'Phil's spec' GT410 is Lotus's softer Evora
CEO Phil Popham drove a US-spec Evora and liked it; so guess what this is
It can be easy to lose track of the Lotus range at the best of times, but particularly so since the Geely expansion. Some might not be aware that Lotus created a car just for North America last year, the MY2020 Evora GT replacing both 400 and Sport 410 models that were previously available in those markets. Uniquely tuned for the US market by the wizards of Hethel, it has been received very well.
Unsurprising really, given the PH race team could set up an Evora and you would still get a world-class sports car. Car and Driver called it "a special machine for the hardcore", Road and Track said the Evora was "delightfully analogue" and Autblog reckoned the GT was "a sweet spot for those craving absolute individuality."
So it's found a lot of fans in the States, as well as one over here: Phil Popham, Lotus CEO. Having driven an Evora GT and enjoyed its slightly more relaxed demeanour so much, we now have this new Evora GT410. To all intents and purposes, it's an Evora GT for the UK market; or 'Phil's spec' of Evora, as it's been colloquially termed.
Predictably given the name, this GT will use the same 416hp (410 imperial horsepower) version of the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 as the GT410 Sport, making 190mph possible alongside a four-second sprint to 62mph.
The key changes are in the chassis. The damping has been reworked, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres have taken the place of Cup 2s and more soundproofing has been added, though without a weight mentioned just yet. Gavan Kershaw has said this GT410 is "quieter on coarse surfaces", with an ability to ride ridges better and breathe with the road surface in a way that Evoras haven't. Well, at least not recently.
The Lotus Evora GT410 is on sale now, costing £82,900 - or £3,000 less than a GT410 Sport, the only other Evora currently available. It's also £107 more than a new 992 Carrera, at least at unoptioned, basic list price. And if that's not an interesting twin test, then nothing is...
I'd be very happy with a Evora/Exige/Elise for sure. There is just something about them that makes you want to just jump in and drive them.
The other thing that's happened is Lotus have introduced more expensive models higher up the range, such as this Evora.
I've owned two Lotuses (Elise S2 111S and 2-Eleven) and driven quite a few (most types of Elise, Exige S2, Exige V6, and Evora S) and they've all left a lasting impression on me; easily the best road cars to drive that I've ever driven. There's no question what I'd buy if I had the money, although sadly for me now that's probably a lottery win....
However each new version and update has got better and better looking and I really like the look of this one. I’m hoping that Geely backing is going to provide the quality of aftersales support and customer support that will make it a genuine Porsche challenger for the everyday car buyer rather than appealing as a niche choice.
The best looking Evora is a MY10. Absolutely beautiful car. Nothing they have done since has done it any favours.
The totally mad GTE and GT430 look good because they're totally over the top. But the road-biased versions lost the plot with the 400. Not even a classy colour like metallic burgandy can save this one.
HOWEVER, to my head, £40k on an Elise seems like a lot, so I guess I'm just old....
https://media.lotuscars.com/en/news-articles/lotus...
"Here's a new model Evora - oh, but we're going to sneak in info about Elise & Exige touring and sport pack changes at the end too without mentioning that in the headline..."
"The new model is the old model but a bit softer. So we took 'Sport' off the name. So it's cheaper. But it's better specced."
"Oh, but we made the same changes to the GT Sport too, so when we say 'better specced' we mean better specced than the old GT Sport I guess."
"Hmm, now I come to think of it you can't buy that 'old spec' GT Sport any more, because of the changes. But we started this press release announcing one new model, so maybe we won't mention that it's actually two new models? Well, one model and an upgrade. You can get body coloured roofs now at least, be grateful. and some in cabin storage space."
"Now, let me confuse you further with touring and sport packs! Which include new standard kit. Except they're options, and some of them can be had stand alone."
"...I'm going to have a lie down, and maybe practice pronouncing Evija some more."
Regarding my original point though, the latest Elises are much better equipped than the early S1s - it's a different sort of car. The S1 was designed as a trackday car, whereas the latest cars are designed for weekend use, if not daily use as with mine. Mind you, the 217bhp engine alone could explain the £3.5k price difference from inflation adjusted S1 to current Elise.
I'd be very happy with a Evora/Exige/Elise for sure. There is just something about them that makes you want to just jump in and drive them.
The Evora is just a superb road car as well as being able to do track days too and nothing compares to it roadholding wise, but like the other British mid engined car producer the quality control just isn't there, and for the money I don't expect things to fall off or go wrong quite so often in this day and age.
Also the price for what it is is way too high.
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