Production: 2010 - Present / Units: Still In Production
Lotus Evora
The Complete Guide
Contents: Variant List / Models In Depth / Recent News
The Ultimate Guide To The Lotus Evora: Every Variant, Specs, Pictures, Performance & More
Years: 2010-Present / Engine: 3.5 L Toyota 2GR-FE V6, 3.5 L Toyota 2GR-FE Supercharged V6 / Wheelbase: 101.4 in (2,575 mm)/ Length: 171 in (4,350 mm) / Width: 72.8 in (1,848 mm) / Height: 48.4 in (1,229 mm) / Weight: 1,248 kg (2,751 lb)-1,442 kg (3,179 lb)
Lotus first launched the Evora in 2009 and it was the first all-new Lotus for nearly 15 years. It was built to take on the likes of the Porsche Cayman and 911 and when it launched as a 2010 MY car the world took notice. Refreshingly, it was a true Lotus and took its own approach to an affordable sports car.
The Evora was the world’s only mid-engined 2+2. The chassis was all-new, made from bonded aluminium extrusions in three parts: the central tub, a front frame and a rear frame. Splitting the chassis like this has huge benefits when it comes to repairing crash damage. In fact, when Lotus was conducting crash tests, it ended up not using a couple of the central tubs it had brought along. After stoving in the front or back end, engineers just unbolted the subframe at the requisite end, fitted a new one to the undamaged tub and moved on to the next impact. No wonder Lotus claims the Evora is 2.5 times stiffer than an Elise.
The model was intended to be a more refined and practical version of the less-than-civilized Elise/Exige. The UK-based manufacturer hoped it would appeal to a larger demographic than its linemate and consequently bring the brand more to the mainstream. Retaining the important characteristics which make a Lotus car unique, the Evora is a balanced, mid-engined, lightweight car that is a pleasure to drive with a profile that is undeniably made-in-Hethel. Unlike the Elise/Exige, the Evora was immediately praised for its ride comfort, utilizing a suspension able to expertly negotiate the harshness of daily public road use while being more than formidable on the track.
In 2012, the Evora received its first major refresh – significant at the time, as the Elise/Exige were phased out, making the Evora the only model in Lotus’ lineup. The car became likened and often compared to its direct competitor – the Porsche 911 Carrera. Since then the Evora has had several special editions and updates as Lotus milks the car for all it is worth before needing to re-platform.
Lotus Evora Variants
Lotus Evora GT410 (2020 – Present)
Lotus Evora GT (2020 – Present)
Lotus Evora GT410 Sport (2018)
Lotus Evora GT430 Sport (2017)
Lotus Evora GT430 (2017
Lotus Evora Sport 410 (2017)
Lotus Evora 400 (2016-Present)
Lotus Evora S (2010-2015)
Lotus Evora (2010-2015)
Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid (2012)
Lotus Evora S Carabinieri (2011)
Lotus Evora GTE Road Car (2011)
Lotus Evora Models: In Depth Guides
Lotus Evora GT410
Years: 2020 – Present
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 410 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 310 lb/ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
Top Speed: 190 mph
A driver’s car, but now optimized for better everyday use. The company added a GT410 version of the car that adds refinement to the model that wasn’t there before. More tech features and sound deadening too in addition to reworked suspension for a more comfortable ride. This is Lotus’ newest model and will once again focus on a sub-niche of a sub-niche. This may be the sweet spot.
Lotus Evora GT
Years: 2020 – Present
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 410 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 310 lb/ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.1 seconds
Top Speed: 190 mph
This car is made specifically for the North American market. For under $100k ($96,950 to be exact) you can get your hands on the most powerful street-legal Lotus available right now. Lotus also updated the exterior with front lip spoiler, wheel arch louvers, ducts behind the wheels, and a rear diffuser. Inside there’s Alcantara and carbon fiber materials which really makes the GT look and feel nicer.
Lotus Evora GT410 Sport
Years: 2018
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 410 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 310 lb/ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
Top Speed: 190 mph
To celebrate its 70th anniversary Lotus unveiled the new Evora GT410 Sport, a more subtle GT430. It takes the GT430’s basic shape and adds new composite front and rear body panels minus some of the 430’s higher downforce pieces for a more-subtle shape. quicker, lighter more aerodynamic version of the Evora Sport 410, which it replaces. Between the base Evora 400 and the supercar-like GT430.
