Lotus releases fresh Evora images

Lotus rolled out its new Evora at the recent Melbourne motor show (more here) and used the occasion to announce a third-quarter local launch for the V6-powered coupe.

The company has now issued fresh images of the sportster, pricing of which will start at $162,990 in two-seat guise and $169,990 for the 2+2.

The Evora, billed as the first mid-engined four-seater, will be launched in Europe next month, and the company has hopes of growing its global sales dramatically via the newcomer.

The aggressively styled coupe will be pitched more or less directly against the likes of the Porsche Cayman, and it could also be construed as a rival for BMW's M3 Coupe.

Unlike the somewhat cramped, barebones Elise/Exige, Lotus is promising the Evora will offer ample space (for at least two) and the cabin will feature niceties such as Recaro leather seats, cupholders, a lockable glovebox and a couple of additional storage cubbies.

There'll be an extensive options list, enabling you to tick off goodies such as
Bi-Xenon headlamps, power-folding mirrors, a premium Alpine Mobile Media System, Bluetooth, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

You'll also be able to specify a reversing camera and choose from one of three wheel designs (18-inchers at the front and 19s at the rear).

If you plan on doing the odd track day, you'll want to plump for the Sport Pack, which sharpens throttle response and brings a higher RPM limiter, in addition to a sports traction control mode with increased slip thresholds, a sports diffuser, cross-drilled brake discs and an engine oil cooler.

Although a slight departure from Lotus's ultra-minimalist mantra, the Evora is still no porker, and its kerb weight of circa-1300kg will put it more or less on par with the none-too-portly Porsche Cayman S (and well below the new BMW Z4 -- more here).

The Evora's motive power comes from a Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre V6 with 206kW and 339Nm, enabling a 0-100km/h dash in the five-second bracket. Top speed, for what it's worth, will be around 255km/h.

A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, and a close-ratio version of the same will be among the optional extras.

The Evora range will be bolstered over the next two years by the addition of a drop-top and a high-performance variant. The latter is likely to be supercharged, and Euro sources suggest it will pump out in excess of 260kW.

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