New Launch From Lotus

Lotus has released full information and photos of its latest sports car, the Evora. Previously known only by its "Eagle” code name, the car was revealed at the British auto show.

The Evora will be positioned above the Elise and Exige S models and, like the not-for-the-U.S. Europa, aims to provide increased day-to-day usability, which means it should be no harder to get in and out of than a Corvette, with a low, flat door sill. Think Porsche Cayman as opposed to all-out track toy: the Evora will carry more creature comforts and be larger (although that’s a relative term) than the Elise and Exige in an attempt to help attract new customers to the Lotus brand.

The basic structure is similar to every other modern Lotus: mid-engine, lightweight—the Evora prototype weighs 2976 pounds—and smaller than most everything else on the road. Like the Europa, the Evora has a sloped rear window and a fixed roof, although a convertible will arrive at a later date, and Lotus hints at further variants.

The Evora will be offered either as a true two-seater or with a 2+2 seating arrangement, but Lotus warns the rear seats are only suitable for children, and we suspect only those with very short legs.

Power will come from a Toyota 3.5-liter V-6 with variable valve timing, tuned to produce 276 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque, and Lotus says the car clears the 0-to-60-mph sprint in less than five seconds and tops out around 160 mph.

The Evora employs typical Lotus aerodynamic tricks to keep the car planted at high speeds, including a rear diffuser and spoiler. Lotus engineers claim the Evora is quicker around the famed Nürburgring circuit than the Elise. It is not designed to offer a go-kart-like ride, but rather to appeal to a wider demographic. That said, the Evora rides on Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs, so performance should still be superb.

Inside there are way more toys than in the Exige and Elise: air conditioning, leather seating, a tire-pressure monitoring system, a backup camera, cool blue LED lighting, and a remote garage-door opener.

There’s also a slick Alpine audio and navigation system with satellite radio, iPod, and Bluetooth connectivity, and a clever audio equalizer. We recently installed a similar system in our long-term Subaru WRX STI, and it sounds great.

As a further concession to practicality, the Evora even has a rear-mounted trunk that’s supposed to fit a set of golf clubs. Because it’s mounted behind the engine, the trunk is cooled to stop engine heat from melting cargo—but we wouldn’t go so far as to put ice cream back there. Lotus rounds out the features list with anti-lock brakes and traction and stability control.

Lotus says it will be another six months before the Evora is available for test drives. The Evora will go on sale in spring 2009, starting in Europe, with only 2000 to be built per year unless demand warrants adding a second shift at the Hethel, England, plant. We’re waiting to hear back from Lotus on how many are headed to the U.S. We expect them later in 2009 as 2010 models.

The car is the first of three new models Lotus promises as part of a five-model business plan to grow the niche brand. It is the first all-new addition to the lineup since 1995.

Source:carandtrader

Satria Neo R3 Lotus:RM115 K Maybe 25 O.T.R

Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition with Tuned 1.6 Campro CPS engine by Race Rally Research (R3) – Proton’s tuning division uncovered. With upgrades about RM60,000 of equipments and tuning from a standard Proton Satria Neo CPS, this mean machine receive a 145 bhp and 168 Nm of torque from a 1.6 engine. Judging by this figure, it is impressive.

However Proton only able to claims 9.2 second on this Proton Satria Neo CPS R3 Lotus Racing Edition. Another highlight of this car would be – it costs RM115,000. Many would think this it’s too much to pay for a Satria Neo. Let me walk you through the upgrades that has been done. The Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition looks some what fimilar from the Satria Neo R3, but Proton claims that claims it’s front back bumper are make with Race Proven FRP material and improved Aerodynamics.

The Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition is inspire by Lotus. Therefore, there’s only one colour available – which is Lotus’ Green. The car here, it’s also style with some sporty elements such as yellow racing stripes and carbon fiber materials all over the car. From the outlook, the most signification difference would the be widen fenders with air vents and a Lotus badge on it.

The heart of the Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing Edition is using the 1.6 Campro CPS which can be found on the conventional Satria Neo CPS. The displacement remained as 1597cc with maximum output of 145bhp @ 7,000rpm and torque of 168Nm @ 5,000rpm. This limited edition only comes with Manual Transmission.

Mainly, the power train enhancements for the Lotus Racing Edition have added R3 Engine Management System, R3 Camshaft with Adjustable Alloy Cam, R3 Alloy under drive pulleys, R3 Titanium Manifold Extractor, R3 Tuned Exhaust System and R3 Carbon Fibre Air Intake with K&N Filter inside.

