RE: Evora Roadgoing Racer: That's The Way To Do It
RE: Evora Roadgoing Racer: That's The Way To Do It
Tuesday 16th August 2011

Evora Roadgoing Racer: That's The Way To Do It

Hardcore Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept gets debut at Pebble Beach. This is more like it, Lotus...



Lotus is set to unveil a hardcore, performance version of the Evora coupe this week. Called the Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept, the new car takes its inspiration from the Evora GTE racer (whose GT4-spec cousin we were lucky enough to drive a little while back).

So forget the marketing glam and the ambitious 'new-era' model plans - this should be the sort of car that proves beyond a shadow of doubt that Lotus hasn't forgotten that what its fans and customers value above all else is driving fun.

Lotus is also obviously aware that some have criticised its apparent tendency to slap a new paint scheme and a couple of stickers and call it a 'race-inspired special edition' (cf many an Elise), and so is keen to point out that "the Evora GTE Road Car Concept isn't merely a paint scheme or homage to a race car - this is a serious race car that makes for a very serious road car". Good thing, too, we say.

The 'race-developed' Toyota V6 engine (which is still 3.5 litres rather than the 4.0 litres of the GTE and GT4 race cars) puts out more than 420bhp, which goes to the rear wheels through a sequential AMT racing gearbox.

Other than that, technical details on the car are sketchy for now, but we do know that the GTE Road Car Concept will feature an aero/styling package that apes the racing car's, and that it will come equipped with lightweight forged alloy wheels with centre-lock hubs and Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres.

More will be revealed when the car gets its official public debut at the McCall's Motorworks Revival on Wednesday evening at the Monterey Jet Center in California (as part of Pebble Beach week).

 

Author
Discussion

mat205125

Original Poster:

17,790 posts

243 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Lotus's reputation for making devistatingly effective track/road versions of their standard models is without question ..... I just pray that they can control their costs enough to avoid pushing the cost of the car up so high that it begins to compete with the £100k (ish) club of alternatives.

V8 GRF

7,299 posts

240 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
I'd agree but I think that way of thinking had slipped form their minds recently with foolish thoughts of challenging Porsche and Ferrari rather than keeping their focus on what they did best.

Kong

1,503 posts

201 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
I would prefer the 4.0 engine with a manual gearbox rather than the 3.5 with a sequential and that rear wing looks like a Fisher-Price carrying handle. Other than that, this is shaping up to be the best sports car in the world thumbup

DJRC

23,563 posts

266 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Now that is how you give a GT3 a damn good thrashing.

Roberty

1,180 posts

202 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
lotus please can you replace that Mickey mouse Rear wing with something more aestheticly pleasing or convincingly Motorsport, the current effort looks dreadful.

Otherwise nice work.

ar0u2211

184 posts

228 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
420hp out of the 3.5?!?!?!

Kong

1,503 posts

201 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
ar0u2211 said:
420hp out of the 3.5?!?!?!
Not mentioned in the article but i'm fairly sure thats supercharged.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

228 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
That's going to be very very expensive. The standard car is 55-65k so add in 10-15k for a sequential box, then fancy dampers, forged wheels, + dev costs, and that is going to be a £90-110k car, putting it up against the GT3.

It does look nice though.

TobesH

550 posts

237 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Sequential gearbox in a road car! I realise the odd the Caterham or kit car are fitted with these but that's pretty hard core. Bet it sounds fantastic on flat out up shifts biggrin

Dr S

5,145 posts

256 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Rear wing - zero points...

cookie1600

2,727 posts

191 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Lotus Evora GTE - Getting There Eventually?

Frimley111R

19,235 posts

264 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
V8 GRF said:
... with foolish thoughts of challenging Porsche and Ferrari rather than keeping their focus on what they did best.
Best keep off the Lotus threads if you know that little. nono

kbee540

218 posts

238 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Everybody knows Lotus can make a track-focussed motor - nohthing new there. Perhaps their money would have been better spent improving the quality of the build and interior instead. Then maybe you wouldn't have to laugh out loud when they announce the price of their latest (rapid and great handling) shed.

Once they've nailed together a decent car, then they can play the Porsche game of mixing 5hp increases, 4kg weight reductions, big/small/modified spoiler, nod to historical gubbins add-ons, RSGT2/3Turbo4SCarreraGTSClassic, and sticker package specials. Porsche can do this as they start with a very decent base.

Liquid Knight

15,754 posts

213 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Best GTE since the Scimitar. hehe


V8 GRF

7,299 posts

240 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Frimley111R said:
Best keep off the Lotus threads if you know that little. nono
What's that supposed to mean?


MB 1

525 posts

215 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
The Pistonheads Lotus moaning reaches new lows...

Laughable.


Edited by MB 1 on Tuesday 16th August 12:11

GTRene

22,514 posts

254 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
cookie1600 said:
Lotus Evora GTE - Getting There Eventually?
biggrin

chevronb37

6,472 posts

216 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
This thread has "car crash" written all over it.

OlberJ

14,101 posts

263 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
ar0u2211 said:
420hp out of the 3.5?!?!?!
It says 4.0 in article.

Well done Lotus, finally developing this engine to what its capable of. This'll be Cosworth's input too as per the gt4?

Pretty sure that'll be NA.

nouze

853 posts

207 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
+1 for the MP4-12C with a new wing. lovely thing