Lotus News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – July 16, 2019

Lotus Evija: The World's Most Powerful Series Production ...

The new Lotus Evija is finally here, but before I explain anything about the car there's one thing I need to clear up. It's pronounced 'E-vai-ya'. Got it? Cool. Now we don't have to worry about people being jerks if you pronounce it incorrectly. Time to dig into the good stuff. Right away, I'm going to say it: this is the world's most powerful series-production car (in case you didn't read the title). So what gives the Evija such a title? Electric power is derived from a 2,000kW lithium-ion battery and sent to four motors, one for each wheel. Yes, it's all-wheel drive. So how much power is being sent to the wheels? 1973 horsepower and 1254 lb-ft of torque. No, that's not a typo. Lotus notes that the Evija can run 0 to 62 mph in under three seconds and hit a top speed of over 200 mph. Helping out with that quick acceleration is the target weight of just 3,704 lbs. That weight actually makes it the lightest pure-electric series production hypercar ever. Being an all-electric hypercar, range is going to come into play. Lotus notes that the Evija will have a range of 250 miles. Sure, that isn't the largest number you've seen on an electric car, but it's definitely noteworthy for a car packing so much power. When the Evija does need to be charged, the process is just as quick as the car itself. If you have a 350kW unit available, the Evija can hit an 80% charge in 12 minutes and 100% in 18 minutes. Lotus also says that the Evija has the ability to accept an 80kW charge, which will only take 9 minutes to get to 100%. As for the design of the car itself, it's truly a masterpiece. "The shape is inspired by the company’s prototype racing cars of the late Fifties and early Sixties," says Russell Carr, Design Director, Lotus Cars. Dihedral doors open up and present a futuristic cabin. Carbon fiber shell seats with thick Alcantara pads are what the driver and passenger will be sitting in. For the driver, there's a steering wheel that's similar to one found in a race car. In front of the steering wheel is a digital display where important information can be found. To the right of the driver, separating the passengers is a very interesting center console. Buttons on the center console are laid out in a honeycomb design, each button has its own light and is touch-sensitive with haptic feedback. Only 130 examples of the new Lotus Evija will be created, a tribute its "Type" number, 130. Production will start in 2020. Interested? Get ready to drop a £250,000 deposit (roughly $310,000 USD). The total price is set at £1.7m plus duties and taxes (roughly $2.1 million USD). see all lotus cars for sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 20, 2019

Jay Leno Drives the Lotus Evora 400

Want to make a car faster? You can add horsepower, or you can "Add Lightness". Colin Chapman founded Lotus on the notion that lighter cars are better performing and fun to drive. His engineering skills allowed Team Lotus to win 7 F1 Contsructor's Championships, 6 Driver's Championships, and the Indy 500. To see how their latest achievement performs, Jay Leno drove a used Lotus Evora. Cars get heavier because people want more features. The Corvette has gained 800 lbs since 1997, and the new Ford Bronco will probably be a ton more than the 1966 model. Lotus has stayed true to their roots, and the latest Evora is just over 3,000 lbs. It uses a Toyota V6 and a close ratio six-speed manual to offer perfect weight distribution. In order to reach 400 horsepower, they needed help from a supercharger. Nothing Compares While there are many OEM suppliers in Europe, they chose Edelbrock. Using their latest water-cooled blower, the Evora 400 makes 400 horsepower and 302 lb-ft of torque. It launches to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and offers a top speed of 186 mph. The best part is that you won't find the limits of grip on a public street. Speaking from experience, the steering wheel will break your wrists before the car spins out. You can exit the highway going 110, or carve your own line in any corner. Nothing grips like a Lotus, so click the link below to find one near you. Find Your Lotus Here Related: All-New Lotus Production Car Announced: It's a Hypercar Lotus Celebrates the Holidays with Epic "Driftmas" Video

