Trading Enterprises opens flagship Lotus Cars Showroom in Dubai Festival City and reveals the high-octane Evora and Evora S for seekers of pure thrill. At AED 337,400, we are talking a segment where money isn’t measured when it comes to must-haves.
Showroom inauguration by Len Hunt, President, Al-Futtaim Automotive Group (of which Trading Enterprises is a part) and Aslam Farikullah, Chief Operating Officer, Group Lotus plc.
The car that replaced Lamborghini Gallardos in the Italian Federal Police Fleet has arrived in the UAE. The Evora siblings were unveiled along with their flagship home in the UAE. The brand that once beat Ferrari in its race to 50 Grand Prix victories will now seek its fortunes in our sports-inclined luxury-thirsty market; and this time Lotus seems poised to win again, racing against its own chequered past.
The Lotus showroom is among the first to greet you as you turn into the Automotive Park in Dubai Festival City and is decorated in the British manufacturer’s signature monochrome scheme. Across 425 sq m, it also features a Lotus Originals accessories boutique.
UAE gets only two models for the time being. However, the Evora and Evora S have the exotic charm to bewitch the region’s audience with the Lotus’ trademark handling and a refined sports package. In the words of Len Hunt: “Launching any new entrant into the UAE’s sports car segment requires a couple of pre-requisites; outstanding visual appeal and world-class ride and handling. The Lotus Evora delivers in every aspect.”
The colour line up of Lotus Evora includes a British racing green.
Evora – tuned for the UAE and everyday sport
Taking the media through the dynamics of the Evora, the Lotus technical experts pointed out that the car had been extensively tested in the region and fine tuned with an additional cooling fan for the engine as well as by replacing several plastic parts with carbon fibre that can withstand the region’s temperature highs. The use of adhesive technology instead of welding follows the manufacturing technique used for aircrafts exceptionally raising the torsional rigidity of the platform. The car has a .33 Co-efficient of Drag, yet the main focus of Lotus is on the front to rear balance that they claim to be perfect with the spoiler and the rear diffuser optimizing airflow and downforce. The character of Lotus is designed to remain unchanged throughout the drive regardless of the conditions.
The Evora follows the Lotus style of mid-engined layout with the fuel tank buffered in the middle.
Here is a quick booster shot for those who are already reaching for their chequebooks to book a Lotus Evora…
Lotus is credited with developing the first monocoque Formula One chassis, integrating the engine and transaxle to the chassis. Lotus was also among the first in adding wings to F1 cars and shaping the undersurface of the car to create downforce. They were also the first to move radiators to the sides to improve aerodynamics, and invented the active suspension.
At the beginning of the eighties, Lotus beat Ferrari as the first team to achieve 50 Grand Prix victories, despite the prancing horse having a lead of nine years with their first GP crown.
And more recently, the Evora S replaced some Lamborghini Gallardos as rapid response vehicles of the Carabinieri of Rome and Milan.
The Evora Models – Price and Specs
Having worked together for long with Toyota on a mutual exchange of bits and technological bytes, the new Evora employs a Lotus-tuned 3.5L DOHC V6 VVT-i Engine that appears in its Supercharged version in the Evora S. A manual 6-speed transmission delivers the output to the wheels while an optional IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) automatic transmission with paddle shift is available. Standard specs for UAE include the Premium Pack, Tech Pack, Metallic Paint, Power-fold Door Mirrors and Reversing Camera.
The Evora starts at AED 337,400 and the Evora S at AED 386,400. Lotus Evora comes with three years unlimited mileage warranty cover.
Visually, the Evora S is differentiated by an aggressive rear diffuser, black wing mirror caps and rear light surrounds, with a new active exhaust system providing a dramatic aural soundtrack. With the Sport Pack as standard, the Evora S can increase its throttle response as well as rev limit and also alter the Lotus DPM settings instantly for a heightened dynamic experience.
Supple, leather sports seats and an advanced touchscreen multi-media system create the luxury that is much needed in this market.
At a glance…
Evora
Power: 276hp at 6400rpm, max torque: 350 Nm at 4600rpm
Weight: 1383kgs
0 to 100 km/h: 5.0 seconds (manual transmission / 5.2 seconds IPS Transmission)
Top speed: 262 km/h (manual transmission / 256 km/h IPS Transmission)
Fuel economy: 9.3 litres/100 km (manual transmission / 9.0 litres/100km on IPS transmission)
Emissions: 217g/km CO2 (manual / 210g/km CO2 IPS transmission)
Length: 4350mm
Wheelbase: 2575mm
Unladen vehicle mass: 1383kg / 1436kg
Fuel tank capacity: 60 litres
Coefficient 0.33
Evora S
Power: 345hp at 7000rpm and max torque of 400 Nm at 4500rpm
Weight: 1,437kg the
0 to 100km/h: 4.6 seconds (manual transmission / 4.7 seconds IPS Transmission)
Top speed: 286 km/h maximum (manual transmission / max speed 269 km/h IPS Transmission)
Fuel economy: 9.9 litres/100km (on manual transmission / 9.7 litres/100km on IPS transmission)
Emissions: 229g/km CO2 (manual / 224 IPS transmission)
Length: 4361mm
Wheelbase: 2575mm
Unladen vehicle mass: 1437kg / 1442kg
For more information on the Lotus car showroom or the cars, call 800 5823 or www.lotuscars.ae. You may follow Lotus on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LotusCarsUAE.
For the DriveME Road Test Review of the Lotus Evora, do check in later.
