If by calling its new sportscar a Grand Tourer, Lotus has you thinking of overweight luxury coupes that excite by dint of their monstrous drivetrains, Colin Chapman's corps have something they'd like to show in a Europa S.
The British concern's latest 'less is emphatically more' proposition adds a film of practicality and refinement to their Elise and Exige. Weighing in at just 995kg (under 2,200 lbs.), the Europa makes use of Lotus' extruded and bonded aluminum chassis and composite paneling.
Despite a curb weight that's sure to have the Olsen Twins stuffing hoagies down its high-octane gullet, the mid-engined Europa brings a full leather interior, airbags, power windows/locks, sat-nav and... wait for it... full carpeting-- to the table. Motivated by a 2.0-liter force-fed four (good for 200 hp and 194 lb-ft.) tied in to a six-speed gearbox, the Europa S rocks to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and does the ton in 14, on its way to 143 mph.
The Europa S will be sold in all Lotus markets... except for the U.S. Those with about £33,000 (@ $58k USD) are advised to contact their nearest Lotus dealer now, as production starts in July.
* This post has been modified
: 19 years ago
