Lotus Evora
Encyclopedia
The Lotus Evora is a sports car
produced by British
car manufacturer Lotus
. The car, which was developed under the project name Project Eagle, was launched as the Evora on 22 July 2008 at the British International Motor Show
.
since the introduction of the Lotus Elise
in 1995 (the Exige
, introduced in 2000, and the 2006 Europa S
are both derivatives of the Elise). The Evora is the first vehicle of three vehicles to be built on the same platform; the remaining two vehicles will be on sale by 2011.
The Evora is the first product of a five year plan started in 2006 to expand the Lotus lineup beyond it's current track-specialized offerings, with the aim of making the Evora a somewhat of a more practical road car that would appeal to the mainstream. As such it is a larger car than recent Lotus models Elise
and its derivatives (Exige, Europa S
, etc.), with an estimated curb weight of 1350 kg (2,976.2 lb). It is currently the only Lotus model with a 2+2 configuration, although it has been announced that it will also be offered in a two-seater configuration, referred to as the "Plus Zero" option. It is also the only 2+2 mid engined coupé on sale.
The interior is larger to allow taller persons to fit, such as Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley, and two 99th percentile
(6'5") American males.
The cooled boot behind the engine is large enough to fit a set of golf club
s, although Lotus Design Head Russell Carr denies that this was intentional. Lotus intends the Evora to compete with different market sectors including the Porsche Cayman
.
tradition of beginning model names with an "E". The name is derived from the words evolution, vogue, and aura. Other names considered were Eagle
, Exira and Ethos
; Exira was rejected as it was considered not good enough and the other two because it would be difficult for Lotus to claim them as a trademark. The name "Evora" sounds similar to Évora
, which is the name of a Portuguese city and UNESCO
World Heritage Site
, in Portugal
.
On the upside he was very happy with the performance, handling and comfort. He was extremely impressed with the ride comfort and described the car has "the only car I've ever driven, ever, which is a killer attack dog and an old sofa".
The Evora also won EVO magazines 'Car of the Year 2009' and CAR magazines 'performance car of the Year 2009'.
Lotus entered two Evoras at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans
, which were run by the Jetalliance Racing
team. Despite overheating issues during practice and qualifying, car no.65 finished 22nd overall, completing 295 laps, whilst car no.64 retired after 126 laps.
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
produced by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
car manufacturer Lotus
Lotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
. The car, which was developed under the project name Project Eagle, was launched as the Evora on 22 July 2008 at the British International Motor Show
British International Motor Show
The British International Motor Show is an automobile show held biennially in the United Kingdom. It is recognised as an international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles. The 2008 was the last event with no news of a return of the British International Motor Show...
.
Development
The Lotus Evora was glued together and is based on the first all-new vehicle platform from Lotus CarsLotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
since the introduction of the Lotus Elise
Lotus Elise
The 1996 Lotus Elise weighed . Because of its relatively low weight, it was able to accelerate 0- in 5.8 seconds despite its relatively low power output of...
in 1995 (the Exige
Lotus Exige
The Lotus Exige is a two-door, two-seat sports car made by Lotus Cars. It is essentially a coupé version of the Lotus Elise, a mid-engined roadster in production since 1996....
, introduced in 2000, and the 2006 Europa S
Lotus Europa S
Lotus Europa S is a GT-type two-seat sports car, designed to complement the successful Lotus Elise and its derivative, the Exige. The Europa S is the continuation of the Europa line of the 1960s and 1970s....
are both derivatives of the Elise). The Evora is the first vehicle of three vehicles to be built on the same platform; the remaining two vehicles will be on sale by 2011.
The Evora is the first product of a five year plan started in 2006 to expand the Lotus lineup beyond it's current track-specialized offerings, with the aim of making the Evora a somewhat of a more practical road car that would appeal to the mainstream. As such it is a larger car than recent Lotus models Elise
Lotus Elise
The 1996 Lotus Elise weighed . Because of its relatively low weight, it was able to accelerate 0- in 5.8 seconds despite its relatively low power output of...
and its derivatives (Exige, Europa S
Lotus Europa S
Lotus Europa S is a GT-type two-seat sports car, designed to complement the successful Lotus Elise and its derivative, the Exige. The Europa S is the continuation of the Europa line of the 1960s and 1970s....
