Lotus Evora IPS, ‘automatic’ fun

Wymondham Road winds in the countryside of Norfolk, East Anglia (England), where the hills are so sweet that the roads can run on almost straight. Up and down soft top that read, however, manage to hide what’s next, a small white sign indicating Lotus Cars. He puts on Potash Lane and behold, after a quarter of a mile or so, seem the temple built by Colin Chapman’s latest creation, where ready to go – and go to our list – is the Evora IPS or Intelligent Precision Shifting, Sequential automatic-transmission version of the 2 +2 was originally presented at the London Motor Show in 2008 and sold in 28 countries worldwide.

On the eve of the new season prepares to Lotus, the Evora is the last act of the old, but for you – ensure the leaders of the English house – there is still a long life and continuous development, not only in increasing versions. They are in fact more than 200 interventions made last year, no visible change, but small improvements that enhance the craft of Evora with better execution quality. Among the thousand and one flavors that these cars can give is to make them even thought that there are very few cars and many hands of men and women who live in the countryside all around, made with the same calm and patient we want to prune a tree, piled hay and reap the fruits of their labor.

 

A lever for less than 5 buttons, two paddle wheel for the disappearance of the left pedal. Probably even a few pounds less after the contortions it takes to step into the Evora slipping in the restricted opening of the door sill and climbing over the massive taking advantage of the small light that is between the steering wheel and the seat. Out of breath and forehead glistening with sweat, sits close to the ground, Wrapped in the skin that covers not only the bucket seats, but the dashboard is dominated by the metal, solid and polished, almost carved and inscribed in the case of buttons and knobs, but there are also plastic and other soft quality materials such as Alcantara. The steering wheel – thank God, say the owners of the Elise – you can adjust the height and depth, but is still hopelessly small and vertical and is the starting Traditional key. It is the only detail that does not forget the true nature of sports dell’Evora, a tribute to his noble simplicity racing.

 

The V6 3.5-liter (3,456 cc to be precise) is to Toyota Origin of Evora with manual transmission, with distribution to 4 camshafts, all with variable valve timing. The same power of 280 hp at 6,400 rev / min and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 4,700 revs / min. In this little corner of Japan led between the campaigns of Hethel and placed behind the cockpit of Evora, there is also a piece of Italy: the control electronics made by the Bolognese EFI, the same one that works for the Lamborghini. In this game of hardware and software, is also Japanese-speed automatic transmission with torque converter of the Aisin 6-speed, as well as the manual. But what if the British people have prayed in Nagoya – and who knows how long it will take to convince them … put – some relationship to change, that’s why they took untouched by changing only the operating logic to make sporty. His presence means a weight gain of 54 kg, from 1,382 to 1,436 kg, which corresponded to a few years ago, two Lotus. For this and the nature of automatism itself, acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h increased from 5.1 to 5.4 seconds, top speed drops from 261 to 250 km / h. The consumption increased from 8.5 to 8.8 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions from 199 to 208 g / km.

 

Once started, the V6 really does not seem that of a Lexus RX350 and mumbles as if plotting behind. To manage these changes, there are buttons that occupy the space left on the tunnel from the lever. The three little need to engage the upper D, N and R, while the two great need for the P and the position of sports with which you change not only the response of the transmission, but also the engine. No program specific handbook: Sufficient to operate the levers behind the steering wheel – right to the left to get on and off, by the book – to start the sequential selection and not touch them for 10 seconds to return to the fully automatic mode. Can not leave them alone, however, a little ‘because we are still in a Lotus, a little’ because relationships are beautiful long and, although there is always the pressure to find the roar of the V6 and emotion, the couple left index-middle finger is often found detached from the steering wheel rim. And if you want to go, it is said that the change will always obey. The advantage is that you are traveling on the highway at 130 with the needle of the rev to 2,350 rpm / min, from turbo systems.

 

The Lotus of the more touristy it seems, but it would be ungenerous in this way because they detract from the Evora is ready to show what he can do as soon as the road begins to become more tortuous. Even with this change. Pulling it through the gears, the shift (light) disappears, the steps are quite sharp and the most challenging climbs are accepted without a murmur. You can concentrate on steering the way he reads better than the eyes promptly inform the captain and pilot turning his instructions into commands and emotions. The problem is that the 280 bhp, despite being heavy-handed do, they’re not bad that comes with the limiter at 6,500 rpm / min when the V6 goes further momentum. The quality of this chassis are also so high that you miss the 350 hp of Evora S. Those who are often put in trouble the traction of the rear axle, held at bay by an electronic differential which acts on the brakes only when absolutely necessary. The thresholds determined by the chip are high, but also removing the reins, the British does not sacrifice the pleasure security while maintaining their good character, tough but sincere, less exaggerated than what you would know that 61% of the mass is at the rear. The structure then is not too hard, even with the optional pneumatic rear 275/30 front 235/35 R19 and R20.

 

To recognize the IPS is not even a sign, but just take a look and peek inside the tunnel. For those who want to make us a little thought, know that it is add 2,020 euros the 60,500 required for the version 2 places rising to 64,050 for the 2 +2, an expense that we recommend to young son with ex-bachelors still rich with itching or contortionists professionals who are teaching their children the art. Or simply for those who want the habit to back the jacket and the bag in the back seat. Why Choose English car means this too.

 

Lotus Evora IPS, ‘automatic’ fun
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