Lotus Evora Launch Edition with European Pricing Announced for 2010MY

Lotus Evora at Geneva

Lotus Evora Launch Edition is only 2+2 mid-engine sports car on the market

By Alex Ricciuti
March 4, 2009 7:00 PM
Filed Under: European, Lotus, Pricing

A Lotus that promises a little practicality along with some stinging performance. Okay, let's have it.

The Lotus Evora Launch Edition is here as the only 2+2 mid-engine sports car on the market and will be testing the waters, so to speak, with a first run of 450 cars.

Forward and reverse motion on the Evora is provided by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 PS and 342 Nm of torque. 0 to 100 km/h takes a little over 5 seconds and speed maxes out somewhere a few clicks past 260 km/h. Economy is a more than respectable 8.7 liters per 100 km (32 mpg Imp) for this lightweight Lotus and CO2 emissions are 205 g/km. So, enviro-guilt is dealt with expediently here, leaving buyers to simply enjoy their new ride.

Special to the Launch Edition are silver cast alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, a reverse camera and an Alpine Imprint sound system. Standard colors for the model are Ardent Red and British Racing Green, but customers can chose others from Lotus's palette. And those looking for a more personalized Evora will still have an array of options from Lotus available to them, including configuring the car as a two-seater with luggage space at the back replacing the rear seats.

Inside the cabin are "LED halos" which bask instrumentation in a cool blue light meant to contrast with the smooth leather finish of the interior.

Starting prices for the Evora 2+2 will be around 65,000 euros, depending on the country. Production has already begun on the Evora as it goes on sale starting in May.

For European price list see last photo in mini album.

Source: Lotus

Press Release (Click to expand)

The 2010 Model Year Lotus Evora
Range Specification and Pricing
(EU and Switzerland)

First deliveries of the eagerly anticipated Lotus Evora will be made to customers in Europe in May 2009 following an extensive and rapid development programme, enabling the whole project to be completed in an extraordinary 27 months, almost unprecedented in the motor industry.

The Lotus Evora Launch Edition
The first 450 cars will be built to a high level standard specification which includes the following equipment:

2+2 seating configuration
Tech Pack
Premium Pack
Sport Pack
Hi-power silver cast alloy wheels
Bi-Xenon Headlamps
Alpine Imprint Audio System
Reversing Camera
Electric Powerfold Mirrors

The Launch Edition includes either Ardent Red or British Racing Green as standard, and all other colours from the Lotus range are available as a cost option.

Following on from these first 450 Lotus Evora Launch Edition sportscars, customers will have the opportunity to spec to a more personal level - but of course they will not be part of the select few who will be among the first to own Britain's latest sportscar and one of the most anticipated cars of the year,
complete with a unique Evora commemorative build plate in the cabin.

The Lotus Evora in Summary

The Lotus Evora will enter the sportscar market as the only mid-engined 2+2 in production. The new car is a more holistic offering than the Elise, Europa and Exige models that have been so massively popular and iconic. The Lotus Evora is designed for people who desire exotic sportscar characteristics of stunning design, exclusivity, dramatic proportions and performance. However, it offers real-world usability and a unique sense of occasion. Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 PS and 342 Nm of torque, the new car employs innovative lightweight chassis technology to ensure all-round dynamic
performance, in keeping with the great Lotus tradition.

Straight line performance is spectacular, with the zero to 100 km/h sprint taking place in just over 5 seconds with a top speed of over 260 km/h 03 March 2009 (prototype figures). Economy and emissions figures are class leading with the Official European Combined Cycle fuel economy being just 8.7 litres / 100 km and the emissions being just 205 g / km CO2. The other fuel economy figures are equally impressive with Official European Urban Cycle figures of 12.4 litres / 100 km and 6.5 litres / 100 km for the Official European Extra Urban Cycle.

Inside, the Lotus Evora cocoons occupants with sumptuous leather surfaces juxtaposed with contemporary high-tech features. With driver focused instrumentation the occupants sit in cockpit-esque surroundings. A beautifully appointed dash boasts tactile details such as flush-mounted controls that glow with blue LED haloes and a stylised speedometer and rev counter ensuring that controls are both attractive and accessible. Styled in-house by Lotus Design, the Evora's sophisticated and attention-snaring lines brilliantly disguise its ability to accommodate passengers in the rear of the cabin, giving the car the external characteristics of a small, nimble sportscar belying its real exterior and internal space. As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a two-seater, the space in the rear being allocated to luggage storage. Other derivatives are also planned for the long term future, including a convertible and a version with automatic transmission.

The first production Lotus Evoras have already started down the assembly line at Lotus' high tech manufacturing facilities in Worcester UK (where the advanced extruded and bonded aluminium chassis is made) and at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel UK. Build volumes are expected to ramp up steadily over the next few months with a target of 34 Lotus Evoras being made each week by July 2009. This manufacturing volume is in addition to the current build volume for Lotus small car platform vehicles (Elise, Exige, Europa and 2- Eleven) of 44 per week building to 55-60 per week in the run up to the northern hemisphere summer.

For peace of mind, the Lotus Evora has a 3 year 100,000 km (60,000 miles) whole vehicle warranty with an 8 years chassis perforation warranty for EU markets.