08.05.2009
Dickie Meaden was out driving the new Lotus Evora yesterday in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands, but a few weeks previously he visited Lotus’ home in Hethel to speak to the team behind the Evora and dig beneath it’s shapely skin.
He also joined Matt Becker, Lotus’ Executive Engineer for Vehicle Dynamics on Lotus’ local test routes.
Watch the videos on DR TV.
Click the images below
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26 Comments
Ivo
May 8, 2009Wow that track demonstration was pretty impressive. The car looks very planted and sure footed in the quick stuff. And very smooth once the back end hangs out wide. This looks very promising from Lotus. I wonder how it stacks up against a Cayman, although not a direct rival they will surely be compared to each other.
The engine sounds very sweet too.
Ivo
May 8, 2009Wow that track demonstration was pretty impressive. The car looks very planted and sure footed in the quick stuff. And very smooth once the back end hangs out wide. This looks very promising from Lotus. I wonder how it stacks up against a Cayman, although not a direct rival they will surely be compared to each other.
The engine sounds very sweet too.
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
May 8, 2009This car rings a bell to me! I find it very, very desirable!!!!
Must congratulate you guys for this kind of material! Loved both videos! It’s hugely interesting to ear the very person that is/was envolved in the project.
Thanks DR!!
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
May 8, 2009This car rings a bell to me! I find it very, very desirable!!!!
Must congratulate you guys for this kind of material! Loved both videos! It’s hugely interesting to ear the very person that is/was envolved in the project.
Thanks DR!!
Richard - DR
May 9, 2009I, like many of you, have been waiting for the Evora to surface for a long time now, so I was excited to get access to the car prior to the launch drive.
What was abundantly clear to me (and hopefully to you) is that the people who work at Lotus are both extremely good at their jobs and hugely passionate about driving and cars in general. Both Chris Harris and I have owned Lotus products in the past, and we both always have a worrying ‘I need to own an other Lotus’ feeling whenever we go to Hethel. The people and the product have that infectious effect on you.
Riding with Matt was great fun, but it also showed just how thorough the dynamic development of the Evora has been. The chassis, while employing the same materials and techniques as the Elise, is all-new, as is the suspension. Matt told me how excited he was to lead the development of that, and to shape the feel and response of the car. Of course, he knows the Evora and Hethel like the back of his hand, but still I was genuinely blown away by the way it performed so maturely on the road, yet didn’t just cope with the track, but positively excelled when driven to and way beyond its limits. A mid-engined car just shouldn’t be that poised SO far sideways…
I’m about to start writing my driving impressions from the launch in Scotland, so won’t prattle on here for too long, but I have to say the opportunity to experience the car on roads of a very different character in Norfolk, and a track (albeit in Matt’s hands) was a great privilege, and has given me an even greater understanding and appreciation of what Lotus has achieved. It’s a great car.
Richard - DR
May 9, 2009I, like many of you, have been waiting for the Evora to surface for a long time now, so I was excited to get access to the car prior to the launch drive.
What was abundantly clear to me (and hopefully to you) is that the people who work at Lotus are both extremely good at their jobs and hugely passionate about driving and cars in general. Both Chris Harris and I have owned Lotus products in the past, and we both always have a worrying ‘I need to own an other Lotus’ feeling whenever we go to Hethel. The people and the product have that infectious effect on you.
Riding with Matt was great fun, but it also showed just how thorough the dynamic development of the Evora has been. The chassis, while employing the same materials and techniques as the Elise, is all-new, as is the suspension. Matt told me how excited he was to lead the development of that, and to shape the feel and response of the car. Of course, he knows the Evora and Hethel like the back of his hand, but still I was genuinely blown away by the way it performed so maturely on the road, yet didn’t just cope with the track, but positively excelled when driven to and way beyond its limits. A mid-engined car just shouldn’t be that poised SO far sideways…
I’m about to start writing my driving impressions from the launch in Scotland, so won’t prattle on here for too long, but I have to say the opportunity to experience the car on roads of a very different character in Norfolk, and a track (albeit in Matt’s hands) was a great privilege, and has given me an even greater understanding and appreciation of what Lotus has achieved. It’s a great car.
