Lotus has announced that prices for its new 300kW/410Nm Evora 400 supercar will start at £72,000 ($A130,000) in the UK when it goes on sale there this August.
Pushing Lotus ever deeper in Porsche 911 territory, the new Evora 400 comes with 16 per cent more power compared with the standard Evora S. Sharing the same Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-litre V6 as the standard car, the extra power comes from a larger compressor, bigger intercooler and freer-breathing exhaust.
To help justify the 14 per cent price increase over the standard Evora S, Lotus claims that 60 per cent of the Evora 400 is new -- from its new nose and tail styling to what the British car-maker claims is a totally redesigned cabin. Access to the Evora 400 is also easier because of modifications to its extruded aluminium tub.
As well as the new parts, Lotus has also said that the Evora 400 will come with upgraded, more powerful AP Racing brakes and climate control as standard.
Claimed to have a kerbweight that’s 22kg lighter than the standard Evora S, Lotus says the Evora will hit 100km/h from standstill in 4.1 seconds and top 300km/h.
Helping cope with the increase in performance is a new aero package that has increased high-speed downforce.
Around Lotus’ Hethel circuit the Evora 400 is now said to be as quick as the more hardcore, racer-for-the-road, Exige S.
According to Lotus sales for 2014-2015 are already up 63 per cent year-on-year and the firm is on target to break 2000 global sales.
The Evora 400 will come to Australia, but not before early next year, and we'll pay significantly more than Britons.
Importer Ateco Automotive says exact local pricing is not yet decided due to currency fluctuations, but given the standard Evora S is priced at $180,600 here, expect the 400 to cost well over $200K.
We’ll be in for a long wait.
Deliveries are not expected until next year at the earliest.