The Lotus Evora 400 Is A 186mph Cayman GT4-Fighting Road Rocket

When Lotus reveals a new car, it’s hard not to see it as a quick fix to pay the next month’s rent. And while this seems to be just another Evora with more aggressive styling and a hike in power, the raw numbers suggest this is far from just a parts-bin special. This is the fastest car Lotus has ever made, remember…

The Evora 400 makes 400bhp (a 55bhp jump over the S) and 302lb ft of torque, and will do 0-62mph in 4.2sec before hitting a staggering 186mph. That’s thanks to an overhaul of the Evora’s 3.5-litre V6, which gets a new supercharger, charge cooler, engine management system and exhaust. Purists will be pleased there’s the option of a manual, but the majority of sales will likely go to the car with the automatic transmission.

True to Lotus tradition, the 400 has shed some weight too. Tipping the scales at 1415kgs, it’s 22kgs lighter than the standard Evora to help improve handling with the increased power. The wheels are 19 inches at the front, 20 inches at the rear, and are made from lightweight, forged aluminium.

The exterior modifications are purely functional. There’s a redesigned front bumper with larger air intakes, and a rear bumper incorporating a lightweight rear diffuser and three-element rear wing. All this contributes to a marginally longer and wider Evora, with a reduced approach angle to aid aerodynamic downforce.

The interior has been updated, too. Getting in and out should be easier thanks to narrower sills, with more space for rear passengers. There are new seats, a lightweight forged magnesium steering wheel with new instrument dials in the binnacle, and a new entertainment system.

The Lotus Evora 400 has some tough competition from the recently revealed Cayman GT4. That car has 380bhp, and the backing of a manufacturer that is flush with cash. So the question is: which would you have?