Evora winning all the COTY awards

[markc]

I see that the Lotus Evora is winning all the Car of the Year awards in the motoring press at the moment.

Yeah I know most of us have a healthy disrespect for the motoring hacks but they do actually get to drive these cars, and do it back to back, which none of us punters ever get to do. Reading the reports (Car, PC, evo) it really does seem to be something special even if the fit and finish are still questionable.

Has anyone here driven one yet? Has anyone placed an order or made their mind up to get one? I poked, prodded and sat in the demo one at Silverstone and came away slightly underwhelmed but if it drives as well as they say it does?? I think a lot of prospective buyers are waiting for the more powerful versions that are supposedly coming out in a year or so.

I'd definitely like to like try one but still suspect I'd bulk at actually buying one and most likely go previously enjoyed GT3 (997) or R8 (V8) route instead.

Cheers

Mark

[AR]

Well it might be the best car in teh world, still ugly and plastic IMHO

[markc]

Well it might be the best car in teh world, still ugly and plastic IMHO

Many would say the same about the Corvette though AR and we know you love that ;)

I don't think I could go Evora any more than I could go GTR but both (and the Corvette) are great cars.

It's a pretty good time to be in a position to splash out £50K-£100K on some fast, flash wheels :)

Cheers

Mark

[AR]

Plain Jane 2009 Corvette specs, not Z06 etc:

Performance0 - 30 (sec.)2.00 - 45 (sec.)3.00 - 60 (sec.)4.30 - 75 (sec.)5.91/4 mile (sec. @ mph)12.3 @ 116.00-60 with 1-ft rollout (sec.)4.030 - 0 (ft.)2760 - 0 (ft.)110Braking ratingGoodSlalom, 6 x 100 ft (mph)67.9 in performance driving modeSkid pad, 200 ft diameter (lateral g)0.95Handling ratingGoodSound level @ idle (db)56.1Sound level @ full throttle (db)87.7Sound level @ 70 mph cruise (db)69.9Acceleration commentsBest launch: 3,000 rpm, clutch out quick and pedal it until wheel speed matches vehicle speed, then wide-open throttle to redline. Shifter feels great when slamming gears, but could be better during normal driving.Braking commentsPedal response isn't as immediate as I'd like. Some fade at runs four to six.Handling commentsVery good balance, but communication is only good at limit during steady state cornering. Transitions are far less confident. Performance Driving mode allows plenty of slip angle and doesn't interfere unless absolutely necessary.SpecificationsLength (in.)174.6Width (in.)72.6Height (in.)49.0Wheelbase (in.)105.7Front Track (in.)62.1Rear Track (in.)60.7Turning circle (ft)39Legroom, front (in.)43.1Headroom, front (in.)37.9Shoulder room, front (in.)55.2Seating capacity2Cargo volume (cu-ft)22.4Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft)22.4Warranty InformationBumper-to-bumper3 years/36,000 milesPowertrain5 years/100,000 milesCorrosion6 years/100,000 milesRoadside assistance5 years/100,000 milesScheduled maintenanceNot available

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Manufacturer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_industry)Lotus Cars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Cars)Parent company (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parent_company)Proton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_(carmaker))Production start2009AssemblyHethel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hethel), Norfolk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk)Class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_classification)Sports car (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_car)Body style(s) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_body_style)2- or 2+2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2%2B2_(car_body_style))-passenger coupé (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup%C3%A9)Layout (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_layout)Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rear_mid-engine,_rear-wheel_drive_layout)Engine(s) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engine)3.5 L Toyota (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota) 2GR-FE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine) V6 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V6_engine)
(280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp))[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Evora#cite_note-evo_20080722-0)[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Evora#cite_note-autocar_20080722-1)Transmission(s) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_(mechanics))6-speed manual (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission)[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Evora#cite_note-evo_20080722-0)Wheelbase (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelbase)2,575 mm (101.4 in)[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Evora#cite_note-evo_20080722-0)Length4,342 mm (170.9 in)Width1,848 mm (72.8 in)Height1,223 mm (48.1 in)Kerb weight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerb_weight)1,350 kg (3,000 lb) 2-passenger variant
1,380 kg (3,000 lb) (2+2-passenger variant)

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The Corvette is a Icon, the Evora is a hotch potch kit car with resting on the laurels of a great pedrigree.


http://static.blogo.it/autoblog/corvette-z06-model-year-2009/CorvetteZ06modelyear2009.jpg



http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m171/AR94NSX-R/Random/SANY0202.jpg

[Senninha]

No, I've not driven one yet but would like the opportunity. Might just have to give my mate at HR Owens a call, unless Noel arranges the mini meet at Bell & Colvill?

I do think the Evora is very color sensitive. The first one I saw was at the London motor show. It was pre-production and finished in silver which didn't help hide the poor finish of said car. LAter ones I've seen are much better finished. As to color, I saw a Black one earlier this week and, with its graphite wheels really looked good.

[markc]

The Corvette is a Icon, the Evora is a hotch potch kit car with resting on the laurels of a great pedrigree.

You're not a fan then AR :)

I wouldn't mind betting that the Evora would be quicker over 90% of British roads though. A bit like the NSX it punches above it's on paper power outputs. Don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of the C6 (I'll take a Z06 in Atomic Orange) but remember the first 4 generations of the Corvette were pretty rubbish dynamically and the latest C6's only really works on smooth roads. I know about the ZR1's Nurburgring time but even that is not the roughest and bumpiest of surfaces.

Anyway back to the Evora...


No, I've not driven one yet but would like the opportunity. Might just have to give my mate at HR Owens a call, unless Noel arranges the mini meet at Bell & Colvill?

I shall join you guys when this happens not least because there are some very nice driving roads between my house and West Horsley but it'd be good to experience the Evora in action first hand.

Cheers

Mark

[havoc]

It's a shame about how the car looks*, because I'm quite excited by it - Lotus are one of the few manufacturers who still make sports cars that ride properly, rather than crashing over 90% of UK roads. May have to test-drive one in the next year or so...

...and, much as I'm going to be in a minority here, 200bhp/tonne is enough for UK roads...all these new cars with telephone-number power-outputs are pointless unless you've the time/money to take them on-track regularly, and don't mind feeling frustrated by UK speed limits the rest of the time. Lovely on paper, wasted in the real-world...


* And sounds, apparently...but that's sortable.

[JQD84983]

I see that the Lotus Evora is winning all the Car of the Year awards in the motoring press at the moment.

Yeah I know most of us have a healthy disrespect for the motoring hacks but they do actually get to drive these cars, and do it back to back, which none of us punters ever get to do. Reading the reports (Car, PC, evo) it really does seem to be something special even if the fit and finish are still questionable.



What they don't do is part with their hard earned for one. At 60K I think most hacks would take the 911 as its the safer bet.

Lets see in 12-18 months when the depreciation figure becomes more apparent.

I am a Lotus fan but the one I saw at Silverstone was not special enough. Still sooner have an Exige.

[Senninha]

.......I am a Lotus fan but the one I saw at Silverstone was not special enough. Still sooner have an Exige.

And at around £20k less I'm sure thats the decision I would make ...... apart from the fact that I would save a further £20k by only spending £20k on any Lotus!!

[TheSebringOne]

I think the jury still out on Evora even though alot of the car mags have given it the thumbs up. I'm still not sold on the looks and for that kind of money, I rather spend my hard earned cash elsewhere. May be a new GTR or something second hand like a R8. Even though I like the modern Vette, I'm not sure if I could ever own one, but I do like the ZO6 looks and its apparently drives really well. May be Ary should get one in the future and take me for a spin!