Redesigning the Evora is one of the best decisions Lotus has made in recent years. Now equipped with everything it needs to be road-legal in the U.S. once again, the Evora returned with new looks and a more powerful engine. Making things that much hotter, Lotus also launched the Evora 410 with additional carbon-fiber parts and ten extra horsepower for a higher power-to-weight ratio. The standard model was followed by several special-edition models, including the classic-inspired Esprit S1. Now, Lotus is paying tribute to its glorious racing past with the Evora Sport 410 GP Edition.

Developed specifically for the U.S. and Canada, the GP Edition is a throwback to the company's Formula One cars from the 1980s. Although it had significantly more successful periods in the 1960s and 1970s, winning seven constructors' championships, Lotus turned to the 95T, 97T, and 98T race cars from the mid-1980s for inspiration. What's so special about them you ask? For starters, they ere driven by legendary pilots such as Nigel Mansell and Ayrton. Second, and more importantly in this context, all these cars sported the now iconic John Play Special livery in black with gold accents.

Just like the F1 cars, the GP Edition is finished in black with certain elements highlighted by gold. The bright color can be seen in the form of stripes on the beltline and side skirts, on each side of the front hood bulge, and on the C-pillars and the engine cover. The wheels have matching accents, while the "Evora 410 Sport" lettering on the rear fascia is also in gold. Other than that, the GP Edition is a standard Evora Sport 410, but this livery should be enough to get enthusiasts excited. I know I'd order one if I had the dough...

And the Evora 410 is nothing to sneeze at either. Fitted with numerous carbon-fiber elements on the outside, including the front splitter, roof, rear diffuser, and tailgate, the 410 is not only more aerodynamic, but lighter than the Evora 400 too. Overall, Lotus shaved 154 pounds off the standard model, while increasing output from 400 to 410 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque. Able to hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, the Evora 410 is the first of its kind to do so in less than four clicks. It's also quicker around the Hethel test track too, reducing the Evora 400's benchmark by three seconds. The Evora 410 is also six seconds faster than the Elise Cup 250, essentially a full-blown race car.

Plenty of reasons to add a Formula One livery right?

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Why It Matters?

Lotus is the type of automaker that has a tremendous racing history to look back upon and I'm more than glad to see the iconic John Player Special livery return to the street. The company's new strategy is definitely inspired and if I were in charge, I'd roll out even more liveries like this. The yellow/blue Camel scheme from 1987 and the green/yellow and red/gold liveries from the late 1960s are just three of the color combinations I'd like to see on the modern Elise and Evora.