Frankfurt 2011: Lotus Evora GTE

Lotus has just revealed the Evora GTE at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Powered by a 3.5 litre supercharged V6 producing 444PS (330kW) it’s the most powerful road going Lotus ever made.

It weighs 1276kg and while performance numbers haven’t been announced yet, it clearly won’t be slow. But will it be quick enough to match the likes of the Ferrari 458 and McLaren MP4-12C that it no doubt wants to mix with?

The Evora GTE was originally conceived as a limited edition for the Asian market the car will now go into full series production. You get the feeling Dany Bahar, Group Lotus CEO, wasn’t going to miss out on the chance to cash in.

“The response to this model in China has been so incredible, within days we had sold out with 114 orders. In response we decided that the only logical step from a business perspective was to increase production and widen our reach,” he said.

“What is unique about this car, is not just that it’s a serious race car – it’s a serious car. People get so excited when they see and especially hear it for the first time. It’s a very special car and will appeal to a very special type of driver – and they won’t be disappointed!”

UPDATE 15 September: Below is a brief comment on local availability on a few cars in the Lotus range, including the Evora GTE.

“The Evora S IPS, Elise SPS and the revised Elise S will arrive in Australia in the middle of 2012,” said Edward Rowe, Public Relations Manager for Lotus in Australia. “As the newly appointed Australian importer of Lotus, Ateco is very keen that the Lotus Evora GTE and Exige S should join the Australian range, but there are a number of homologation issues that need to be resolved before a date is able to set for an Australian launch of these two exciting new models. We are working with Lotus to ensure that this work is done as quickly as possible.”

Lotus Proves: Fortune Favours the Brave

• The Evora GTE road car: The most powerful production Lotus road car ever built. Simple.

Producing over 444 PS from the 3.5l V6 Lotus Evora engine, the GTE is, quite simply, the most powerful Lotus road car ever built. Yet contrary to its extreme roots, the Evora GTE road car also delivers a comfortable and refined element to its high performance driving characteristics.

Originally created as a special limited edition for the Asian market and designed to celebrate Lotus’ successful entry to the new global motorsport GTE category, the hand built Evora GTE road car has all the attributes you’d expect of an endurance racer including a sequential AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) racing gearbox and lightweight and forged alloy rims with centre lock hubs shod with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres.

Group Lotus can now announce that production will be expanded on the Evora GTE road car to meet demand and reach further markets.

Lotus Lightweight DNA: Clever use of carbon fibre has been integrated extensively throughout the exterior and interior of the car, this is one major contributors to the 105kg weight reduction versus the base Evora. Carbon fibre has been used for all the bodywork modifications including the front and rear bumpers, the rear wing and the doors.

Complimenting the striking exterior is a stunning, modern race-themed interior providing both occupants with the race car thrill without compromising on comfort. Leather and carbon fibre dominate the cabin and lightweight Recaro carbon fibre seats cosset both the passenger and driver giving a sense of security and comfort that mean that any driver of the Evora GTE can really go the distance as they take command of this extraordinary car.

Commenting on the Evora GTE road car, Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said: “The response to this model in China has been so incredible, within days we had sold out with 114 orders. In response we decided that the only logical step from a business perspective was to increase production and widen our reach.

“What is unique about this car, is not just that it’s a serious race car – it’s a serious car. People get so excited when they see and especially hear it for the first time. It’s a very special car and will appeal to a very special type of driver – and they won’t be disappointed!”

Please note: At time of going to print (September 2011) the fuel economy, CO2 and performance figures have not been witness tested. Group Lotus plc will publish these figures as soon as they become available on the lotuscars.com website.

Download

• Lotus Evora range tech specs (172kb Word doc)