The fastest-ever Lotus rolls off the production line and onto roads

7 September, 2015

Construction of the of Lotus’ latest lightweight track warriors, the new 2015 Evora 400 Sport, has come to a head, with the first of the revolutionary new cars being delivered to owners and dealerships all over Europe as we speak.

The Evora 400 Sport has set a new benchmark for the plucky manufacturer, as the fastest-ever production car ever issued by the brand. Predictably, it’s light — weighing in at 1375kg. While some might not consider that number to be wildly impressive, it starts to make more sense when you consider that the 400 Sport is almost 50kg lighter than the preceding Evora model, and beneath its suave and smooth body-lines it conceals a 400hp, supercharged, mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine.

In full flight, the Sport will be capable of hitting 300kph, taking only 4.2 seconds to get to 100kph along the way. And, naturally, it’ll be able to turn on a dime as well, utilizing an AP Racing brake package, a limited-slip differential, and, of course, Lotus’ famed chassis and handling know-how.

The Sport’s options include a complex infotainment system, an automatic transmission, leather-trim upgrades, and metallic paint. But really, if you’re purchasing a Lotus — no less the fastest Lotus ever produced — you’re spending your hard-earned folding because you want a car that can ride a B road like a pro. If you must drop some extra coin on your Evora, the lightweight forged alloy wheels are probably the best bet.

The release of the car comes just as Lotus has hit an economic upswing — not a trend traditionally associated with a car manufacturer with such a niche market. The number of Lotus dealers worldwide has increased markedly, from 138 to 193, in just the last 15 months.

While North American and Chinese markets will be among the next ones to wrap their hands around the Sport, New Zealand will have to wait a little bit longer. But once it’s here, we at New Zealand Classic Car would love to get our mitts on one!

What about you, would you take something like this instead of an Italian or German alternative from the likes of Ferrari or Porsche? Clock in your verdict in our poll below:

The motor car as an art form

12 March, 2026

We have certainly come a long way since the exhibition entitled 8 Automobiles, shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in the autumn of 1951, the first exhibition concerned with the aesthetics of motor car design.
It was here that the often-used term ‘rolling sculpture’ was coined by curator Philip C Johnson, director of the department of architecture and design, when he said, “An automobile is a familiar 20th century artefact, and is no less worthy of being judged for its visual appeal than a building or a chair. Automobiles are hollow, rolling sculptures, and their design refinements are fascinating. We have selected cars whose details and basic design suggest that automobiles, besides being America’s most useful objects, could be a source of visual experience more enjoyable than they now are.”

More to the point

6 March, 2026

This Daimler SP252 is so rare, few people know it exists. It’s one of a kind. It’s the only surviving, in fact the only SP252 ever completed; the would-be successor to the SP250 Daimler Dart. It is also the last sports car to have been designed by Jaguar’s legendary founder, Sir William Lyons.
Perhaps one of the original Dart’s biggest problems was it’s somewhat-divisive looks. It certainly went well enough to win fans, although Sir William wasn’t among them. It crushed the opposition in the Bathurst six-hour race, finishing five laps ahead of anyone else, and it was snapped up by police forces in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, as it was the fastest thing on the road.
So you’d think a stunning new body with the magic Lyons touch would have been a surefire success. Why this car never made it into production is still something of a mystery, as the official explanations barely stack up.

The fastest-ever Lotus rolls off the production line and onto roads

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