Admittedly, we’re having a little trouble keeping track of the sheer number of subtly different flavours that are now available from Lotus. Take their largest model, the Evora, as an example: they’ve just announced the Evora GT410 Sport, which is a successor to their already excellent (and recent) Evora 410, which is an improvement over their Evora 400 from 2015 - each with differing levels of power among other variables, denoted by that corresponding number in horsepower.
To put the GT410 Sport into context: not long ago, the Hethel-based sports car maker also detailed their Evora GT430, their most no-nonsense, performance-focused interpretation of the Evora yet as well as their fastest road-going car ever made with 321kW (430hp) being cranked out of its mid-mounted 3.5-litre supercharged V6 to aid the liberal application of lightweight carbon fibre components and extra downforce-generating aero.
The GT410 Sport mix and matches elements from the more liveable 410 and the single-minded focus of the GT430, while also succeeding the 410 Sport, may it rest in peace. At the time of writing, and this could change as quickly as next week, Lotus offers the 400 as the introductory variant to the Evora range, and above that is where the new GT410 Sport slots in, priced at £85,900 in the UK.
At the top of the pile sits the GT430, which also comes as the GT430 Sport which is essentially identical but features considerably less aggressive aero treatment. As a result, the GT430 can post faster laps by being stickier in the corners, but with less downforce the GT430 Sport - with a manual transmission - can achieve a higher top speed (315km/h).
By contrast, this new GT410 Sport tops out at 305km/h and is able to accelerate to 100km/h from rest in 3.9 seconds (0.2s slower than the GT430), though it comes with more creature comforts such air conditioning, an optional 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear seats, and an interior cocooned with more sound deadening material.
What it carries over from the GT430, though, are the carbon fibre aero bits that collectively result in a 50 percent jump over the outgoing Evora 410 Sport. These include the car’s front access panel, roof panel and a one-piece louvered tailgate with integrated spoiler, as well as the elements within the front air blade system and rear wheel exit ports.
There’s yet more weight shedding to be indulged upon via the options list, which can include specifying the a titanium exhaust and race suspension package comprising of Ohlins TTX adjustable dampers, resulting in a total 28kg reduction over the 410 Sport that it replaces. This can presumably bring the new GT410 Sport to within uncomfortable proximity with the step-up GT430 Sport.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus said upon launching the GT410 Sport: “We are continually exploring new ideas, innovating and evolving our cars in pursuit of perfection. The new Evora GT410 Sport takes the lessons learnt from the development of the GT430 to deliver something outstanding and highly capable.”
For more on Lotus cars, check out our Showroom.
