Lotus Europa S
Lotus today officially announced the highly-anticipated Lotus Europa S, a grand touring two-seater from the British sportscar marque. The car will costs 49,000 euros with production starting in July 2006. But according to Lotus, the Europa will not be available in the U.S. or Canada. Lotus says the Europa will provide drivers with higher levels of practicality and refinement to complement the simplicity of the Lotus Elise and Exige models. The Lotus Europa S follows the core Lotus philosophy of performance through light weight enabling this refined and very high performing GT car to weigh just 995 kg (around 2200 pounds). The Lotus Europa S achieves around 90% of its maximum torque at only 2000 rpm to give "super car" levels of acceleration from low engine speeds, propelling the car from 0-60 mph in around 5.5 seconds, and 160 km/h (100 mph) in around 14 seconds. Maximum speed is approximately 225 km/h (140 mph). (More info and photos after the jump).
The car's low weight was obtained through the clever use of advanced and high-tech materials including an extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, composite body panels and a very advanced composite energy absorbing front crash structure.
When compared to the award winning Lotus Elise, the Europa S has a larger boot / luggage compartment and easier cabin access, resulting from lower chassis sides and a higher roof line. Coupled with luxuries such as full leather interior, driver and passenger airbags and carpets all as standard, Lotus has created a "Business Class" driving experience.
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However, the Europa S is not a derivative of the Elise or the Exige and has been allocated a separate Lotus type number of Type 121 - the Elise and Exige are both Type 111.
Describing the Lotus Europa S, Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus says: "The form of a design should reflect the spirit of the car, and the Lotus Europa S is no different. Where the rebellious track-focused personality of the Exige is characterised by shrink-wrapped athletic forms communicating agility and power, the Europa S has a more fluid, understated language reflecting its more sophisticated persona."
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The introduction of a GT car, represents both an important and unique addition to the Lotus product range, as Clive Dopson, Managing Director of Lotus Cars, explains: "The launch of the Europa S re-affirms our position as an innovative player in the highly competitive sportscar marketplace. It allows Lotus to extend its product appeal beyond our traditional customer base, and provides yet another demonstration of the key Lotus brand attributes and high levels of quality for which we are particularly proud."
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