Lotus Squeezes More Performance from Evora with Lighter, More Powerful Sport 410 Variant

Lotus continues to do what it knows best – building lighter, more powerful variants of its existing models

The latest in this line of vehicles is the Evora Sport 410, launched at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

Limited to 150 units per year, the new model is 70 kg lighter than the Evora 400, thanks to a comprehensive carbon fiber package offered as standard. The Evora Sport 410 also features a power increase of 10 hp and sharper handling characteristics, according to Lotus.

Developed by Lotus' Lightweight Laboratory, the Evora Sport 410 shares the 410 hp supercharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with the track-focused 3-Eleven. A six-speed manual gearbox is offered as standard while a six-speed auto is optional. The manual transmission features a low inertia flywheel for quicker shifts while a Torsen-type limited slip differential (LSD) helps improve traction and cornering.

The Evora Sport 410 covers the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 186 mph. Furthermore, the lightweight special laps the Hethel test track 3 seconds faster than the Evora 400 – in 1 minute and 28 seconds.

Lotus says the weight-saving operation covers every aspect of the car, including a simplified carbon fiber tailgate that combines five separate elements into one, new lighter-weight door trim panels and the addition of carbon fiber across the entire bodywork. Despite these modifications, Lotus claims the Evora Sport 410 "retains excellent road manners, being refined and composed during everyday driving."

The car tips the scales at 1,325 kg, resulting in an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 309 hp/ton. Carbon fiber components include a front splitter, roof panel, tailgate, and rear diffuser as well as race-derived sports seats and a revised front access panel. The carbon tailgate incorporates a louvered section which helps improve the car's aerodynamic downforce by 15 percent with no increase in drag.

Lotus has also recalibrated the suspension with improved geometry and revised dampers, as well as a 5 mm lower ride height compared to the Evora 400. These changes are said to contribute to sharper handling, as well as better body and roll control.

The Lotus Evora Sport 410 will be available in all major markets from June 2016, with a North American version to be announced later this year.