Lotus Evora S revealed

The Lotus Evora S gets unveiled ahead of Paris

Lotus has revealed the supercharged Lotus Evora S with 345bhp and 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds, ahead of the Paris Motor Show. Also revealed is the Lotus Evora auto.

Update: We’ve had emails and Tweets suggesting that the Evora S may not use a Supercharger to gain its extra horses. TBH, the press release makes no mention of a S/C and the power increase is less than we’d expected. So we checked with Lotus and we can confirm that the Evora S does have a supercharger. So now you know for sure.

We brought you news last week of the Lotus Evora S (the supercharged Evora) and an auto ‘box for the Evora to help shift more metal in the Land of the Free. Except it was hardly news, other than its specific timing. We’d already told you in January 2009 to expect a supercharged Evora and an auto option.

What was news was the rather feeble stunt Lotus pulled to reveal that the Evora was getting a couple of new variants. They’accidentally’ sent out a contrived email to the world’s motoring media (because of course we’re really gullible) revealing that the Evora S and the auto Evora will launch at the Paris Motor Show plus at least one new car (which, for the record, will be the new new Esprit and/or the Evora convertible).

And despite the Lotus Evora S looking quite appealing the Lotus PR machine is still dropping clangers. Ex Ferrari man Danny Bahar – now Lotus boss – said of the Evora S:

“You don’t realise what you were missing from your driving experience until you get behind the wheel of the Evora S”.

Which should do wonders for relations with existing Evora owners. Not quite a Gerald Ratner moment, but give ’em time based on recent form.

Thankfully, the Lotus Evora S seems rather more competent than the Lotus PR machine, although we’re a little disappointed to see it comes equipped with 345bhp – we were hoping for something closer to 400bhp from the supercharged 3.5 litre Toyota V6.

Still, that’s enough to get the Evora S to 60mph in 4.6 seconds and on up to 172mph. Far from shoddy. The Evora S also gets the Sports Package as standard with a new rear diffuser and big, centre exhaust. The ‘Sport’button tweaks up the throttle response and lets the Evora S shout by activating the exhaust bypass valve. It also raises the rev limit and changes the DSC settings.

There’s full spec details for the Evora S below. Oh, and let’s not forget the Evora Auto. It’s a regular Evora with an auto ‘box. And it gets flappy paddles. And it will move the metal in places that don’t understand you can use your left foot when you drive. Lotus are calling it the Evora IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift). It’s probably a Toyota auto box with some Lotus software to make it a bit quicker.

Both the Evora S and the Evora auto will be at Paris in just over a month.

Lotus Evora S Specifications and Performance

Engine – Mid mounted, transverse 3.5 litre DOHC V6 VVT-I
Emissions see below due to wheel options
Transmission – 6 speed manual
Chassis – Modular lightweight bonded aluminium structure
Steering – Lotus tuned hydraulically-assisted power steering
Suspension – Forged aluminium double wishbone suspension
Bilstein high performance gas dampers
Eibach coaxial coil springs

Performance data Standard wheel option

Fuel consumption – urban 14.5 l/100km

Fuel consumption – extra urban 7.4 l/100km

Fuel consumption – combined 10.0l/100km

CO2 Emissions 235 g/km

Performance data 19/20″ wheel option

Fuel consumption – urban 14.6 I/100km

Fuel consumption – extra urban 7.6 I/100km

Fuel consumption – combined 10.2 I/100km

CO2 Emissions 239 g/km

Max power – 350 PS / 257.5 kW @ 7000 rpm

Max torque – 400 Nm / 295 lb ft @ 4500 rpm