Supercharged Lotus Evora On The Way With At least 350hp

This is just too good to pass up and not mention, Lotus makers of all things light and tossable, have already announced a variant for their upcoming, but not-out-to-the-public Evora 2+2. Boasting an output of at least 350 horsepower, the Evora variant will use the same 3.5L Toyota-sourced V6 as the base model, only with a blower firmly attached. Torque will also be bumped up to nearly 300 lb-ft mark in production form. Given the cars already light weight, those figures should be enough to scoot the Evora SC to 60 in 5 seconds flat and boost the car's terminal speed to 175 mph, according England's to Autocar Magazine. Although it is expected to arrive on the market in May 2009, the super charged version is slated to arrive sometime in 2011. Lotus is keeping busy with even more versions of the Evora after the jump. In addition to the upcoming SC, Lotus is working on a more luxurious versions of the Evora aimed squarely at the higher end of its current list of high-profile clientele. Lotus is also working on an [shudder] automatic transmission for the Evora, largely due to strong demand in the U.S. [What the hell is wrong with you people?] The Lotus with the slush box (I can't believe I'm writing that) will come well past the introduction of base Evora. "Right now, it's looking unlikely that we'll have the auto version next year," a Lotus spokesman told Autocar. "There's quite a lot of development work still to be done on it." Let's just pretend he didn't say that and move on, shall we? Wait, there's STILL more versions of this car in the pipeline. Lotus is working on a roadster version of the Evora. The drop-top Evora will sport a retractable metal hardtop, which, although adding weight, will not be overly heavy. Engineers at Lotus are working hard to ensure the unit doesn't compromise the car's overall handling. Expect the Evora roadster in showrooms in late 2010. Source: LeftLaneNews

 

350-hp Lotus Evora SC coming in 2011

Lotus Evora When Lotus showed off its new Evora at the LA Auto Show in November, Engineering director Roger Becker made it clear that the car we were seeing was just the beginning. Lotus has never been a company with the resources to develop completely new cars every few years. Instead they design a car and then continually evolve it over the course of 10-20 years. The initial car with a naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 will hit the streets this spring with 276 hp. A couple of years from now Lotus will stuff a supercharger into the valley between the cylinder banks to pump that up to around 350 hp. That should be enough to boost the top end from 160 mph to around 175 mph. Before that happens, however, the kids in Hethel will be adding something not seen in a Lotus for many years -- an automatic transmission -- specifically for Americans too lazy to shift. A roadster variant is also being developed, and Autocar claims that Lotus will fit the Evora with a retracting hard-top. Given the modest dimensions of Lotus' new 2+2, it'll be interesting to see if they can stuff all that hardware into the coupe without spoiling the Evora's stunning good looks. Gallery: LA 2008: Lotus Evora [Source: AutoCar]

 

Lotus Elise by Project Kahn

Project Kahn is known for not going too far when offering modification for some of the world's most premium cars. However, when it came to the 60th Anniversary project for Lotus, Kahn decided to offer a full aerodynamic body styling package, some interior upgrades, and a minor upgrade to performance for the Lotus Elise. The Project Kahn Lotus Elise package gives the exterior aerodynamic upgrades including a new front spoiler, vented front wings, side sills, rear intake ducts and a rear spoiler. The interior received full leather seats and door trims. Kahn added their own RS-V 17-inch wheels in front and 18-inches in the back. Performance upgrades include Kahn's Quad Machined Billet Sports Exhaust System (Super Sound). Suspension has also been lowered with 28 stage dampeners for superior handling. Click through for the high-res image gallery. Project Kahn Lotus Elise:

 

Lotus 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport by Lotus Sport

Lotus has unveiled its new 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport race car, which Lotus calls the "pinnacle" of the 2-Eleven series. Unlike other 2-Eleven variants that are built for the track and the road, the GT4 Supersport race car was built only for track use only to compete in the European SRO GT4 Supersports category. Performance is pushed to the extreme with a dramatic composite body, an advanced aerodynamic package, a full rollcage, increase power and a sequential gearbox. The 2-Eleven double wishbone suspension has been upgraded with stiffer race springs and dampers. Semi-slick AO48 Yokohama's come as standard. Power comes from the standard supercharged 255-hp supercharged engine but Lotus Sport has increased output to a total of 270-hp with a maximum torque of 182 lb-ft. The engine is mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox with a mounted push/pull lever and gear selector display. The 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport also features a sports tuned ABS, variable traction control and launch control systems. Lotus Sport will only make 10 units of the 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport race car with prices starting at £78,255 ($117,314 USD). Deliveries will begin in March for the 2009 racing season. Lotus 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport:

 

Lotus Elise tuning by Project Kahn

The tuning firm Project Kahn revealed there version for the super car, Lotus Elise. As a 60th anniversary project for Lotus, Kahn went even sportier with the Elise, installing a full aerodynamic body styling package.

