Models - Evora

Pre-launch

Known as Project Eagle during its development the Evora is Lotus's first ever mid-engined 2+2, although the default configuration is actually the "+0", with the rear seats an optional extra.

Lotus Evora CAD shot showing the 2+2 layout

In the run up to it's launch Lotus carried out a promotion campaign promising "True Character in a Faceless World", which included people with blank face masks appearing at Wimbledon, the Henley regatta and Elton John's white tie and tiara ball.¹

Lotus 'Faceless People' spectating at Wimbledon

This promotion lead to the website http://www.facelesspeople.com, which featured nothing but a countdown to the cars launch and a link back to the Group Lotus website. Since the launch this site has been removed and is no longer available.

The unveiling of the Evora on the 22nd of July at the 2008 British International Motor Show² marked Lotus's first all-new car since the Elise in 1995. Although Lotus had produced models such as the Exige, Series 2 Elise and Europa in the interim period these were still fundamentally based on the original Elise platform.

As with the 'Federal' Elise the Lotus Evora was designed with international sales in mind, in particular the lucrative US market. This was deemed vital to help Lotus reach a wider audience of more affluent buyers, with the Evora looking to compete against a far wider range of cars than the Elise's niche appeal.

Parallels could certainly be drawn between the Evora launch and that of the original Elite and Esprit, with Lotus looking to produce cars that would push up market and could command higher pricing and, hopefully, profit margins...

The Lotus Evora at the 2008 British International Motor Show

At the launch Lotus where bullish, talking of how the car had been developed in just 18 months^{Citation needed}, and of projected sales figure of around 2,000 cars per year worldwide.

Platform Architecture

As with the Lotus Elise the Evora chassis is formed from bonded aluminium extrusions, a technique which Lotus pioneered with the Elise.

Unlike the Elise however the Evora chassis based around Lotus's VVA chassis architecture.³

This is built is made up of three separate sections, the central tub, the front and rear, which are then joined together (bolted?) to form the completed chassis.²

Lotus VVA Platform in 3 parts

This not only eases repairs - in the Elise if the suspension pick points are damaged in a crash the whole chassis will often be written off, where as with the Evora the damaged section can be removed and replaced - but also saves time in the cars construction, with the sections able be built simultaneously before being joined together once all three are completed.

This approach could also ease future developments where, for example, a new power train was to be utilised which necessitates a change to the rear of the car. In this case production of the front and centre sections could be carried out as per normal with rear sections being attached to meet demand and/or build schedules when the chassis was completed.

Evora Models

At present all models of the Lotus Evora share the same coupe body shape and are all powered by derivatives of the Toyota 2GR-FE V6 engine.

Early cars, particularly the Launch Edition models, have been noted as having some interior build quality issues, but these have been steadily improved.

Evora

After its unveiling in July 2008, the first customer Evora was sold to Matthew Melling, a customer of Stratton Motor Company, in September 2009.⁴

The initial run of 450 cars delivered were all the Launch Edition models, which were produced to a fixed specification to ease the initial production process.

After this regular production began, with both the Evora 2+0 and 2+2 available with a range of option and upgrade packs.

Lotus Evora Press Release (PDF)

Lotus Evora Press Photograph

Layout	Transverse mid engined, rear wheel drive
Length	4342 mm
Width	1848 mm
Height	1223mm
Engine fuel	Petrol
Engine configuration	V6
Engine capacity	3456 cc
Engine power	276hp (280PS/206KW) at 6400 rpm
Engine torque	258lb/ft (350Nm) at 4600 rpm
Engine rev limit	6400rpm (7000rpm with Sport Pack)
0-60mph (0-100 km/h)	4.9 seconds (5.1 seconds)
Top speed	162mph (261kph)
CO2Emissions	199g/km (215g/km with Sports Gearbox)
Weight	1382kg
Seats	2 (with option of 2+2)
Transmission	6 speed manual (Optional Sports Gearbox)
Drive	RWD

Launch Edition

The Evora Launch Edition made up the first 450 (200 destined for the UK) production Evora's. They were all built to the same specification, allowing Lotus to bring the production line up without having to worry about the various different permutations possible with customised cars.

All Launch Editions came equipped with 2+2 seating, Tech Pack, Premium Pack, Sport Pack, Hi-power silver cast alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon Headlamps, Alpine Imprint Audio System, Reversing Camera, Electric Powerfold Mirrors and a numbered plaque. The Sport Ratio gearbox was not an option on Launch Edition cars, with the only options being the cars paint and possibly interior trim.⁵

The Evora Launch Edition was priced at £58,460, with Metallic, Lifestyle and Premium paint colours as cost options.

Naomi for Haiti

Following the earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010, Lotus donated eight special edition Evora's to be auctioned off at Naomi Campbell's Fashion for Relief show, held at Somerset House on February 18th, during London Fashion Week.

The "Naomi for Haiti" cars were based off the standard Evora, and featured a unique livery designed by Lotus Design Director, Donato Coco, which "reflects Naomi’s design direction.".

