Lotus Evora S Review: Performance and Design Insights

Lotus Evora S Review

Business Projects, the Lotus dealer, invited us to test drive the Lotus Evora S. The lineup consisted of four Evora models, three of which were supercharged, alongside a standard version. Let’s delve into the experience.

Elegance

I had the opportunity to drive the Evora S, one of the supercharged variants. At first glance, the car is exceptionally beautiful. The body design and rear are stunning, featuring a lovely silver color with black wheels and headlights. What impressed me the most were the stylish air intakes on the sides, which give it a very sporty appearance. Lotus has even added a glass panel over the engine, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

Interior

As a sports car, it features red leather sports seats that complement its overall beauty. The space inside is a bit tight, particularly on the left side, due to the car's design, which might make it uncomfortable for the left foot. Standing at 186 cm tall, I expected to feel quite cramped, but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. The Lotus accommodates only four seats with limited legroom. Personally, I didn't find the rear seats very useful; they are uncomfortable, and the engine noise from behind can be quite intrusive. The interior design is sporty, with almost no buttons on the steering wheel, and the center console lacks a gear shift lever, relying instead on buttons, while the gauges are quite basic. You will only find speed and RPM displayed on two small screens that show some additional information.

Comfort

I noticed that the Evora S pays attention to comfort. For instance, the shift paddles are angled backward to avoid interfering with the driver. Additionally, the steering wheel has finger grooves for added comfort while driving.

Driving Performance

Driving and Comfort

Being a sports car, it isn’t the most comfortable vehicle in the world. The suspension is stiff, and the right cabin can make it impractical. You will feel every pothole on the road, which can be hard on your back. The engine sounds fantastic, but on long journeys, it might become annoying. However, all of this is to be expected; it’s a sports car, and comfort isn't its primary focus.

Transmission and Power

This is the crucial part of this car. Its 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine from Toyota delivers 345 horsepower, allowing the Evora S to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds! This is one of Lotus's principles: if the car is lightweight, you don't need a huge engine for great performance. This car weighs in at 1,400 kg.

Engine and Exhaust Sound

The engine and exhaust notes are superb, becoming even more delightful when you hear the supercharger. Gear changes can be a bit aggressive, but in my opinion, this is a positive aspect. Driving in normal mode feels like using high-end speakers at low volume—essentially, a bit dull. The real fun comes when driving in sport mode; the gear changes are excellent. Using the shift paddles in sport mode can become somewhat monotonous because they make you feel like you are in control of the car.

Handling

Lotus cars are well-known for their exceptional handling, and this holds true for the Evora. During our drive to Oman, we encountered numerous twists and turns. I accelerated through the curves at 150 km/h, and the handling was excellent, although there was some noise from the tires. The chassis is fantastic and responsive, indicating that this is one of the aspects Lotus focused on with the Evora.

Summary

The Lotus Evora S is an outstanding vehicle. It boasts high power and excellent handling. While it may feel a bit cramped inside, this is expected in a sports car. Based on my experience, I can confidently say it competes with top-tier models like the Porsche Cayman S.