Lotus Europa S - available in september for 50.000 €

Lotus has announced that the new Europa S mid-engined coupe Grand Tourer will be available starting from September 16th 2006 in European markets.
Prices for what Lotus calls a "Business Class driving experience" will be 32,995 £ in England and 42,100 € (before taxes) in Continental Europe, which translates in a recommended retail price that goes from 49,100 € in Germany to 50,600 € in France, all the way up to 66,603 € in the Netherlands (!). The only options will be the Metallic Paint and Lifestyle Paint finishes.

Recommended retail prices for other countries in Europe and non-European countries will be issued shortly. However, please note that the Europa S will not be sold in North America (USA and Canada).

About the Lotus Europa S:

The new Lotus Europa S, a Grand Tourer (GT) inspired two-seater, will provide Lotus customers a spectacular sportscar with significantly enhanced levels of touring and cruising capability, as well as higher levels of comfort and refinement to complement the simplicity of the Lotus Elise and Exige models.

The Europa S follows the core Lotus philosophy of performance through light weight, enabling this refined and high-performing GT car to weigh a mere 995 kg, making it class - leading in this respect. 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.

When compared to the award-winning Lotus Elise, the Europa S has a larger boot / luggage compartment and easier cabin access, resulting from lower chassis sides and a higher roof line. Combined with a full leather interior, Satellite Navigation and driver and passenger airbags all as standard, Lotus has created it's interpretation of a "Business Class" driving experience, which remains true to the Company's design philosophy.

The new mid-engine coupe will deliver high levels of performance from a high torque (272 Nm or 200 lbft at 5000 rpm) 2.0-litre turbo engine producing 147 kW (197 hp or 200 PS) at 5400rpm.

The Lotus Europa S achieves around 90% of its maximum torque at only 2000 rpm to give class-leading levels of acceleration from low engine speeds, propelling the car from 0 - 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (0 - 60 mph in 5.6 seconds), and 160 km/h (100 mph) in 13.6 seconds.

Maximum speed is 240 km/h (150 mph). Being a Lotus, the Europa S has a competitive power to weight ratio of 198 hp / tonne (205 PS / tonne or 148 kW / tonne).

© Source: original article on eurocarblog.com