2011 Lotus Evora



Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Lotus Evora is a four-seat sports car that is offered in base and Evora S trim levels.

Standard equipment includes cast-aluminum wheels, bi-xenon headlights, heated exterior mirrors, air-conditioning, leather-upholstered front seats, cloth-upholstered rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power windows, a leather-wrapped gearshift knob and handbrake, a trip computer and a CD/MP3 player with iPod integration and auxiliary audio jack.

There are three main option groups available. The Premium package adds accent lighting, a center armrest, heated front seats, premium floor mats and leather trim throughout the cabin. The Sport package features selectable sport modes, enhanced throttle response, a higher rpm limit, a rear underbody diffuser, titanium exhaust tips and cross-drilled brake rotors with black-painted calipers. The Technology package includes cruise control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth and an upgraded stereo with DVD playback, a 7-inch touchscreen display, navigation and a USB port. A SuedeTex option adds faux suede interior trim elements.

Stand-alone options include a sports ratio gearbox, a rearview camera, power-folding mirrors, various wheel options, clear paint protection film and a premium audio system. Buyers can also opt to delete the rear seats in favor of a rear parcel area.

The Evora S receives more power thanks to its supercharged engine, and the powertrain also features an exhaust bypass valve that opens in Sport mode, a heavy-duty clutch and a close-ratio transmission. Also included are all the items from the Sport package along with a sportier suspension tune and a more aggressive rear aero diffuser.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2011 Lotus Evora is powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-liter Toyota V6 that produces 276 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The only standard transmission is a traditional six-speed manual, with a push-button six-speed automatic with shift paddles available as an option. The Evora S gains a supercharger and increases power output to 345 hp and 295 lb-ft or torque.

Lotus estimates the 0-60-mph run at around 4.9 seconds for the base Evora, with a stated top speed of 162 mph. The Evora S should hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and top out at 172 mph. Just as impressive as the performance numbers is the fuel efficiency; the Evora is expected to achieve 17 mpg city/27 mpg highway for the standard manual, while the sport gearbox should get 1 mpg more in the city.

Safety

The 2010 Lotus Evora is noticeably sparse when it comes to safety equipment. Antilock brakes and traction/stability control are included, but no type of side airbags are available.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Evora's interior is quite a departure from the hard-core sports cars in the Lotus lineup, sporting a modern cockpit with rich leather surfaces, carpeting and significantly more creature comforts than what's offered in the Elise and Exige. The relatively few knobs and buttons are within easy reach and are elegantly styled and placed.

Entry and exit from the front seats are much more civilized than in the Elise or Exige, thanks to a shorter and narrower side sill and larger door openings. Once seated, there is significantly more space up front -- enough to comfortably accommodate 6-foot-plus adults. Unfortunately, though, the front wheelwell intrudes on foot space. As a result, the clutch pedal is shifted an inch or so to the right, which can be awkward for some drivers. We had bigger issues with the lack of a functional dead pedal, however. A small ledge that can only fit a few toes is all that is provided, and its placement is painfully uncomfortable.

The rear seats don't fare any better, and are really no more than an upholstered package shelf with seatbelts. Rear space is almost nonexistent, and may even be uncomfortable for small children. In a pinch, these seats might come in handy, but we'd probably opt for the rear-seat delete. Rear visibility is laughable, but fortunately, a rearview camera is available as an option. As for the trunk, Lotus claims the Evora can hold up to 5.7 cubic feet but its narrow shape drastically limits what you can store back there. Strangely enough, the Elise's trunk, which can hold only 4.0 cubes, more easily accommodates bulkier items because of its wider shape.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Lotus Evora is most at home on tight, twisting roads. Like its smaller Elise and Exige cousins, the Evora knifes through turns with uncommon precision and otherworldly levels of grip. Unlike the Elise, however, the Evora provides a relatively serene cabin with few squeaks and rattles, plenty of sound insulation and a suspension that reduces pothole effects to "normal" car standards.
Power is plentiful throughout the rev range and the transmission features well-spaced gears to make the most of the V6's output. Steering feel is as good as it gets for any car, and the power steering makes maneuvering in tight spots effortless.



Powered by a Lotus-tuned 3.5-liter V6 produces 280PS / 206 kW / 276 hp @ 6400 rpm, and weighing just 1382 kg, the Lotus Evora offers a thrilling experience for the true engine of the Lotus characteristics.The DNA is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission and an automatic transmission is in the works.
With the sprint from zero to 60 mph taking just 4.9 seconds (100 km / h in just 5.1 seconds) a maximum speed of 162 mph (261 kph) and a European combined fuel economy cycle Official only 33 , 2 mpg (8.5 l / 100 km) and emit just 199 g / km of CO2 Evora stays true to the spirit of performance through light weight.

The economy numbers are equally impressive with other official European Urban Cycle from 23.4 mpg (12.1 liters per 100 km) and 44.8 mpg (6.3 liters per 100 km) to the extra-European Official Cycle all combined with urban ride and handling.

Suspension kits:
The forged aluminum wishbone suspension kits will use Bilstein shocks Eibach springs sitting in the Lotus to provide signature capabilities.The impressive drive the front wheels are 18 inches in diameter, surrounded by 225/40-18 tires in size, while the rears are 19s with 255/35-19 rubber.