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Big and powerful Lotus Evora is light and agile

The Lotus Evora is designed for tall people (Credit: CBS Interactive) Lotus shows off its new Evora model at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, proving the company can make a car for people over 5' 10". Unlike the Elise and Exige, cars that let short people have all the ...

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Lotus Evora: shotgun rules

A month ago I met a man who, next spring, will become one of the first owners of the new Lotus Evora. He was a textbook illustration of the reason why driver's cars like this sell so well in Britain. He was old and wise enough to have matured beyond such excitements, yet still buzzing with furtive enthusiasm about his purchase; very well informed about what he was getting, and still eager to find out as much more as he could. He was all too aware about the trials and tribulations that ownership of a British sports car can bring, but confident that things would be different this time around. Which meant that he was a joy to talk to. See more pictures of the Lotus Evora There must be thousands like him up and down the country, many of whom will have already ordered an Evora, and many more of whom will go on to. So it's great to be able to report that – having become the first journalist in the world to have ridden in the car last week – they will be taking delivery of what I can only describe as a very promising package. I should couch what I'm about to say with the caveat that I only sampled the car from the passenger seat. I have no idea, therefore, about what the steering feels like, or whether the pedal positioning, brake feel or throttle response is quite up to scratch. So don't consider this any kind of a verdict; that will come in March, when we drive the car. What I can tell you now, somewhat subjectively, is that the car feels every bit as fast as a Porsche Cayman S, and that it seems to have all the handling merits of any other modern mid-engined Lotus. Driven by development engineer Matt Becker, the Evora flew around Hethel's handling circuit with what looked like accuracy, 'chuckability' and an almost unbelievable resistance to understeer. Neither did it oversteer excessively. Except on the occasion when it was provoked by its driver in order to demonstrate that, thanks to some roomier wheelarches than you'll find on an Elise or Exige, there's enough steering angle on an Evora to drift it without fear of a spin. Out on the road the car gripped hard, rode comfortably and with composure, overtook slower traffic with the authority of a much more powerful car, and put Cheshire cat smiles on the faces of both its driver and passenger. It's got an aura of real polish and completeness, this car. You'll find it much easier to get in and out of than smaller Hethel models – not quite foolproof, but then it is a Lotus. And yes, those rear seats are usable; just as usable as the ones you'll find in a Porsche 911. If you're less than five feet eight inches tall, and sitting behind someone who doesn't require all the legroom available to him, you could happily travel back there for an hour or so. Is it a proper four-seater? Hell no. But then it was never supposed to be. So if I was lucky enough to be among the few with £45,000 to spend on the first new Lotus in 12 years, I'd be feeling rather impressed about the job Lotus has done on my little May arrival. As it is, all I can hope is that the editor picks me to write the Lotus Evora vs Porsche Cayman S vs Artega GT triple test come the spring. I suspect it'll be a very tough one to judge. And if I don't get that particular job, I'm now in the perfect position to run a book on the outcome. Feel free to press the comment button below if you fancy a flutter. The odds won't be great, though, if you want to bet on a home win.

 

Take the 2-Eleven challenge

What makes a car great? Speed? Style? Comfort? Driver involvement? A combination of all of these? Or is it the ability to plaster a grin across your face whatever the circumstance? Having just contorted myself out of the Lotus 2-Eleven with freezing hands and bruised shins, spent a good five minutes wrapping it up in its protective tent and disengaging the electric switch, I reckon it's definitely the latter. Any enthusiast will be familiar with that sense of unadulterated glee tinged with adrenaline that you get when you round the perfect corner in the perfect car. It's a rare occurrence. But there are cars that can give you that feeling all the time and the Lotus 2-Eleven is one of them. Even at 30mph in town, getting stuck at traffic lights and pulling muscles you didn't know you had just to try and see if there's a car in the lane next to you, there's still a smile behind the helmet. Perhaps it's just the rebelliousness of driving such a completely impractical car in winter, or maybe it's the attention it gets you going to my head. But I don't think so. I get the same enjoyment from pelting around in our long-term Defender, and I also enjoyed every one of the 1200 miles I did in the Caterham that colleague Jamie Corstorphine ran last year. So what makes these cars special? They're all a challenge, and I suspect that might be the key. Knowing that you're driving a 2-Eleven on semi-slick rubber on icy roads is always going to focus the mind. The Caterham offered similar pleasures, and trying to avoid tight parking spaces in a 110 Defender with a turning circle best measured in furlongs will also keep you entertained. A BMW 330d might be all the car that any enthusiast will ever need. But you'll never be bored in a car with no windscreen.

