Tuesday 29th April 2014

Evora S Sports Racer: Part V

Matt had never driven a Lotus before either - was he as lukewarm as Garlick on the experience?

---

So Paul isn't too keen on the Evora, and I can see exactly where he's coming from. It requires a little compromise where something like an F-Type Coupe (can we mention anything from Stuttgart again yet?) doesn't as much; it allows the driver to have their cake, eat their cake and get fitter in the process.

The Evora is flawed and consequently not as complete as some of its rivals, that has to be conceded. However, where its low points are tangibly much lower than a Cayman's (the Jag is still on the to-drive list), I'd argue its highs are more enjoyable still.

Evora built for, and on, roads like this

Let's start with the major drawbacks before it becomes an Evora eulogy. The Cayman sounds better, easily. A lot of cars change gear more sweetly. The Alpine infotainment thingy doesn't really have a place in a £65K car, even if it functions acceptably. Oh, and the name is terrible. Sports Racer is bad, SR makes it sound like a Nova and wasn't SSR a Chevrolet pick-up? The Sport 350 name could have been nicely resurrected for the supercharged car.

But other than that it was fabulous. Completely and utterly fabulous. I can live with the problems (don't worry, they won't be passed off as 'character') for the absolute joy the Lotus delivers when driving.

Like Garlick, the Evora was the first Lotus I had driven. Having read about the dynamic genius seemingly manifest in every Hethel product, I was rather excited. You know what comes next, don't you? It comfortably exceeded all lofty expectations I had for it.

When all the hydraulic power steering has gone, the Evora will be remembered as one of the greats; it's beyond reproach. It doesn't require any acclimatisation period because it responds so precisely to inputs. The weight is ideal and the feel fantastic; it's constantly relaying information back about the road surface and grip without ever becoming tiresome. It's perhaps the Evora's single greatest advantage over any new rival, Porsche or otherwise.

Quiet round these parts, especially at this hour

Reading the original Evora S review corroborates all that seemed apparent on the ride and handling side of things. Without any active components it just feels right in every scenario. Even non-car friends commented on how comfortable it felt. The Evora is made for that 'I just wanted to carry on driving forever' cliche. Even with slightly offset pedals.

Pictures don't do the looks justice as the Evora does have genuine mini-supercar presence. The Sports Racer addenda gives the shape a bit more aggression and the rarity must contribute too. People are happy to see it (that very seldom happens) and it does grab attention; so don't stall, as everyone will see. Just trust me on that one...

So yes, I'm fairly enamoured by the Lotus. And right now, having not driven a Cayman for a long time or an F-Type Coupe at all, I would buy one with my £65K. Honestly. Doing a bit of dreaming on the configurator puts the ideal Cayman GTS at £63K (sorry, I'm a sucker for black wheels, PCM effectively chose itself and it obviously needs PTV) compared to the £66K of the Sport Racered Evora. Interestingly 'my' F-Type V6 S came out at £66,295 with a couple of option prices TBC and going easy on the extras for fear of the price spiralling. When one wheel option is £2.5K and carbon brakes are £8,900, an F-Type quickly becomes very expensive!

However, this sports car saga isn't over just yet. The Cayman (and Boxster) GTS launch is in May and I'm attending; will the Evora still be top dog then?

Matt

For previous updates click here for the archive page.

---

LOTUS EVORA SPORTS RACER
Engine: 3,456cc V6 (supercharged in S)
Transmission: 6-speed manual/6-speed auto (Intelligent Precision Shift),
rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@6,400rpm (S 350@7,000)
Torque (lb ft): 258@4,600rpm (S 295@4,500)
0-62mph: 5.0 sec, IPS 5.2 sec (S 4.6 sec, IPS 4.7 sec)
Top speed: 163mph, IPS 159mph (S 178mph, IPS 167mph)
Weight: 1,383kg ('unladen', S 1,437kg)
MPG: 30.3 (NEDC combined, S 28.7)
CO2: 217g/km (S 229g/km)
Price: £57,900 (£65,900 as tested in S spec)

[braddersm3]

Really like these but £65k is £20k to much surely!..shame but competition in the form of Boxster and Cayman is pretty tough and now the F Type coupe is out I can't see Lotus shifting many.

[braddersm3]

Didn't think the Lotus should be £20k less than its direct competitor,just £20k less than its current list price.When a well specked Cayman is @£50k irrespective of being hand built or not,it's going to be tricky for Lotus.

[braddersm3]

Irrespective of specs and prices,one manufacturer can't make them quick enough,one is struggling.I would love to see Lotus do well with the Evora,but realistically what else can they do to get people in them?

[braddersm3]

Having been driving a Boxster today I was left feeling pretty unmoved by it,chuffed to get back in the Elise!