Lotus Evora GT430 - official!
The most powerful road going Lotus sports car ever is now on sale - what are you waiting for?
And now we have this, the Evora GT430. Reviving the GT moniker last seen on Esprits, this Lotus is described as a "beautiful and pure combination of elegance and power". More power (436hp), in fact, than has ever been seen previously in an Evora - indeed in any Lotus sports car - plus the lowest weight at just 1,258kg dry. It promises to be something very special.
The mass reduction has been achieved through - pay attention now - a standard fit titanium exhaust (-10kg), carbon panels (-4.7kg), lighter interior parts (-2.5kg), a new suspension arrangement (adjustable Ohlins TTX dampers and lightweight Eibach springs, -10kg), lighter brake discs (-2kg), a thinner aluminium undertray (-1.5kg), lighter aluminium brackets (-1.3kg), a "re-profiled fluid fill system" (-2.5kg), and lightweight polycarbonate backlight glass (-500g). Now the quick amongst you will have noticed that that saves 35kg, though the total weight saving for the GT430 is 26kg: wider wheels and tyres, plus that huge rear wing, add 9kg back in.
The aero package is worth discussing in fact, contributing as it does to a total of 250kg of downforce at the 190mph top speed. It develops the 410's maximum of 64kg at 90mph, as a point of reference. The changes comprise a new front splitter and ducts (directing air more efficiently through the front wheel cavities), front access panel, roof, and that wing - all in carbon. And look at those louvres above the wheels!
Other tweaks for the GT430 include wider ultra-lightweight wheels on Michelin Cup 2 tyres (245/35 R19 fronts, 295/30 R20 rears), the variable traction control previously seen on the Exige Cup 380, and AP Racing four-piston calipers at each corner. The result is that the GT430 will lap Hethel in 1:25.8, the fastest ever for an Evora and as quick as a 3-Eleven.
A two-seater only, the GT430 comes as standard with much carbon and Alcantara. But of course. The infotainment can be optioned back in, while on the cost extra list are carbon backed Sparco seats, harnesses and a titanium rear frame.
Of course the lighter, louder, faster Lotus is not a new recipe now, but it would be hard to say that the GT430 doesn't sound like an extremely appealing package. Just 60 will be made, with a price of £112,500. Which is about what a GT3 costs, if you can get one... Orders are being taken now!
"Toyota engine"
"rubbish gearbox" (which it isn't by the way)
"I'm MrD, I'm in my pram, where are my toys"
Right, now that's out the way, what a fabulous looking thing this is. With a lot of luck, I might be able to afford one in 3 or 4 years time, at which point I'm hoping there will be an even fancier GT460!
I don’t think the cost is all that high either, if it’s closest competitor is the GT3 (what other track focused manual cars this size are around?) then it’s in roughly the right ball park of around £100k (the GT3 is cheaper but I imagine in reality the cars sold will cost roughly the same when options are added) and it’s power to weight ratio of 330bhp per ton isn’t so far behind the Porsche’s 350bhp per ton.
Sure, the Porsche is probably a better buy due to far higher residuals but if all you care about is buying a ‘drivers’ car then they’re perfect competitors I would have thought.
Anyway if Lotus thinks this is as fast around a track as a 3-11, I think it would probably beat a GT3 as well.
I may still have messed it up, maths isn’t my strong suit
Price and performance on par with the GT3.
This is certainly my new aspirational car, well done Lotus.
People complaining about the price, FFS, you can pay more for a BMW 4 series today!!!!!! Which is based on just about the most common car on the UKs roads!
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