Singapore: New Lotus Evora 2+2 debuts

The first all-new Lotus since the iconic Elise roadster made its debut in 1995, the Evora enters the sports car market as the world’s only production mid-engined 2+2.

The Evora provides a tremendously rewarding driving experience: the mid-engined layout gives exceptional agility and the Lotus engineered suspension ensures incredible ride and handling.

Powered by a Lotus-tuned 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 276 hp @ 6400 rpm, and weighing just 1382 kg, the Evora delivers an exhilarating experience true to the Lotus DNA characteristics.

With the zero to 100 km/h sprint taking just 5.1 seconds, a top speed of 261 km/h and an Official European Combined Cycle fuel economy just 8.7 litres/100 km and emissions of just 205 g/km CO2, the Evora stays true to the ethos of performance through light weight.

The other economy figures are equally impressive with Official European Urban Cycle of 12.4 litres/100 km and 6.5 litres/100 km for the Official European Extra Urban Cycle all combined with exceptional ride and handling.

Because one of the roles of the Evora is to attract new lifestyle customers, as well as performance aficionado’s to the Lotus brand, the Evora offers a more refined ownership experience than Lotus’ existing smaller four cylinder models.

Its elegantly styled cabin is beautifully trimmed and its equipment list includes contemporary features such as an advanced touchscreen multi-media system and electric power-fold door mirrors.

Careful attention has also been paid to its ease of use, with wider, taller door apertures, narrower sills and higher seating position making getting in and out of the cabin a less athletic undertaking than it is in Lotus’ smaller sports cars (Elise, Exige, Europa and 2-Eleven), whilst the design of the cabin itself will accommodate two occupants (up to 186 cm tall) in the front seats up in comfort.

The ‘convenience factor’ of the Evora extends to all areas of the car. For instance, beneath the skin the entire front-end structure is a high tech aluminium "sacrificial" modular unit, with bolt on attachment to the main extruded aluminium tub.

This modular unit is not only designed to deform for maximum safety, and to make the production assembly process more efficient, but also to reduce repair costs in the event of a frontal impact.

The Evora has been designed with global automotive regulations in mind, and future derivatives are planned.

The Evora will be hand crafted and built on a dedicated new assembly line within Lotus’ advanced manufacturing facility at Hethel in the East of England; capacity limitations will restrict production to approximately 2000 cars a year, thus ensuring this dynamic new sports car’s rarity and exclusivity.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, has this to say about the exciting new model: "The Evora is the biggest 'milestone' Lotus has achieved since the Elise was born 13 years ago and is the start of our bold five year strategic business plan – a plan which includes the introduction of three new cars and advanced new technologies to many more markets around the world."

"The Evora also represents Lotus core values of performance through light weight and efficiency, proving that you can have performance, fuel economy, elegant design and practicality all in a class leading mid-engine 2+2 sportscar, whilst also meeting all global safety and homologation standards."

Mike Kimberley continued, "Looking to the future, we will continue to research, develop and produce lighter, more efficient vehicles which are linked to our extensive and well-regarded work on all aspects of future fuels, alternative engines and electric and hybrid vehicle propulsion system solutions."

"We all have an environmental responsibility to future generations and the Evora is another example where Lotus is seen to make significant steps towards improving the efficiency and sustainability of the motorcar, helping ‘UK Ltd’ to the forefront of high technology in the motor industry."

KC Chong, Director, Brand, Operations also commented on how the new class and dimension the Evora brings to existing and new Lotus consumers out there.

"The Lotus customer today is sophisticated, intelligent and takes great pride in the detail and performance of what he/she drives today." said Mr. Chong.

He went on to add that, "We are delighted to say that with the induction of the Evora into the Lotus family, the Lotus team is seeing eye-to-eye with this elite group of people."

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Credits: JRC