Lotus Evora

PREVIEW

FAST FACTS

1. The Evora is the first all-new model from Lotus in 15 years. 2. Powered by a 3.5L V6 it makes 276-hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. 3. Tests have shown 60-0 braking in just 100 feet and as much as 1.25 lateral gs. 4. The Evora 2+2 is priced from $73,500 – but goes for slightly less in a 2+0 layout.

Lotus might just be the most undervalued and underappreciated automaker on the planet. Sure hard core track enthusiasts and auto buffs know of cars like the Elise and Exige that deliver almost unimaginably good handling; but without a vehicle that has genuine mainstream appeal, the only time you’re likely to hear mention of the British brand is if you run across a club racer track junkie or are watching a program on the history of motorsports. That is, until now.

The Evora is the new flagship model from Lotus and represents an important step in the history of the brand. In fact, in many ways it reminds us of some earlier Porsche models, offering an exceptionally raw driving experience, in a mostly refined package, but with a few eccentricities.

Weighing just a touch over 3,000 lbs, it needs just 276-hp from a mid-mounted V6 engine in order to hit 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds – making it a perfect rival to Porsche’s Cayman. But in so many other ways, it’s not like a Cayman at all.

Lotus would tell you that it’s because the Evora is technically a 2+2 and the only mid-engined 2+2 in the world. That’s somewhat misleading, however, as the rear seats are about as useful as the ones in a MINI.

The real reasons include the car’s looks, its bespoke characteristics and its less-than-polished engineering traits – some of which are drawbacks, but many of which just add to the car’s unique character.

INTERIOR

During the launch we were surprised to come across more than a few folks who knew this was the “new Lotus.” Still, one woman commented that she liked our Ferrari. The Lotus engineers cringed at the reference, but the designers must be beaming. It’s been a long, long time since anyone confused a Lotus with a Ferrari.

Inside the bespoke nature of the car is immediately obvious, as are the efforts to add luxury and improve overall comfort. Sure its easier (not easy, just easier) to get into than an Elise; the hydraulic power steering makes it livable for daily driving and the seats are a bit wider, softer and more comfortable, but the biggest step forward for Lotus comes with the abundance of leather and aluminum – with the brushed metal on the dash and center console looking more like something you’d find in a Bentley or Aston Martin.

As nice as the individual parts are, the assembly lacks roboticized uniformity. Still, the Evora combines some laser-red screens next to the main gauges to deliver a real exotic car feel, with a Spartan luxury in the Premium Package that combines the excessive simplicity of, say, a BMW, with a minimalist interpretation of British luxury.

Lotus also offers a $2,995 Technology Package with goodies like a 7-inch touch screen with navigation and backup camera, as well as rear parking sensors and an upgraded audio system to further spice things up. The parking aids should be a popular option with rear visibility minimal at best.

UNDER THE HOOD

Your best bet is to also upgrade to the $1,275 Sport Package. While it does include some rather mundane features the real reason is the Sport button on the dash. Push it and the throttle response becomes more immediate, the traction control allows for added slip and the maximum rpm increases from 6800 rpm to 7200 rpm.

Behind the wheel and powering along the twisty Sunrise Highway outside San Diego it’s hard to believe this is essentially the same engine found in the Toyota Camry. Many will immediately discount the Evora for this, but you can’t deny the advantages of having a reliable Toyota engine.

Unchanged internally, the Toyota V6 gets a few extra ponies thanks to a less restrictive exhaust system. It’s not quite as loud as we’d like, but once warmed up it seems to sing a little more. For enthusiasts, Lotus does offer an upgraded exhaust system.

Without the weight of a mid-size sedan to lug around the liberated 3.5-liter mated to the sports ratio transmission surprised us by not only delivering good power at low rpm (even in higher gears), but it also really screams up top with power that just keeps on coming. Sure we’d like an extra 100-hp for the straights, but that’s not really what this car, or any Lotus for that matter, is about.