Lotus has released more details about their upcoming 2010 Evora sports car, and I'm using this opportunity to try out a new "preview" article format. Check out my 2010 Lotus Evora preview, then come back here and tell me what you think -- both of the new format (Good layout? Too much info? Not enough?) and of the idea behind Lotus' new Evora. Click the "comments" link or email me at cars.guide@about.com. Oh, and if you'd rather just look at photos, I've got those too: Check out my 2010 Lotus Evora photo gallery. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Lotus
Where’s the cup holders?
As far as the layout goes, it’s good. But a little wordy on the headings, imo. Instead of “WHAT DOES THE LOTUS EVORA COMPETE AGAINST?” (should that be ‘who’ instead of ‘what’? But cars aren’t ‘who’s tho, so maybe not.) or “HOW MUCH DOES THE LOTUS EVORA COST?”, just put COMPETITION or PRICE. It just seems to me that the headings would roll off the tongue easier that way. But I do like the more detailed sections idea, in general. I’ll still read it either way.
I agree with jimmy. While I was reading the article I was think “Why is he asking himself questions?” but as I am writing this I now realize I was asking myself a question as well. Again like jimmy says I will still read it no matter what the format is.
As for the car, my first thought in regards to the looks was that it was a Lotus trying to look like a Ferrari. Not that that is in anyway a bad thing. Can’t wait to read your “Review” now and see if it handles like a Lotus should.
I’d love to berate the Evora for what would seem to be excessive portliness, but unfortunately I think the super-light Elise has spoiled us. One of my favorite Lotuses (Lotusis? Loti?), the Esprit, wasn’t exactly a featherweight either. Sure, the Series 1 came in around 2200 lb, but by the time the last generation V8 Esprit left us, it had ballooned to almost 2900 lb. The difference is the Evora is making due with a V6, while the Esprit was hauled by a twin turbo V8, so at least the power-to-weight ratio was held in check. But one look inside the Evora tells you where a lot of that extra weight comes from…not exactly spartan (again, spoiled by the minimalist ideas of the Elise).
I just don’t see paying this much for an “approximately 5 seconds” car, which is a little too close in performance to my $23k, 3300 lb Mazdaspeed3. Yet somehow getting quite a bit less (literally) in the Elise for around $50k seems like a bargain to a lot of us. Performance nuts are weird like that.
I agree with everyone else, the headings/questions need to go. Other than that, it was an informative preview, but it needed a test drive. That’s one thing we look forward to in this column! Previews are nice, but we want to read about it in action. Let’s face it, for $70K, we’re never gonna drive one!
I understand about the subject headings, and I know they’re a bit awkward. Having the car name in the subject heading helps with our search engine performance. A lot of sites try to cheat on search engine performance. I keep my articles honest — if you search for “2010 Lotus Evora” and get an About.com Cars article, I want to be sure that it’s really about the 2010 Lotus Evora. But I do want it to come up.
The questions are derived from my technology-explained articles such as the one on electronic stability control — i.e. “What is ESC?”, “Why is ESC important?”, etc. But maybe that’s not the best idea for a new-car preview. Ideas and suggestions would be welcome.
Cap’n John: I agree, though keep in mind that the Evora hasn’t landed in the States yet. I will be covering other Lotus models for ‘09, and hopefully once the Evora arrives I’ll be able to get an early test drive.
Thx for the feedback, please keep it coming. — Aaron
“…a bigger, more comfortable Lotus…”
Not that shocking; the original Elite was a bigger, more comfortable car than the Seven! Similarly, the Elan was more refined and comfortable than the Elite, and so on… and the Esprit is a land yacht compared to many of their previous cars.
Well it’s no Esprit, that’s for sure. The Esprit is a car that still makes my head turn today. I don’t understand why one would pay $70k for this 276hp Lotus. Give me the new Camaro V6 with over 300hp for less than 1/2 the price.
Actually, I kind of like the new format.
As for the car, very nice looking lines. It does have Ferrari like lines. I would like it more with the Lexus/Toyota 3.5L rated at over 300 hp. Given the car weight and hp comparo vs. the new Cayman S, I think Lotus will not do well against the Porsche.
Just my 2 cents…
A recession is a ridiculous time to release a $70k sports car. One of the greatest cars I ever owned was my ‘71 Lotus Europa (under 5k, new)…best handling car I ever drove to this very day. I wish Lotus would return to those wondeful, affordable cars…till then we’ll drive our Minis, GTIs and Miatas.