It might be called a racer, but unlike the Exige S, which former chief engineer Matt Becker so memorably described as “not for the faint-hearted”, the Evora S Sports Racer (the “S” standing for “supercharged”) is not as raw or hard-core as its sibling that famously outran an Apache gunship around the Top Gear track.
In fact, it doesn’t differ greatly from a regular Evora, which is positioned as Lotus’s more accessible model, and most of the changes are purely aesthetic. There’s a spoiler, black accents and a Union Jack badge on the side as homage to its heritage, and some minor interior optimising you will see – should you manage to get in, that is. Thanks to the high door sills, clambering in and out of this car is more comical than graceful, though once you’ve manoeuvred inside and are settled into the low bucket seats, there’s a surprising amount of room in the cockpit.
The interiors – our test car’s upholstery featured the premium pack leather in the naughty (and oh-so dangerously named) shade of venom red – are comfortable enough. The glovebox, which opens with the touch of one of 12 Dynamic Performance Management buttons, is where you’ll find the USB.
The Lotus Evora S Sports Racer in the wild
The touchscreen Alpine system connected to bluetooth with enough ease, though there’s nothing overtly high-tech of note. The seats aren’t even electric. In fact, if you’re searching for the bells, whistles and detailing you might find in an Audi or Porsche, well, you might feel some disappointment. Some aspects seem, dare we say, something of a let down.
If talking practicality, the brochure from the dealership depicts a photo of a set of golf clubs in the boot, but this is an optimistic idea. More realistically, you could squeeze in a couple of tennis racquets. As for your passenger proportions? Let’s just say your fuller-figured friends will want to ride shotgun if you’re in a 2+2, because the backseat (is it really a backseat, Lotus?) is hilariously dismal. Strictly a toddlers and hobbits zone.
If it’s a practical car you seek, you could adjust those rose-tinted glasses and play pretend, but fitting a baby seat and groceries into the boot aren’t primary concerns for your average Lotus driver. One of the leading manufacturer of sports cars, Lotus makes performance-focused cars for hard-core enthusiasts. With supercharged engines, they are drivers’ cars for the Lotus faithful who are buying into the manufacturer’s 65-year racing heritage. And, should you be willing to overlook the interior shortcomings, you won’t be disappointed.
The plush interior is a combination of style, grace, and precision
With a six-speed Intelligent Precision Shift (IPS) automatic gearbox, the car leaps to 100 kph in a nimble 4.7 seconds, and when nearing top speeds (it can muster up to 269 kph) it handles remarkably well. Punching the Sport button sharpens the throttle, while flipping the paddle shifts behind the steering wheel grants you more control.
Weighing in at a remarkably lightweight 1,442 kg, the automatic model is six kilos heavier than the manual, but it carries the extra weight with poise. With its race-bred genes, steering is where Lotus comes into full bloom. It’s communicative, accurate and though it has the tendency to follow imperfections in the road, cornering is a delight, the surgically precise steering gliding the car around corners dutifully and with stability, gripping beautifully with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres.
Steering wheel details on the Lotus
The firm suspension handles any random bumpy surfaces with panache, making it a surprisingly comfortable ride for both driver and passenger. But – and this is a big but for anyone remotely anxious – if you need to see what’s going on around you, driving can be a nerve-wracking experience on a busy road among large SUVs.
Rearward visibility is virtually non-existent; the tiny hobbit-hole of a rear window is useless, so it’s just as well the rear-view camera is included as standard. But once you’ve escaped the urban streets and are howling along the open road, the car feels lithe and alive – and you will too.
Despite concessions on the interiors, the ride and handling of this pint-sized rocket makes it a purchase you’re unlikely to regret. You might shell out a few thousand more for the pleasure, but there’s no denying this is a desirable car with plenty of thrills.
Ready to race. Photography by Haitham El Shazly
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