First Lotus Evora 400 drives off the assembly line at Hethel

In a small celebration with a selection of senior management, manufacturing and engineering staff, the first new Lotus Evora 400 has driven off the assembly line at Hethel.

"Today is a very significant stage in our long term plan, which we set-out more than a year ago. With the
first Evora 400 coming off the line, we have achieved a key milestone for Lotus," said Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc.

"None of this would be possible, of course, without the confidence and commitment of our workforce who, with great skill and talent, hand build every Lotus car at Hethel."

The new Lotus Evora 400 laps the Lotus test track at Hethel six seconds faster than the previous Evora S in a time of 1 minute 32 seconds. Combining high performance with the legendary Lotus benchmark handling, it is faster and dynamically more capable than the previous Lotus Evora leading to greater agility and a more involving drive.

Maximum speed is 186 mph (300 km/h) and acceleration 0-60 mph is just 4.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds). Over two thirds of the Lotus Evora 400 is new, including its supercharged and charge-cooled mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. A new aluminium chassis incorporates a new interior and the lightweight composite body has changed significantly both front and rear.

The new Evora 400, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will enter production for European markets in the summer and deliveries will commence in August this year. China and North American markets will receive the Evora 400 as a 2017 model year in early 2016.

The first Lotus Evora 400, finished in metallic black is destined to be a promotion car for Lotus.

Lotus Evora 400 International pricing including local taxes where applicable:
UK (Pound Sterling) - £72,000
Germany (Euros) - €96,000
Japan (Yen) - ¥13,200,000
USA (Dollars) - $89,900 (excluding local sales taxes)
China (RMB) - 1,318,000

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