2011 Lotus Evora Overview

The rear-wheel drive Lotus Evora has a mid-mounted aluminum 3.5L V6 engine with dual overhead cams that churns out 276 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota-sourced engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, with an optional close-ratio gearbox also available. 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. A new S version is available for 2011, which bumps horsepower to 345 and torque to 295 lb-ft via a supercharger and active exhaust. The IPS version features a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters, allowing the driver to switch between three modes: manual paddle shift, sport paddle shift and fully automatic.

Four-wheel anti-lock vented disc brakes 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, 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.

2011 Lotus Evora Model Changes

After debuting as an all-new model for 2010, the Lotus Evora returns mostly unchanged for 2011. A new supercharged S version is available, bumping the power of the base model's 3.5L V6 to 345 horsepower, and a new IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) version mates the base-level engine with an all-new paddle-shifted 6-speed automatic transmission. The Evora's rear seat can now also be deleted.

2011 Lotus Evora Value

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 rates the Evora at 17 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The Evora has been more rigorously tested than any other Lotus before it, and comes with a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty.

2011 Lotus Evora Strengths

Excellent handling and performance; sports car with 2+2 seating; distinctive styling and exclusivity