Thursday, February 25, 2016

2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410: Add Lightness—and Stripes

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One year after Lotus debuted the revamped Evora 400 just before the 2015 Geneva auto show, the company has announced a new, limited-run variant, the Evora 410, on the eve of this year’s Geneva event. And like the Evora 400, the 410 is promised to cross the pond for sale in North America.

The “410” refers to the power output of the Toyota-sourced, 3.5-liter supercharged V-6, an increase of 10 horsepower over the Evora 400. The number also denotes the engine’s torque figure—at least in newton-meters—which translates to 302 lb-ft in freedom units, the same as in the 400. Once again, a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic are available. A total of 150 cars will be built.

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After removing a claimed 49 pounds from the Evora S to create the Evora 400, Lotus says it has taken out another 154 pounds in developing the Sport 410. (At some point one wonders whether a future version of the Evora might blow away in a stiff breeze.) The factory-stated “unladen” weight is now under 3000 pounds—2921 for the manual version and 2948 for the automatic. The last Evora we weighed, a 2011 S model, tipped our scales at 3171 pounds.

As a result, the Sport 410 is said to boast a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.9 seconds for the automatic and 4.0 for the manual, versus 4.1 (with either gearbox) for the Evora 400. The suspension is retuned, the ride height is 0.2 inch lower, and lightweight 10-spoke wheels are fitted. With the optional Michelin Cup 2 tires, the Sport 410 is said to lap its home track in Hethel three seconds quicker than the Evora 400.

Much of the weight savings comes from new, carbon-fiber bodywork, including the roof panel, restyled rear liftgate, rear quarter-window panels, front splitter, and rear diffuser. Then there are those stripes—although maybe they only make it look sleeker.

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To shave additional pounds, the Sport 410 deletes the rear seats, the door armrests, and map pockets, and uses lighter, one-piece door panels. Carbon-fiber sport seats are upholstered in microsuede, although leather can be ordered. Air-conditioning is an option, as is an audio system, as well as a touchscreen with navigation and a backup camera. The U.S. version, however, is likely to be better-equipped—and therefore heavier—with Lotus noting that “a specific North American version will be announced later in 2016.”





With the details of the North American version not yet known, there is naturally no pricing info. But when it finally does get here, expect to pay something north of the $89,900 ask for the Evora 400.

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from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com/2017-lotus-evora-sport-410-add-lightness-and-stripes/


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