Lotus Europa S

[Matt]

The New Lotus Europa S - ‘Business Class by Lotus’

06 December 2005

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 “supercar” 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)

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

Nice one, Scoop. I reminds me of a cross between an anorexic Gallardo (rear), a streched Elise (profile) and a wide RSX (front).

[Mustang]

the old europa was better in my opinion

[sleekeywoowoo]

It resembles a Noble M14 to me, but I guess its better than the old Europa. IMO. Still could use some work though, and well, more power and performance, afterall,it is a lotus,not a dodge.

[Matt]

Lotus Europa S #2

[Matt]

Lotus Europa S #3

[yalim10]

come on... it is a proton it doesnt look like a lotus... what a shame

[Matt]

It looks liek the Mega Track in profile, I think.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...2&d=1125599317

[coolieman1220]

cayman competitor?

[LotusLocost]

Originally Posted by Mustang

the old europa was better in my opinion

Agreed.....

[ScionDriver]

I kind of like it, I think the looks could be a little better but its a good idea.

[blackcat77]

Nice car, unfortunate name. The names of landmark vehicles should be respected, not exploited.

[Timothy (in VA)]

Originally Posted by Matt

The Europa S will be sold in all markets where the Lotus brand is present, except for the USA and Canada.

GAH! What have we done to offend thee so, Lotus??

It doesn't look like a Lotus. The headlights look like they were ripped right off the Acura RSX (or more accurately, an aftermarket parts supplier for the RSX); four bug-eyed units (like those on the Elise) would be better, IMO. And those weird curved hashes on the rear have almost absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the design. And the doors are way too flat. But I do like the roof profile. And yet, the overall impression is quite bland. It had better go like heck.

Lotus deserves better.

[Cotterik]

I'm gonna wait for it to grow on me, it looks nothing like as aggressive as the elise. But i think certain things might become clear to me once ive seen more photos, video, real life version.. etc.

[chris98891]

it just looks too plain to me, i love the look of both the exige and elise...but this is just too boring to invigorate a person to give the full lotus fun