, etc.), with an estimated curb weight of 1350 kg (2,976.2 lb). It is currently the only Lotus model with a 2+2 configuration, although it has been announced that it will also be offered in a two-seater configuration, referred to as the "Plus Zero" option. It is also the only 2+2 mid engined coupé on sale.
The interior is larger to allow taller persons to fit, such as Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley, and two 99th percentile
Percentile
In statistics, a percentile is the value of a variable below which a certain percent of observations fall. For example, the 20th percentile is the value below which 20 percent of the observations may be found...
(6'5") American males.
The cooled boot behind the engine is large enough to fit a set of golf club
Golf club (equipment)
A golf club is used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots; Hybrids that combine design elements of woods and...
s, although Lotus Design Head Russell Carr denies that this was intentional. Lotus intends the Evora to compete with different market sectors including the Porsche Cayman
Porsche Cayman
The Porsche Cayman is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive 2-seat sports car produced by Porsche AG of Germany. First launched in the 2006 model year, the Cayman is a coupé derived from Porsche's second generation Boxster convertible. Like the Boxster, most Caymans were assembled in Finland for Porsche...
.
Name
The name "Evora" keeps the LotusLotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
tradition of beginning model names with an "E". The name is derived from the words evolution, vogue, and aura. Other names considered were Eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
, Exira and Ethos
Ethos
Ethos is a Greek word meaning "character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. The Greeks also used this word to refer to the power of music to influence its hearer's emotions, behaviors, and even morals. Early Greek stories of...
; Exira was rejected as it was considered not good enough and the other two because it would be difficult for Lotus to claim them as a trademark. The name "Evora" sounds similar to Évora
Évora
Évora is a municipality in Portugal. It has total area of with a population of 55,619 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Évora District and capital of the Alentejo region. The municipality is composed of 19 civil parishes, and is located in Évora District....
, which is the name of a Portuguese city and UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
Production
Sales were expected to start in summer 2009. The sales target is 2000 cars per year, with prices between £45,000 and just over £50,000. It will arrive at American dealers beginning in January 2010.Awards
On 12 August 2009, British car magazine Autocar named the Evora as Britain's Best Driver's Car 2009.Reviews
The car was reviewed by presenter Jeremy Clarkson on the British automotive television show Top Gear. The review was positive overall. Clarkson considered the rear seats to have not enough legroom, the interior felt cheap and the satellite navigation was sub-optimal.On the upside he was very happy with the performance, handling and comfort. He was extremely impressed with the ride comfort and described the car has "the only car I've ever driven, ever, which is a killer attack dog and an old sofa".
The Evora also won EVO magazines 'Car of the Year 2009' and CAR magazines 'performance car of the Year 2009'.
Motorsport
During the 2011 Geneva motor show, Lotus announced the Evora enduro GT concept, as a follow up to the Type 124 and GT4 race cars. Lotus is aiming for this car to enter into the GT3 category by Mid-2011, with a 444 bhp Toyota supplied V8.Lotus entered two Evoras at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans
2011 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 79th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 11–12 June 2011 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France, and organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest...
, which were run by the Jetalliance Racing
Jetalliance Racing
Jetalliance Racing is an Austrian racing team which currently competes in the FIA GT Championship. Founded by Lucas Lichtner-Hoyer, former CEO of Jetalliance airlines, in 2006 under the name Race Alliance Motorsport, the team has run two privateer Aston Martin DBR9s in FIA GT as well as making...
team. Despite overheating issues during practice and qualifying, car no.65 finished 22nd overall, completing 295 laps, whilst car no.64 retired after 126 laps.
Performance
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds
- Top speed: 162 mph (260.7 km/h)
- CO2 emission: 205 g/km
- Fuel consumption: 32.5 mpgimp (EU standards); 17/27 MPG city/highway (US EPA standards)
- Drag coefficientDrag coefficientIn fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or...
: 0.337 - Engine: Mid mounted,transverse 3.5 litre DOHC V6 VVT-I
- Transmission: 6 speed manualManual transmissionA manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
- Chassis: Modular lightweight bonded aluminium structure
- Steering: Lotus tuned hydraulically-assisted power steering
- Suspension: Forged aluminium double wishbone suspension, Bilstein high performance gas dampers, Eibach coaxial coil springs