2017 Lotus Evora 400 Review

When Lotus stopped selling the Evora in the United States after the 2014 model year, it was fair to wonder if or when the company would again be selling road-going cars. Well, now we have an answer. The 2017 Evora 400 reveals that there's life to the Lotus brand after all, with the automaker claiming that this is the fastest Lotus yet produced.

The Evora 400's supercharged, Toyota-sourced V6 gains a water-to-air intercooler, bumping output to 400 horsepower (hence the "400" in its model name). The all-aluminum structure has been massaged for more stiffness, less mass and easier entry. There's new bodywork that loses some stylistic elegance but substantially reduces aerodynamic lift at high speed.

You can be sure that the Evora 400 is precise, fast and rewarding to drive, yet is more well-rounded than the old Lotus Elise and Exige. This is the Lotus for grown-ups. Lotus, however, is still a tiny company and doesn't have the financial wherewithal to offer the Evora 400 in a vast variety of configurations. To wit, you won't find a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, adaptive dampers or rear-wheel steering in an Evora 400.

While the Evora was undergoing its metamorphosis into the Evora 400, the competition continued to evolve, too. Lotus' German rivals are building sophisticated and awe-inspiring sports cars that make extremely compelling cases for themselves by any objective assessment. For some people, though, only a Lotus will do.

The 2017 Lotus Evora 400 is available in a single trim level that in the reality of 2017 is fairly spartan but by Lotus standards is positively replete with features. Standard equipment includes a backup camera, rear parking alerts, heated seats, navigation and a four-speaker audio system. It's already a pretty specialized car, though there is a degree of customization available — paint color, wheel color, your choice of three interior treatments and the option of blacked-out exterior elements.

All Evora 400 models are equipped with a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 (400 hp, 302 lb-ft of torque) and come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic transmission is optional, but you lose the Torsen limited-slip differential and a little bit of your soul in the bargain. Other stand-alone options include forged wheels, cruise control, deleted backseats, premium audio, deleted air-conditioning, a titanium exhaust, a lightweight lithium-ion battery and power seats. A Carbon Pack swaps out some of the exterior trim with carbon-fiber replacements, saving some 11 pounds.