Think back to 2009. What were you doing? I wasn’t even in high school yet. Lotus had just released an all-new car called the Evora. Fast forward a decade, and they’re still making it.
The latest version is the Evora GT, and it replaces the Evora Sport 410 and Evora 400. As with its predecessors, it has a 3.5 liter V6, which makes 416 hp and 430 lb ft in the GT, or 450 lb ft if you opt for the automatic version. Interestingly, despite having less torque, the manual gets to 60 mph 0.1 seconds faster than the automatic (which takes 3.8 seconds), and is no doubt more fun too. The manual version should handle better too, because it comes with a limited-slip differential, which the automatic does not. Really, you’d have to be mad to buy the automatic version.
Speaking of handling, the Evora GT sits on ultra-lightweight forged aluminum wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres measuring 245 mm at the front and 295 mm at the rear, so it should be up for track days. It’s a Lotus, after all. But if you’re still not convinced, it has Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers fitted as standard. Unusual that they’d use different brands for the springs and dampers, but it’ll no doubt offer very precise handling.
It also has revised aerodynamics, providing more downforce than before, thanks to a new front lip, and a new rear diffuser. Weight as standard in the manual transmission car remains at 3175 lbs, but you can lose 49 lbs by opting for a carbon fiber package that consists of a carbon fiber roof, frunk, louvred tailgate spoiler, and some other parts.
Something that may be surprising is that the Evora GT is a great family car. Ok, maybe that’s a small exaggeration, but it comes with two additional rear seats as an option. They’re probably horribly uncomfortable, but how many other mid-engined sports cars have rear seats?
If you want one, it’s now on sale for $96,950. Given that it’s probably the last mid-engined car on sale today with a manual transmission (bar the Porsche 718), I’d say its worth it. Make mine Liquid Yellow.
