The new Lotus Evora 400 is the latest supercar from Lotus, combining performance with the famous Lotus handling. It is faster and dynamically more capable than the previous Lotus Evora leading to better agility and a more involving drive.
Maximum speed is 186 mph (300 km/h) and acceleration 0-60 mph is 4.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds). This enables the new Lotus Evora 400 to lap the test track at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, six seconds faster than the previous model.
Over two thirds of the Lotus Evora 400 is new, including its supercharged and charge-cooled mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. A new aluminum chassis incorporates a new interior and the lightweight composite body has changed significantly both front and rear. Following the core values of the company, the new Lotus Evora 400 is 22 kg lighter.
In describing the remit for the new Lotus Evora 400, Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc, states, “A requirement for all Lotus cars is to be a benchmark for handling, to be the quickest car from A to B and to provide the driver with a pure and involving driving experience. The Evora 400 is the fastest road-going Lotus that we have ever produced, possessing performance that can only be matched by cars costing significantly more. It delivers supercar looks allied to supercar performance.”
The new Lotus Evora 400 will enter production for European markets in the summer and deliveries will commence in August this year. North American markets will receive the Evora 400 as a 2016 model year presentation in the autumn. Combined production for all Lotus models, the Elise, Exige and Evora, will increase to 70 cars per week by September 2015.
Supercar Performances for the Lotus Evora 400
Engine power has been increased from that of the Evora S; from 345 hp (257.3 kW) to 400 hp (298.3 kW) at 7,000 rpm. The supercharger fitment ensures strong bottom-end torque and the figure has also been increased to 302 lbs. ft. (410 Nm) achieved between 3,500 to 6,500 rpm. This translates into acceleration for a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds).
Traction slip thresholds (‘Drive’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ settings) can be altered via a driver-selectable switch, which allows the driver enhanced vehicle control before intervention is required. Both ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ settings increase throttle responsiveness.
Its top speed is 186 mph (300 km/h). The benchmark lap time at the Lotus Test Track at Hethel, has been reduced by six seconds due to higher engine power, revised spring and damper settings, a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) and a downforce figure of 32 kg (70 lbs.) at 150 mph (242 km/h). This downforce equates to 12 kg, 26 lbs. front; 20 kg, 44 lbs. rear, achieved by the Evora 400’s flat-floor, lightweight composite rear diffuser, three-element rear wing and airflow management strategy.
The new Evora 400 tips the scales (unladen) at 1,415 kg (3,119 lbs.; auto: 1,419 kg, 3,128 lbs.), which amounts to a reduction of 22 kg, or 48 lbs. (automatic option: 23 kg / 50 lbs.) from the outgoing Evora model.
The Lotus Evora 400 Powertrain
The new Lotus Evora 400 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine but with a new supercharger, water-to-air charge-cooler and engine management system. Its power output has increased by 16% from 345 hp (257 kW) to 400 hp (298 kW). Torque has increased from 400 Nm / 295 lbs. ft. to 410 Nm / 302 lbs. ft. with maximum torque available from 3500 rpm to 6500 rpm.
The power increase of 55 hp comes from supercharger enhancements (volumetric capacity has increased from 1.32 l/rpm to 1.74 l/rpm), the application of a new charge-cooler and engine management upgrades.
While meeting legal pass-by and race track requirements for NVH, sonic changes have been made to the post-cat exhaust system. It features revised muffler internals and a switch that can be driver activated, which allows the exhaust to flow more freely, reducing back pressure under higher engine loads and where conditions allow. New engine mounts, which are 5.6 kg lighter than in the previous Lotus Evora, and a revised rear sub-frame have enabled better engine control and improved vehicle dynamics.
A number of manual gearbox enhancements have improved shift quality including a new clutch disc and a low inertia flywheel that ensure swift and tactile gear changes. For the robotized transmission option, a new shift strategy has been developed, with gear changes made using the lightweight aluminum paddles mounted to the steering wheel. For the manual version, a Torsen-type limited slip differential (LSD) has been fitted as standard to the rear axle, which gives a more involving drive and better traction.
An additional benefit arising from the improved efficiency is a reduction in CO2 exhaust emissions from 229 g/km to 225 g/km (automatic: 220 g/km down from 224 g/km), which equates to a lower tax band in many markets (subject to Type Approval).
Brakes and Tires
Braking comes from new, two-piece, cross-drilled and ventilated brake discs, which are 370 x 32 mm front and 350 x 30 mm rear diameters (previous Evora: 350 x 32 mm front and 332 x 26 mm rear).
Finally, lightweight forged aluminum wheels, 19″ on the front and 20″ on the rear, are 3.3 kg lighter than the forged wheels on the previous Evora and are now shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (235/35×19 91Y front; 285/30×20 99Y rear).
Exterior Design
The overall effect is of a car with a more aggressive stance that appears lower, wider and more planted on the road, despite no increase in width compared with the previous Evora. The overall length has increased by 35 mm (1.4 inches) to 4394 mm (173 inches). The approach angle has been reduced from 11.5 degrees to 10 degrees to aid aerodynamic downforce.
The front of the car features an evolution of the traditional ‘Lotus mouth’. The large side intakes fulfill the technical requirements to cool the 400 hp engine and increase aerodynamic downforce. At the rear, sharp corner features maximize the width perception and give cleaner airflow separation. The distinctive three-element wing and new lightweight composite rear diffuser contribute to the 32 kg of downforce at 150 mph.
While there is no increase in frontal area of the Evora 400 (at 1.91m²), the small increase in Cd, from 0.33 to 0.35, is due largely to the cooling requirements of the engine. However the aerodynamic downforce is increased – it is approximately double that of the previous Lotus Evora at any speed. For example, at 150 mph the downforce is 32 kg (12 kg on the front and 20 kg on the rear) for the Evora 400. The previous Evora S generated 6 kg front and 10 kg on the rear.
