Lotus Evora 2+2 Review
Weighting Game

Weight seems to be a problem with cars these days. Thanks to consumer, design and safety requirements, modern cars are laden with luxuries and features that were previously not needed in older cars. A good case in point is the VW Golf GTI. The current sixth generation model weighs roughly twice that of the original 1976 version.

But one manufacturer that bucks this trend is British sports car maker Lotus - its cars are designed and engineered to be as light as possible to make their drive experience as undiluted as possible. Both the Elise and Exige are nothing much more than an extruded and bonded aluminium tub with an engine so that they are light and agile and thanks to their low weight, pretty quick as well despite having just a puny 1.8-litre engine.

Lotus' newest model, the Evora is a slightly different animal from the Elise and Exige though - it is supposed to be a sports car that is more livable and appeal to less hardcore types. Thanks to its 2 + 2 interior and standard fit creature comforts like cruise control and leather, the Evora isn't as featherweight as its brethrens.

The Evora is the first all-new car from British sports car maker Lotus since the iconic Elise in 1995 and it enters the sportscar market as the only mid-engine 2+2 in production. Lotus says the Evora provides a tremendously rewarding driving experience, something the last 2 +2 Lotus, the Excel can't achieve - the mid-engine layout gives exceptional agility and the Lotus engineered suspension ensures incredible ride and handling. Let's find out then if the Evora can proudly carry Lotus' drivers' car torch.

Styled in-house by Lotus Design, the Evora is cleverly styled to hide the fact that it is able to accommodate passengers in the rear of the cabin, giving the car the external characteristics of a small, nimble sportscar in the process. Neat details we adore include the round LED tail lamps, the integrated rear spoiler and the rear windscreen that exposes the plastic engine cover. From certain angles, the Evora does have that mini Ferrari look and it certainly looks more special and exquisite than Lotus' previous (failed) attempt at a livable GT, the Europa and the Elise. Overall, the Evora's styling is a good mix of form and function, the latter takes aerodynamic considerations for drag, down force and cooling.