Lotus Engineering currently has “a few” enquiries from companies wanting to use the Evora platform as the basis for models of their own, according to European operations boss Mark James.
But some of the interested parties may go with the Elise chassis instead. James says that Lotus does not chase third-party deals such as this, but that it’s “always happy to talk”.
Read Autocar’s full road test of the Lotus Evora
The Evora's wheelbase is just 275mm longer than that of the Elise, but into that space goes an extra 75mm of driver’s seat travel, a V6 engine instead of an in-line four and enough rear legroom for a passenger up to 5ft-tall. The overall length is 4342mm and the boot can house a full set of golf clubs. The Evora can be had in both 2+0 and 2+2 configurations.
The Evora chassis uses Elise principles; it’s a self-supporting, bonded and riveted structure that combines folded sheet aluminium and extrusions.
Read about the Evora winning Autocar’s annual Britain’s Best Driver’s Car contest in 2009
This time, however, it is made in three pieces. A rear structure houses the V6 engine and a compact double wishbone rear suspension. A bolt-on front structure carries the double wishbone front suspension and provides a crash structure, which has proved a huge success in crash testing. The Evora suspension is an ultra-modern assembly of forged aluminium wishbones, coil-over shock absorbers and specially designed uprights.
The company will unveil its new latest Evora variant, the Evora Cup GT4 racing car, at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the US this Sunday.
Read about the new Lotus Evora GT4 cup racing car
The Evora Cup GT4 has been built to compete in the GT4 European Cup racing series, racing alongside cars such as the Aston Martin N24 and the Maserati Trofeo. It will also have its own one-make race series.
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Re: Firms keen on Lotus Evora chassis
Re: Firms keen on Lotus Evora chassis
More old Lotus PR flannel, slavishly and dutifully reported by the Autocar boys !!!!!
Re: Firms keen on Lotus Evora chassis
How does the Evora fit into the new Lotus 'masterplan'? surely if it was £10-15K cheaper, it would sell loads- same as the Elise, if there was a basic model for under £20k it would sell bucketloads