So I drove one of these:

Just got back from a trip to the Lotus factory in Hethel. It was part of a big weekend meet & factory tour day organized by the Esprit Forum and some other U.K. clubs. Fun times, pics to come later after I sort through all 400 of them.

Anyway, the important bit is this:

Yep, got to drive one. Unfortunately it was just a short 15-minute test drive, as they had about eight cars available for ~150 people, but it was on some nice twisty English B-roads.

What can I say, the Evora is awesome. I made the mistake of wearing my work boots, which are comfortable for standing around all day but too clunky for driving (although they work fine in the Elan since I'm more used to it), which made me look a bit foolish as I stalled the car off the line and couldn't do really smooth heel-and-toes. Aside from that I loved the car. My only real complaints are that the headliners are all "light and creamy" beige, even on a car with a "black" interior, and the NA V6 doesn't give you the kind of frantic surge that I get from my little 1.6 turbo even though it probably has more power and torque at any given RPM. Lotus do say they'll do custom interior colours if you order it though...

Heh, I don't have 44 grand to throw around but if I did I think I know which way I'd be throwing it. I'm kind of sold.

Oh yeah, pics or it didn't happen!

I'll sort through the rest and post 'em up in a couple days. The factory tour was really cool too, interesting to see quite a few Teslas coming off the Elise/Exige line. Ya, I had a fun weekend.

BTW the Elan made the entire 1300km, all-day trip there with no problems at all. Well, unless you count the window fogging up because the heater doesn't work.

LUCKY BASTARD!!! And I meen that in the nicest posible way

^ What he said

Only 44 grand? I thought those were going to be more like 70 something large.

I'm definitely jealous.

That is probably 44K in Pounds Sterling

Maybe £44000.

Although I still thought the "entry" version was going to be around £50000.

Edit, good call Aussie.

BTW, £44000 is about $72000

Oops, ya, the BASE model is about £44k. If you want any options the price goes up pretty quick. I think EVO tested a launch version which was fully loaded and it came in around £60k.

I like the Evora because it looks like a fighter jet to me. Must be all those angular lines and the 'wrap-around' windscreen.

Shame about the engine, though. I'd want my Lotus to give a "frantic surge", which would probably mean opting for a 4cyl Elise/Exige.

Also, you lucky bastard, you .

Jay wrote: Oops, ya, the BASE model is about £44k. If you want any options the price goes up pretty quick. I think EVO tested a launch version which was fully loaded and it came in around £60k.

That's the price I remember as well - it was pretty well specced up compared to the base one.

Luke wrote: I'd want my Lotus to give a "frantic surge",

I thought of a non-dude approved sexual inyourendough to go here....nuff said.

Since this is simply the 2grfe motor i believe, your frantic surge can be supplied by retro-fitting a supercharger.

Then you'd have some frantic surge in the seat area of your pants, followed by a frantic dash to the bathroom.

I'd definitely be wearing my driving shoes on a Lotus factory tour. Even if you don't know if there will be a test drive opportunity, there could be an unguarded Exige parked around the back

Those Evoras are GORGEOUS!

looks like a winner to me.

Am I the only one who hates the interior door handle? I think a nice 'loop" like the 350z had would have been better than that spike

Heh, it may not be fast for a $70000 car, but it does have 4 seats and the same motor that cop got his whole family killed with in the thread about toyota technology. Its fast enough... But since it comes on smooth and drama-free you dont realize how fast it is without looking

I really like the Evora based on what i've read. I cant say i would buy one, even if i had the money.

Really if i had anything close to 100k id pick up a used quattroporte for my 4-seat needs...

but if i lived at high elevation then id have to buy a Lincoln because 6versus8.com told me so!

I would buy it if I had the cash... Of course, at 70K, that's exactly 28x what I paid for the most expensive car I've ever bought, so it doesn't look likely

Finally sorted out the best 84 of the 473(!) photos I took last weekend. Here are some highlights...

The Berlin convoy arrives at Dunkirque:

Just some of the attendees:

Big line of Lotii, and hey! None of them are broken down!

Small part of Colin Chapman's legacy:

This is what the Future looked like when I was a kid:

Is this what the Future looks like now?

Tyres are EVIL and must be punished!

The rest of the album is here. Also video.