Lotus Eyes Increased Production, Rolls Out New Evora 400
The sports coupe is said to be faster and better handling, with 0-60 mph acceleration that’s a full 6 seconds faster than the previous-generation model.
Group Lotus will hire 150 more workers at its Hethel, U.K., assembly plant as it aims to boost output of cars to 70 per week beginning in September.
The plans for increased production come as the British exotic-car builder unveils its new Evora 400 at the Geneva Auto Show.
The sports coupe is said to be faster and better handling than the previous Evora, with 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration of 4.1 seconds. That’s a full 6 seconds faster than the old model. Top speed is listed at 186 mph (300 km/h).
Power comes from a mid-mounted 3.5L supercharged V-6 that generates 400 hp and 302 lb.-ft. (410 Nm) of torque.
The 400’s lightweight composite body sits on a new aluminum chassis, with the whole package 49 lbs. (22 kg) lighter than the previous-generation Evora.
“The Evora 400 is the fastest road-going Lotus that we have ever produced, possessing performance that can only be matched by cars costing significantly more,” says Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales. “It delivers supercar looks allied to supercar performance.”
Production of the new model begins this summer and the car goes on sale in European markets in August. It will be available in North America beginning in the fall as a ’16 model.
The Evora 400 will be built alongside the Elise and Exige at the Hethel plant.
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