The Lotus Evora Naomi for Haiti

The cars raised over €1.4 million towards relief efforts⁶, with the first 2 cars selling for over £300,000 each.

Naomi for Haiti Press Release (PDF)

Press reception

The Evora launched to positive reception from the press, with 5-star reviews in Evo⁷ and Car⁸ magazines.

Reviews praised the Evora's ride and handling, but raised some concerns as to whether the build quality was up to the level of its rivals. "It has proved to be a really usable GT car, yet it has also played the junior supercar role in a way I hadn’t expected. It still hasn’t got the feeling of solidity that Porsche imbues in its cars, but as a package the Evora has a lot of similarities with the multi-talented 911."

Awards

Autocar - Britain's Best Driver's Car 2009⁹
Car Magazine - Performance Car of the Year 2009¹⁰
Evo - Car of the Year 2009¹¹

Lotus Evora Award Press Release (PDF)

Evora S

Officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on September 30th 2010 alongside the Evora IPS. It's launch was somewhat overshadowed however as Lotus chose the same event to unveil this 'New Era' range of concept cars, prompting concerns that the Evora would quickly be replaced by the new Elan. These concerns were later allayed with the Elan later scheduled for 2017 and Lotus committing to continuing the evolution of the Evora range.

The Evora S and IPS are launched at the Paris Motor Show 2010

The most obvious enhancement from the base Evora is the addition of an Eaton Roots-type Twin-Vortices supercharger helping the Evora S produce 345bhp, but the Evora S also receives the Sport Pack, cross drilled brakes and Stealth Grey Classic Wheels as standard, along with revisions made to areas such as the gear shift linkage.

Lotus Evora S and IPS Press Release (PDF)

Layout	Transverse mid engined, rear wheel drive
Length	4342 mm
Width	1848 mm
Height	1223mm
Engine fuel	Petrol
Engine configuration	V6 with Supercharger
Engine capacity	3456 cc
Engine power	345hp (350PS/257.5KW) at 7000 rpm
Engine torque	295lb/ft (400Nm) at 4500 rpm
Engine rev limit	7000rpm
0-60mph (0-100 km/h)	4.6 seconds (4.8 seconds)
Top speed	172mph (277kph)
CO2Emissions	235g/km
Weight	1437kg
Seats	2 (with option of 2+2)
Transmission	6 speed manual
Drive	RWD

Evora S Gumball

A one off car created by Lotus for the 2011 Gumball Rally 3000 and driven by Tamer Hassan.

Based on the standard Evora S the Gumball car was enhanced with a range of cosmetic and mechanical changes borrowed from the Evora GT4 race car. These included the full GT4 aero package of front and rear bumpers, front diffuser, rear splitter and wing, air intake, barge board and grills, along with the GT4 exhaust, wheels, 4-way adjustable Ohlin dampers, stiffer Eibach Race springs, and a 30mm lower ride height - although road tyres were retained to keep the car road legal.

Evora S Gumball on the 2011 Gumball Rally 3000

Evora IPS

Launched alongside the Evora S at the Paris Motor Show on September 30th 2010, the Evora IPS¹² paired the normally aspirated Toyota 2GR-FE engine with the Toyota U660E gearbox.

Evora IPS Press Shot

The Toyota U660E gearbox is a traditional torque-converter automatic gearbox, and unlike the manual is only available with the standard Toyota specification gear ratios. This is paired with Lotus's own electronics to give the gearbox a more sporting feel.

Inside the car sees the removal of the tradition gearstick, replaced with a panel for switching between Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Park, along with the Sport button. Paddles are fitted behind the steering wheel, with left paddle changing down and the right changing up. In the instrument binnacle the small LCD used to show the fuel level is re-purposed to show the current gear selection and mode. In the foot-well, as you'd expect, there are only two pedals.

Lotus Evora S and IPS Press Release (PDF)

Evora IPS Steering Wheel and Paddles	Evora IPS Gear Selector
Evora IPS Gear Display	Evora IPS Pedals

Sport mode in the Evora IPS changes the way the gearbox reacts, both in terms of the chosen gear and the amount of time the car will remain in Manual mode after a paddle has been used. It does not however increase the rev limit due to the limitations of most torque converter automatic gearboxes.

Layout	Transverse mid engined, rear wheel drive
Length	4342 mm
Width	1848 mm
Height	1223mm
Engine fuel	Petrol
Engine configuration	V6
Engine capacity	3456 cc
Engine power	276hp (280PS/206KW) at 6400 rpm
Engine torque	258lb/ft (350Nm) at 4600 rpm
Engine rev limit	6400rpm
0-60mph (0-100 km/h)	5.3 seconds (5.5 seconds)
Top speed	155mph (250kph)
CO2Emissions	208g/km
Weight	1436kg
Seats	2 (with option of 2+2)
Transmission	6 speed automatic
Drive	RWD

Concept Cars

Evora 414E Hybrid

Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in September 2010, the Evora 414E Hybrid¹³ serves as a practical demonstration of the flexibility of Lotus's VVA platform and replaces the Evora's Toyota sourced engine with a Hybrid petrol-electic drivetrain.

