Official: 2010 Lotus Evora 2+2

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:44:00 GMT

Lotus’ first all-new model in 13 years was unveiled at the British International Motor Show this week, the Evora. (We’re partial to the “Project Eagle” name, as featured in our preview.) Lotus promises this will be the first of three new models to debut over the next five years.

A mid-engined 2+2, the Evora is powered by a Lotus-tuned 3.5-liter V-6 engine producing 276 horsepower. The goal here is to expand Lotus’ appeal, by opening up its legendary sports car handling to drivers with more than one friend. Wider, taller door apertures and narrower sills promise to make getting in and out of the cabin a less athletic undertaking than with the company’s smaller sports cars. Honestly, it wouldn’t take much to improve over the acrobatics needed to slide behind the Elise’s steering wheel.

It is interesting that the British press materials cite “the design of the cabin itself will accommodate two 99th percentile (6ft 5in tall) American males in the front seats.” (Is that a euphemism for “super-sized” males of prominent girth?)

Hand crafted at the Hethel, England, factory, the Evora will be production limited to approximately 2000 cars a year.

Research the 2008 Lotus Elise and Exige in the buyer’s guide, complete with pricing, specifications, and photo galleries.

Sneak Peak: Lotus “Project Eagle” 2+2 Sports Car

admin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:14:00 GMT

With just a few days to go until British Motorshow in London, news and images are starting to leak out from the U.K, including this preview of the all-new Lotus 2+2. Known as “Project Eagle,” this mid-engined sports car is motivated by a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V-6 engine producing about 280 horsepower. True to Lotus tradition, the Eagle’s low weight will ensure those horses feel like wild stallions. Official word is that the Eagle is “considerably faster” around the Nürburgring circuit than the Elise and more stable at speed than the Exige. Based on prototypes, 0-60 mph times are expected to be under five seconds.

As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a two-seater, with rear cargo space. Other derivatives are also planned for the future, including a convertible and an ultra-high performance version.

"Project Eagle is the biggest milestone Lotus has achieved since the Elise was born 13 years ago,” said CEO of Group Lotus Mike Kimberley. “We are currently working at broadening the appeal of the Lotus brand through an aggressive 5-year model plan of which this car represents the first exciting step."

The Eagle will go on sale in spring 2009, and with only 2000 of the hand-crafted cars planned each year.

Research the 2008 Lotus Elise and Exige in the buyer’s guide, complete with pricing, specifications, and photo galleries.

autoMedia Auto News Blog : Lotus

Official: 2010 Lotus Evora 2+2

Sneak Peak: Lotus “Project Eagle” 2+2 Sports Car