Lotus Evora

Lotus unveils the full production version of its new Porsche Cayman-baiter at the Geneva Auto Show. The Evora starts at $66,638 for the base model, which is probably "less than many people thought," says Alastair Florance, Lotus’ group press-relations manager. That's pricier than a Cayman S, but the Evora is a more focused sports car, even though, with 280 horsepower, it is 40 horses down on the Porsche.

 

The Lotus is no lighter, either, but it does have a touch more torque. The Evora’s Toyota-built engine will also have an optional "Sports" mode that allows a transient extra 500 rpm and does scary things with the throttle response. Aware that it sounds faintly ridiculous to fit a sports button in a sports car, Lotus promises that the driving experience will be so radical in this mode it won't be appropriate for many road conditions.

 

Sales start towards the end of 2009 (early 2010 U.S.) with the range stretching to a $81,565 model that includes full leather, forged alloy wheels, a full-on sound system and that sports button. Lotus is planning to build 34 Evoras a week, which with extra Elises signals an almost doubling of production.

 

Also at the show for the first time is the 2010 model-year Exige S, with enhanced styling and better aerodynamics. Key changes are a new front splitter, larger mouth with bigger oil coolers and a new rear wing. The wing is larger than before but, being set farther back and mounted on the bodywork rather than on the rear hatch cover, it reduces drag while giving more muscular looks. Lotus is pleased to get the Exige’s CO2 down to 199g/km, while with just 205g/km on the Evora, the manufacturer is placed first and third in the performance-car sector for environmental friendliness.