2010 Lotus Evora

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During preliminary testing around the famous Nürburgring, the Lotus chassis development engineers report Evora is extremely agile and great fun to drive.

In addition to its excellent performance and exemplary handling, the Evora offers a more refined ownership experience than Lotus's existing smaller four-cylinder models. Evora's contemporary cabin is elegantly trimmed and its equipment list includes such high-tech features as an advanced touch-screen multi-media system incorporating a state-of-the-art Alpine satellite navigation and audio system. Because one of the roles of the Evora is to attract new customers to the Lotus brand, much attention has been paid to its ease of use. Wider, taller door apertures and narrower sills make getting in and out of the cabin a less athletic undertaking than it is in Lotus's smaller sports cars (the Elise, Exige and 2-Eleven), while the design of the cabin itself will accommodate two 99th percentile (6ft 5in tall) American males in the front seats.

The 'convenience factor' of the Evora extends to less obvious areas of the car. For instance, beneath the skin the entire front-end structure is a high tech aluminum sacrificial modular sub-frame unit, attached to the main extruded aluminum tub. This modular unit is designed to deform for maximum safety, and to reduce repair costs in the event of a frontal impact.

The Evora has been designed with global automotive regulations in mind, and in preparation for future variants that are planned including a convertible. The Evora will be hand-crafted and built on a dedicated new assembly line within Lotus's advanced manufacturing facility at Hethel in the east of England. Capacity limitations will restrict production to approximately 2,000 cars a year, ensuring the dynamic new sports car's rarity and exclusivity.

The Exterior Design

Designed 'in-house' by Lotus Design, the sleek and athletic shape uses fluid forms and crisp surfaces to communicate velocity, agility and sophistication. Low and wide with modern cab forward proportions, muscular rear haunches and function-optimized side air intakes; this is clearly a serious mid-engine sports car that skillfully hides the practicality of its two-plus-two capability.

Lotus Evora: Review (2/2)