The rear-wheel drive Lotus Evora has a mid-mounted aluminum 3.5-liter V6 engine with dual overhead cams that churns out 276 bhp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota-sourced engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, with an optional close-ratio gearbox on the way. Published numbers for the Evora give it a top speed of 162 mph, a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 12.5 seconds.

Four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS provide stopping power. Suspension is fully independent, with anti-roll bars front and rear. The composite body and bonded aluminum frame ride on top of 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear, with standard cast-alloy rims. Silver or Gloss Anthracite forged alloy wheels and Stealth Grey cast alloy wheels are available as options.

In addition to ABS, hydraulic brake assist, electronic brake distribution and electronic differential lock are all standard. Two-stage front passenger airbags are standard, as is a child seat fastening system in the rear. (By most accounts, children are the best fit for the Evora's rear seats.)

Those seats come in the form of adjustable Recaro Black leather. The steering wheel is an adjustable, flat-bottomed leather and magnesium one. Air conditioning, power windows, remote unlocking, two 12-volt sockets and the Lotus command center are standard, as well. Two standard exterior paint colors are available, Ardent Red and British Racing Green. Optional colors include Liquid Blue, Starlight Black, Isotope Green and Ice White.

The Evora comes with an Alpine CD/MP3/WMA stereo system with an iPod dock and auxiliary input. The Tech pack upgrades the system to an Alpine Mobile Media Station capable of playing DVDs, MP3, AAC, WMA, and DivX-encoded video on a 7-inch touch-screen display. Alpine BlackBird portable navigation and Bluetooth connections come with the package, which also adds cruise control, rear parking sensors, and tire pressure monitoring. The Tech pack itself can be upgraded to optimize sound reproduction in the cabin.

Adding the Premium pack to the Evora gives you a choice of seat leather colors -- charcoal, oyster, paprika or chestnut. It adds lots of extra interior leather touches, like on the door pockets, and an Evora logo on the dash.

The Sport pack gives drivers and enhanced throttle response and RPM limit, plus sports traction control mode with greater yaw and slip thresholds for even sportier handling. It also adds an engine oil cooler and cross-drilled brake discs.

The first 450 Lotus Evoras to roll off the line were a special Launch Edition loaded with the Tech pack, Premium pack, and Sport pack, with a reversing camera and hi-power silver cast-alloy wheels. In total, Lotus expects to produce about 2000 Evoras per year. The Lotus Evora is all-new for 2010, and much anticipated by sports car aficionados. It is larger than its Lotus stablemates, thanks to the addition of two small rear seats -- something you won't find in an Exige or Elise. Larger is a relative term when talking about Lotus, though, as the car still only weighs about 3000 pounds and stands about 48 inches tall. With a Toyota-sourced aluminum V6 under the hood, the Evora can turn in 0-60 mph times in under 5 seconds. Lotus has long made powerful, lightweight sports cars that are as fun to drive as they are affordable. With a price tag around $75,000, the Evora could be a zippy little daily driver, with the capability to hold its own on the occasional track day. The EPA has yet to issue official fuel economy numbers for the car, but Lotus estimates a combined 30 mpg, which is in line with the ratings for its other cars. The Evora has been more rigorously tested than any other Lotus before it, and comes with a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty. Excellent handling and performance; sports car with 2+2 seating; distinctive styling and exclusivity