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...
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