Lotus Europa | Spotted

[NotNormal]

I looked at buying one of these back in 2010 as I was on the look out for a new daily. Due to the way it was pitched sales wise "as a more usable Lotus" I investigated, however as another poster has pointed out they really are no different interior wise to an Elise or VX other than some leather wrapped existing parts so that threw out any notion of daily driving one.

Zygot said:

Had the joy of having a passenger trip around Goodwood in one of these. Also had some laps in a s/c VX 220. The Europa was much more civilised & just as quick, but this may be down the driver, Nigel, who appeared to have cojones of light titanium alloy.

I've seen Nigel drive his other Lotus in a similar fashion, wonderful guy

[bigbadbikercats]

p4cks said:

smithyithy said:

Lotusgav said:

Can’t get past the looks

Same. It looks like an Elise and a VX220 had a baby, except the Lotus and Vauxhall were cousins, and this was the result.

You're not far off the truth there... the chassis was always Lotus which Vauxhall used but stuck the Z20LET 2.0 turbo engine in it for the VX220 Turbo. Sales weren't great so Lotus made the Europa from unsold VX220 Turbos and kept the engine in, but restricted the ECU so you can't tune them (although I understand that it's now been cracked). Go figure.

Presumably they then took a look at who had bought them and why, what people liked about them and why, what people didn’t like about them and why, thought about the answers for a while, stirred them into the available parts bin and production capabilities, then came up with the Evora...

[p4cks]

bigbadbikercats said:

Presumably they then took a look at who had bought them and why, what people liked about them and why, what people didn’t like about them and why, thought about the answers for a while, stirred them into the available parts bin and production capabilities, then came up with the Evora...

Well the Evora is fatter and slower so it seems it's a natural progression


VX220 Turbo > Europa > Evora

[Lotusgone]

Had an eye out for one of these for ages, but they never seem to have dropped below the £18k mark. Not worried about the fixed roof, that was the case with the original too and kinda the point. Elise handling with more power and "comfort" would have made posting myself into it well worth the effort.

[lotuslover69]

Europa was essentially a rebodied VX220. Same engine same modified elise chassis.

[RobM77]

p4cks said:

bigbadbikercats said:

Presumably they then took a look at who had bought them and why, what people liked about them and why, what people didn’t like about them and why, thought about the answers for a while, stirred them into the available parts bin and production capabilities, then came up with the Evora...

Well the Evora is fatter and slower so it seems it's a natural progression


VX220 Turbo > Europa > Evora

To be fair, as mentioned earlier by a Europa owner, the Europa was pretty close to the Elise and Exige of the day, so at that time Lotus offered three very similar models in their lineup (I've owned an Elise and driven several Elises and Exiges and found them all very similar; even going from my S2 111S to an RGB Exige felt like a subtle change). The only model really from that era that stands out for me is the 2-Eleven, which I also owned, because for some strange reason it feels completely different to drive to the other cars. Edited to add: In fact, that's why I bought one: I turned up to test drive an Exige, but it felt just like the Elise so changed my mind - the salesmen gave me the keys to an RBG Exige and that also left me cold - I felt like an iPhone XS owner trying an iPhone 11 (err.. what's changed again?). I got in the 2-Eleven and it felt like a totally different car.

In terms of their mainstream cars, what the Lotus range has moved to now makes more sense to me: I've driven the current Evora S, Exige V6 and Elise and they definitely give a bigger spread to the range, all feeling like distinct models. The Evora is a small GT in the vein of the 911 and Vantage - it's supposed to be bigger and heavier. I could genuinely swap by 5 series for one every day and be very happy (read what the Europa owner said about his road trip in the Europa compared to his Elise). The Elise is the pure lightweight sports car, and the Exige is the road-refined but trackday focused car, in the vein of a 911 GT3 (which, surprisingly, feels very distinct to the regular Carrera), but with Lotus of course the V6 engine separates it further from the Elise. It's a really broad range now, when you consider that Lotus only make sports cars.

I just wish I was still in a position to afford one.... In my opinion Lotus are head and shoulders above any other manufacturer for driving pleasure - for me they are the embodiment of my interest in cars.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 22 January 14:53

[Nyloc20]

Fully agree with the last sentence above. I've owned Lotuses on and off since 1975 and nothing has the steering feel and sharp handling of them. Unfortunately I had to sell my Elise S2 last year as I couldn't get out of it. Now got a Boxster 981 PDK, very competent motor and a good long distance cruiser but a dull drive overall. I loved my classic Europa twin cam and almost bought a modern Europa a few years ago but it was just out of reach financially.