By Edward Jones – April 16, 2019

All-New Lotus Production Car Announced: It's A Hypercar

It's been a long time coming, but there is finally an all-new Lotus production car on its way. The news comes from the British manufacturer themselves, who say this will be the first all-new product since 2008. But wait, there's more. Lotus also goes on to say that this will be the first all-electric hypercar from a British manufacturer. Along with the news of the car a name was given, the Lotus Type 130. The name continues a long tradition of "Type" models from Lotus. Here's a breakdown of some of the most notable Lotus "Types," courtesy of the British automaker themselves. Type 14 – World’s first composite monocoque production road car (Elite, 1957) Type 25 – World’s first fully-stressed monocoque F1 car, first Lotus to win F1 world championship (1963) Type 72 – Most successful F1 car of all time and the blueprint for F1 car design for many years (Championship winner in 1970, ‘72 and’ 73) Type 78 – World’s first ‘ground effects’ F1 car (1977) Type 88 – World’s first carbon fibre F1 car (1981) Type 92 – World’s first active suspension F1 car (1983) Type 111 – World’s first aluminium and bonded extrusion construction production car (Elise, 1995) Type 130 – World’s first full electric British hypercar (2019) For Type 130, Lotus will be continuing a longtime tradition of breaking boundaries with their "Type" models. "Type 130 will be the most dynamically accomplished Lotus in our history," says Lotus CEO Phil Popham. "It marks a turning point for our brand and is a showcase of what we are capable of and what is to come from Lotus." Expect the new Lotus Type 130 to be released in Long later this year. view all lotus cars for sale

By Edward Jones – December 19, 2018

Lotus Celebrates the Holidays With Epic "Driftmas" Video

People across the world celebrate Christmas in different ways. For the iconic Lotus automaker, they celebrate Christmas by ripping around sideways in the Driftmas Evora. This Evora GT410 Sport comes packing a 410 horsepower engine and a Christmas tree. Seriously. Typically, you can just slap a festive tree on top of a car and tie it down. For the Driftmas Evora, Lotus went another route. They decided to use some carbon fiber and welding so the Christmas tree could stand up in the back. It may not be aerodynamic, but it sure is festive. Check it out in the video above and images down below! Also Check Out: Lotus Launches 2019 Exige Sport 410 2018 duPont REGISTRY Holiday Gift Guide Lotus 3-Eleven Ends With Their Quickest Model Yet

By Andrew Nabors – May 03, 2018

Lotus Launches 2019 Exige Sport 410

Just in time for the weekend, Lotus has pulled back the cover on a new Exige. The 2019 Exige Sport 410 takes inspiration from the Exige Cup 430 to build the ultimate daily driver. Founder Colin Chapman would be proud that his formula is still used: "First simplify, then add lightness".The engine, chassis, and suspension are shared with the Cup 430, but the Sport 410 is not a hardcore track car. A slight recalibration of the engine offers 410 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Sure these are adequate for any car until you notice it only weighs 2,323 lbs dry. The press release says it is the lightest V6-powered Exige ever, and our Exotic Car Buyer's Guide references that it is among the lightest cars we have ever written about.Lotus Group CEO Jean-Marc Gales said: “With every new Lotus we look to move the bar higher and apply technology and development ideas drawn from top-of-the-range models. Our agility as a company means that the lessons learned today can quickly be incorporated into the cars of tomorrow and the Exige Sport 410 is a perfect example of this. We have taken the Exige Cup 430, the ultimate track-centric Exige, and developed it into the perfect road orientated sports car, ensuring that we stay ahead of rivals when it comes to cars that deliver a truly engaging analogue driving experience.”While they won't go into detail as to where the weight was eliminated, a titanium exhaust saves 22 lbs. Air conditioning and entertainment systems are optional, but not an automatic transmission. The gorgeous exposed shifter of the close ratio 6-speed is all a true enthusiast needs. If you are curious about when the new Exige will arrive, click the link below and stay with us for all your Lotus updates.Browse Lotus Exige For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 25, 2016

Revealed: The Lotus Evora Sport 410

Lotus strikes again. Twice in two weeks, no less. This week, the company debuted the all-new Evora Sport 410. The latest installment of the Evora, the Sport 410, features a noticeably lighter body, shedding a substantial 70kg (approx. 154 pounds) and a slew of standard carbon fiber components. According to a press release, the new sports car shares, "the 410 hp supercharged engine with the track-bred 3-Eleven" and sails from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 186 mph. Still envisioned for everyday driving, the Evora Sport 410 maintains its "excellent road manners" and refinery fit for the daily driver. Thanks to the lighter weight and increase in power, the Evora Sport 410 completed a lap in a mere 1 minute and 28 seconds on the Hethel-- the company's test track. The combination of mass reduction and power also lends to better handling and therefore, better driver experience. Check out the photos of the new Evora Sport 410 below. Used Lotus Evora For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 18, 2016

