RE: Lotus adds Evora 'Sports Racer' models

RE: Lotus adds Evora 'Sports Racer' models

Thursday 20th December 2012

Lotus adds Evora 'Sports Racer' models

New package sets Evora's sights on the premium end of the market



Lotus has announced a pair of new models for the Evora range. The new models will take the form of a new trim level called Sports Racer which will be available on both the basic Evora and supercharged Evora S.

Despite its name, the Sports Racer option will essentially be a ‘looks and toys’ package that’ll give the Evora a more luxurious bent and aim it towards customers seeking a premium sportscar. The ‘looks’ side of things will be addressed by a series of cosmetic changes, including a gloss black roof and further gloss black accents smattered liberally around the car’s exterior. Inside, you get the 2+2 seating option and swathes of grey faux suede with red contrast stitching covering the seats, dash and doors. Or if you’re feeling particularly extrovert, you can also spec ‘Premium Sports’ seats, finished in red leather with black piping.  

More toys than 'basic' Evora, but does it need 'em?
More toys than 'basic' Evora, but does it need 'em?
Meanwhile, the toys are taken care of by Lotus essentially throwing the vast majority of the Evora options list at the Sports Racer. So you get the Sports Pack, giving you a switchable sports mode, sports diffuser and cross-drilled brake discs. You also get the Tech Pack, with an upgraded speaker and stereo system that includes a DVD player and touch screen display, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control and rear parking sensors. And on top of that lot, you get electric power-fold door mirrors and a reversing camera to boot (pun not intended).

Quite a wealth of equipment, then, but it’ll cost you: the 280hp Evora Sports Racer comes in at £57,900, over £5,000 more than the standard car, while the supercharged Evora S Sports Racer with 350hp will set you back £65,900. Question is, will the extra kit make for a better Evora, or does the purer proposition of the basic car make it a better bet?

Author
Discussion

JuniorJet

Original Poster:

417 posts

159 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
By doing this they are just de-valueing their own cars.

  • starts browsing classifieds*

StottyZr

6,860 posts

162 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
It makes sense to me. The Sports Racer model seems to be aimed at a different market. The kind that like luxuries and will trade off some performance for a sat nav, which is fair enough. As long as they keep making the focused models I'm happy.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
The fittings present (and the large quantity lacking) in the base cars are very poor.

By loading these cars properly they do at least become more closely priced with an equivalent Boxster/Cayman - given that the Porsche cars have a low base price but ferociously expensive options.

Power2weight

85 posts

165 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
Too little too late. Just like the Supercharger S model. Secondhand for 25K just about stacks up.

paul71a

151 posts

232 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
In the meantime, the "premium" customers they're trying to aim at still await an "Esprit".

I've waited so long now, I've got through an Aston and now on my second Ferrari..... and still I wait........

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
So it's just another trim-level? Not very interesting really.

NigelCayless

201 posts

154 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
It still won't sell

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
paul71a said:
In the meantime, the "premium" customers they're trying to aim at still await an "Esprit".
Ain't that the truth.

Nick644

241 posts

266 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
Unfortunately for LOTUS this car shouldn't retail for more than £45K. Lovely looking design and drives nicely, (had a test drive when it first came out), but at 65K you want a quality car with a beautifully put together interior like a Cayman/Boxter/Audi S3/Golf/year old 911....etc..... I can see Lotus going the same way as TVR unless there is some major investment. Aston Martin are in a similar position.

Unless a company like Tata come along and invest a £billion into a long term strategy Lotus are going to die a slow and painful death.

HeMightBeBanned

617 posts

177 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
So good it was worth saying 3 times...

Donkey62

227 posts

164 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
All that kit should have been standard from the start to make it competative and desirable instead of niche hunting option lists.

Noe

81 posts

282 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all

3 x gibberish more like

Haha

SFO

5,162 posts

182 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
2012 YTD Lotus sales is about 120 cars ...

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
SFO said:
2012 YTD Lotus sales is about 120 cars ...
UK or world wide?

StottyZr

6,860 posts

162 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
Power2weight said:
Too little too late. Just like the Supercharger S model. Secondhand for 25K just about stacks up.
Link?

Schnellmann

1,893 posts

203 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
SFO said:
2012 YTD Lotus sales is about 120 cars ...
Out of interest, where are you getting that information? Is that UK sales or global sales?

With respect to the article...complete non-story. Adding a couple of sparkly bits does not make any meaningful difference to the Evora and I can't see anyone deciding to buy one (instead of - say - a Porsche) on the basis of these tweaks.

Does anyone know what is happening at Lotus? Will they survive 2013?

EDLT

15,421 posts

205 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
Every small car company that has tried to compete with Porsche has lost money or gone bust. Even that German manufacturer didn't last.

CampDavid

9,145 posts

197 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
The Crack Fox said:
The Evora is a quality car with a decent interior though ! If you get horny over VAG switchgear then a Sportscar like the Evora isn't for you anyway. All IMO, of course.

Agree on price though. These are going to be epic value second hand looking at the current residuals...
Thing is, resisuals are one of the most important things in a £65000 car, the Evora is actually scarey close to the 911 on leasing costs and about 40% higher than the Cayman, which shows how commited you'd need to be to order one up, especially on your own wallet.

As a side note, I actually think the interior of the Evora is actually a much better place than the outgoing Cayman, switch gear wise

Tonyringtone

42 posts

156 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
Here we go again, all the predictable negative comments flooding in as soon as a Lotus story is featured or posted on Pistonheads. If you are genuine Lotus enthusiasts start to celebrate what this Company has and still can achieve on limited budgets, after all winning Evo magazine car of the year award in 2009, followed up with the new Exige V6 mopping up this year can't be ignored!
Also, please stop comparing Lotus and Porsche, they have always been very different cars and always will be! for obvious reasons.



Power2weight

85 posts

165 months

Thursday 20th December 2012
quotequote all
Another one falls for the hype.