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Lotus Evora Sport 410 will come to North America this year

Just a year after debuting the 400-horsepower Evora 400, Lotus now reveals the Evora Sport 410, which sharpens the coupe even more. As the name suggests, power creeps up to 410 hp, but the more impressive change is the 154-pound drop in weight. Like the 400, the new model is even on the way to the US. "A specific North American version of the Evora Sport 410 will be announced later in 2016 along with the price," Alastair Florance, Lotus Group PR Manager, told Autoblog. We hope it's as light here as in the rest of the world. The Evora Sport 410's extra power and fewer pounds translate to improved performance. The run to 60 miles per hour now takes 3.9 seconds, versus 4.1 seconds for the Evora 400. The top speed remains the same at 186 mph. The latest model is also three seconds per lap faster around Lotus' Hethel test track compared to the 400. Lots of new carbon fiber parts are the key to the significant weight loss, which takes the coupe down to 2,921 pounds. The front splitter, roof, tailgate, rear diffuser, sport seats, and front access panel are now made from the lightweight material. Inside, there are single-piece door panels, which no longer have armrests or stowage pockets. Lotus plans to build 150 Evora Sport 410s a year, but it's not clear whether that figure includes the North American specific model. Prices in the UK start at the equivalent 79,900 pounds ($112,000 at current exchange rates). We don't yet know US numbers, but the Evora 400 sells for $89,900 here. You can assume a higher cost for this model's greater performance. Lightening strikes again: The Lotus Evora Sport 410 • 0-60 mph in 3.9 secs and a top speed of 186 mph • 70 kg slashed from the weight of the Evora 400 • Comprehensive carbon fibre package as standard • Increased power, reduced mass, sharper handling • Total production limited to one-hundred and fifty vehicles per year In a move that should surprise no one, Lotus has raised the bar once again by lightening the Evora in order to develop the sensational Evora Sport 410. Following on from the recently announced Elise Cup 250, and the Exige Sport 350, Lotus' famous Lightweight Laboratory has been hard at work cutting the weight of the Evora 400 by a massive 70kg. With a host of high-performance carbon fibre components as standard, and sharing the 410 hp supercharged engine with the track-bred 3-Eleven, the Lotus Evora Sport 410 clocks 0-60 in 3.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186mph.

Why all of this year's F1 noses are so ugly [w/video]

If you're a serious fan of Formula One, you already know all about The Great Nosecone Conundrum of 2014. Those given to parsing each year's F1 regulations predicted the strong possibility of the so-called "anteater" noses as far back as early December 2013. Highly suggestive visual evidence first came after Caterham's crash test in early January, with further proof coming as soon as Williams showed a rendering of the FW36 challenger for this year's championship. That car earned a name that wasn't nearly so kind as "anteater."
Casual followers of the sport - or anyone who gets the feed from this site - probably don't know what's happening, except to wonder why the current year's F1 cars are led by appendages that would make Cyrano de Bergerac feel a whole lot better about himself.
The short answer to the question of ugsome F1 noses is "FIA regulations and safety." The reason there are various kinds of ugsome noses is simpler: engineers. The same boffins who have given us advances including carbon fiber monocoques, six-wheeled cars, double diffusers and Drag Reduction Systems are bred to do everything in their power to exploit every possible freedom in the regulations to make the cars they're building go faster - the caveat being that those advances have to work within the overall philosophy of the whole car.

Renault settles on Lotus, to take 65-percent stake in F1 team

Renault's coquettish moves toward becoming a constructor again have been news all season. The expected maneuver, should Renault say "Oui" to such, was for the French carmaker to repurchase the Lotus team - the team it sold at the end of 2010 to Genii Capital. Then last week we got the surprise news that Renault had been talking to Force India about taking a majority stake, but that information came with the context that Renault had discussions with several teams about such a move. Autosport reports that Renault has finally decided to get back together with Lotus, taking a stake worth up to 65 percent for 65 million pounds. The deciding factor was said to be the facilities that Lotus has available compared to Force India, including the Enstone factory formerly owned by Renault, plus a computational fluid dynamics program, driver-in-the-loop simulator, and a 60-percent-scale wind tunnel. The final shareholding stake will be split between Gerard Lopez at 25 percent and Renault ambassador Alain Prost at 10 percent. Renault will make a 7.5-million-pound payment immediately, completing the acquisition by paying 5.75-million-pounds per year for the next ten years. On top of that, Renault will invest a budget commensurate with those of Mercedes-AMG Petronas and Infiniti Red Bull Racing. The carmaker's board and CEO Carlos Ghosn have approved the deal, it is up to Lotus shareholders to agree to everything by Monday, when Autosport says the papers will be signed. The deal puts team drivers and the Red Bull engine supply in question. It should be expected for Romain Grosjean to remain, but keeping Pastor Maldonado is not a certainty. As for engines, Red Bull's engine supply contract states it must be Renault's priority, so Renault could stick with the Mercedes power unit Lotus currently uses for one more year, or help Red Bull get in bed with Mercedes. We should know more next week. Related Video: