New Europa S

You saw the release here first

The New Lotus Europa S - 'Business Class by Lotus'

Overview

The new Lotus Europa S, a Grand Tourer (GT) inspired two-seater, will provide Lotus

customers a spectacular sportscar with significantly enhanced levels of touring and cruising

capability, as well as higher levels of practicality and refinement to complement the simplicity

of the Lotus Elise and Exige models.

The Europa S follows the core Lotus philosophy of performance through light weight, enabling

this refined and high-performing GT car to weigh a mere 995 kg, making it class- leading in

this respect. This low weight has been obtained through the clever use of advanced and hightech

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. Combined with a full leather interior, Satellite Navigation, driver and passenger airbags

and carpets all as standard, Lotus has created a "Business Class" driving experience which

remains true to the Company's design philosophy.

The new mid-engine 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

class-leading 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

competitive power to weight ratio of 201 hp / tonne (204 PS / tonne or 6.68 kg/kW).

The introduction of a GT-inspired 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."

Trevor Houghton-Berry, Head of Commercial Operations for Lotus Cars explains further the

positioning of the Lotus Europa S: "No longer will the outrageous fun and exhilaration of

driving a true Lotus require Lotus customers to make such significant compromises when it

comes to the practicality of living with their 'pride and joy' on a daily basis. The purity and

simplicity of the Lotus Elise and Exige ranges is now perfectly complemented with the arrival

of the new Europa S - a car which stays true to the Lotus philosophy of 'Performance through

light weight', but recognises that for some, the Elise and Exige experience may sometimes

prove just a little too 'extreme'!"

Full production of the Lotus Europa S is scheduled to commence in July 2006 at the awardwinning

and world-class Lotus manufacturing facility at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel,

Norfolk, UK.

The Lotus Europa in more detail

The project and testing programme

The Lotus Europa S went from concept to production in just 28 months. This rapid

development was down to the capabilities of the Lotus Engineering and Lotus Manufacturing

divisions.

Extensive testing was conducted around the world in hot and cold climates, high humidity, city

and urban environments as well as on the freeways and autobahns around Europe. Also used

was the demanding 4 km (2.25 mile) Lotus test track and the roads around the Hethel

headquarters – regarded by many as some of the world's most demanding with an almost

unique variety of surfaces and conditions.

However, engineering a vehicle is only one of the challenges to developing a successful

product. The Europa S was developed for manufacture by the team responsible for what is

regarded by many as the finest niche vehicle and low volume manufacturing facility in the

world. This manufacturing facility, based at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, England

currently produces 4000 to 4500 cars per year (with the Elise and the Exige). The Europa S

will reach maximum volume rate in late Summer 2006 after a steady volume ramp up starting

in late Spring 2006. Volumes are expected to be in the order of 500 cars per year but this

figure is flexible and volumes can be rapidly altered to meet demand when required.

Lotus Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Lotus uses a worldwide network of high quality suppliers who not only have excellent products,

but are also willing to work with Lotus to produce components specifically designed and

developed to meet the exacting requirements of a Lotus vehicle. With the Europa S

programme, special attention has been paid to broadening this supplier network in South East

Asia, resulting in the body panels for example, being produced in Malaysia through a new

partnership between Lotus and a leading local aerospace manufacturer.

Such activity has been strongly supported by Proton, the parent company to Lotus, who

continue to provide assistance in this region.

Lotus remains committed to using environmentally friendly high solids water based paints, and

each car is carefully inspected to ensure an "A1" class finish.

Each car goes through a number of quality checking stages before being delivered to the

customer – these quality standards are world class - Lotus was the first vehicle manufacturer

and engineering consultancy in the world to be awarded the prestigious QS9000 which is

linked to ISO9001/2000.

It is this attention to detail that lead to Lotus to be awarded the prestigious 'World Class

Manufacturer of the Year' award in 2005.

Each Europa S will take about 3 ½ days and 130 man-hours to build.

Tony Shute, Head of Product for Lotus Cars explains the concept behind the new product:

"The Europa S has allowed Lotus to exploit its extensive capabilities in developing a

sophisticated GT-inspired 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."

Chassis

The market and customer requirements for a GT-inspired car are quite different to the current

range of Lotus cars, the Elise and the Exige. Therefore the challenge for the Lotus engineers

was to design a car that could be constructed around the extruded and bonded Aluminium

chassis - similar to that used in the Elise and Exige – but which also incorporates significantly

enhanced levels of practicality, refinement for the occupants and increased touring and

cruising capability.

The chassis for the Lotus Europa S weighs just 68 kg while maintaining high levels of stiffness

and strength. To make access to the cockpit easier for driver and passenger, the sills, when

compared to the Elise and Exige have been lowered by 40 mm (1.6 inches) and reinforced to

maintain chassis stiffness. Again, when compared to the Elise and the Exige, the door glass is

50 mm (2 inches) higher giving a total door opening access for the driver and passenger of an

additional 90 mm (3 ½ inches).

The engine is mounted to a lightweight and strong, galvanised steel subframe. The lightweight

steel wishbones are also mounted to this steel assembly.

