Lotus Evora

Lotus Evora Overview

‘Simplify, then add lightness’. Such is Lotus’s mantra that has stayed true to this day since the inception of the company back in 1952 by one Collin Chapman. During the short-lived 21-year Proton ownership from 1996 to 2017, the Lotus Evora was the first car of an ambitious five-year plan started in 2006 to expand the Lotus vehicle line-up.

The Lotus Evora was unfortunately the only model that made the cut, and a rear-mid-engined featherweight sports coupé was born. The stripped-down grand tourer is the company’s only car with a 2+2 seating configuration. Since its official debut in 2009, it has matured over the years, losing its weight while gaining performance, revised styling inside and out with a harder edge.

The 2019 Lotus Evora GT 410 Sport is the latest offering from the British marque, with the GT 410 subsequently joining the Sport as a more civil, Grand Touring-focused sports coupé. Powered by a supercharged 3.5 litre Toyota-derived V6 engine, the car produces 410 Hp (416 PS) and 410 Nm of torque, hence the name.

Lotus Evora Exterior

For a decade-old design, it must be said that the Lotus Evora has aged rather well. The classically elegant, low-drag, fastback exterior design combines with smooth fluid lines and the swept-forward cabin, accentuating its athletic stance. It is reminiscence of a more toned down Koenigsegg Agera hypercar.

The latest iteration is re-styled with advanced aerodynamic elements inspired by the limited production Evora GT430. It generates significantly more downforce compared to its predecessor without any increase in drag.

Carbon fibre is used on the front access panel, the roof, and the tailgate with the integrated rear spoiler and louvered backlight to keep the weight down. The redesigned rear diffuser is finished in lightweight aluminium and is seamlessly integrated around the central oval exhaust exit.

Both variants are virtually identical on the outside with a few subtle differences. The more comfort-oriented GT 410 does without the louvered engine cover and the V6 engine is now visible in all its glory through a transparent glass. The roof body coloured, as are the side sills, tailgate, front access panel and side mirror caps.

Lotus Evora Dimension

The Lotus Evora is effectively Lotus’s interim flagship and remains the biggest series production car to come out of Norfolk, not taking into account the recently launched limited-run all-electric Lotus Evija. Despite being Lotus’s biggest series production car, it is amongst the smallest and the lightest compared to rivals like the Porsche 718 Cayman and the Jaguar F-Type.

Lotus Evora Interior

It is a very minimalistic affair inside the Lotus Evora. The Sport variant features Alcantara trim on the flat-bottomed steering wheel, dashboard, door panels, transmission tunnel, centre console and instrument binnacle, highlighted with contrast stitching.

Carbon fibre sports seats, also finish in black Alcantara are contrasted with twin stitching in yellow or red. The vents surrounds and door handles are finished in gun metal while the pedals and gear knob are finished in lightweight aluminium.

On the GT 410, more insulating materials have been used to reduce road noise, and the door trims now feature integrated arm rests and storage bins for improved practicality. A more comfort oriented Sparco Sport seats is fitted as standard (2+2 layout).

It should not come as a surprise that the Evora's cramped cabin and thinly padded front seats are not the most comfortable for long drive. And staying true to its ‘simplify, then add lightness’ philosophy, there is only a little cargo area underneath the rear hatch, no front trunk, and an almost non-existing interior cubby storage. 

Lotus Evora Features

The process of making the ‘standard’ GT410 has effectively happened in reverse with the GT410 Sport coming before the GT 410. Compared to its harder-cored sibling, the GT410 comes fitted with softer suspension (around 10 percent softer), additional sound insulation, more everyday tyres (Michelin's Pilot Sport 4S rather than its Cup 2), and a glass tailgate as opposed to a louvred one that affects rear visibility.

Air conditioning, heated seats, cruise control, reversing camera as well as a 7-inch premium touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay compatibility are available as standard while they are a cost option on the Sport variant. Eibach utra-lightweight, low-sideload springs and Bilstein dampers come fitted as standard on the Sport model, while a touring suspension package is a no-cost option, featuring touring specification and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber.

Weight-obsessed driving enthusiasts can opt for the lightweight and performance package for a Lotus-tuned Öhlins TTX aluminium two-way adjustable dampers (20 clicks compression and rebound), which saves a total of 13 kg over the other damper kits. Lightweight titanium exhaust system saves a further 10 kg.

Both models ride on forged alloy wheels measuring 19-inches up front and 20-inches at the rear. Stopping power comes courtesy of the servo assisted, lightweight 2-piece cross-drilled and ventilated brake discs and AP Racing four piston calipers. Torsen-type limited slip differential is available on manual variants only.

Lotus Evora Driving Performance

Engine

The powertrain underneath is identical on both the GT 410 Sport and the GT 410. Powering the rear wheels is a rear-mid-mounted supercharged 3.5 litre Toyota-derived V6 engine, developing 416 PS (410 Hp) at 7,000 RPM and 410 Nm of torque from 3,000 RPM.

0-100 km/h time for the Sport is achieved in 4.2 seconds for the manual variant while the automatic slash a further 0.1 second off the pace. Top speed is 298 km/h and 278 km/h respectively. On the less hard-core GT 410, both manual and automatic variant completes the century sprint in a respectable 4.2 seconds and achieving the same top speed as the Sport variant.

The Toyota-sourced V6 is smooth and torquey, and its supercharger emits a thrilling howl beyond 4500 rpm. The active exhaust system produces an angry, bass-heavy soundtrack that reaches a sonorous scream that few rivals can match.

Transmission

Standard transmission is a 6-speed manual, channeled through a Torsen limited-slip differential. It comes equipped with gearbox cooler and coupled to Lotus’ precision shift aluminium mechanism. Option for a 6-speed automatic transmission is available and comes with paddle shifters for manual override.

Lotus Evora Ride Comfort

The Lotus Evora benefits from a bespoke, motorsport tested, bonded aluminium chassis. The state-of-the-art chassis is unique to the Evora. Constructed using bonded aluminium extrusions, it is extremely light yet incredibly stiff with a central tub forming the driver’s cockpit and safety cell - a process widely used in modern racing car construction.

This rigidity allows Lotus engineers to fine tune the forged aluminium, double wishbone suspension for more compliance, improving ride comfort without compromising the handling dynamics. The extra sound insulation on the GT 410 means that the NVH levels is greatly improved with a noticeable lack of tyre noise compared to the Sport. 

The ride is sublime, and thanks to the more amiable tyres, the steering is lighter too. Both cars come equipped with a traditional hydraulically assisted steering setup and it is arguably the best-in-class, putting even Porsche’s highly effective electric steering to shame.

Lotus Evora Fuel Consumption

Lotus Evora Conclusion

The Lotus Evora, unlike most of its rivals, stayed true its ethos of low weight and driver involvement with feature like the hydraulic steering system that offers unrivaled immediacy and unadulterated road feel through the corners. It is a car you enjoy not just exploring the limits of, but also one you can enjoy pottering around. 

The basic appeal of the Lotus Evora remains but the weight-obsessed approach means that it is not quite a real grand tourer evidence by its sparse interior and features, nor it is as unapologetically focused as the Lotus Elise. Unless you are a hard-core fan, it will be hard not to be swayed by the equally capable and more modern Porsche 718 Cayman.