Twitter is a wonderful resource for the avid petrolhead. Everyday throws up news of another astonishingly rare model derivative, more first drives than could ever be read and the kind of fabulously nerdy details we all love to know.
Seen one recently? Us neither
So a dutiful hat tip to John McGregor (who goes by the name RacingPuma round these parts and in the Twittersphere) for pointing out something nobody appears to have noticed yet; if it was still being made, the
Lotus Europa
Alfa 4C
Think about it. Both are very light, use fairly run-of-the-mill turbocharged engines and don't power steering; they were both intended to offer fresh alternatives to the ubiquitous Germans.
The logic behind the Europa seemed fine. A slightly more habitable Elise that could be used everyday without much sacrifice in handling purity. Under a tonne and 200hp but with leather, air-con, a stereo of sorts and airbags. The best of both worlds, surely?
But it never really worked for the Europa. The first contributing factor has to be how it looked, an issue the Alfa certainly isn't afflicted by. The daintiness and originality of the Elise was replaced with a well-proportioned but rather dull and featureless silhouette. There's nothing fundamentally bad about the Euopa's appearance, but that styling spark that makes people crave a sports car was lacking.
Like an Elise, but a bit plusher
However, the Europa's biggest flaw from a customer perspective was that it was too similar to an Elise. Pitched as a TT or Cayman alternative, it proved too raw and compromised as a year-round sports car. From what has been said about the early UK drives in 4C, it sounds like it could be similar.
Time has been kind to the Europa though. The initially frosty reception meant fairly swift depreciation but values seemed to have levelled out now. This early S is still up at £21K after 20,000 miles and seven years of use. As an Elise that could be used on the occasional commute or longer journey, the Europa may well have found its niche.
The advert for this Graphite Grey Europa says it has 225hp (as opposed to the standard 200) so it could have some tweaks from the later and improved Europa SE. That or its Milltek exhaust has a rather optimistic power gain...
The 'but' with the Europa comes, of course, with the Elise. You could sacrifice some comfort for that last bit of dynamic edge, right? And it isn't turbocharged. And you could have this gorgeous Sport 190 for the same money as the Europa with an identical mileage. Decisions decisions...
LOTUS EUROPA S
Engine: 1,998cc four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@5,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 200@5,000rpm
MPG: 30.7
CO2: 220g/km
Recorded mileage: 20,700
First registered: 2006
Price new: £32,995
Yours for: £20,989
See the original advert here