Good fuel economy; razor sharp handling; racetrack oriented design.

Disadvantages

Limited rear visibility; miniscule back seats; sacrifices to comfort for performance.

Introduction

2011 Lotus Evora is more powerful and larger unlike other vehicles in the company’s lineup and employs pioneering lightweight chassis technology to ensure all-around dynamic performance. It is the only four-seater mid-engine sportscar of the world. Impressive acceleration and super sharp handling are the order of the day, but the catch is that the back seats are basically there for decoration. For 2011, it gains new more powerful S model, optional faux-suede upholstery, automatic transmission and heated front seats. A low-drag, stylish fastback design with a swept-forward cabin, aggressive poise and fluid lines give subtle cues to its sporting attitude, offering an impressive yet unintimidating presence on the road. It is a clever concept: traditionally only a few other manufacturing companies have provided mid-engined 2+2 layouts and aesthetically, the 2011 Evora doesn’t disappoint. Since its earliest days, the company has always been driven by optimal aerodynamics, and sports-racers of Colin Chapman of ‘50s were the most streamlined of their generation. At present, Evora is no exception. Wind tunnel honed aerodynamics ensure that the airstream takes the shortest route over its sleek contours, a perfect combination of form and function.

The Lotus Evora is basically a sportscar developed and designed by British automobile manufacturing company called Lotus. It was designed under the project name Project Eagle and was introduced in 2008 at British International Auto Show. The Evora is based on the 1st all-new vehicle platform from the company, since the launch of Elise in 1995. It is the 1st vehicle of 3 vehicles to be engineered on the same platform; the remaining two were marketed by 2011.

The Lotus Evora is the 1st product of a 5-year plan started in 2006 for expanding the company’s lineup. Beyond its present track specialized offerings with the aim of making Evora a somewhat of a more practical road car, which would appeal to the mainstream. By itself it is a bigger vehicle unlike current models of Lotus, the Elise and its derivatives (Europa S, Exige, etc.), with estimated curb weight of 3,000 pounds. At present, it is the only Lotus model with 2+2 configuration, albeit it has been announced that it will also be available in a 2-seater configuration, referred to as “Plus Zero” option. The Lotus Evora is also the only 2+2 mid engined coupe marketed today.

Lotus is a driving icon, which throughout years of enhancement has remained true to its founding principles; from original Elite to latest Evora. Efficient use of minimum number of components, an involving and tactile spirit and a perfectly balanced chassis are recognizable in every vehicle to carry Lotus badge. In the year 1948, Mr. Colin Chapman designed his first car, following his own theories for enhanced performance. He founded Lotus in the year 1952 and from then on the company has never ceased to innovate. In F1 alone, the company has over 475 Grand Prix starts, complete with 7 World Championships and 79 victories. Besides the accolades achieved in Formula One, Lotus has successfully competed in Le Mans, Rally, saloon car and Indy classes around the world.

Mr. Chapman was a pioneer in designing and engineering lightweight vehicles, his innovations changed the face of racing car design forever. From the launch of aerofoil wings, ‘ground effect’, active ride suspension and monocoque chassis to the aluminium bonded chassis of the modern lineup, the company have never stopped inventing and the passion for innovation remains at the core of everything they do today. Like Lotus models, the Evora is a sportscar, which benefits from a distinctive approach to driving dynamics. It is a vehicle for serious drivers who enjoy the combination of the open road and performance. Its engineering and design technology ensure that driver is fully immersed in a sensory experience, where exactly the right feedback is transmitted from the road to make even the most ordinary drive feel special.

The racing and engineering expertise of Lotus has ensured the enhancement of a sportscar, which lends itself to excellence on both track and road, as witnessed through its evolution. In race form, the Evora GT4 summarizes all of the company’s technical expertise and core values, it is a proven winner. Its long distance derivative, the Evora GTE racecar has shown its pace in 2011 Le Mans 24-Hours, offering the inspiration for its road going sibling. The essence of Evora is found in its focus on performance and exceptional engineering. Production fuses hand finishing techniques with high technology processes to final assembly from chassis construction.

Specialists’ Teams oversee each process ensuring the company’s high quality engineering norms are met during each stage of the build with completed vehicles undergoing rigorous water ingress and rolling road tests to ensure ultimate performance and reliability. The state-of-the-art chassis of 2011 Lotus Evora is composed of bonded and extruded aluminium structure, engineered for its incredibly stiff yet lightweight design with a central tub consisting of driver’s cockpit and safety cell, a format closely reflecting the construction and layout of modern-day racing cars. Its distinctive design ensures a chassis so stiff that it takes 27,000 Nm to twist it just one degree. Unique headlights integrate Bi-Xenon lamps as standard, providing outstanding night time illumination, while the rear LED brake cluster is instantly recognizable. The Engineers of Lotus pay attention to every detail. The ergonomically shaped steering wheel is constructed from lightweight magnesium, reducing the amount of inertia enabling you to quickly change direction with the least amount of effort. The ultimate Evora is a proven winner, while its long distance derivative, the GTE has shown its pace in the 2011 Le Mans 24-Hours. The road going version has directly benefited from its racing pedigree.