Jack Wood
May 9, 2009I have to say that I have a real aversion to Lotus products, brought about by my best friends ownership of a mark 1 Elise. A fantastic car to drive (which I did many times) but a nightmare to live with day-to-day and reliability that made me wince. I was never sure if he would ever actually arrive to give me a lift to the pub when he said he would!! Most disconcerting!!
But this looks very nice. In fact it is probably the only car that I would currently go and consider testing as a replacement for my Cayman. This, and possibly the new Artega…..if they ever do decide to make a RHD version………..
Will the Evora carry enough luggage for a week in the South of France after a trip down N85
Jack Wood
May 9, 2009I have to say that I have a real aversion to Lotus products, brought about by my best friends ownership of a mark 1 Elise. A fantastic car to drive (which I did many times) but a nightmare to live with day-to-day and reliability that made me wince. I was never sure if he would ever actually arrive to give me a lift to the pub when he said he would!! Most disconcerting!!
But this looks very nice. In fact it is probably the only car that I would currently go and consider testing as a replacement for my Cayman. This, and possibly the new Artega…..if they ever do decide to make a RHD version………..
Will the Evora carry enough luggage for a week in the South of France after a trip down N85
Gavin
May 9, 2009Richard. A week or so back, I had the pleasure of sitting on the balcony of the Lotus Sport building over looking the track, in the sun, watching you guys playing with the Evora on the track at Hethel whilst the 2-eleven was getting serviced. Just one of the best afternoons in a long time. And it felt like you were out on the track (working hard!) for hours.
What was most fun to watch was just how unsettled the chase car was (white Mitsubishi??). The Evora was just so composed in comparison. I’m on my 3rd Lotus as it is, but as you say, and especially watching you guys on track, that urge to buy another one is difficult to ignore.
Gavin
May 9, 2009Richard. A week or so back, I had the pleasure of sitting on the balcony of the Lotus Sport building over looking the track, in the sun, watching you guys playing with the Evora on the track at Hethel whilst the 2-eleven was getting serviced. Just one of the best afternoons in a long time. And it felt like you were out on the track (working hard!) for hours.
What was most fun to watch was just how unsettled the chase car was (white Mitsubishi??). The Evora was just so composed in comparison. I’m on my 3rd Lotus as it is, but as you say, and especially watching you guys on track, that urge to buy another one is difficult to ignore.
Marty
May 10, 2009Incredible stuff, guys. Not only the amazing poise and composure of the Evora, which I’m warming to by the day, but for the fantastic information provided in both videos form the Lotus guys. This is really the stuff that no-one else but DR does.
I’m gobsmacked at how eerily smooth the transition into oversteer is in the Evora, and how managable it appears to be once sideways. Really looking forward to the full test of it now.
Marty
May 10, 2009Incredible stuff, guys. Not only the amazing poise and composure of the Evora, which I’m warming to by the day, but for the fantastic information provided in both videos form the Lotus guys. This is really the stuff that no-one else but DR does.
I’m gobsmacked at how eerily smooth the transition into oversteer is in the Evora, and how managable it appears to be once sideways. Really looking forward to the full test of it now.
Scotty
May 10, 2009Wow. Open-diffed cars aren’t meant to hold slides like that? Is it compulsory to be able to drive like a demon to get employment at Lotus? Great noise too. Eagerly looking forward to Richards report as this car could be a serious object of desire that ticks all my boxes even though I have never had an attraction to Lotus products.
Scotty
May 10, 2009Wow. Open-diffed cars aren’t meant to hold slides like that? Is it compulsory to be able to drive like a demon to get employment at Lotus? Great noise too. Eagerly looking forward to Richards report as this car could be a serious object of desire that ticks all my boxes even though I have never had an attraction to Lotus products.
Guy
May 16, 2009That was the best set of interviews of their type I’ve ever seen.
Didn’t feel staged
Like you were on an IV of a fine spirit
Incredible track video. Really showed the car working its limit on so many levels.
