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 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.

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

Evora S

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 IPS

Sport mode on the Evora IPS does not raise the engine rev limit due to limitations of the IPS gearbox.

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

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