Adding convenience and comfort to a sportscar is never an easy task. It is considerably more difficult when applied to Lotus, a niche automobile manufacturer, which turns out some of the most impractical, and punishing yet entertaining cars ever made. The 2011 Lotus Evora sets out to do just that by providing more refinement and room without compromising too much athleticism in the process. It is considerably larger outside and inside unlike its Exige and Elise counterparts. The Evora costs about $12,000 more, but for the money you get a much nicer interior and two rear seats.

All of the added niceties of 2011 Lotus Evora come at the expense of weight, as it weighs 50% more unlike the Elise. At around 3,000 pounds, it is certainly no porker. For dealing with added tonnage, a Toyota V6 replaces the Toyota inline-four found in the rest of the present Lotus lineup.

In spite of only being available with 2 seats, the exceptional handling, price and midengine layout of Porsche Cayman make it the most obvious alternative. The BMW M3 provides incredible handling and performance, with impressive amount of practicality as well.

Variants, Body Types and Features

The 2011 Lotus Evora is a 4-seater sportscar, which is available in base and Evora S trims.

Standard features and equipments include bi-xenon headlamps, cast aluminum wheels, air conditioning, heated exterior mirrors, cloth upholstered rear seats, leather upholstered front seats, power windows, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer, a CD/MP3 player with auxiliary audio jack and iPod integration and a leather wrapped gearshift knob and handbrake.

There are 3 main option groups available. The Premium package gets a center armrest, accent lighting, premium floor mats, leather trim throughout the cabin and heated front seats, while the Sport package features enhanced throttle response, selectable sport modes, a rear underbody diffuser, a higher rpm limit, cross drilled brake rotors with black painted calipers and titanium exhaust tips. Opting for the Technology package will get you rear parking sensors, cruise control, an upgraded audio system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, DVD playback, a USB port and navigation along with Bluetooth. A SuedeTex option adds faux suede interior trim elements.

Standalone options include a rearview camera, a sports ratio gearbox, various wheel options, power folding mirrors, a premium audio system and clear paint protection film. Shoppers can also opt for deleting the back seats in favor of a rear parcel area. The Evora S gets more power with its supercharged powerplant, while the powertrain also gains an exhaust bypass valve, which opens in Sport mode, a close-ratio transmission and a heavy-duty clutch. Also included are all the items from the Sport package along with a more aggressive rear aero diffuser and a sportier suspension tune.

What’s Beneath the Hood of 2011 Lotus Evora?

Motivation for the 2011 Lotus Evora comes from a 3.5 liter mid-mounted Toyota V6 engine, which is good for pulsating 276 horsepower with 258 pound feet of torque. The engine is mated to conventional six-speed manual transmission with optional six-speed automatic push-button with paddle shifters. The Evora S gets a supercharger and increases power output to 345 horsepower with 295 pound feet of torque. In performance testing, it accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 4.9 seconds with the top speed of 172 mph. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for Evora is 27 mpg highway and 17 mpg in city driving.

Safety & Reliability

The 2011 Lotus Evora is noticeably sparse when it comes to safety equipment. Traction and stability control and antilock brakes are included, but no type of side airbags are offered.

Special Features and Cockpit Design

It is better to travel than to arrive; that’s why the interior of 2011 Lotus Evora fuses function with comfort, combining superb craftsmanship and precise attention to detail with high quality, sophisticated materials. Machined aluminium features along with hand trimmed, supple and twin-stitched leather. Sculpted, figure hugging Recaro seats leave nothing for distracting you from the finer points of driving. A Lotus command centre with an immobilizer with remote activated alarm and auxiliary trip computer are fitted as standard. The option list includes modern features, including a reversing camera and a sophisticated touchscreen multimedia system with iPod and MP3 connectivity. Other available options include heated seats, the practical 2+2 rear seat that includes ISOFIX mountings for rear child seats, because even sportscar aficionados have families and electric power-fold mirrors.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Lotus Evora is most at home on twisting, tight roads. The benchmark for ride and handling, surpassing supercars costing 3 times as much for driver responsiveness and feel, the Evora is a high point for the company’s eminent chassis engineers. Put yourself in complete control of the driving experience with its 6-speed, slick shifting manual transmission, featuring sports ratios perfectly matched to the driving dynamics and engine configuration. IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) symbolizes the newest Evora transmission option, an automatic with Lotus transmission control. Select Drive mode for relaxed and smooth automatic shifting or for spirited driving engage the steering column mounted paddle shifters for finger tip control. Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) adds to its safety features by providing extra stability when high levels of grip are exceeded.

