It looks as though Lotus has been busy of late. The Hethel-based firm has lifted the wraps from its supercharged Evora S and an upcoming automatic model ahead of the Paris Motor Show. Spiritual successors to the company’s iconic Esprit and 7 models are also expected to bow soon…
When we tested the Evora in our June 2010 issue we were impressed with the car’s poise and entertaining dynamics, but we felt that the car could do with a bit more power than the 206 kW served up by its Toyota-sourced 3,5-litre V6 engine. For the Evora S Lotus has bolted a supercharger onto the aforementioned powerplant to squeeze out 258 kW and 400 N.m of torque. Mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, this unit is reportedly good for 0-100 km/h in 4,8 seconds and a top speed of 277 km/h.
The Evora S features a standard fitment "sport pack" which comprises a sport button which allows the driver to tailor the car’s throttle response and activate an exhaust by-pass valve. On the aesthetic front, the Evora S can be distinguished from its standard sibling by a prominent rear diffuser, model-specific alloy wheels and cross-drilled brakes.
Lotus has also decided to add an automatic model to the Evora range in the shape of the Evora IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift). This model mates a six-speed automatic transmission featuring steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters with the standard Evora’s normally-aspirated 3,5-litre V6. With 206 kW and 350 N.m on tap, this model is capable of a claimed 0-100 km/h in 5,5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
In addition to the new Evoras, it has also been reported that Lotus are preparing to reveal new versions of the Esprit and Seven, as well as a brace of hybrids.
Little is known about the hybrid models, except that they’ll be based on the same floorpan as the Evora 414E concept and could assume the guises of a coupé/roadster and a sporty five-door.
The new Seven will reportedly be much heavier than its predecessor, which does seem somewhat at odds with the ethos of this bare-essentials racer. The new Esprit also looks unlikely to follow in the footsteps of its lightweight carbon-fibre forebear, with aluminium likely to be utilised for most of the bodywork. Power is likely to come from a mid-mounted, turbocharged V8.
