For power, Lotus has turned back to General Motors, the supplier of original Esprit's engine. The Opel/Vauxhall 2.0-litre
inline-four Ecotec turbo motor has been selected for its lightweight design, high output and tractable torque curve. A total of 200-horsepower and 194 lb-ft of torque is available, 90 percent of which is produced at just 2,000 rpm. This is a much more relaxed character than the high-revving Toyota VVT-L engine found in either the Elise or Exige. It is mated to none other than a proper six-speed manual gearbox.
Despite the growth in size and increase in equipment the Europa S still weighs just 995 kg (2,194 lbs), just 135 kg (297 lbs)
more than the U.S.-spec Elise roadster. As such, the power to weight ratio is an extremely impressive 201 hp/ton. This enables the Europa S to enter supercar territory. The dash to 96 km/h (60 mph) takes a scant 5.5 seconds, while 160 km/h (100 mph) is reached in 14 seconds flat. Top speed is 225 km/h (140 mph).
Production of the Europa will start in July, 2006 at Lotus' factory in Hethel, Norfolk, UK, alongside the Exige and Elise. Pricing for the Europa will start at £33,000 (E49,000), which is the equivalent of $66,500 CAD or $57,500 USD. Unfortunately at this point, Lotus has decided against selling its new sports car in the U.S. or Canada, and currently has no intention to - seemingly another fantastic sports car has been killed by overly-strict emissions and bumper regulations.
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| The Europe S will get GM's 2.0-litre inline-four Ecotec turbo engine has because of its lightweight design, high output and tractable torque curve. (Photo: Lotus) |
Despite the growth in size and increase in equipment the Europa S still weighs just 995 kg (2,194 lbs), just 135 kg (297 lbs)
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| Production of the Europa will start in July, 2006 at Lotus' factory in Hethel, Norfolk, UK. (Photo: Lotus) |
Production of the Europa will start in July, 2006 at Lotus' factory in Hethel, Norfolk, UK, alongside the Exige and Elise. Pricing for the Europa will start at £33,000 (E49,000), which is the equivalent of $66,500 CAD or $57,500 USD. Unfortunately at this point, Lotus has decided against selling its new sports car in the U.S. or Canada, and currently has no intention to - seemingly another fantastic sports car has been killed by overly-strict emissions and bumper regulations.
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