The 2011 Lotus Evora S combines the sublime handling characteristics of Lotus Evora with surging linear power of a supercharged V6 powerplant. Delivering even more attitude, the forced induction power plant delivers 345 horsepower and 295 pound feet of torque. Transitioning from open-road to urban jungle, the Evora isn’t fazed. Its compliant suspension makes light work of bumps and rough surfaces. With commanding on-road presence, it occupies the road with a lack of fuss and sporting appeal, offering an unintimidating yet imposing presence.

With power assisted, perfectly weighted steering, the 2011 Lotus Evora displays total agility and fluency on the road. Like no other sportscar in its segment, it transmits that directly to the driver through extra sensory feedback. The highly tuned suspension ensures it tracks accurately through corners smoothing out changing surfaces along the way and , soaking up bumps, while the ventilated and cross drilled 4-piston caliper disc brakes are unparalleled, effortlessly bringing the car to a standstill whenever called upon, without the slightest hesitation or fade. Overall, the Lotus Evora maintains core Lotus values such as performance via lightweight but also gives more than that. It is a perfect combination of top style, comfort and performance. Form does not sacrifice function in the case of the Lotus Evora S.

Motivation for the all-new 4×4 comes from a V8 twin-turbocharged 4.0 liter engine, like the one found in Audi S7/S6 and Bentley Continental GT or it might use another Bentley powerplant, the 6.0 liter W12. This engine is good for producing 600 horsepower and will accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4 seconds. The all-new sport utility vehicle follows in the footsteps of V12 powered Lamborghini LM002 sport utility vehicle that was introduced in the year 1986.

The new Lamborghini 4×4 might hit showrooms as early as 2015 with prices similar to Gallardo.

Selected as a best new car to drive and own in Rocky Mountain West, the 2012 Audi A6 is powered by a 3.0 L TFSI all-aluminum supercharged V6 powerplant that generates 310 horsepower. It is considered to be one of the company’s most technologically advanced and ground-breaking models to date that makes up to 2,000 decisions per second for assisting the driver. Standard safety features on all-new Audi A6 are improved by Audi Pre-Sense Plus safety system, Quattro all-wheel drive technology and thermal imaging camera with Night Vision Assistant. Other intelligent features include head-up display and Multi Media Interface Touch pad, which recognizes handwriting in multiple languages. Audi is the first company in the world to offer MMI Navigation with 3D Google Earth images and factory installed wireless internet, enabling features including Audi connect for real-time traffic news, weather, and live fuel prices.

Rocky Mountain Automotive Press is a professional association of automotive media symbolizing Web, broadcast and print journalists in Rocky Mountain West.

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ offers two different engine choices, which include a 3.7 liter V6 that generates 300 horsepower and an EcoBoost 2.0 liter 4-cylinder that pumps out 240 horsepower, both mated to 6-speed automatic transmission with a new push button gear selector, which replaces the traditional gearshift lever and shift paddles. The Hybrid fuses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline powerplant with an electric generator and is teamed up with continuously variable automatic transmission.

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ is also equipped with one of the most sophisticated safety features in its segment, with such standard and available systems as Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Active Park Assist, Driver Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning with Brake Support and a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert. A new system known as Lincoln Drive Control automatically harmonizes the performance of adjustable suspension, continuously controlled damping, engine; electric power assisted steering, traction control, stability control systems and transmission.

An extensive facelift of the interior includes a new instrument panel, premium grade leather with wood trim, a pair of LCD screens, a multilevel console, a choice of infotainment systems, including a 700W THX II premium surround sound audio system with 14 speakers and air filtration.

On the exterior, the F02 and F01 7 Series LCI models will be equipped with full LED headlights which are smaller in size and were redesigned to look sleeker. Hidden beneath the camouflage is an all-new eyebrow that now hosts turn signal indicator. The taillamps remain unchanged but are little darker in color unlike the present model. The LCI models of 2013 BMW 7 Series will be featuring a signal indicator incorporated into side mirrors.