After a short chat with the R3 representative, he mentioned that the gearbox final gear ratio has been replaced with closer ratio gear for better acceleration which not listed on the brochure and the rest of the components besides the enhancements are similar to conventional Satria Neo CPS. Therefore, there will not be any problem getting an experienced mechanic to service and maintaining the car. Photo below shows R3 Aluminum Gear Knob.

The performance result was average at its class with no surprises of maximum speed of 200km/h and 0-100 km/h in 9.2secs. In fact, the Proton Satria GTi R3 that was introduced in late 2004 with 1.8L 4G93P perform even better with 0-100 km/h in 8.2secs and 140whp @ 6100rpm.

A set of Ohlins DFV (Dual Flow Valve) fully adjustable coil-over suspension with R3-tuned spring and damper rates are fitted to the car. The car benefits with lower ride height, stiffened rubber suspension bushes and revised suspension geometry. This allows the driver to have a better handling, more responsive steering feedback and better cornering precision.

Pop-up the rear boot of the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing, and you will notice there’s a knob on side each for the car. The function it’s that to adjust the level of hardness of the rear suspension when it is needed.

However, I doubt that it requires such a serious braking system but it comes with a massive 4-pot AP Racing calliper and cross ventilated discs for the front brakes. For the rear brakes, it remained as standard 1-pot with solid discs. The Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing is also equipped with ABS and EBD. The rims of the Satria Neo here is a set 16″ OEM from Advanti and claims as R3 Light Weight Alloy rims.

Aside from the performance upgrades, Proton has also done many upgrades on the cosmetic part. For example, a push-start button is installed along with the car but you will also need to insert your key to start the engine. The steering is wrapped with leather and with a yellow centered indicated.

The seat of the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing edition is wrapped with Nappa Leather of course with styling inspired by Lotus and the Lotus Logo on the headrest. However as compared to the earlier version of Satria Neo R3, this unit here doesn’t have bucket seat. The seats are basically wrapped leather seats from the standard seats in any Satria Neo.

The door panel of this special edition Satria Neo it’s also redesign to suit the car’s theme.

The Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing car is fitted with few carbon fibre equipment to reduce weight and styling purposes. The bonnet here as the picture show is made with light-weight carbon fibre material.

Asides, that the door still also fitted with carbon fibre material. We did a check on it whether it is carbon fibre or sticker, and yes it is real carbon fibre attach on the surface of the door frame.

All this while, the carbon fibre parts on the R3 are prone to theft. Many R3 owners resorted to removing these lightweight parts and replacing them with standard parts, refitting them only during track day or events.

Our sources say that 15 units are already booked for and remain 10 units up for sale as of 30 March 2010. One of the owner of this beautiful masterpiece belongs to the Proton Advisor, Tun Mahathir which he owned a collection of R3 in his garage.

Source:Fastmotoring

Lotus ;Great Power And Great Price

The latest money saving advice comes from British sportscar maker Lotus, and is very simple – buy a Lotus and save money!

In the current financial climate the emphasis is on being smart with our money. A new breed of ‘Frugalists’ are turning to European price busting grocers Lidl and Aldi for their weekly shop in order to afford the annual pilgrimage to `the slopes’, and cash-smart homeowners are splashing out on expensive insulation or installing wood-burning stoves in order to make savings on their domestic energy costs. In every household across the country the message is evolving from a frantic ‘SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!’ to a more strategic ‘invest in cost efficient solutions’.

The Frugalist’s tip is, be smart with your money and preserve your lifestyle by spending more cleverly. With a cold winter ahead and a declining economic situation it’s easy to lose focus on the “living” part of life - imagine then, what a great revelation it is to learn that you could save money by driving a Lotus!

There’s no doubt about it, a Lotus is a prudent purchase in the sportscar market, but sometimes performance cars are subject to the criticism of society and have even been described as antisocial. However, it may help your conscience to learn that a Lotus is considered by most critics as a green choice. The efficient design of the Elise SC for example offers stunning looks and supercar performance, yet produces just 202 g/km of CO2, allowing the Lotus to remain in the standard £8.00 Congestion Charge bracket. Savings are not just limited to the confines of London though, with impressive fuel efficiency paying dividends in town and country, by focusing on light-weight technology Lotus has been able to use smaller, more efficient engines, whilst still achieving the sensational performance that Lotus customers expect.

Looking at the bigger picture of servicing and parts costs, Lotus uses tuned Toyota engines in its Elise range giving great reliability and avoiding costly repair bills that are associated with some exotic cars. Not surprisingly, economical running costs are one of the contributing factors to the continued demand for Lotus vehicles on the second-hand market. Figures from autotrader.co.uk for the entry-level Elise, the Elise S indicate that the model is retaining a fantastic 82% of its value after 12 months making it a better value proposition than its rivals the Honda S2000 GT and the Subaru Impreza WRX STi.