Lotus Evora GTE to join three other Lotus cars at Frankfurt

One of the new Lotus models to be unveiled at Frankfurt is the Elise S, which replaces the Elise SC, and features a 1.8-litre supercharged engine with 220bhp. Lotus has kept mum on the other two new models to be launched at Frankfurt, but says that one of them will be "one of the quickest road cars" it has ever built while the other marks the return of the brand to "another adrenalin filled motorsport discipline".

The special edition model that will join the three new models is the Evora GTE, which is based on the race car of the same name, and was originally available exclusively for Asian markets, but Lotus has now decided to offer the car worldwide. “The response to this model in China has been so incredible, within days we had sold out with 114 orders," said Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar. "In response we decided that the only logical step from a business perspective was to increase production and widen our reach."

The road-going Evora GTE is powered by the racing model's modified V6 engine with 444bhp, coupled to a sequential AMT gearbox. Use of carbon fibre parts throughout the exterior and interior of the car including the doors, bumpers and rear wing, contributes to the 105kg weight reduction over the standard Evora. “What is unique about this car is not just that it’s a serious race car – it’s a serious car. People get so excited when they see and especially hear it for the first time. It’s a very special car and will appeal to a very special type of driver – and they won’t be disappointed!” commented Bahar.

Finally, Lotus will use the Frankfurt Motor Show to exhibit two new options, including the introduction of the SPS (Serial Precision Shift) robotised automated manual transmission for the 1.6-litre Elise, and the IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) automatic gearbox on the Evora S which is powered by a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with 350bhp.