KEY POINTS:
The project Lotus codenamed Eagle has finally landed in the form of a 2+2 coupe called the Evora, a plush model built to mark the British company's 60th anniversary this year.
It is also the first new model from Lotus for more than 13 years and the first
of a handful of new designs due under a five-year business plan that began in October 2006.
A supercharged Evora is expected next, followed by a two-seater version in 2010. Heading the list later the same year will be the company's flagship - a two-seater, mid-engined supercar.
Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley says the Evora is the "best car to come from Lotus so far".
The 1350kg coupe took 21 months to develop and takes its styling cues from the Elise and Europa, which makes it appear more like a two-seater than a four.
It sits on an all-aluminium chassis that Lotus claims is 2.5 times stiffer than the Elise frame. That, and a lightweight aluminium suspension set-up, gives the Evora Elise-like handling and ride while offering more interior space, says the company.
It says tests around the famous Nurburgring circuit in Germany revealed a car that is "extremely agile and great fun to drive".
The cabin is a feast of luxury - unlike previous Lotus models - with leather upholstery, touchscreen satellite navigation, and Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.
Much attention has been paid to the car's ease of use in a bid to attract new customers to the brand. Lotus says wider, taller door apertures and narrower sills make getting in and out of the cabin easier than the company's smaller models. The front seats will accommodate 2m tall adults.
The convenience factor of the Evora extends to less obvious areas of the car, says the company.
For instance, beneath the skin, the entire front-end structure is a high-tech aluminium sacrificial modular unit, attached to the main extruded aluminium tub.
This unit is designed to deform for maximum safety, and to reduce repair costs in the event of a frontal impact.
Power comes from a modified version of Toyota's 3.5-litre V6 VVTi engine developing 205kW (276bhp) and driving the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The car is expected to sprint from zero to 100km/h in around 4.5s.
Town-and-around fuel economy is 9.5 litres/100km (30mpg), and CO2 exhaust emissions are rated at below 225g/km.
A traction and stability control system developed specifically for the car by Bosch comes as standard.
The Evora will be hand-built at the Lotus plant in Hethel, Britain. Production will be capped at 2000 cars a year to maintain exclusivity. The first models are due to go on sale in Britain early next year.
Kimberley says Evora is another example of Lotus' significant steps towards improving the efficiency and sustainability of the car.
"Looking to the future, we will continue to research, develop and produce lighter, more efficient vehicles which are linked to our work on all aspects of future fuels, alternative engines and electric and hybrid vehicle solutions."
