The facelifted Lotus Evora has been spotted undergoing final testing ahead of its planned public debut at the Geneva motor show next month.
The British sports car firm has already confirmed it will show a lighter, more powerful version the Evora in Geneva, a move that could further strengthen its recent positive turnaround.
These latest spy pictures reveal that styling changes will be relatively minor and are focused mainly on reprofiled front and rear bumpers. A more prominent front grille can also be seen. Inside, Lotus looks set to keep its twin-dial cockpit layout, although minor improvements to materials and trim are expected.
Lotus chief executive Jean-Marc Gales told Autocar last year that the 2015 Evora will have about 15 per cent more power and less weight than the outgoing model, as well as the styling changes seen here.
The current Evora is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, which is available in both naturally aspirated and supercharged forms. The standard car offers 276bhp and 258lb ft of torque, rising to 345bhp in the Evora S.
Speaking to Autocar back in November, Gales said the 2015 Evora would beat rival Porsches on performance – and that’s not including a lightweight Cup range he plans to launch, featuring a further weight reduction and power hike.
The Lotus chief also hinted at extra power and less weight for the Lotus Exige in 2016, along with a “surprise” model designed to follow on from the super-lightweight 2-Eleven track day car.
An updated Evora will further boost the fortunes of Lotus, which recently announced that sales are up 54% globally for the first nine months of the financial year.
Recording an 88% sales increase in the UK alone, Lotus's volume is up from 551 cars the previous year to 1565 cars. There are now 163 Lotus dealers worldwide – 25 more than nine months ago – and a further 50 dealers are planned by the end of the year.
Gales added: “Our sales growth and dealer expansion is performing to plan and demonstrates the confidence that our customers have in Lotus.
“The positive reception that all our new cars are receiving in both new and established markets shows that our product development strategy is heading in the right direction.”
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"...1565 cars. There are now 163 Lotus dealers"
I got so excited
I'm not old enough to remember the last new one....
But, sadly of course it's not new. Just rehashed. How does this company survive, without enough cash to offer new products? China, I suppose, everyone else knows what they're like.
Porsche worried.not