2013 Lotus Evora

Vehicle Overview

The mid-engine Evora is the only Lotus road car available in the U.S. for the 2013 model year. In contrast to the high-revving four-cylinder engines used in the automaker’s Elise, the Evora has a 3.5-liter V-6. Larger, heavier and more expensive than the Elise, the Evora roughly competes in price and performance with the Porsche 911. The Evora is Lotus’ first modern attempt at a daily driver, with options such as a two-passenger backseat and a navigation system.

New for 2013
The supercharged Evora S model is now available with the six-speed automatic transmission, which includes paddle shifters.

ExteriorThough it bears a passing resemblance to the Exige and Elise, the Evora two-door coupe weighs about 3,000 pounds, which is roughly 1,000 pounds more than those two cars. Lotus says the car was designed to be a better daily driver, with larger doors, narrower doorsills and a 2.5-inch higher seating position. Still, the Evora looks like a racecar. A low, broad nose extends far beyond the front wheels, while the rear wheels sit comparatively closer to the rear bumper. Exterior features include:

• Standard 18-inch wheels in front; 19-inch wheels in back
• Standard bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlamps
• Lightweight aluminum chassis and aluminum and composite body

InteriorThe Evora’s cabin offers a leather-covered dashboard with genuine aluminum accents. The automaker says the front seats can accommodate two 6-foot-6-inch adults, and the 5.7-cubic-foot trunk can hold a full set of golf clubs. The optional rear seats, however, are intended for kids. Interior features include:

• Optional rear seats
• Optional premium leather interior
• Optional navigation system

Under the HoodMounted behind the backseat as opposed to under the hood, the Evora’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine comes from Toyota. It makes 276 horsepower and 258 pounds-feet of torque in the base model. A supercharged version in the Evora S is rated at 345 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines come with a standard six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is optional. Mechanical features include:

• Rear-wheel drive
• Four-wheel-independent suspension

SafetySafety features include:

• Antilock brakes
• Traction control
• Electronic stability system