2012 Lotus Evora

V6 ENGINE
For this larger car, Lotus went with a larger engine, straying from the 4-cylinder units used in past cars, like the Elise. This V6 comes from Toyota, and is a relative to the one used in America's best-selling car, the Camry. That's good news when it comes to reliability.

DESIGN
The wedge-like Lotus Evora looks like nothing else on the road. Add in the fact that Lotuses are relatively obscure to begin with, and you get a car that's an immediate attention-grabber and quite the conversation piece.

Not surprisingly, the Evora's minimalist nature extends to its cabin. Once you clamber inside, the driver and passenger seats are well-bolstered. As for Evoras with the 2+2 configuration, even Lotus admits the small back seats are really just meant for children. Back up front, functions like the climate system are controlled via large, circular knobs and a few buttons. In one sense that's refreshingly simple, in another it feels out of place for a car of this price. The optional navigation system, too, is rather plain and has just so-so resolution. A tiny rear window and thick rear pillars create blinds spots that hinder visibility.

At about 171 inches in length, the 2012 Evora is large for a Lotus, but still small by U.S. car standards. The Evora sits low and wide, akin to the racecars that inspired it. The Evora's front is defined by elongated headlights that stretch half the length of its hood. Large side air ducts sit high and directly aft of each door, while the rear haunches extend outward and have a very muscular look. At the rear is an integrated spoiler and center-mounted exhaust. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard up front, with 19-inch wheels at the rear.

The 2012 Lotus Evora uses a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V6 that makes 276 horsepower, while the Evora S supercharges that same engine to make a robust 345 horsepower. All Evora models use a mid-engine, rear-drive layout. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual. In a change from its usual course, Lotus offers a 6-speed automatic transmission in the Evora that achieves better fuel economy than the manual gearbox.

3.5-liter V6
276 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 mpg (manual), 20/28 mpg (automatic)

3.5-liter supercharged V6
345 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 mpg (manual), 19/28 mpg (automatic)

A 2012 Lotus Evora with the base V6 and two seats has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $67,275. The higher-powered Evora S with the supercharged engine adds roughly $10,000 to the price. A top-of-the-line Lotus Evora S with four seats, automatic transmission, technology package and upgraded wheels can reach over $86,000. For these prices, the Lotus competes with some stiff competitors that offer more creature comforts, including the Porsche Cayman S and a base 911, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and a high-end BMW Z4. Because the Lotus Evora is a relatively rare vehicle, we expect the car to hold its value reasonably well.

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