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Lotus accidentally confirms Evora automatic and S variants for Paris through email snafu

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Lotus

2010 Lotus Evora – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus seems to have quite a hit on its hands in the form of the Evora. We were quite taken with it ourselves when given the chance to put the car through its paces in Southern California, and we’ve yet to hear a nasty word uttered in its general direction. But that doesn’t mean Lotus can’t find a way to improve the breed yet further.

Apparently, a couple of those improvements are headed to the Paris Motor Show later this year. Buried within the automaker’s stand will be both a hotted-up S version of the Evora and one bestowed with an automatic transmission. How do we know? Well, an errant email recently went out to everyone on Lotus’ media list (ourselves included) that promised the two machines along with the other “new car(s) not yet announced.”

As if the thought of a Lotus Evora S (forced induction?) and an automatic for the clutch averse among you wasn’t enough, it seems the British specialists have plenty more up their well-tailored sleeves. There’s been plenty of postulation regarding what else we may see – most notably the rumored return of the Esprit – but we’re content to just take a wait-and-see attitude on this one. Paris just can’t come soon enough.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lotus Evora

Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Lotus via iCars Singapore]

Lotus accidentally confirms Evora automatic and S variants for Paris through email snafu originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2010: Lotus Evora Cup GT4 has us shaken and stirred

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Lotus, Racing

2010 Lotus Evora Cup GT4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

While the Lotus booth at the Jet Center Party in Monterey had several outstanding cars on display, two of them had us drooling more than the rest. The first was the all-new, million-dollar Lotus Exos T125 single-seat racer and the other was the car you see here – the Lotus Evora Cup GT4 car. The Evora’s shape is pleasing enough in stock form, but add a few wings and scoops and it is totally bad-ass…especially in British Racing Green.

This Evora will be used in a new single-make series along the lines of the long-running Porsche Cup. The car is also eligible for GT4 class racing against the likes of the Audi R8 LMS and Porsche 911s. While the 4.0-liter, Toyota-based V6 has been bumped up to 400 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, that’s still not earth-shaking power. It’s hoped that the Evora’s relatively light weight and Lotus’s handling expertise, however, will be enough to keep it in the hunt against those more powerful machines.

Lotus hinted it will be lapping Laguna Seca in this puppy later in the week, and we’ve already penciled it in. If that happens we’ll be sure to bring you more pics, but for now, check out the gallery of photos from Wednesday night’s Jet Center Party below.

Gallery: Monterey 2010: Lotus Evora Cup GT4

Monterey 2010: Lotus Evora Cup GT4 has us shaken and stirred originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2010: Lotus Exos Type 125 debuts in front of crowd that can afford it

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus, Racing

2011 Lotus Exos T125 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our first stop during the annual classic and exotic car feast up in Monterey every year is always the Jet Center Party, more formally known as McCall’s Motorworks Revival. This year was no exception and aside from the copious amounts of food and drink available, there were of course some cars to sate our appetites.

One that immediately caught our eye was sitting right in the middle of the centerpiece Lotus display. It was the just-announced Lotus Exos T125 single-seat racer. Even alongside Takuma Sato’s current Indy Racing League Lotus Dallara, the Exos draws a huge crowd.

This customer car will be available to a select few enthusiasts who wish to part with a million dollars or more to experience the thrills of Formula 1 racing for themselves – or at least a reasonable fascimile. The 650-horsepower Cosworth engine is limited to just 10,300 RPM for longevity, but that should be more than enough to keep the 25 projected customers happy.

We’re hoping Lotus takes this Exos out on the track this week so we can see it in action. If that happens we’ll be sure to bring you more pics, but for now, check out the gallery of photos from Wednesday night’s Jet Center Party below.

Gallery: Monterey 2010: Lotus Exos Type 125

Monterey 2010: Lotus Exos Type 125 debuts in front of crowd that can afford it originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus 125 track car to debut at Pebble Beach

Filed under: Performance, Lotus, Racing

Lotus Evora Cup Car

Lotus Evora Cup – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus will be more active than usual during next week’s festivities around the Monterey historic races and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Along with the North American Debuts of the Evora Cup race car (above) and Elise RGB edition, Lotus will give us the world debut of the 125 track car.

The new 125 will be unveiled at the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion at Laguna Seca this weekend and then reappear several times during the week at various events. Lotus hasn’t given any hints of what to expect from the 125 other than it will be the ultimate customer track and racing experience. Stay tuned next week as we’ll share all the details as soon as we have them.

Gallery: Lotus Evora Cup

Gallery: Lotus Elise SC and Exige S RGB Special Edition

[Source: Lotus]

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Lotus 125 track car to debut at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1979 Lotus Esprit Turbo w/Buick Regal GNX power is inky hotness

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Buick, Lotus, Luxury

1979 Lotus Esprit with Buick GNX turbo V6 – Click above for high-res image gallery

What happens when you’re head over heels for the lethal wedge styling and superb handling of the 1979 Lotus Esprit, but find yourself smitten with the all-out grunt of the turbo 3.8-liter V6 in the Buick GNX? If you’re the intrepid creator of the particular car you see above, you mate the two, forging your very own take on the Esprit Turbo. On paper, the mashup seems like a match made in the lofty spires of the Lotus engineering department. Whereas General Motors’ conservatively rated 276-horsepower six pot tended to suffer by being bolted into the heavy GNX platform, the lithe Esprit could have always used a bump in power over its smaller four-cylinder. At least one creative soul has opted for a sexier looking Yamaha SHO swap to solve the Esprit’s power woes, but we’re big fans of this particular recipe.

If your mouth is already watering at the thought of a mid-engine turbo V6 terror, we’re about to sweeten the deal. The car is currently for sale, and looks about as mint as mint can be. The engine bay is clean, the paint spotless and the attention to detail unmatched for a Frankenstein creation of this caliber. Perfection? Thy name just might be GNEsprit. The running bid is a shave over $16,000 at the time of writing with the reserve not met, so get to bidding. You just might take this sucker home. Thanks for the tip, Al!

Gallery: 1979 Lotus Esprit with Buick GNX turbo V6

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: 1979 Lotus Esprit Turbo w/Buick Regal GNX power is inky hotness originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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