The Lotus Evora Gets a Big Upgrade With the GT430

Lotus and the Evora range continues to grow under the careful watch of Jean-Marc Gales. We saw the Evora 400 first, then came the more powerful Sport 410. Today, the British sports car manufacturer upped the ante again with the unveiling of the GT430.

As is standard with the Evora, the numerical part of its name refers to its output, which puts the Evors GT430’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine at a mighty 430 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. This makes it the most powerful Lotus sports car ever built. The engine pairs with a six-speed manual transmission that mates to a low-inertia, single-mass flywheel.

This powertrain adds up to a 3.7-second 0-to-60 mph time and a 190-mph top speed. While its top speed is the same as the Evora Sport 410, its 0-to-60 time is 0.2 seconds quicker.

Its body is also heavily updated, with a huge emphasis placed on aerodynamic downforce. The upgrades include a carbon-fiber front splitter and rear wing, which pair up to push downforce to 250 kg (551 pounds), which is 186 kg (410 pounds) more than the Sport 410.

To help adjust to driver needs, the Evora GT430 has four dynamic stability modes: Drive, Sport, Race, and Off. There is also a brand-new variable traction control system with six settings: 1%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% slip, and Off.

Though the aero components and the larger wheels add 9 kg (20 pounds) to the Evora, its overall weight is actually down 26 kg (57 pounds) relative to the Sport 410. This weight loss is due in part to its heavy carbon-fiber use, including the front and rear bumpers, the roof panel, and the one-piece tailgate. It’s distinct composite quarter panels and standard titanium exhaust system help it shed some pounds too. There are many of other weight-saving measures, and they include:

• Lightened interior components: -2.5 kg (5.5 pounds)
• Öhlins and Eibach adjustable springs and dampers: -10 kg (22 pounds)
• Lightweight rear rotors: -2 kg (4.4 pounds)
• Thinner aluminum undertray: -1.5 kg (3.3 pounds)
• Lightweight aluminum brackets: -1.3 kg (2.9 pounds)
• Polycarbonate backlight glass: -0.5 kg (1.1 pounds)
• Reworked fluid fill system: -2.5 kg (5.5 pounds)

Inside, buyers will find a cabin that continues the exposed-carbon-fiber theme of the exterior. These include the carbon-fiber racing seats, door sills, and instrument binnacle cover. Lightweight Alcantara and leather wrap the steering wheel, dashboard, door panels, transmission tunnel, and center console. Buyers can also go for the zero-cost full-leather or full-Alcantara upgrade.

Rounding out the interior is a touchscreen infotainment system with iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, navigation, and a rearview camera.
The Evora GT430 is available for order now in Europe, and it will hit North America in the spring of 2018. There are no pricing details, but given Lotus will limit it to just 60 units worldwide, it’s sure to be quite expensive.