Question: Did you speak of any future plans for power increases? any notion of the maximum displacement that could be fit in their?
You guys have really taken the ball and run away from all other publications.
Guy
May 16, 2009That was the best set of interviews of their type I’ve ever seen.
Didn’t feel staged
Like you were on an IV of a fine spirit
Incredible track video. Really showed the car working its limit on so many levels.
Question: Did you speak of any future plans for power increases? any notion of the maximum displacement that could be fit in their?
You guys have really taken the ball and run away from all other publications.
Richard - DR
May 17, 2009Thanks Guy, your comments are much appreciated.
Not being as slick at pieces to camera as my esteemed colleague Mr Harris I wanted to try and keep things as informal as possible. Consequently we just recorded my chats with each person. What you heard were the best bits, cut to fit within the video footage.
We didn’t talk specifically about more potent Evora models, but I did suggest there was plenty of space for a supercharger to sit above the engine. This was met with wry smiles and ‘Oh really, do you think so?’ comments. I’m not a betting man, but I’d be amazed if there wasn’t a significantly more powerful Evora sometime soon.
There is a more powerful 3.5-litre n/a motor in the Toyota range (300bhp+ from memory) but this wasn’t used because there isn’t a transverse version of it. Yet. Lotus has an increasingly strong relationship with Toyota, so I’m sure over time there will be more developments to come.
Still lets not overshadow the current model with talk of quicker versions. As you saw in the track footage, the current launch spec is more than capable of some mighty impressive feats. OK, so it helps if you can drive like Matt Becker, but still this car gets more from 276bhp than it has any right to. Indeed the last mid-engined V6 car to deliver far more than the spec sheet suggested was the Honda NSX. That’s a nice comparison to make.
Richard - DR
May 17, 2009Thanks Guy, your comments are much appreciated.
Not being as slick at pieces to camera as my esteemed colleague Mr Harris I wanted to try and keep things as informal as possible. Consequently we just recorded my chats with each person. What you heard were the best bits, cut to fit within the video footage.
We didn’t talk specifically about more potent Evora models, but I did suggest there was plenty of space for a supercharger to sit above the engine. This was met with wry smiles and ‘Oh really, do you think so?’ comments. I’m not a betting man, but I’d be amazed if there wasn’t a significantly more powerful Evora sometime soon.
There is a more powerful 3.5-litre n/a motor in the Toyota range (300bhp+ from memory) but this wasn’t used because there isn’t a transverse version of it. Yet. Lotus has an increasingly strong relationship with Toyota, so I’m sure over time there will be more developments to come.
Still lets not overshadow the current model with talk of quicker versions. As you saw in the track footage, the current launch spec is more than capable of some mighty impressive feats. OK, so it helps if you can drive like Matt Becker, but still this car gets more from 276bhp than it has any right to. Indeed the last mid-engined V6 car to deliver far more than the spec sheet suggested was the Honda NSX. That’s a nice comparison to make.
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
May 17, 2009Richard, I spent some time at Wikipedia.
I know not all info’s are correct in there, but I believe we can trust these ones
If I’m not mistaken, the engine in the Evora is the 2GR-FE, a Dual VVT-i unit (intake and exaust) with 200 kW / 268 hp (“toyota spec” we may say). As for more powerfull versions of this engine, we can speak about the 2GR-FSE, which adds direct injection (like in the IS-F V8, I think?). This engine is known in the Japanese and US IS350. This candy specs 311hp and 377Nm/278 ft·lbf at 4,800 RPM. Still n/a!!!!!
I’m no expert in ECU’s, but adding a supercharger to any of these engines looks a bit trickyer than the one in the Exige 2zz-ge!
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
May 17, 2009Richard, I spent some time at Wikipedia.