The company will also be introducing a new model in the 7 Series lineup, the 750xd will be powered by the same tri-turbo 3.0 liter diesel powerplant like the found on currently revealed X5 M50d, X6 M50d and M550d. The powerplant generates 381 horsepower. The entry-level U.S. model, the 740i will be changing its powertrain to N55B30 that pumps out 320 horsepower. The BMW 7 Series 760i remains a top model in the lineup. The 750i will now be using a N63B44TU engine, which churns out 450 horsepower. The redesigned 7 Series will be marketed this July and we believe the company will be revealing the 7 Series LCI at the forthcoming Beijing Motor Show.

Special features for RX-8 Spirit R

• For both automatic and manual transmission models include:
• Front headlights, rear combination lights and front fog lights with black bezels
• Exclusive ornament
• Larger brake rotors
• Rear and Front brake calipers (red)
• Curtain and front side SRS airbag system
• Transmission tunnel trim (piano black)
• Leather wrapped steering column (black with red stitching)
• Traction Control System and Driving Stability Control
• Center console box with front seat armrest (synthetic leather with red stitching)
• Leather wrapped parking brake lever with red stitching)
• Rear console box with lid with synthetic leather
• Exclusive to six-speed manual transmission model
• Hard suspension with Bilstein dampers
• Bucket seats from RECARO
• Aero parts
• 19-inch forged aluminum wheels (bronze) with 225/40R19 89W tires
• Leather wrapped shift knob (black with red stitching)
• Aluminum pedal set
• Exclusive to electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission model
• Sports suspension
• Black leather seats with red stitching and eight-way power seat with memory function
• Heated front seats
• 18 inch alloys (gun metallic) with 225/45R18 91W tires
• Leather wrapped shift knob (black)

Media will be users of the fleet, as well as event organizers, judges, Games officials and staff, ranging from IOC photographers, medical officers and crew to technical delegates and official rights holders.

Fleet snapshot:

MINI E (Electric Vehicle)

• Usage includes: Venue pool cars for operational usage and supporting the Olympic Torch Relay
• 204hp / Zero tailpipe emissions
• Number in fleet: 40

BMW 1 Series ActiveE (EV)

• 170hp / Zero tailpipe emissions
• Number in fleet: 160
• Usage includes: Games time talent shuttle transporting athletes within Olympic Park and also offered for use by broadcasters

BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics

• 163horsepower / 109g/km CO2 / 68.9mpg
• Number in fleet: 1,550
• Usage includes: official cars for cycling events (commissionaires, race doctor, neutral service, lead car and route management) and Main command car for Olympic Torch Relay

MINI Countryman Cooper D

• 112hp / 115g/km CO2 / 64.2mpg
• Number in fleet: 200
• Usage includes: On demand service at key locations like IOC Hotels and London Heathrow in addition to offering request for transport services

BMW 5 Series Active Hybrid

• 149g/km CO2 / 44.1mpg
• Number in fleet: 20
• Usage includes: shuttle role and vehicle transfer.

BMW 520d Efficient Dynamics

• 119g/km CO2 / 62.8mpg
• Number in fleet: 700
• Usage includes: shuttle role and vehicle transfer.

BMW X5 xDrive 30d

• 195g/km CO2 / 38.2mpg
• Number in fleet: 10
• Usage includes: Specialist role of towing horse ambulances at equestrian events

BMW X3 xDrive 20d

• 147g/km CO2/ 50.4mpg
• Number in fleet: 17
• Usage includes: Specialist function of towing boats at rowing and sailing venues

BMW Streetcruiser Bicycles

• Usage includes: Operational support for water based sports including rowing
  
• Number in fleet: 400

R1200 RT Motorcycle

• Usage includes: Key support roles in road based events including cycling.
  
• Number in fleet: Total 25 motorcycles including R1200GS, F650GS and R1200RT

Nevertheless, steps taken by China for reducing oil consumption and pollution are seen as optimistic, although if government plans on gaining its average fuel standards of 5 liters per 100 kilometers plus determined targets, it will likely have to increase subsidies on energy efficient cars by a considerable margin. Mr. Thomas McGuckin, a Shanghai based partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers stated that this clarifies the direction for all carmakers, participants, regulators and consumers.

The all new sedan slots in the middle of redesigned G37 range that costs 34,909 Euro for G37 GT sedan. The GT Premium saloon is offered for 37,849 Euro, whereas the flagship rear-wheel-drive, 4-door G37 S Premium for 40,619 Euro. The G37 Convertible and G37 Coupe remain unchanged with prices starting from 36,359  Euro to 45,235 Euro.

The cabin inside CLS Shooting Brake offers comfortable seating capacity for four passengers along with additional luggage space, which is slightly less as compared to maximum 1950 liters of E-Class Estate. It will be available for the starting price of £48,000, which is around £1500 more unlike the sedan.