Lotus Evora Sport 410 unveiled

Lotus has revealed a new, lighter Evora Sport 410.

With weight of the Evora 400 cut by 70kg and featuring a host of high-performance carbon fibre components as standard, the Evora Sport 410 clocks 0-60 in 3.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186mph.

Powered by the same 410 hp supercharged engine as the track-bred 3-Eleven, the new, range-topping Evora has been thoroughly re-evaluated says Lotus, with every component assessed, optimised and reengineered as required. This covers every aspect of the car, including a simplified carbon fibre tailgate (combining five separate elements into one), new lighter-weight door trim panels and the ‘liberal addition’ of carbon fibre across the entire car.

The drop in mass, and a power boost, means the Evora Sport 410 is capable of lapping the company’s Hethel test track in 1 minute 28 seconds - 3 seconds faster than the Evora 400. Kerb weight now stands at 1,325 kg, the car provides a 309 hp/tonne while the reduction in mass has allowed sharper, more agile and intuitive handling - with even greater accuracy and feel, according to Lotus.

The high-performance, carbon fibre components have played the single biggest role in the Evora’s weight loss. These include front splitter, roof panel, tailgate, and rear diffuser as well as race-derived sports seats and a revised front access panel. The one-piece carbon tailgate incorporates a louvered section, inspired by some of Lotus’ most-famous heritage models, and together with carbon rear quarter-light panels help provide the car with a sleeker, fastback-style trailing roofline. These changes have also improved the car’s aerodynamic downforce by 15 per cent with no increase in drag.

As standard, the Evora Sport 410 comes with carbon fibre sports seats trimmed with Alcantara, along with the steering wheel and centre console. The cabin has received attention as part of its development with weight saving measures including a one-piece door trim panels finished in Alcantara, with contrast stitching, the deletion of door arm rests and stowage pockets, the relocation of tailgate and fuel filler release buttons and the removal of speakers - if an entertainment system is not specified.

The Lotus Evora Sport 410 will be limited to a global production run of one-hundred and fifty vehicles per year and will go on sale from June 2016.

First Lotus Evora 400 leaves factory

First Lotus Evora 400 leaves factory

The first new Lotus Evora 400 has driven off the assembly line at Hethel, UK.

Finished in a metallic black, the first Lotus Evora 400 is destined to be a promotion car. The new Evora 400 laps the Lotus test track at Hethel six seconds faster than the previous Evora S in a time of 1 minute 32 seconds. Combining high performance with Lotus handling, it's faster and dynamically more capable than the previous Lotus Evora leading to greater agility and a more involving drive.

Maximum speed is 186 mph with acceleration from 0-62 mph taking just 4.2 seconds. Over two thirds of the Evora 400 is new, including its supercharged and charge-cooled mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. A new aluminium chassis incorporates a new interior and the lightweight composite body has changed significantly both front and rear.

In a small celebration with a selection of senior management, manufacturing and engineering staff, Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, said: "Today is a very significant stage in our long term plan, which we set-out more than a year ago. With the first Evora 400 coming off the line, we have achieved a key milestone for Lotus. None of this would be possible, of course, without the confidence and commitment of our workforce who, with great skill and talent, hand build every Lotus car at Hethel."

The new Lotus, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will enter production for European markets in the summer and deliveries will commence in August this year.

Pricing for the Lotus Evora 400 starts at £72,000 OTR.