01 Mar 06
The Lotus Europa S GT coupe looks more like the current Elise and Exige than expected, albeit a little longer and roomier inside. Lotus refers to 'business class' comfort, with a larger boot and easier cabin access, thanks to lower door sills and higher door glass.
The Europa S is built around a similar structure, however, with an extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, a galvanised steel subframe to support the engine and composite body panels, the latter sourced from Malaysia (Lotus is owned, these days, by Malaysian firm Proton).
It'll come fitted with carpets plus full leather upholstery (black or black/tan), twin front airbags, electric windows, central locking, satellite navigation and orthopaedically correct ProBax seats. Its basic premise is that it's 95% as much an all-out sportster as the Elise and Exige, but offers a bit more real-world practicality and comfort.
Most importantly, though, it has a different engine: the GM-sourced 2.0-litre Ecotec unit, turbocharged for 200bhp. This develops 90% of its maximum torque at just 2,000rpm and, since the Europa S weighs just 995kg (carpets and all), it's pretty quick: 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds, and a top speed of 140mph. Six-speed manual transmission with an open differential is standard.
The Europa S sits on 17" alloy wheels, with bespoke Bridgestone Potenza tyres: 175/35 R17s up front and super-wide 225/45 R17s to the rear. Braking is via a Lotus/AP Racing twin-piston set-up at the front and Brembo single-piston callipers at the back: ABS is fitted.
Lotus intends to build around 500 units of the Europa S a year, with production starting in July and deliveries from September. The car will be hand-built at the Lotus HQ at Hethel, Norfolk; Lotus says that each one will take around three and a half days, or 130 man-hours, to make. Prices haven't been firmed up yet, but are expected to be around £33,000; Lotus says that as it's so well-equipped in standard form, the only options to choose from will be paint colours and trim finishes.