I know not all info’s are correct in there, but I believe we can trust these ones
If I’m not mistaken, the engine in the Evora is the 2GR-FE, a Dual VVT-i unit (intake and exaust) with 200 kW / 268 hp (“toyota spec” we may say). As for more powerfull versions of this engine, we can speak about the 2GR-FSE, which adds direct injection (like in the IS-F V8, I think?). This engine is known in the Japanese and US IS350. This candy specs 311hp and 377Nm/278 ft·lbf at 4,800 RPM. Still n/a!!!!!
I’m no expert in ECU’s, but adding a supercharger to any of these engines looks a bit trickyer than the one in the Exige 2zz-ge!
Richard - DR
May 18, 2009Thanks Pedro. The IS350′s motor is the one I was referring to as being more potent but currently unavailable for a transverse installation.
I don’t know for sure about the s/c (or indeed turbocharging), but the guys constantly mentioned the fact that the brakes have far greater stopping capacity than the current model needs – future proofed if you like. By the smile on their faces, there will be a significantly more powerful Evora at some stage. As it has never been Lotus’s style to put bigger and bigger engines into its cars I can’t help thinking they’ll get more power from the 3.5 V6 via some form of forced induction.
I wouldn’t underestimate Lotus’s capabilities when it comes to ECU programming (the current Evora’s systems are bespoke Lotus and transform the character of the engine in the process). And as the relationship with Toyota appears to be a very strong one, I suspect the Japanese will be happy to work with Lotus increasingly closely in future. Hmm, how about the new Esprit with the LF-A’s V10?
Richard - DR
May 18, 2009Thanks Pedro. The IS350′s motor is the one I was referring to as being more potent but currently unavailable for a transverse installation.
I don’t know for sure about the s/c (or indeed turbocharging), but the guys constantly mentioned the fact that the brakes have far greater stopping capacity than the current model needs – future proofed if you like. By the smile on their faces, there will be a significantly more powerful Evora at some stage. As it has never been Lotus’s style to put bigger and bigger engines into its cars I can’t help thinking they’ll get more power from the 3.5 V6 via some form of forced induction.
I wouldn’t underestimate Lotus’s capabilities when it comes to ECU programming (the current Evora’s systems are bespoke Lotus and transform the character of the engine in the process). And as the relationship with Toyota appears to be a very strong one, I suspect the Japanese will be happy to work with Lotus increasingly closely in future. Hmm, how about the new Esprit with the LF-A’s V10?
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
May 18, 2009That would be a hell of a machine!!
Lotus looks like their taking one step at the time and it seems to be right and balanced like that! The Elise was(is!!!!) a milestone within Lotus, and it evolved beautifuly. It seems to me that as a result of all that know-how, Lotus was able to create another great machine, the Evora. Matt Becker made a reference on that subject, I think, specially about the chassis and you were there Richard! It feels a more mature car, a real leap forward is what you make me think of it.
Lotus doesn’t seem to be the king of company that make things because its brand simply turn things into gold… It’s the other way round: They actually make gold, because they do it right and with the right timing!
Maybe in 6-10 years time we’ll se a much more mental Lotus… Something aimed to 911 GT2?
Pedro Sousa aka Ginga
May 18, 2009That would be a hell of a machine!!
Lotus looks like their taking one step at the time and it seems to be right and balanced like that! The Elise was(is!!!!) a milestone within Lotus, and it evolved beautifuly. It seems to me that as a result of all that know-how, Lotus was able to create another great machine, the Evora. Matt Becker made a reference on that subject, I think, specially about the chassis and you were there Richard! It feels a more mature car, a real leap forward is what you make me think of it.
Lotus doesn’t seem to be the king of company that make things because its brand simply turn things into gold… It’s the other way round: They actually make gold, because they do it right and with the right timing!
Maybe in 6-10 years time we’ll se a much more mental Lotus… Something aimed to 911 GT2?
Guy
May 18, 2009I only ask of a larger engine because I feel that for the most part people will consider a cayman S a superior car solely on the basis of output (just like how the carrera is to the cayman), and I really just don’t want to read those articles.
Guy
May 18, 2009I only ask of a larger engine because I feel that for the most part people will consider a cayman S a superior car solely on the basis of output (just like how the carrera is to the cayman), and I really just don’t want to read those articles.