The first of Lotus’ latest creation, the 2010 Evora, has been delivered to one Matthew Melling of Twickenham in the U.K. and it is a Storm Titanium beauty. Along with the honor of picking the car up at the factory in Norfolk, where the Lotus->ke49 team has already constructed a five month’s supply of the new hand built mid engine 2+2, Mr. Melling was presented the keys to his new car by the Director of Lotus Cars Limited, Luke Bennett, who had this to say, “It is quite an emotional time to deliver the first Lotus Evora to Mr. Melling. The whole team has worked incredibly hard to design, engineer and produce such a stunning and high performing sports car and is a great feeling… I am sure that each customer who receives their car will be delighted with their purchase.”

The man who gets the title of first garage to house a Lotus Evora, Matthew Melling, said that he “was determined to be the first in the world to get my hands on an Evora so with Stratton Motor Company’s help, I laid down my deposit within seconds of the order books being opened last year. I have read all the press reviews of the Evora and am so excited about getting behind the wheel – what a great start to September!” A happy September indeed considering that he can now enjoy his 2600 pound 280 HP 3.5 Liter V6 powered plaything that can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 161 MPH, while bringing three friends along for the ride.

That is a very bold move, going down to a dealership and forking over a hefty chunk of change for something that doesn’t even exist and that you won’t see for quite some time, however there are such objects that make men do crazy things. That’s why they call them dream cars, and the lightweight Lotus Evora super car definitely qualifies in that category.

Press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

First Evora is Delivered to Customer

Matthew Melling of Twickenham, UK received the keys of a Storm Titanium Lotus Evora from Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars Limited at the Lotus Headquarters where the new mid-engined 2+2 sportscar is hand built.

Many Lotus dealers around the world have already received their demonstrators and Lotus has, so far, received orders for the next 5 months of production. Demand for Lotus’ award winning Evora has meant that 150 extra new manufacturing staff have been recruited to support assembly operations in Norfolk, UK, a very positive sign at a time when the global motor industry faces huge challenges. Full production is expected to reach the maximum rate by the end of November 2009.

Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars Limited said, “It is quite an emotional time to deliver the first Lotus Evora to Mr. Melling. The whole team has worked incredibly hard to design, engineer and produce such a stunning and high performing sportscar and it is a great feeling to hand over the keys to the first customer today. The Evora has won many awards around the world already so we are not surprised that there is high demand for the car and I am sure that each customer who receives their car will be delighted with their purchase.”

Matthew Melling, a customer of Stratton Motor Company, in Norfolk said, “I was determined to be the first in the world to get my hands on an Evora so with Stratton Motor Company’s help, I laid down my deposit within seconds of the order books being opened last year. I have read all the press reviews of the Evora and am so excited about getting behind the wheel – what a great start to September!”

Picture caption:

Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars (left) hands over the keys of the first customer Lotus Evora to Mr Matthew Melling at the Lotus Headquarters in Norfolk, UK.