Revealed: Fastest Lotus Elise Ever, the Cup 250

Lotus has always operated under the motto that less is more, and the new Elise Cup 250 highlights the company's commitment to that motto with a slew of new features that lighten the load. The new Lotus Elise Cup 250, which will replace the Cup 220, takes an approximate 46-lb loss while gaining 26-hp. The new Lithium-ion battery takes about 22-lbs off the weight while carbon fiber seats and lightweight alloy wheels save right around 16.5-lbs. Thanks to these weight-saving features and the addition of horsepower, the Elise Cup 250 speeds from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and is "the fastest road-going Lotus Elise ever", according to a press release.Lotus Elise Cup 250 Specs Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder supercharged Horsepower: 243 hp 0–60: 3.9 seconds Top Speed: 154 mph The company tested the Elise Cup 250 out on their company track, the Hethel, and it pulled a time of 1 minute 34 seconds-- an incredible 4 second improvement over the Elise Cup 220. The new Elise Cup 250 time is the fastest in Lotus Elise history.The Elise Cup 250 will have 10 exterior paint options and comes standard with Alcantara interior in either red or black, or choose the leather package. Owners will also have the option to customize their vehicle thanks to the Lotus Exclusive program. iPod, Bluetooth functionality and sound insulation are also included.Lotus' For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 11, 2015

Lotus Exige Loses Weight with the Sport 350

Shedding weight is no easy task, but Lotus has once again shocked the world with their latest Exige. The new 2016 Exige Sport 350 has lost 112 lbs, and measures in at only 2,480 lbs. With a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 behind the seats, 60 mph arrives in 3.7 seconds. Horsepower is rated at 345 and torque at 295 lb-ft. A six-speed manual is standard, with a paddle shifted automatic as optional equipment. The shifter of the manual transmission is now exposed, offering an interesting view of the inner workings. Using the Exige S as their baseline, the new car is 2.5 seconds faster around the Hethel test track. This was made possible through its light weight and its exterior styling that has been optimized to reach a top speed of 170mph. It's interior is offered with a classic Tartan trim pack. It offers red or yellow tartan trim for seats and door panels. Exige Sport 350 arrives wearing Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires, but once they are toast we recommend a new set of R-compound slicks to dominate your local track. We don’t know how many they plan to import, but stay tuned to Autofluence as they become available. Exiges For Sale (Source: Group Lotus PLC)

By Caitlin Duffy – November 13, 2015

Lotus Elise Sport & Elise Sport 220 Introduced

Lotus' most recognized model is back in two new forms for 2016, bringing the Sport label back to their lineup in a light, agile form.A press release from the British marque today shared the introduction of the Lotus Elise Sport and Elise Sport 220, each of which benefits from weight reduction and refined power production. The Elise Sport is ideal for long-term brand enthusiasts and newcomers to the track car world, while the Elise Sport 220 is a more focus performance model.“We have further refined, distilled and sharpened the driving experience offered by our best selling sports car of the last 20 years, the Lotus Elise," described Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, in the release. "These two new models, the Elise Sport and Sport 220 revive the iconic ‘Sport’ naming designation and are both worthy of wearing this badge."Pricing for the United Kingdom and Germany has been announced, with sales scheduled to begin in Europe this December and for the rest of the world in January. UK customers can expected to pay £29,900 for the Elise Sport and £36,500 for the Elise Sport 220, while customers in Germany can expect prices of €39,900 and €48,700, respectively. US pricing has yet to be announced, but given the UK and German prices and current exchange rates, we can expect prices to land around $45,000 USD for the Elise Sport and $55,000 USD for the Elise Sport 220.If you can't quite wait that long for your Lotus, find one from our exclusive listings below.Lotus Listings For Sale (via Lotus)

By Caitlin Duffy – November 05, 2015

Lotus Evora 400 Takes to the Track

Lotus first introduced the new Evora 400 to the world in February of this year, unleashing their most powerful and fastest production car yet to the racing enthusiast community. At 400 hp and 302 lb-ft, its numbers may not seem super high, but the V6 powered track car is just 3,119 pounds, 49 pounds lighter than the previous iteration. But, just because a Lotus is best used on the track doesn't mean it isn't also a potently comfortable streetcar. A video shared by the marque today gives us a look at the new Evora 400 taking on both the road and track, putting its lowered weight and increased power to the test. It has a peppy engine that'll get you excited for a chance to test one out.https://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/results/lotus/evora Check out the video below, and if the older Evoras are still more your taste, find one for your collection from our exclusive listings. (via Lotus, YouTube) See More Lotus News

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