The Lotus Evora has only been Stateside for a year, but already Americans are demanding more power and lightness. The Evora Sport 410 GP Edition aims to address those demands, and adds in a gorgeous retro paint job for good measure.
The Evora 410 has been on sale since February 2016 in Europe, but bringing it to North America wasn't simply a matter of plonking it in a shipping container. Unique regulations, along with the unique demands of American buyers, mean the Sport 410 sold in the USA will be slightly different to the European car, although Lotus insists it hasn't forgotten to "simplify, then add lightness."
While we're talking weight, the final 3,020 lb (1,370 kg) curb sticker of the American Evora is around 99 lb (50 kg) heavier than the European version. Before US buyers start whining, that's still lighter than the Porsche Cayman, although it can't match the Alpine A110's borderline anorexic tendencies.
This skinny curb weight comes, in part at least, from extensive use of carbon fiber. Along with the front splitter and rear diffuser, Lotus has created the bootlid, rear three-quarter panel and bonnet. Carbon fiber aside, there's also a new lithium-ion battery, forged alloy wheels and a whole range of smaller touches that cut a not-insignificant 132 lb (60 kg) from the standard Evora.
Shedding weight has allowed the gurus in Hethel to mess around with the chassis, too. A set of re-valved dampers provide better controlled compression and rebound damping, an an increase in spring rate should put a swift end to any body roll. According to Lotus, the net result of the changes is a sharper, more direct feeling through the steering wheel, coupled with the compliant ride you get in a standard Evora.
Although the badge says 410, the supercharged V6 in the Evora Sport GP Edition makes 400 hp (298 kW) of power, put to the road through a six-speed manual gearbox. Sure, an automatic is optional, but that would be missing the point. A limited-slip differential means none of that power is wasted, and drivers can flick through four different traction and stability control modes. Switching into Sport or Race also frees up more noise from the titanium exhaust.
More noise isn't the only part of the Evora Sport 410 likely to turn heads. In special GP Edition trim, it comes with a special paint job inspired by the John Player Special livery on Lotus F1 cars from the 1970s and '80s. Just five examples will be built in GP spec, with a price tag of US$110,000.
Meanwhile, the standard car will retail for $104,200. Just 150 will be shipped every year.
Source: Lotus
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