2010 Lotus Evora
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The new 2010 Lotus Evora isn’t something you’d expect to roll out of the factory in Norfolk, England. In fact, the Evora is something completely different than all previous models Lotus introduced. The Evora, has back seats! However, it may be snug as the Evora is classified as a 2+2 sports car meaning that, at best, the back seats can be used for children and groceries. Also unlike past Lotus models, such as the Elise and Exige, the Evora is equipped with “luxury” items such as automatic windows, satellite radio, and even a back-up camera! Also unlike the Elise and Exige, the Evora has more of a “supercar” look to it as compared to the “go-cart” look of the previous Lotus models, which in my opinion gives the Evora a new group of potential buyers.
The brand new Lotus will be powered by a Toyota sourced 3.5 Liter V-6 cranking out 280 BHP which will propel the car to 60 mph in less than five seconds and on to a top speed of 160 mph. Keeping the car planted at high speeds, Lotus equipped the Evora with an aerodynamic rear diffuser, and spoiler. Weighing less than 3000 lbs, Lotus claims the Evora will make it around the highly proclaimed Nurburgring, an iconic track in Germany, faster than the current best selling model, the Elise.
Likely to be around $60,000 the Evora price tag will still be more affordable than the lower priced BMW M3, any AMG car from Mercedes Benz, and any reasonable looking Porsche. Not only does the Evora cost less than its rivals, but it outperforms them too. Although its 0-60 time may be a fraction slower then the M3 and C63 AMG from Mercedes-Benz, but I can almost guarantee that its 500 lb. weight difference will produce track times faster than its competitors. Lotus also explained that a convertible model is likely to roll out a few months after the hard top, which will likely be in the 2010’s. The convertible model will likely be priced just over $65,000, similarly priced to the BMW M3 convertible, and likely just as much fun.
What cars would you expect those walking down the red carpet in Hollywood to be pulling up in? A Rolls Royce? A Ferrari? A Bentley? Well recent news shows stars such as Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, car nut Jay Leno, George Clooney, and even Beyoncé. But what makes the Evora so special that stars usually driving six digit figure plus cars are pre ordering a 60k sports car? Maybe these celebrities are thinking that the Evora will be a good alternative to the Elise because it actually has some street practicality.
In my eyes the Evora has the opportunity to redefine the sports car market with a track day car that can easily be driven to and from the track, and even in between those track days. The convertible model will likely attract a different crowd though seeing as convertible models are usually hundreds of pounds heavier than their hard top brothers, thus creating a higher center of gravity on the car, therefore drastically hurting the cars handling, and track times; and lets face it, that’s not what Lotus’ are all about. hances are the convertible will be a limited production car with less than 1000 models per year being produced so potential buyers are going to have a decent wait to get behind the wheel. With production only expected to be 2000 models per year starting in the spring of 2009 so chances are there will be a long wait to get inside.
