The Evora is the first fully new model from Lotus in more than a decade. Powered by the Toyota Camry's 3.5L V-6 massaged to 276 hp and 252 lb-ft, Lotus claims the Evora will have a top speed north of 160 mph and a 0-to-60 time of under five seconds, all while achieving in excess of 30 mpg on the highway. Like the Elise, the Evora has a mid-engine, rear-drive layout but it is built on its own aluminum chassis, production of which required Lotus to invest in a second line at its English plant. The Evora is bigger than any present Lotus and reportedly will be more comfortable, feature rich, and easier to live with than any other model it makes. There's enough space in the trunk for a set of golf clubs, getting in and out will not require acrobatics, the interior offers enough space to fit a 6-ft-5-in.-tall person into both front seats -- not coincidentally, that's the height of Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley -- and the car will weigh around 3000 lb.
The Evora will be offered "2+0" two-seater or a more conventional 2+2. It is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in early 2010 with prices estimated to range between $70,000 and $85,000. At launch, only a six-speed manual will be offered, though an automatic version will become available about six months later. A convertible will follow around a year later and a high-performance S variant another year after that.
Bottom Line: Most of the good parts of a Lotus without any of the bad parts -- provided you don't mind the extra 1000 pounds.
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