Thursday 8th January 2009

Report: 350bhp Evora on the Way

Supercharged Evora could arrive in two years

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Exciting news of a supercharged 350bhp Lotus Evora has emerged from Hethel, although you’ll have to wait a couple of years to get your hands on it.

Deliveries of the Toyota V6 powered Evora will start in May this year, and performance should already be scintillating with the 3.5 litre normally aspirated engine putting out close to 280bhp in a car weighing less than 1400kgs.

According to Autocar magazine, the supercharged version currently under development will take performance to the next level – cutting the standard 0-60mph time from around 5.5secs to under 5secs, and boosting the top speed from 160mph to around 175mph.

The magazine’s latest report on the Evora says the delay in the supercharged model’s arrival is due to ongoing work to ‘federalize’ the Evora for the US market. Lotus hopes the car will have strong appeal across the pond, and to that end is developing an automatic (torque convertor) version as part of the model strategy.

Following the US Evora launch this Autumn, a roadster version of the Evora is scheduled for 2010, with the supercharged version following in 2011.

Lotus told Autocar a supercharged Toyota V6 is already running on the bench and making 350bhp and 290lb ft of torque ‘with no modifications’. It is therefore quite possible the final production output could be higher still.

With Evora prices predicted to start around £45,000 when sales start, the supercharged model is expected to cost at least £10k more.

[dpbird90]

I want one of these more than the GTR SpecV. I guess even the standard GTR would probably run rings round the Evora, but I want the big Lotus every time.

[clarencegi77]

Who's going to buy the standard one now?
2010-11? I'm not entirely sure 350 hp will still be hugely impressive by then though.. Judging by how the Cayman is now such a lethal tool

[White-Noise]

I think it looks awesome, I cant wait to see one in the flesh. It is heavier than I expected though, but I guess its pretty refined...

[broadhat]

Have you got a better picture? The pop-up is smaller than the original. Ta

[Frimley111R]

What does 'federalising' involve?

[MogulBoy]

"federalising" a.k.a. adding cup holders.

Seriously, they need to get the base model out ASAP or they won't be here in 2 years time to launch this version.

This is a naive marketing move IMO.

I wish Lotus well but they've got to deliver the products.

[wab172uk]

I really like this car. Couldn't help but think it should have had more than 280BHP to start with.

Will wait a couple years for the 350BHP version to hit the second hand forecourts. Get me a little weekend toy

[PompeyM3]

Can't wait to see one of these in the flesh. Looks a really nice car. I'm going to have to extend the dream garage........ again !!! ;o)

[Niffty951]

If the Germans had built this car I'd be on the waiting list but if I'm going to put up with British build quality issues it has to have the most amazing exhaust note in the world (to give it character) or a lump more power than any other car in its price bracket to set it one above and make you want one. 400hp plus and I'd test drive one, 500hp+ and my name goes on the list.. then I test one! 350hp and I stick with my German equivilent with 350hp that I can abuse hard every day and will never go wrong. Sorry Lotus.

Looks lovely though

[NickyTwoHats]

Almost what Noble should have done

[jbelise]

I'm confused. All the published information was that the 280bhp Evora is going to be sub 5s to 60 and yet now we're hearing that it's only the supercharged version that will achieve this...?

(Does look good in the flesh btw!!)

[jazzyjeff]

Niffty951 said:

If the Germans had built this car I'd be on the waiting list but if I'm going to put up with British build quality issues it has to have the most amazing exhaust note in the world (to give it character) or a lump more power than any other car in its price bracket to set it one above and make you want one. 400hp plus and I'd test drive one, 500hp+ and my name goes on the list.. then I test one! 350hp and I stick with my German equivilent with 350hp that I can abuse hard every day and will never go wrong. Sorry Lotus.

Looks lovely though

I think you'll find a lot of people aren't finding German build quality much to shout about these days either..! There's also more to a car than outright power - Lotus have always been more about running rings around the competition with lighter lower-powered cars. Lets see how quickly it laps the 'Ring eh?

I agree with JB though, Lotus are being very fickle with their projected performance figures!

JJ

Edited by jazzyjeff on Thursday 8th January 13:51

[jbelise]

Excellent spot JJ

Go to the overview tab on http://www.facelesspeople.com/ and click 'Roar' in the bottom left of the screen - meant to be the Evora soundtrack.

[Howard1650]

Wow, Lotus have not even sold one, yet they are already talking about the next spec version. How long before the Clark version, or the Black&Gold, or the Senna special?

Lotus,
any other great ideas to destroy the second hand value and therefore any finance options for buyers? Fire your marketing group. Lotus you are slowly becoming a joke. (If your lucky the low pound will let you sell a few in the USA)

[Frimley111R]

Howard1650 said:

Wow, Lotus have not even sold one, yet they are already talking about the next spec version. How long before the Clark version, or the Black&Gold, or the Senna special?

Lotus,
any other great ideas to destroy the second hand value and therefore any finance options for buyers? Fire your marketing group. Lotus you are slowly becoming a joke. (If your lucky the low pound will let you sell a few in the USA)

You're talking about marketing and Lotus, neither of which you clearly know anything about!

[alman]

Niffty951 said:

If the Germans had built this car I'd be on the waiting list but if I'm going to put up with British build quality issues it has to have the most amazing exhaust note in the world (to give it character) or a lump more power than any other car in its price bracket to set it one above and make you want one. 400hp plus and I'd test drive one, 500hp+ and my name goes on the list.. then I test one! 350hp and I stick with my German equivilent with 350hp that I can abuse hard every day and will never go wrong. Sorry Lotus.

Looks lovely though

Isn't it a toyota engine? other than rusting to bits (which i'm not sure really happens anymore) i can't see there being much of a problem

[Callan.T89]

An Automatic version for the yank market!!!!

An Automatic Lotus!

If I was American I would be embarrassed that a pre-requiste for seeling a car in my country is to have an "Auto Box"

As an Englishman though it just makes me laugh and then feel a little sad inside thyat lotus need to do this.

[tricky 100]

Oh well thats going to cheer up everybody thats gone out and put a deposit on the standard model , nice one .

[jpf]

You can get virtually any Porsche with an automatic and it sounds likes things are OK at Porsche.

Personally,if it can hit the $60K price in the USA, sign me up for the Evora manual!

[Howard1650]

Frimley111R said:

Howard1650 said:

Wow, Lotus have not even sold one, yet they are already talking about the next spec version. How long before the Clark version, or the Black&Gold, or the Senna special?

Lotus,
any other great ideas to destroy the second hand value and therefore any finance options for buyers? Fire your marketing group. Lotus you are slowly becoming a joke. (If your lucky the low pound will let you sell a few in the USA)

You're talking about marketing and Lotus, neither of which you clearly know anything about!

So you believe the best way to sell a product is to tell customers that the current product is OK but will be superseded by a better model in a few years, making the product you are about to purchase depreciate more - losing you thousands of pounds. And you hope the sucker will come back for another one! Are you a marketing manager for BMW? (and please don't go on about understand brand values or vehicle DNA)