Europa S is a GT type two seater automobile designed to complement the very successful Lotus Elise sports car and its derivative, the Exige. The name is borrowed from the legendary Lotus Europa of the 1960s and 1970s.
The Lotus Europa s follows the core Lotus philosophy of performance through light weight enabling this refined and very high performing GT car to weigh just 995 kg. This low weight has been obtained through the clever use of advanced and high tech materials including an extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, composite body panels and a very advanced composite energy absorbing front crash structure.
2006 Lotus Europa S
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- Model: 2006 Lotus Europa S
- Horsepower: 201 hp@5.400 rpm
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This is more relaxed than the Elise/Exige with a larger boot, greater soundproofing, and easier cabin access due to the lower chassis sides, and higher roof line. It also includes luxuries such as air conditioning, custom stereo sound system, leather interior, and plush interior carpeting as standard equipment
However, the Europa S is not a derivative of the Elise or the Exige and has been allocated a separate Lotus type number of Type 121 - the Elise and Exige are both Type 111. The new mid-engined coupe will deliver high levels of performance from a high torque (263 Nm or 194 lbft at 4200 rpm) 2.0-litre turbo engine producing 149 kW (200 hp or 203 PS) at 5400rpm.
The Lotus Europa S achieves around 90% of its maximum torque at only 2000 rpm to give "supercar" levels of acceleration from low engine speeds, propelling the car from 0 -96 km/h (60 mph) in around 5.5 seconds, and 160 km/h (100 mph) in around 14 seconds. Maximum speed is approximately 225 km/h (140 mph).
Being a Lotus, the Europa S has a phenomenal power to weight ratio of 201 hp / tonne (204 PS / tonne or 6.68 kg / kW).
The car is not expected to be offered for sale in the United States or Canada at first, as the Opel/Vauxhall built turbo is not currently certified to meet emissions requirements for those nations.
MSRP is projected at approximately £33,000 (€49,000, $63,000).
Tony Shute, Head of Product for at Lotus Cars explains the concept behind the new product:
"The Lotus Europa S has allowed Lotus to exploit its extensive capabilities in developing a sophisticated GT car which successfully complements the range of existing cars.
The 'Grand Tourer' concept underpinning the Europa S provides the driver with a refined environment, incorporating innovative styling features which do not compromise the superior performance and handling that is synonymous with the Lotus marque."
Describing the Lotus Europa S, Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus says: "The form of a design should reflect the spirit of the car, and the Lotus Europa S is no different. Where the rebellious track-focused personality of the Exige is characterised by shrink-wrapped athletic forms communicating agility and power, the Europa S has a more fluid, understated language reflecting its more sophisticated persona."
The introduction of a GT car, represents both an important and unique addition to the Lotus product range