Evora 414E Hybrid

Unlike many traditional hybrids the petrol engine does not drive the wheels, instead the Lotus Range Extender (1.2l, three-cylinder, 47hp) is used in conjunction with other energy recovery techniques to provide a total range of up to 300 miles.

To increase driver involvement the Lotus developed HALOsonic Internal and External Sound Synthesis system is used to simulate the noise of a conventional petrol driven car, provide aural feedback to the driver as well as an audible warning for pedestrians which is often missing from hybrid cars running on battery power.

Evora 414E Hybrid Engine Bay

The interior and exterior are both styled to reflect the battery powered nature of the car, with the copper colour resembling that of a battery, while the roof and engine cover are made of glass with electrical contact detailing. While the basic interior layout remains the same as that of the standard Evora the rear seats are removed to make way for the battery packs.

Evora 414E Hybrid Interior

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Press Release (PDF)

Evora Carbon Concept

Shown at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show alongside the Evora 414E Hybrid, the Evora Carbon Concept left the car mechanically unaltered, while subtly enhancing its appearance both inside and out.

Lotus Evora Carbon Concept Front

Lotus Evora Carbon Concept Rear

On the outside the Evora Carbon Concept features a pearlescent white paint job along with contrasting carbon fibre roof, diffuser and splitter. The ride height is lowered, while 19" diamond cut forged wheels are fitted both front and rear. Tyres are Pirelli P-Zero Corsa's, sized 235/35/19 on the front and 285/30/19 at the rear.

Inside the interior is fitted with carbon panels, perforated leather and matt alcantara.

Donato Coco, Director of Lotus Design described the car, "The design of the Evora Carbon Concept car features exotic, high tech materials that offer a good synergy with the Lotus brand image, expressing our motorsport heritage and history of stylish sports cars for which Lotus are renowned."¹⁴

Lotus Evora Carbon Concept Press Release (PDF)

Evora by Mansory

The Evora by Mansory was shown at the Geneva Motor Show 2011 as a demonstration of the potential Lotus Bespoke range.

Lotus Mansory Evora Concept Front

Lotus Mansory Evora Concept Rear

Developed in conjunction with the aftermarket tuning company Mansory, the Evora by Mansory built on the themes first shown in the Carbon Concept, with pearlescent white paint, a carbon fibre roof, splitter, diffuser and sills, and added restyled front and rear bumpers, a carbon fibre rear spoiler with additional element beneath the wing, and some other small carbon fibre detailing.

Commenting on the car in Geneva, CEO Dany Bahar said: ”I think our collaboration with Mansory really showcases the aesthetic potential of the car too, the only limit is your imagination.

Lotus Evora by Mansory Press Release (PDF)

Evora GTE Road Concept

The Evora GTE Road Concept was shown at the Pebble Beach Show in August 2011 along with the Exige Matt Black Edition as part of the yearly Concours D’Elegance event.¹⁵

Lotus Evora GTE Road Concept Front

Lotus Evora GTE Road Concept Rear

The Evora GTE Road Car Concept takes inspiration, if not actual mechanicals, for the range of Evora race cars, while also building themes seen in previous Evora concept cars such as the Evora Carbon Concept and Evora by Mansory.

The Evora GTE's lowered suspension and wider bodywork helps give it a more purposeful stance, while the front bumper — an evolution of those first seen on the Evora by Mansory - helps both add an element of air of aggression that many feel is missing from the current Evora range and a visual link to the "New Era" range of cars shown by Lotus at Paris 2010.

The Mansory link is strengthened with a badge on the cars new rear spoiler—the only aspect of the design to have seen much in the way of criticism. The GTE will go into limited production in 2011, being sold first in China and then opened up to the rest of the world if enough demand is shown.

Motorsport

Evora Type 124

Lotus Evora Type 124

Evora Cup/GT4

Lotus Evora GT4 at the Lotus Festival 2011

Evora GT Enduro

Lotus Evora GT Enduro

Evora GTE

Lotus Evora GTE Race Car Front

Lotus Evora GTE Race Car Rear

References

¹ Autocar: Lotus' faceless ad campaign

² Evo - Lotus Evora breaks cover

³ Lotus Cars - Evora platform and low volume VVA

⁴ Lotus Enthusiast - First Lotus Evora delivered!

⁵ Lotus Drivers Guide - The 2010 Model Year Lotus Evora Range Specification and Pricing

⁶ Lotus Drivers Guide - Lotus contribution to Fashion for Relief Haiti confirmed at €1.4m

⁷ evo Car Reviews - Lotus Evora

⁸ Car Magazine - Lotus Evora

⁹ Autocar - Evora is UK’s Best Driver’s Car

¹⁰ Car Magazine - Performance Car of The Year 2009

¹¹ evo car of the year 2009

¹² Lotus Cars - Current Range - Evora IPS

¹³ Lotus Cars - News - Evora 414E Hybrid

¹⁴ Lotus Cars - News - Evora Carbon Concept makes Motorshow Debut

¹⁵ Lotus Cars - News - Lotus Double Premiere at Pebble Beach Week 2011