[Tannedbaldhead]

ozzuk said:

I came really close to buying one a few years ago, 20 odd k mileage, burnt bronze/reddish colour with beige interior and some travel (road?) option was up for £17995. Really unusual cars for the money, I'm surprised they haven't appreciated more.

That wasn't in Edinburgh by any chance.
If so had a good look around and think about it too. Had it been a nicer colour I'd have ......................
PULLED THE TRIGGER.

Woohoo! I said it. I really said it. I'm a proper PHer now.

[1974foggy]

The sills were a touch lower to aid access/egress, not by much but could be a useful for some

[Patrick Bateman]

FWIW I bought my Boxster from that trader (Grant) and he was tip top.

He pointed out a coolant leak he'd only just noticed without any prompting whatsoever that I'd have probably missed myself.

[ChevronB19]

I loved these when they came out and always hoped they’d depreciate to the level I could justify one. But they never did!

[A1VDY]

Nicer than an Elise imo

A shame lotus didn't slab side this more to look more like the superb original. The vauxhall engine was a very poor choice.

[s m]

Andy665 said:

Did not like it when it was current but has actually aged better than I expected and this looks a lovely example

Quite a rare sight on the roads

Pretty light at under a tonne and with another 25bhp over the test example below should shift well

A cut price Alpine alternative

[soad]

Looks odd from some angles?

Can’t see why would you choose one over a VX220 Turbo...once it’s running a Stage 2 etc.

[cerb4.5lee]

s m said:

Andy665 said:

Did not like it when it was current but has actually aged better than I expected and this looks a lovely example

Quite a rare sight on the roads

Pretty light at under a tonne and with another 25bhp over the test example below should shift well

A cut price Alpine alternative

I'm surprised that this is slower than my 370Z given how light it is in comparison(over 550kg lighter).

So it isn't that quick and it is a little challenging on the eyes being kind. It isn't a high point for Lotus for me given how they usually get their cars spot on.

What I do love about Lotus though is that you only have to stand next to one and you just want to jump in and drive it. I love the driving focus that they have and not many cars offer what they do for sure. I'd love a Lotus in my garage for certain.

[s m]

cerb4.5lee said:

s m said:

Andy665 said:

Did not like it when it was current but has actually aged better than I expected and this looks a lovely example

Quite a rare sight on the roads

Pretty light at under a tonne and with another 25bhp over the test example below should shift well

A cut price Alpine alternative

I'm surprised that this is slower than my 370Z given how light it is in comparison(over 550kg lighter).

So it isn't that quick and it is a little challenging on the eyes being kind. It isn't a high point for Lotus for me given how they usually get their cars spot on.

It’s pretty much the same power to weight ratio or even a smidge less than your 370Z Lee... plus 2 gear changes before it hits 60

[Tickle]

cerb4.5lee said:

I'm surprised that this is slower than my 370Z given how light it is in comparison(over 550kg lighter).

So it isn't that quick and it is a little challenging on the eyes being kind. It isn't a high point for Lotus for me given how they usually get their cars spot on.

What I do love about Lotus though is that you only have to stand next to one and you just want to jump in and drive it. I love the driving focus that they have and not many cars offer what they do for sure. I'd love a Lotus in my garage for certain.

I've been out for a run with a Europa S and they can shift, plenty of punch out of corners and the light weight makes them change direction and stop near as to an Elise/Exige as you can on road. Quick little car.

[cerb4.5lee]

s m said:

It’s pretty much the same power to weight ratio or even a smidge less than your 370Z Lee... plus 2 gear changes before it hits 60

That extra gear change is the killer then and I was expecting the 0 to 60 to be a bit better considering its lightweight.

[cerb4.5lee]

Tickle said:

I've been out for a run with a Europa S and they can shift, plenty of punch out of corners and the light weight makes them change direction and stop near as to an Elise/Exige as you can on road. Quick little car.

Yes and I'm a big fan with regards to its lightness for sure. Weight changes the way a car feels big time for me.

[selym]

cerb4.5lee said:

Tickle said:

I've been out for a run with a Europa S and they can shift, plenty of punch out of corners and the light weight makes them change direction and stop near as to an Elise/Exige as you can on road. Quick little car.

Yes and I'm a big fan with regards to its lightness for sure. Weight changes the way a car feels big time for me.

Straight out the box it should be too much for most cars in the corners; good boots and a proper setup will see it obliterating 90% on a bend - even with 100-250kg lux premium over the other lightweight Loti. Not a fan of turbo though, that can upset the progression through a corner.

These Europas are ok, looks not great but mostly a slightly more palatable experience for those who hate the rattles and cold of an Elise/Vx220.