and children.
 |
| The company estimates the Evora is capable of reaching a 0-100 km/h time of under 5 seconds. |
More importantly, the new car will appeal to a broader range of people, as the Elise is just too small or too unpractical for a lot of folks. Lotus claims the Evora is currently the only mid-engined car that can sit four passengers. Okay, we're pretty sure average-sized humans won't fit in the back of the Evora, but there are four seats and four seat belts. And the company says even 6-foot-5 adults can sit in front.
V6 power
The Elise and Exige are powered by Toyota 4-cylinder engines massaged by Lotus. For the Evora, the Japanese automaker is called upon, donating its 3.5-litre V6 engine (code-named 2GR-FE). With reprogrammed engine management software, the V6 develops 276 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque in Lotus' new car. With an estimated curb weight of 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs), the Evora has a power-to-weight ratio of 10.8 lb/hp, which is pretty much like the Elise.
The company estimates the Evora is capable of reaching a 0-100 km/h time of under 5 seconds and should hit a top speed of just over 250 km/h. On the highway, the car is said to consume about 7.8 L/100 km.
A suspension setup with forged aluminum bits and pieces, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs should bless the Evora with swift handling characteristics, which is Lotus' trademark. Yokohama was chosen to develop unique tires for the car, which wears 225/40ZR18 rubber up front and 255/35ZR19 at the rear.
Like many other in-house developments, Lotus produced its own traction control system for duty in the Evora; it works in conjunction with the anti-lock braking system, jointly developed with Bosch, and can be fully deactivated. Vented cross-drilled disc brakes are obviously fitted to each corner.
Other safety features include dual front airbags, and the passenger-side one is designed to deploy upwards and deflect on the windscreen; according to Lotus, this allows greater protection for both adults and children.
 |
| The company says even 6-foot-5 adults can sit in front. |