Tuesday 06 December 2005 20:25:57 by Luca




After months of waitin’ and speculatin’ on our part, Lotus has released pics and info on its new Europa S. Not a 2+2 as had been rumored, the new two-seat GT car will get a 2.0-liter turbo from the Opel Astra OPC, producing 200hp and 194 ft-lbs of torque. Performance figures aren’t spectacular, but reflect its svelte 2,193lbs curb weight (zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds, and a top speed of 140mph). No word on an American release, but the Europa S will cost the equivalent of $58,000 in the UK.

The new Lotus Europa S is an interesting two seater GT (not 2+2 as initially thought), with a very low weight (995 kg) and a 2.0 liter turbo engine with 200 hp / 263 Nm supplied by Opel. Performance data: 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.5 seconds, 0-160 km/h in 14 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h.

Lotus defines the Europa S as "business class", a more refined and comfortable car than her race-oriented siblings Elise and Exige. It is different enough that Lotus has given it its own model number (Type 121 instead of Type 111). Price should be around 49.000 € (33.000 £). Interesting car, pity the the passage from the Toyota VVT-i engine to the Opel one. Maybe we'll see a 240 hp version with the Astra OPC engine .

Predicted Performance figures:
Target acceleration
0 to 160 km/h (100 mph): 14.0 seconds (approximately)
Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140mph) (approximately)


source : jalopnik.com

 

wow sexy. lotus is really starting to shine.

 

Its cool. I always had a sweet spot for Lotus Automobiles. Like the little brother to Lambo and Ferrari. I'm still waiting for my Esprit replacement. The last few model years of that car were simply georgeous.

I like the style of this Europa(looks a little wierd in some areas), but until I see this model in the flesh, I think the Elise and definitely the Exige is better looking. Whats disappointing is the performance. Two totally different models with basically the same power. If this is the more comfort oriented model, they should have added a small smooth running V6 instead of a tiny turbo charged 4 cylinder.

 

Lotus describes it as "business class". Give me a break. It will have marvelous handling but for 58K an Opel Astra engine doesn't do it for me even with a great power/weight.

 

Holy ground clearance, Batman!!!

 

hmm... i like it! lotus makes some great stuff.

 

LOL, they used an Opel Speedster and put different body panels on it
Kind of a let down imo.

 

Wallpapers HERE

 

Too much going on for me

 

wow... it doesnt even look a whole lot like the original....

 

Thats because the elise, exige, opel speedster and this one are all on the same chassis.

 

Yes.....and the Lotus engineering policy has always been the lighter the better. That was founder Colin Chapman's creed, and they still stick to it today. That's why both the Elise and Exige have such awesome performance with small engines. The Elise can go from 0-60 in less than 5 seconds on a Toyota Corolla 1.8L engine and pull 1.06G's on the skidpad. Try THAT with a Town Car.

 

Well, the new Mk2's are pretty heavy, especially if you spec them up.
WIth airco and some other stuff it's allmost touching the 1000 kg mark.
For reference the MK1 was 785 out of the top of my head.

 

You Europeans get generally lighter designs than we do. Bumpers don't have to be as heavy, and more cars ( and virtually all Lotuses ) are sold with manual transmissions, which are usually lighter than automatics.
Still...even here in the U.S. a standard Elise, empty, is less than 2000 lb......whatever that rounds out to in European kg's. .

 

they made auto lotus's??????

WHY?