I loved my time with the Elise R, but my week with the Evora GT was exceptional. This car has two more cylinders, one more supercharger, much more space, tons more power, better storage, modern radio, amazing suspension tuning, and a far superior shifter.
The second I sat down in the Evora after getting out of the Elise, I was shocked at how high up and comfy the seats were. It’s low compared to a normal car, but everything is high compared to an Elise. I turned on my heated seats, plugged my phone into Apple Carplay, and drove away in comfort. Daily driving an Elise is possible, but not practical or logical. Daily driving the Evora GT is awesome. Supercar looks, killer exhaust note, cruise control, a back seat area and decent size trunk to keep junk — it’s great. I have a few gripes for a $100K car, though. There is nowhere to put stuff between the driver and passenger, which means you have to put your phone in the passenger seat or behind you in a weird cup holder. The Evora also uses an Alpine head unit. Apple car play works well, but the backup camera quality is comparable to a GameBoy Color. Still, much better than having no backup camera at all. This is to be expected as this Evora has been on the same platform since 2009. Very small complaints over all.
The best way to describe the Evora is as a small McLaren. Like McLarens, it is mid-engined, comfortable, analog (thanks to its hydraulic steering), and capable of demolishing a twisty road. Unlike a McLaren, it is (somewhat) attainable. At $100K, the Evora GT is a bargain. Nothing else at that price point offers an experience quite like it. You can’t even get a base model Porsche 911 for the price of a loaded Evora GT.
Now, the numbers: the Evora GT is powered by a 3.5L supercharged Toyota V6 that makes 416 hp and 332lb/ft of torque. 0-60 takes 4 seconds and it weighs just 3100 lbs. Base MSRP is $96,500. But, like the Lightweight Lotus Elise, this car isn’t about the numbers, it’s about driver involvement and a proper British sports car experience — which it absolutely delivers. Don’t dismiss the engine for being a Toyota V6. This 60-degree V6 is an amazing engine. The power is great, but the real magic is the way it sounds. This car absolutely wails. Automotive journalist Jason Camissa named this as the best-sounding car he drove in 2021, and he drives literally everything. Another benefit of being a Toyota engine is the peace of mind. Toyota is known for making bulletproof, long-lasting engines, which is a relief when driving a car made in England. If I was looking for a sports car around $100K, this is definitely what I would choose. What a great car.
But, the Evora is dead! Lotus has been purchased by Geely Automotive, and with the influx of money comes a whole new line of Loti including the range topping $2M all-electric Evija. This change in ownership also means all Loti we know now will go away. This 2011 Elise was the final year that the Elise was offered in the USA, and 2021 is the last year for the Evora ever. They are being replaced by the Type 131 and Emira respectively. All signs point toward the Emira being improved in every way compared to the Evora, and I imagine the Type 131 will be excellent as well. Lotus is a unique manufacturer making hyper-focused sports cars in a world of egg-shaped crossovers. As their lineup expands, they’ll lose some of that focus, but they will always offer their bread and butter: lightweight drivers’ cars.
Massive thanks to Scott Grady for allowing me to spend time with his awesome cars. It was a joy and a privilege. Be sure to follow @jlc.on.cars for more automotive content.