 

2009 Project Kahn Lotus Elise

(from Project Kahn Press Release) Project Kahn Lotus Elise The Lotus Elise is the ultimate British race car for the road. Now Project Kahn has developed a complete conversion to enhance the vehicle.   The most prominent element within the Project Kahn Elise package is the full aerodynamic body styling system. This completely transforms the car providing a complete and encapsulating look. the styling system comprises of front spoiler, ventilated front wings, larger side air intakes ducts, side sills and a rear boot spoiler. The Project Kahn Elise also sports a complete interior upgrade, featuring quilted nappa leather, available in a variety of colours and combinations. All seats, door panels, steering wheel and centre console are re-upholstered to add a tactile quality to the driving experience. various fabrics are also available including alcantara, suede, perforated leather, grained leather, smooth leather and many more. The performance is not ignored as the vehicles air flow system is enhanced with the addition of the Kahn sports exhaust system and the suspension is lowered with 28 stage dampeners for superior handling. The Kahn rear spoiler follows the exact dimensions of the car whilst adding down force for increased performance. © Source: seriouswheels

 

LA 2008: Lotus Evora makes it to the States

The "mostly" U.S. version of the "midsize" Lotus Evora was shown today at the LA Auto Show and it looks exactly like the one that debuted at the 2008 British Motor Show back in June. It's just missing its side marker lights. The Evora follows the '70s Lamborghini Urraco, Maserati Merak, Ferrari 308GT4 and its follow-up the Ferrari Mondial in being a mid-engine 2+2 sports car. It's arguably the best looking of that quintet, though. Two adult American males fit up front and there's still room in back for a couple of kids, while power comes from a Toyota-sourced 3.5L V6 producing 276 hp. With a curb weight of just 2,976 lbs., that should be plenty to scoot this puppy along. Expect 0-60 in 5 seconds, a top speed of 160+ and 30 mpg. As cool as all of that is, the interior is what will blow you away, especially if you've ever served time in an Elise or Exige. There's leather all around, a proper nav system, an advanced touch-screen multi-media system and, get this, actual human beings can get in and out of it without requiring ridiculous flexibility. The Evora will be built on a new assembly line in Hethel at the rate of 2,000 annually for worldwide consumption. To Lotus's credit, they designed it from the get-go to meet safety and emissions requirements around the world so all they have to do is put the steering wheel on the proper side. Talk of a supercharged S model and an even larger Esprit-successor is likely true. And Lotus executives have confirmed that a convertible variant with a power-retractable roof is in the works. Production of the standard Evora will begin in October of 2009, with sales in the U.S. beginning in late November or early December. Six-speed manual-equipped models will be available in the beginning, with an automatic (with paddle shifters) coming to market in April of 2010. But for now, we're happy with just the Evora. Twice as stiff as an Elise and a little extra room for passengers and cargo sounds just about perfect. One additional note: Although this upsized Elise went by the codename Eagle during development, there's apparently no truth to the rumors that the upcoming convertible version will be called the Bald Eagle. Gallery: LA 2008: Lotus Evora   Gallery: Lotus Evora [Source: Lotus]

 

Cool shots of the 2009 Lotus Evora

Here are a few cool shots of the car Lotus Evora which is going to be launched in 2009..

 

Koenigsegg CCR Photos

Original post by TGIGreeny Original post by fanatik Original post by davidgsteadman Original post by spadger

 

Koenigsegg CCX Photos

Original post by Kristian20 Original psot by HansTheGerman Original post by chinx786 Original post by Kristian20

 

2008 Lotus Exige S Photos

Original post by Allen Qu   Original post by Allen Qu   Original post by Steve Rosset