Lotus Evora makes SoCal stop at Cars and Coffee
While lucky Brits are already capable of walking into a Lotus dealership and driving off with a new midsize Evora of their very own, Americans still have to wait a bit longer. We've already shown you the 2010 Lotus Evora that was at the L.A. Auto Show, and we've given you info on the specs and options. We've even confirmed U.S. details for the most important numbers.
Although an official release date hasn't been confirmed yet, we have heard that the magic moment will arrive early next year. Whether the Evora gets labeled as a 2010 or 2011 model remains up in the air, but we do know a lot of other info about this all-new model crafted by the magicians in Hethel. What we haven't had until now are some real-world photos. That all changed over the weekend when a couple of test engineers stopped by for a spell at our favorite weekly Southern California car meet, Cars and Coffee. Read the rest of our first impression after the jump, and don't forget to check out the gallery as well.
Gallery: 2010 Lotus Evora development cars
Photos copyright ©2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.
Two 2010 Lotus Evora evaluators that were in the area for some last-minute testing were parked amidst the hundreds of other sports cars, muscle cars, race cars and hot rods in Irvine this Saturday morning. Parked next to an original Lotus Elan, the cars looked big, but if you glanced up at the Noble and Rossion parked butt-to-butt with them in the next row, you saw near mirror images. The Evora looks a lot bigger than an Elise or Exige – because it is. Some may complain that Lotus has gone soft because of how large and relatively heavy these cars are, but that impression melts away when you see them in person. They aren't large cars by any means, they appear to be about the size of a Porsche Cayman.
The Evora cuts a very provocative shape that had left bystanders oohing and ahhing. While the red hue made the most of the car's creases and curves, the black example could have been mistaken for a Ferrari F430, though more than one person mentioned Acura's NSX while we were admiring the cars. Apparently, one reviewer has already pointed out that this Lotus doesn't have any clear advantage over the decades old super-Honda. Similar weight (3,000 pounds), horsepower (276), and proportions make the comparison a fair one, but know that this car will likely retail for around $75,000, much less than the dearly-departed NSX. And here's the clincher: the Lotus has a backseat.
That might not seem like a big deal, but it does make a difference for insurance rates and for people who need a little extra room from time to time. We can confirm that the interior is fully capable of swallowing two real adult males, and the backseat is about as abysmal as you'd imagine, but motivated people can fit back there. Really. The one interior shot of the instrument cluster was taken from that very backseat. We'll keep you posted as we get more info about this new offering from Lotus, but for now, check out our high-res gallery.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MajorGeek 9:17AM (6/29/2009)
Don't care for it personally.
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Ligor 9:22AM (6/29/2009)
+1
and who woudl confuse this with an F430 - the 430 being such a beautiful car adn this like one cut adn paste adn put together in someone's garage.
Lucas 9:44AM (6/29/2009)
F430 is beautiful? Really?
Weaksauce 5:58PM (6/29/2009)
@ Lukas
"F430 is beautiful? Really?"
Get out of here.
The F430 is perfection in engineering, and its form follows its function.
So if the F430 is not pretty, pray, what's an example of a good looking car?
Please don't say Zonda, GTR, Gumpert, etc..
HotRodzNKustoms 9:18AM (6/29/2009)
I love how Cars and Coffee has become the go to place for all automakers to show off their new toys.
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Art 9:21AM (6/29/2009)
that trip computer gm sourced? can swear i've seen the wheel mounted buttons before
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Carlos 9:20AM (6/29/2009)
This is what the NSX used to be and should have stayed this way!
I'll take the red one :D
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RG 9:59AM (6/29/2009)
What, underpowered and overpriced?
While I like the looks of the Evora, when I can get a Cayman that weighs the same, with 50 more horsepower, for less than the Evora's suggested MSRP, it loses a lot of it's luster.
Carlos 10:16AM (6/29/2009)
If you make a statement like that then you'll never understand what these cars were made for.
d4rez 11:06AM (6/29/2009)
@ RG
I think you're forgetting that the Evora is actually a better driver's car. Besides, horsepower doesn't necessarily equal fun.
tump 2:58PM (6/29/2009)
RG, you'll be missing out simply because of numbers. Go enjoy driving your overly-common Cayman that nobody will notice. Sure, you'll have fun, but nobody will see you having it.
Avinash machado 9:27AM (6/29/2009)
Seems ironically that so many of the hot car sightings are in SoCal. Considering California sort of has some of the most wacky automotive regulations.
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KC 9:35AM (6/29/2009)
Sorry, but the build quality seems a bit ......
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drunkenpublicness 10:56AM (6/29/2009)
Both cars were very early hand-built pre-production testers, hence the dubious build quality.
And to answer the question above as to why so many new productions models might make a first appearance here is because most if not all auto companies have a design and engineering facility based in southern CA.
Actually these two Loti were shown at an event in Arizona and the Bay area before they made it to C&C so technically they've been making the rounds for a little while.
Jack 10:01AM (6/29/2009)
F430 mix with GTR sides and Honda Civic interior. I like the interior personally its very simple and I don't care for million buttons.
The biggest problem in my opinion is that nobody will ever know what it really is, it has no identity. Any car over 60K should have a presence and I am not talking about arrogant and obnoxious way either. If I spent 60K+ I want a car that stands out and make some kind of statement. On the street people should be able to say that is a Lotus Evora. In this car case it would be more like oh that is a nice car, no actually I thinks that is a GTR oh no its Ferrari, no it’s a scion, hump ok its must be a VW I guess.
Though a 3000 pound with 6 speed and 276hp and confusing looks I am not sure if I feel like dropping 75K on it (though I don’t have that kind of cash). I would rather get a GTR for same money and get performance and easily recognizable awful looks. Or I would Porsche Boxster S money but it has offers performance and isn’t 13yr girl going through identity crisis.
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Bobmarley 11:33AM (6/29/2009)
i always think its Tesla at first sight...but a better looking Tesla
Jimbo 11:08AM (6/29/2009)
I hope they offer a delete option for the useless rear seats. It would be nice to save the weight, yet still have a parcel shelf for interior storage like is offered on the DB9 and some of the 911s.
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Dustin 11:57AM (6/29/2009)
According to UK reviews, there is a delete option for the seats.
davidg 11:19AM (6/29/2009)
I'll take one in black! Ah, no... make it in red! Yeah! Well... no, black, that's the dog's bollocks... or maybe red... Urgh!
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Trajan 11:35AM (6/29/2009)
@ Avinash
Not always the case. Cars and Coffee Dallas had a Bugatti Veyron show up this past Saturday. Along with two Porsche Carrera GT's. Don't forget Dallas has a little bit of money, too. ;)
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