Lotus Europa S Pics/spec

[Mark H]

The new Lotus Europa S - 'Business class by Lotus'

 

Lotus Europa S 2006

 

The new Lotus Europa S, a Grand Tourer (GT) inspired two-seater will provide Lotus customers with a spectacular sportscar with significantly enhanced levels of touring and cruising capability. It will provide drivers with higher levels of practicality and refinement to complement the simplicity of the Lotus Elise and Exige models.

 

The Lotus Europa S follows the core Lotus philosophy of performance through light weight enabling this refined and very high performing GT car to weigh just 995 kg. This low weight has been obtained through the clever use of advanced and high tech materials including an extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, composite body panels and a very advanced composite energy absorbing front crash structure.

 

When compared to the award winning Lotus Elise, the Europa S has a larger boot / luggage compartment and easier cabin access, resulting from lower chassis sides and a higher roof line. Coupled with luxuries such as full leather interior, driver and passenger airbags and carpets all as standard, Lotus has created a "Business Class" driving experience.

 

However, the Europa S is not a derivative of the Elise or the Exige and has been allocated a separate Lotus type number of Type 121 - the Elise and Exige are both Type 111.

 

The new mid-engined coupe will deliver high levels of performance from a high torque (263 Nm or 194 lbft at 4200 rpm) 2.0-litre turbo engine producing 149 kW (200 hp or 203 PS) at 5400rpm. The Lotus Europa S achieves around 90% of its maximum torque at only 2000 rpm to give "super car" levels of acceleration from low engine speeds, propelling the car from 0 -96 km/h (60 mph) in around 5.5 seconds, and 160 km/h (100 mph) in around 14 seconds. Maximum speed is approximately 225 km/h (140 mph). Being a Lotus, the Europa S has a phenomenal power to weight ratio of 201 hp / tonne (204 PS / tonne or 6.68 kg / kW).

 

Tony Shute, Head of Product for at Lotus Cars explains the concept behind the new product: "The Lotus Europa S has allowed Lotus to exploit its extensive capabilities in developing a sophisticated GT car which successfully complements the range of existing cars. The 'Grand Tourer' concept underpinning the Europa S provides the driver with a refined environment, incorporating innovative styling features which do not compromise the superior performance and handling that is synonymous with the Lotus marque."

 

Describing the Lotus Europa S, Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus says: "The form of a design should reflect the spirit of the car, and the Lotus Europa S is no different. Where the rebellious track-focused personality of the Exige is characterised by shrink-wrapped athletic forms communicating agility and power, the Europa S has a more fluid, understated language reflecting its more sophisticated persona."

 

The introduction of a GT car, represents both an important and unique addition to the Lotus product range, as Clive Dopson, Managing Director of Lotus Cars, explains: "The launch of the Europa S re-affirms our position as an innovative player in the highly competitive sportscar marketplace. It allows Lotus to extend its product appeal beyond our traditional customer base, and provides yet another demonstration of the key Lotus brand attributes and high levels of quality for which we are particularly proud."

 

Production of the Lotus Europa S is scheduled to commence in July 2006 at the award winning and world leading Lotus manufacturing facility at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, UK. The Europa S will be sold in all markets where the Lotus brand is present, except for the USA and Canada.

 

Final pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to the on-sale date, but the price is expected to be the region of £33000 (49000 Euros) depending on individual market taxation.

 

Predicted Performance figures:

 

    * Target acceleration 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph): 5.5 seconds (approximately)

    * 0 to 160 km/h (100 mph): 14.0 seconds (approximately)

    * Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140mph) (approximately)

 

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[AnthT]

O joy

is that what we have been waiting for? another elise variant

do you think lotus will EVER move away from the elise platform?

 

its a big thumbs down from me I'm afraid

[ferk]

O joy

is that what we have been waiting for? another elise variant

do you think lotus will EVER move away from the elise platform?

 

its a big thumbs down from me I'm afraid

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

What a shame,this car could have been fantastic, BUT..... its notWhen price and perfomance wise its up againt faster, and much prettier cars... Shame on u lotus

[Fiona]

Am I imagining this, or was it at one time a 2+2?

 

Looks suspiciously like federal Elise seats (and the rest of the interior, tbh), mirrors, sills, VX220 doors and maybe spots?

 

Why? Gimme an Exige instead.

[Fiona]

Oh and the back is like one of those fulgy Crossfires.

 

Maybe a new chassis design would be nice at some point....

[Stevef]

Oh and the back is like one of those fulgy Crossfires.

 

Maybe a new chassis design would be nice at some point....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Yep crossfire from the back sort of MX5 from the front,missing two back seats and about a hundred or so horses (at least). Was thinking of one of these as a poss replacement for the Exige in 12 or so months but not now. Why buy a car like this to get blown away by a civic typ R. Thought it would cover the bases for the V8 Esprit but it's nowhere near!.

 

Steve

[GreyKnight]

My comments mirrored from SELOC:-

 

I think it looks horrible. Looks very very plastic and cheap, also a bit Japanese

 

Well done Lotus - alienate your entire customer base in one fell swoop with a car designed (if you can even use the word "designed") by someone who would be better off working for SMART.

[Fiona]

Anyone for a petition to bring back the M250?

 

[darren5591]

you got my vote fiona, the europa looks ugly and its a no thanks to lotus

[Paul_C]

not impressed i'm affraid...

 

.. it just doesn't look like a Lotus!!!

 

 

Note to Lotus - take it back and make it pretty!

 

 

 

It *MAY* look better in the plastic though

 

 

EDIT: at least the boot's quite big

[GreyKnight]

EDIT: at least the boot's quite big

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Huh, yeah, now you can take a bag AND a coat, instead of just a bag...

[Steve J]

It might sell in the US because they're not used to the elise yet, but other than that I think Lotus design have made a serious error here. It's an elise even if they say it isn't.

 

If they look at the new Audi R8 design they could have done some much more and the interior needs to completely change as it's exactly the same as an Elise!!

 

Very poor show. I doubt they'll sell very many of them at all.

 

Back to the drawing board Lotus and do an updated version of the Elan +2.

 

[Mr_Belowski]

Bloody hell, how disappointing

 

Looks like a dog's dinner

[Snapper]

I liked it untill I saw the front... I looks like they haven't finished it off and just left a big hole in it.

[LIVY]

OH DEAR, A BIG MISTAKE LOTUS. 5 STEPS FORWARD & THEN 10 STEPS BACK WITH THIS LOTUS BADGED VAUXHALL.