Thank goodness there are still manufacturers that produce vehicles for people who love to drive. Case in point: the 2020 Lotus Evora GT, one of the purest sports cars available today. It’s a sleek, low-slung two-door coupe with air scoops, spoilers, and sexy curves and angles that create a really cool looking vehicle. As in all great sports cars, those good looks accompany power, performance and pure driving fun.
The Evora’s back-to-basics cockpit sits in front of the engine. It only weighs 3,175 pounds—pretty amazing for a mid-engine car that seats four. It’s a rare configuration, but no child big enough to tie his or her own shoes is going to fit in the rear seat. Still, it should help reduce insurance costs and will hold a briefcase or gym bag.
The cabin is minimalistic. It has three rotary dial ventilation controls. It’s refreshing to face real gauges behind the wheel instead of yet another screen. There is a touchscreen for audio controls. However, because the sonorous roar emanating from the engine and exhaust is such beautiful music, the audio system is almost redundant. It also includes navigation and a back-up camera.
Carbon fiber is used extensively in the body construction and interior, including the well-bolstered seats and interior trim. Some contortion is required to enter and exit, but it’s the price you pay with such a ground-hugging sports car. To me, that’s part of the charm, but some may not consider it worth it. Once inside, it’s cozy but comfortable.
Driving the Evora was a morale booster. With the tight suspension, you feel every nuance of the road, but it doesn’t beat you up. The steering is sublime. You can hardly tell that it’s boosted, and the feedback is telepathic through the alcantara-covered, flat-bottomed steering wheel. The supercharged 416 horsepower V-6 powerplant is made by Toyota and enhanced by Lotus, so it should be reliable and easy to maintain. In such a light car, it provides more than enough power, propelling the Evora to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds.
Probably the most impressive feature of the Evora was its unbelievable 6-speed manual gearbox. The shifter is about the best I’ve experienced. The clutch is easy to use, not too heavy or light, and they work together magnificently. An automatic transmission is available, but why?
I saw a microphone near the rearview mirror, so you can probably connect a phone, but I don’t know and don’t care. If you’re doing anything but enjoying driving this car every minute, you don’t deserve it. Furthermore, it’s practical enough to use everyday if you don’t mind the acrobatics of getting in and out and don’t need to carry much. Unfortunately, this may be one of the last true analog cars available. Even at $100,000, the price seems reasonable for what you get.
According to Adrian Hill, inventory coordinator at Holman Motorcars, formerly St. Louis Motorcars, in Chesterfield, “The 2020 Lotus Evora GT is a ‘real’ sports car, complete with a supercharged V-6 mounted mid-ship. There aren’t many vehicles built like this for driving enthusiasts, so get one hand-built in England while you can.”
technicals »
price:
▶ Base: $99,000 including delivery
▶ As driven with options: $106,000
gas mileage:
▶ 17 city, 26 highway
drivetrain:
▶ Mid engine; rear-wheel drive
▶ 3.5 litre supercharged V-6 engine
▶ 416 horsepower
▶ 6-speed manual transmission
Robert Paster (robertpaster.com) is also an attorney in private practice, concentrating in estate planning and probate.