The Lotus vehicle dynamics team were set a tough challenge to produce a ride and handling

package for the Lotus Europa S that combines compliance and comfort with the legendary

Lotus agility, responsiveness and handling.

Steve Swift, Head of Vehicle Engineering explains the relationship between ride and handling

for the Lotus Europa S: ""The Europa is a true GT concept and the ideal companion for a long

journey home."

Elegant and lightweight 17" diameter wheels front and rear are shod with bespoke Bridgestone

Potenza tyres (175/55 R17 on the front and 225/45 R17 on the rear).

Brakes

The light weight of the Lotus Europa S contributes to the high performance braking capability

through Lotus/AP-Racing twin-piston fixed aluminium alloy brake calipers at the front and

Brembo single-piston sliding calipers at the rear. The 282 mm diameter ventilated discs are

linked to a servo-assisted, 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

Interior

First and foremost, the Europa S is a car that is the Lotus take on the GT concept. As a high

performing sportscar it needs the driving tools to help it be a leader in its class. The driving

position is the same as in the Elise and Exige, a small ergonomically shaped steering wheel is

located to hand and the lightweight steel and extruded aluminium pedals are positioned to

make heel and toe changes easy. ProBax seats help to significantly improve the postural

position of the driver and passenger by maintaining the natural curvature of the spine, so

improving comfort and improving the body's blood flow.

The interior of the Europa S is a luxurious environment for a Lotus. A leather interior (black or

black with tan) comes as standard. This leather interior extends not just to the seats, and

steering wheel but also the centre console and door inserts (perforated leather). Carpet lines

the floor area and part of the chassis' sides – in fact the only area where carpet or leather is

untrimmed is on the footplate just forward of the seats.

Other standard interior equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, air conditioning, a

Satellite Navigation system with CD/MP3 player with the speakers mounted in the rear bulk

head and on the top facia panel, central door locking and electric windows.

Furthermore, as the Europa S is so highly equipped there are no additional cost options, other

than premium paint or custom colours.

Safety systems

The key aspect to enjoyable driving is safety. The chassis is very strong and stiff, creating a

safety cell around which are clad lightweight energy absorbing composite crash structures and

body panels. The front crash structure is made from an advance lightweight composite

material which is 3-4 times more energy absorbing than the equivalent structure in steel.

Coupled with the driver's and passenger's airbags, the Europa S has tried and tested active

and passive safety systems.

The light weight of the Europa S is significant in reducing occupant injury. By being so light,

there is less energy to dissipate in the event of a crash, when compared to a much heavier

sportscar.

But of course the best way to remain unhurt in an accident is to avoid the accident in the first

place. Like all Lotus cars, the Europa S has high levels of grip, predictable, responsive

handling, incredible ABS-assisted braking performance and almost peerless feedback to the

driver about how the car is behaving in a variety of driving conditions.

Styling

Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus led the design team in producing an elegant, beautiful

and sophisticated GT-inspired car.

It was important that the essence of current and classic Lotus products be captured in the

design of the Europa S.

Describing the Europa S, Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus says: "The form of a design

should reflect the spirit of the car, and the Europa S is no different. Where the rebellious trackfocused

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."

Carr continues: "The Europa from the late 1960s and early 1970s was a great design in its

own right - elegant, purposeful and effective. However, we did not set out to bring the classic

Europa design up to date, but instead started with a clean sheet to produce a characterful car

worthy of being called a Lotus."

Engine and powertrain

The new mid-engine coupe will deliver high levels of performance from a high torque (263 Nm

or 194 lbft at 4200 rpm) Ecotec Z20LER 2.0-litre (1998 cc) turbocharged engine producing 149

kW (200 hp or 203 PS) at 5400rpm. A bespoke engine management system completes the

engine unit.

The Lotus Europa S achieves around 90% of its maximum torque at only 2000 rpm to give

class-leading 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 230 km/h (143 mph). Being a Lotus, the Europa S has a competitive power

to weight ratio of 201 hp / tonne (204 PS / tonne, 6.68 kg/kW)

An aluminium 6-Speed gearbox joins the engine to an open differential.

Heritage

The first Lotus Europa was first introduced in 1966 and by the time it finished production in

1975, a total of 9887 examples had been built. These Europas used a Renault engine in the

early versions and the later models (the Europa Special) used the Lotus Twin Cam engine

producing up to 126 hp. The Lotus Europa was regarded as one of the finest handling

sportscars of its time and was Lotus' first mid-engine road car.

Market position

The Lotus Europa S is a key vehicle in the Lotus product portfolio. Enthusiastic and keen

drivers for whom performance and track day competitiveness are the most important criteria

are likely to venture down the Exige route, where as those drivers who are willing to sacrifice

the extra 5% of track day performance for a more GT type drive, extra space and more luxury

are likely to opt for a Europa.

Pricing and Timing

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 in the region of £33,000 (49,000) depending on individual market taxation.

The Europa S is expected to go on sale in the UK in September with other markets from

November.

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: 230 km/h (143 mph) (actual)

Satellite Navigation note:

Individual market availability is dependant on CD mapping