Lotus Elise (2010): a new face for evergreen roadster |
Friday, February 26 2010 |
Lotus has just whisked the covers off the new, sleeker 2011 model year Elise – with a new fish-eyed face inspired by the Evora and a one-off 2007 'concept toy car' made for model car specialists Hot Wheels.
The 2011 Lotus Elise will be shown at the 2010 Geneva auto show next month. It's a modest facelift with those wedgier lamps, LED day-running lights, more pronounced grille and fresh rear bumper and engine deck, but many of the changes are under the skin.
Lotus Elise 2011: the engineering changes
Norfolk continues its engine partnership with Toyota and has swapped the 1.8-litre four-pot for another Japanese-sourced four cylinder, this time downsized to 1.6 for the entry-level Elise S, sporting 134bhp and 118lb ft.
It's the 1ZR engine with Valvematic breathing apparatus and a lower redline than the previous, manic 1.8. This one revs to 7000rpm for a transient, two-second burst. More importantly, it will clip around 30g/km off the existing Elise S's CO2 figure of 179g/km.
Although less powerful than the old 1.8, the new base Elise is in fact quicker – thanks to one fewer gearchanges required to pass the benchmark 60mph in 6.0sec. The ton passes in 18.3sec and top speed stands at 124mph.
So the new Lotus Elise is the exciting way to save the planet?
You could say that. We've been harping on about lightweight Elises for as long as we could remember – and we know your views on saving weight and the associated benefits to handling, performance, CO2 and economy. Although not official, Lotus is promising a mandated CO2 figure of below 155g/km, and the signs are it could even be 140-something. That's neat for a sports car.
Courtesy Tim Pollard - UK Car Magazine |
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NEW Lotus Evora |
Wednesday, July 23 2008 |
Please visit the following website for more info:
http://www.facelesspeople.com/
From Autocar.co.uk:
Lotus has just launched its Cayman rival at the London motor show, ending months of speculation about the new car’s name, and satisfying one of the larger, more expectant crowds this morning.
The Evora is the model that Lotus believes will propel it to the big time. The British sports car maker claims that the Evora will be a credible and desirable rival for the Cayman. That's a big claim, as the German offering isn’t exactly short of plaudits.
Two other names were under consideration for the car, say company insiders; they were Exira and Ethos. The former was rejected as the weakest of all, while Ethos was turned down for the same reason that Eagle, the car’s development codename, was rejected: it would be too difficult to claim as a trademark for Lotus.
The Evora will be available as a 2+2 as well as a two-seater. Company bosses say that it will offer the most comfortable cabin that Lotus has ever created, and that it will be far easier to get into and out of than an Elise or Europa. However, sources admit that rear passengers will have to be children or extremely vertically challenged adults.
Power comes from a 3.5-litre Toyota V6, equipped with Lotus's own engine management system to produce 280bhp. It's mated to a six-speed Toyota gearbox. A sub-1400kg kerb weight will help the Evora to achieve a top speed over 170mph, and a 0-60mph time of around five seconds.
Lotus says that the Evora will expand the brand’s appeal beyond that of the more focused Elise and Exige – and attract buyers who want something more usable.
“The Evora is the first part of our three-car, five-year grand plan,” explained Kimberley. “That plan will be complete in 2011, by which time we’ll have three platform families, and not only this Evora but also a new mid-engined flagship supercar to go with it.
“This car will go from drawing board to showroom in just 30 months,” he added. “That’s record-breaking time for us, and we hope it will open up a new customer base for Lotus of more mature buyers who require a little more practicality in their car, but still desire our trademark virtues of exclusivity and performance through light weight.” |
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