Lotus Evora GT430 Sport
Years: 2017
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 430 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 325 lb/ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
Top Speed: 196 mph
It is one of the two trim levels for the GT430. It features a more aero dynamic body and removes the GT430s rear wing for smoother airflow and to reduce drag. The Sport weighs 10 kg less. Like the GT430 this is a really rare model with a total of 60 units being made. A rare, extreme, race-ready Lotus Evora is a beautiful thing and we are glad that they made it. Future classic.
Lotus Evora GT430
Years: 2017
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 430 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 325 lb/ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
Top Speed: 190 mph
The ultimate Evora variant, the GT430. While the ‘GT430’ moniker correctly points out that this is the most powerful Lotus ever made at 430 horsepower, it is the less “in-your-face” details about the car which truly make it greater than the sum of its parts. The GT430 is a very serious car for very serious money; Porsche 911 GT3 money, to be more exact. Is it better than a GT3? No, but it doesn't need to be.
Lotus Evora Sport 410
Years: 2017
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 430 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 325 lb/ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
Top Speed: 196 mph
It is one of the two trim levels for the GT430. It features a more aero dynamic body and removes the GT430s rear wing for smoother airflow and to reduce drag. The Sport weighs 10 kg less. Like the GT430 this is a really rare model with a total of 60 units being made. A rare, extreme, race-ready Lotus Evora is a beautiful thing and we are glad that they made it. A fan favorite.
Lotus Evora 400
Years: 2016-Present
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 400 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 302 lb/ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds
Top Speed: 174-186 mph
The Evora 400 was launched at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and replaced both the Evora and the Evora S in the model range for the 2016 MY. A new supercharger gets power up to 400 hp and thats 55 horsepower over the S model from 2014. It also gets lots of little tweaks across the board to improve the car. Car and Driver said “it’s a car for people who want to be engaged deeply by what they drive” and that pretty much nails the Evora 400.
Lotus Evora S
Years: 2010-2015
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 416 bhp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 332 lb/ft
0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
Top Speed: 172 mph
In 2010, Lotus unveiled a new variant of the Evora which was much more focused and more powerful than the regular version, called the Evora S. It got a supercharger and it made a huge difference. Lotus also upgraded the exhaust, recalibrated the suspension to be more aggressive and did the same with the steering. Performance improved with the sprint to 60 over a half second faster than the base Evora. The S was the better car.
Lotus Evora
Years: 2010-2015
Lotus: Lotus 123
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Power: 276 bhp @ 6,400 rpm
Torque: 252 lb/ ft @ 4,700 rpm
0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds
Top Speed: 165 mph
The first Evora launched with 276 bhp and 252 lb ft of torque and its performance was on par with the Cayman. It was a smooth engine with lots of mid range pickup, making the Evora a fun car for backroads. Zero to 62mph took 5.1 sec and top speed was 162 mph. handling is the name of its game. The steering is precise and quick, reminiscent of the Exige’s and it is a Lotus after all so handling is almost perfect with tons of feel and feline-like reflexes.
Lotus Evora Special Edition Models: In Depth Guides
Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid
Year: 2012
This is Lotus’s experimental 414E, an Evora-based serial hybrid. The 414E project has been funded by the UK taxpayer, via a share of the government’s Technology Strategy Board REEV project.
Lotus Evora S Carabinieri
Year: 2011
Two specially equipped Lotus Evora S cars joined the Arma dei Carabinieri (which is actually a division of the Italian army) in Rome and Milan to provide rapid response and deliver essential emergency services
Lotus Evora GTE Road Car
Year: 2011
Like the race car but for the road, this homologation special was built to allow the Evora GTE to race under GT3 and LM GTE regulations. There were only 25 of these special editions built.
Lotus Evora Race Cars: In Depth Guides
Lotus Evora LM GTE
Years: 2011-2012
Lotus entered two Evoras at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, which were run by the Jetalliance Racing team. In 2012, Jetalliance Racing failed to negotiate a deal to run the cars in Europe but they did race in American Le Mans Series.
Lotus Evora Group GT4
Years: 2011 -2012
The Evora Group GT4 car race in the 2010 GT4 European Cup season. It managed to get a prodium at the Dubai 24hrs. It also race in 2011 and 2012 with decent results competing against the big guns from Porsche, BMW and Aston Martin.
Lotus Evora GT300
Years:
Mooncraft runs a Lotus Evora in the GT300 class of the Japanese Super GT series. However, the car isn't really an Evora but rather a silhouette racer using on the Dome-GTA M101.
More Lotus
Lots more Lotus research and in-depth coverage
