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More focused variant of the class-leading Evora 400
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1,270 kg dry weight through extensive light-weight
engineering
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Aerodynamic downforce doubled at higher speeds
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Nose-to-tail carbon fibre components fitted as standard
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0-60 mph in 3.9 secs and a top speed of 190 mph
Transformed, formidable and without equal, the new, class-leading Lotus Evora
Sport 410 has been revealed after an intense development programme following its
Geneva debut.
Massively lighter, with more power and huge gains in aerodynamic efficiency,
this new generation of Evora is a pure-bred supercar, using Lotus’ DNA to
deliver a spiritual successor to the marque’s most iconic models, including the
Esprit Sport 300.
The Evora Sport 410 is the result of thousands of hours’ development by Lotus,
across every aspect of the car. From the mass of carbon fibre components
covering the car from nose to tail as standard, including a revolutionary
one-piece tailgate, to the recalibrated and tuned supercharged V6 engine – every
inch has been assessed to provide unrivalled performance.
Designed to deliver both on track and on the road, the Evora Sport 410 is truly
formidable. The car’s vastly improved aerodynamic configuration delivers an
unparalleled level of handing and high-speed stability, and the addition of
performance orientated wheels, tyres and critical parts, including the new
titanium exhaust, ensures that it draws on Colin Chapman's obsession with
simplifying, and adding lightness. However, far from a stripped-out track
special, the new model retains excellent road manners, remaining refined and
composed on B-roads.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented, “Lotus has surpassed itself
with the Evora Sport 410, and it defines a period in which we are producing our
best ever cars. It can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 secs, and its ballistic
pace means that, in the right hands, it’s unbeatable. We have achieved so much
in the development of the Evora platform, and the Sport 410 is possibly the most
accomplished car we have ever built. It’s nothing short of superb, and delivers
the power and precision that Lotus cars are renowned for. We’ve taken the war on
weight to a new level, demonstrating perfectly our principle of intelligent
engineering.”
A closer look at the Evora Sport 410
Over the last twelve months, Lotus’ engineering teams have brought their
unmatched experience of advanced lightweight construction technologies,
aerodynamic optimisation, vehicle dynamics and powertrain development to bear.
The result is testament to the company’s continuous quest to improve, delivering
a car that’s worthy of carrying Lotus’ Sport moniker - reserved for its lightest,
most-evolved models.
Drawing from its iconic predecessors, the Evora Sport 410 uses design cues as
well as drawing engineering inspiration to provide the context for this new car.
The results are due to Lotus’ holistic approach to evaluating every component in
isolation, as well as the car as a whole.
Key to the cut in weight, by more than 70 kg, has been the adoption of hand-made
carbon fibre components. Rather than just replacing existing parts with lighter
versions, each has been redesigned and enhanced in order to make the most of the
composite’s properties. Covering the car from front to back, these include front
splitter, revised front access panel, roof section, tailgate, rear quarter
panels, and rear diffuser. These are joined by race-derived carbon sports seats,
which themselves save 9kg each.
In addition to boosting acceleration, the car’s dry weight of just 1,270 kg
(1,280 kg without the optional titanium exhaust) results in sharper and more
intuitive handling. Lowering the centre of gravity, it has allowed for the
recalibration of the suspension – with an improved geometry and revised setup.
The re-valved dampers provide an increase in compression and rebound, while the
effective rise in spring rate and a reduction in ride height by 5mm provide
better body and roll control, yet ride comfort and composure are retained.
Inspired by some of Lotus’ most-famous heritage models, the one-piece carbon
tailgate incorporates a louvered section which, together with carbon rear
quarter panels, help provide the car with a sleek, fastback silhouette. However,
the benefits of this are far more than aesthetic. A significant chunk of the
development time was spent honing the car’s aerodynamic performance. The use of
the new carbon components, and the careful modelling of air flow over and under
the sculptured bodywork has effectively doubled downforce, now up to 64 kg, yet
resulted in a slightly lower drag coefficient overall. Increasing stability at
high speeds, it cements the Evora’s reputation as a genuine supercar and it
joins a select group that can genuinely exceed 190 mph yet remain tractable.
Developed through the Lotus 3-Eleven project, the Evora Sport 410’s engine is a
higher-output version of the supercharged, 3.5-litre 6-cylinder unit, producing
410 hp at 7000 rpm and 410 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm. Utilising an integrated
water-to-air charge cooler, it’s undergone thousands of hours of development and
testing, including performance evaluation at the infamous Nürburgring
Nordschleife circuit. Tipping the car well over the 300 hp/tonne benchmark, at
320 hp/tonne it’s a vital contribution to the Evora’s credentials, with the
addition of the titanium exhaust silencer improving this figure further still.
As befitting a car of such capability, the Evora Sport 410 is equipped with
bespoke, ultra-lightweight forged aluminium wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
2 tyres. The 10-spoke forged aluminium wheels reduce un-sprung mass and have
been produced specifically to work with the Sport 410, while the addition of the
high-performance Michelin tyres help provide detailed driver feedback and
outstanding traction.
Purists will opt for the Evora Sport 410’s six-speed manual gearbox, which
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 six-speed automatic
transmission utilises an optimised gearbox ECU for ultra-fast changes, while
gear selection is made 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. Sport and Race settings also activate the Evora Sport 410’s
variable-pressure exhaust system – sharpening performance and hardening the
engine’s note at higher speeds.
Only available in a 2+0 configuration, the Evora Sport 410’s carbon fibre sports
seats are trimmed with Alcantara® as standard, along with the steering wheel,
lower dashboard, transmission tunnel 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 received close attention during its
development. In a deliberate nod to the Esprit GT3, the Evora’s interior has
subtle design cues, such as the optional colour coded interior components, which
reference the car's lineage. Weight saving measures include 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.
Adding an extra dimension to ownership, the new Evora Sport 410 can also be
personalised through the increasingly popular 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 is limited to a global production run of one-hundred
and fifty vehicles per year, and is on sale in Europe and rest of world markets
now. An adapted version of the Evora Sport 410 for the North American market
will follow in summer 2017.
Performance
Images copyright Group Lotus PLC
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