LIGHTENING STRIKES AGAIN
- 0-60 mph in 3.9 secs and a top speed of 186 mph
- 70 kg slashed from the weight of the Evora 400
- Comprehensive carbon fibre package as standard
- Increased power, reduced mass, sharper handling
- Total production limited to one-hundred and fifty vehicles per year
In a move that should surprise no one, Lotus has raised the bar once again by lightening the Evora in order to develop the sensational Evora Sport 410.
Following on from the recently announced Elise Cup 250, and the Exige Sport 350, Lotus’ famous Lightweight Laboratory has been hard at work cutting the weight of the Evora 400 by a massive 70kg. With a host of high-performance carbon fibre components as standard, and sharing the 410 hp supercharged engine with the track-bred 3-Eleven, the Lotus Evora Sport 410 clocks 0-60 in 3.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186mph.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented, “We couldn’t help ourselves, and many may have guessed what we were planning following our recent announcements. We wanted to make the Evora even better: lighter, faster and sharper, but our team has exceeded our expectations. Lotus has distilled what makes the Evora so special into something that’s even more focused. The result is dynamically excellent and nothing short of superb.”
This new, top-of-the-range Evora has been thoroughly re-evaluated, with every component assessed, optimised and reengineered as required. This covers every aspect of the car, including a drastically simplified carbon fibre tailgate (combining five separate elements into one), new lighter-weight door trim panels and the liberal addition of carbon fibre across the entire car.
The Sport 410 builds on the excellent work undertaken in the development of the Evora 400, itself a massive enhancement over the first generation of Evora. However, far from a stripped-out special, the Evora Sport 410 retains excellent road manners, being refined and composed during everyday driving.
The significant drop in mass, and a power boost, means the Evora Sport 410 is capable of lapping the company’s Hethel test track in 1 minute 28 seconds* – an impressive 3 seconds faster than the Evora 400. Reflecting what Lotus does best, it demonstrates the company’s principle of ‘adding lightness’.
The Lotus Evora Sport 410 is the result of Lotus’ philosophy of continuous improvement. With a lower centre of gravity, and a kerb weight slashed to just 1,325 kg, the car provides an impressive 309 hp/tonne.
In addition to boosting straight-line speed, the significant reduction in mass has allowed sharper, more agile and intuitive handling – with even greater accuracy and feel. Jean-Marc Gales added, “The Evora chassis was already the best in the business – the Evora Sport 410 takes it to a whole new level”.
Complementing this is a higher-output version of the supercharged, 3.5-litre 6-cylinder engine, developed through the Lotus 3-Eleven project which has beaten Nürburgring records. As a result, the car boasts 410 hp at 7000 rpm and 410 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm.
The high-performance, carbon fibre components have played the single biggest role in the evolution of the Evora Sport 410. These include front splitter, roof panel, tailgate, and rear diffuser as well as race-derived sports seats and a revised front access panel. The one-piece carbon tailgate incorporates a louvered section, inspired by some of Lotus’ most-famous heritage models, and together with carbon rear quarter-light panels help provide the car with a sleeker, fastback-style trailing roofline. These changes have also improved the car’s aerodynamic downforce by 15% with no increase in drag.
The car’s reduced kerb weight has allowed the recalibration of the suspension, with improved geometry and completely revised damping, as well as a ride height 5mm lower than the Evora 400. As a result, handling is sharper, along with better body and roll control, yet ride comfort and composure is retained. Ultra light-weight, 10-spoke forged aluminium wheels, and optional Michelin Cup 2 tyres, complete the car’s dynamic revisions.
Appealing to purists, the Evora Sport 410’s manual gearbox features a low inertia flywheel, to help ensure swift changes, while a Torsen-type limited slip differential (LSD) gives better traction, and faster exit speeds when cornering. Available as an option, the automatic transmission offers gear selection via lightweight aluminium paddles mounted to the steering wheel.
The new Evora Sport 410 also features Lotus’ Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) which, selected via a dashboard switch, provides ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ settings. Proportionally increasing throttle response, lowering traction slip thresholds and removing understeer recognition, it allows enhanced control before the system intervenes.
As standard, the Evora Sport 410 comes with carbon fibre sports seats trimmed with Alcantara®, along with the steering wheel and centre console. An integrated touch-screen entertainment system can also be specified, including iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth® functionality.
The rest of the Sport 410’s cabin has received attention as part of its development. Weight saving measures includes attractive one-piece door trim panels finished in Alcantara®, with contrast stitching, the deletion of door arm rests and stowage pockets, the relocation of tailgate and fuel filler release buttons and the removal of speakers – if an entertainment system is not specified.
As well as the standard paint selection, the new Evora can also be personalised through the recently launched Lotus Exclusive programme. Combining traditional British craftsmanship with modern design, the service inspires customers to spend time tailoring the character of their Lotus with a comprehensive array of options.
The Lotus Evora Sport 410 will be limited to a global production run of one-hundred and fifty vehicles per year and will be available in all major markets from June 2016.
A specific North American version of the Evora Sport 410 will be announced later in 2016
*Lap with optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
| UK (Pound Sterling) | £79,900 |
| Germany (Euros) | €106,900 |
| France (Euros) | €107,800 |
| Italy (Euros) | €111,960 |
| Japan (¥ Yen) | ¥14.8m |
Technical Specification:
| PERFORMANCE | MANUAL | AUTOMATIC |
| Max power | 410 hp at 7000 rpm (416 PS) (306 kW) | |
| Max torque | 302 lbft at 3500 rpm (410 Nm) | |
| 0-60 mph | 4.0 seconds | 3.9 seconds |
| 0-100 km/h | 4.2 seconds | 4.1 seconds |
| Max speed | 186 mph (300 km/h) | 174 mph (280 km/h) |
| Fuel Consumption mpg (l/100 km) | ||
| Urban
Extra Urban Combined |
20.8 [13.6]
38.7 [7.3] 29.1 [9.7] |
20.0 [14.1]
39.8 [7.1] 29.1 [9.7] |
| CO2 emissions | 225 g/km | 225 g/km |
| Unladen weight | 1325 kg | 1337 kg |
| Aerodynamic downforce at 150mph | 37 kg | 37 kg |
| ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND CHASSIS |
| High power, 410hp. 3.5 litre V6, 24 valve, water cooled, all-aluminium engine, with Edelbrock supercharger |
| Sports ratio 6-speed manual transmission |
| Lightweight low inertia fly wheel |
| Torsen Type Limited Slip Differential (manual only) |
| Servo assisted 2-piece cross-drilled and ventilated brake discs with AP Racing four piston calipers (front 370mm x 32mm, rear 350mm x 32mm) |
| Lightweight aluminium extruded and bonded chassis |
| Front and rear: Fully independent suspension, forged aluminium double wishbone suspension, anti-roll bar, Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers |
| Rack and pinion steering box with 2.86 turns lock-to-lock |
| Lotus tuned hydraulically assisted steering |
| Driver selectable ESP modes – Drive/Sport/Race |
| ESP/traction control |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system |
| Active exhaust valve control |
| EXTERIOR SPECIFICATION |
| Carbon fibre rear diffuser and front splitter |
| Carbon fibre tailgate with integrated rear spoiler and louvered backlight |
| Carbon fibre roof panel |
| Carbon fibre front access panel |
| Brake calipers – yellow painted with black AP Racing logo |
| Lightweight satin black forged wheels (19″ front and 20″ rear 10 spoke alloy wheels) |
| Michelin Pilot Sport tyres (front 235/35 R19, rear 285/30 R20) |
| Bi-xenon headlights |
| LED daytime running lights |
| Powerfold and heated door mirrors |
| Oval exhaust finisher |
| Rear parking sensors |
| Thatcham approved immobiliser and remote activated alarm system |
| INTERIOR SPECIFICATION |
| 2+0 seat configuration |
| Engine start button |
| Alcantara® trimmed carbon fibre sports seats with contrast stitching |
| Steering wheel trimmed in leather and black Alcantara®, with black stitching with red leather position stripe |
| Lightweight door panels trimmed in Alcantara® |
| Door grab handle, gear lever gaiter and hand brake sleeve in black leather with black stitching |
| Gunmetal finished door release levers, door grab handles and instrument panel surround finisher |
| Aluminium face level vents and blanking plate surround |
| Aluminium blanking plate etched with Evora Sport 410 logo |
| Lightweight aluminium gear knob (manual only) |
| Door sill insert etched with Evora logo |
| Lightweight driver’s footrest |
| Steering wheel finisher and HVAC panel in gunmetal finish with metallic finished bezels |
| Lightweight aluminium pedal pads |
| Black IP fascia and binnacle top with black twin stitching |
| Dark grey headlining |
| Black carpet |
| Windscreen visor |
| OPTIONAL EXTRAS |
| Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (front 235/35 R19, rear 285/30 R20) |
| Alcantara® trimmed, adjustable Sparco® seat from Evora 400 |
| Lightweight silver, forged alloy wheels (19″ front and 20″ rear 10 spoke) |
| 4 speaker double DIN ICE unit with full satellite navigation and reversing camera |
| Sound insulation pack |
| Air conditioning |