Six years ago, the first Evora went on sale as the first car with an all-new platform since the Elise, which was first introduced in 1995. Using a 2+2 configuration, it was intended to compete with vehicles such as Porsche Cayman, which retain excellent driving performance, but make slight concessions to everyday practicality. The car had many qualities, specially at the first of those two aspects, but despite Lotus’ huge tradition, it never managed to be a true threat to models like those. Such outcome didn’t exactly help the automaker to revert the increasing losses it has had over the past few years, but it didn’t give up. While other companies deal with this situation by replacing the model with a totally different one, not only did Lotus stick to its Evora, as it also made it better.
Even though Lotus proudly defines it as an all-new car, it isn’t hard to notice the resemblance with the outgoing car. Considering how blurred the line between “facelift” and “new generation” has become in the car world, it’s better to rely on more objective data: with more than two thirds of new components, compared to the old Evora, Lotus has enhanced its latest creation with aluminum chassis, composite body panels, and a revised iteration of the signature, supercharged engine that comes from Toyota: Evora 400’s surname comes from the new power figure it manages to extract from the 3.5-liter V6 (55 hp more than the previous model), along with 302 lb-ft of torque. As if this wasn’t enough, the 22-kg reduction enables it to go from 0 to 100 kph in 4.1 seconds and then to 300 kph.
As you’ve already imagined, Evora 400’s new design was one of the reasons for such interesting speed numbers. A 35-mm length increase is the most noticeable exterior change, but it comes with a very tasteful facelift. Through “an integrated digital design process” which uses “state-of-the-art milling and 3-D printing facilities”, Lotus developed new front and rear fascias which manage to optimize the air flow and look better (dropping that smiling front grille was particularly important for this) at the same time. And without ever losing traits such as trapezoidal lights at the front and circular at the back, A-pillars painted in black, so as to visually extend the windshield, and the car’s very silhouette – it’s an upscale variation of what you see on Elise and Exige.
In order to honor its roots – both Lotus and United Kingdom –, this sports car’s biggest concern is handling. Lotus’ brand new concoction features limited-slip differential and improved springs and dampers to behave even better at high speeds, while composite rear diffuser, flat underbody and triple-element rear wing contribute to better results at the process of cutting through air: at 240 kph, Evora 400 is claimed to achieve 32 kg of downforce. This new car comes only with the supercharged engine, and replaces all the previous Evora’s versions. The only technical choice you can make is manual or automatic gearbox, for now; Lotus is planning to expand this model into an entire family, including a roadster and even a crossover. Meanwhile, the coupé goes on sale next August.