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The new Lotus Evora GT430 Sport is quicker with an automatic

Few automakers exploit platform variants as much as lotus. The company has four models, one of which is essentially a hardtop version of another. The Lotus Evora 400 sits atop the range, and since its debut last year we've seen the Evora 410, Evora 410 GP Edition and the Evora GT430. Today, the British automaker announced the Evora GT430 Sport, essentially a less hardcore but nearly as capable version of the GT430. The two biggest differences are the non-limited availability and the available six-speed automatic transmission. All 60 examples of the GT430 were only available with a manual. Both cars use the same 3.5-liter V6 topped with an Edelbrock supercharger that's good for 430 horsepower. Manual models make 325 lb-ft of torque, while automatic-equipped cars make 332 lb-ft. Despite a 24-pound penalty, the GT430 Sport automatic hits 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, a tenth quicker than the manual. While gearing in the automatic limits top speed to 170 mph, manual models can reach 196 mph. That makes this the fastest road-going Lotus ever. No matter which one you choose, the GT430 comes with Ohlins TTX two-way adjustable dampers, slotted and ventilated brake discs with AP Racing four-piston calipers, a Torsen-type limited slip differential and an adjustable traction control system. The front and rear bumpers, front access panel, roof panel, rear quarter panels and one-piece louvered tailgate and spoiler are all made of carbon fiber. The non-Sport GT430 adds a carbon fiber front splitter, rear wing, louvered wheel arches and a wider set of wheels and tires. The carbon fiber theme continues inside. The seats, door sills and parts of the instrument cluster are all made of the lightweight material. Most of the rest of the interior is trimmed in leather and black Alcantara. At $136,000, the new GT430 Sport undercuts the limited-run model by about $11,000. There's no word on if the car will make it here to the U.S. Hopefully Lotus' new parent company will keep the ball rolling. Related Video:

Lotus Exige V6 Cup takes extreme to the extreme

What separates a road car from a race car? You're looking at it. It's the Lotus Exige V6 Cup, a model based on what is already one of the most hardcore performance machines on the road, albeit upgraded to an even harder-core spec. It's a good 130 pounds lighter than the Exige S (a vehicle which didn't have much flab to trim in the first place) and can hit 60 in under four seconds. With the notably exception of certain versions of the Porsche 911, there aren't a lot of six-cylinder cars that can claim that kind of performance.
In fact, the Exige V6 Cup is so close to race spec that it's already eligible for a number of racing series. Just bolt in the removable FIA-certified roll cage, maybe swap on some slick tires and you're good to go. Then you can drive it home again when you're done, just like in sports car racing's heyday. But don't take our word for it: the team over at XCar took the V6 Cup to the UK's Goodwood circuit to see how it compared to the Exige S it recently drove, and you can view the stirring results in the video below.

This 450-hp electric Lotus Evora is powered by Tesla and Chevrolet

When someone mentions an electric Lotus, the first thing that comes to mind is the Tesla Roadster, the California-based automaker's first vehicle. That car started life as an Elise before being heavily massaged and adapted by Tesla's engineers. In a similar spirit, the people at Onpoint Dyno are close to finishing Blue Lightning, a track-ready all-electric Lotus Evora. Blue Lightning uses a Tesla drive unit and a Chevrolet Volt battery pack, both mounted in the middle in place of the Evora's 3.5-liter Toyota V6. It's putting down about 450 horsepower at the wheels. The car was built for time attack sessions, so power is fed through custom forged wheels and super sticky Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tires, the same ones found on the last Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. There is a custom digital instrument cluster in place of the Lotus gauges. There's also a regen paddle on the left side of the steering wheel. With a full charge, Blue Lighting should go about 120 miles. While the car runs under its own power, it's only about 90 percent complete. It has no power steering, no firewall in between the seats and the motor and battery pack, no A/C, and a large hole where the shift lever used to be. Other final touches include fine-tuning the brakes and suspension. There is also a custom rear bumper coming that should make it look more like the new Lotus Evora 400. Onpoint Dyno expects the car to hit the track in the next month or so. Related Video: