You have to hand it to Lotus. They are the only car company out there right now able to sell 'less for more'. How this car justifies a price tag of $57,500 is amazing to me.

Lotus Cars has released more information about its new Europa S - a more refined daily driver to complement its minimalist Elise and Exige models. Lotus will debut the new model at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

While still following the Lotus philosophy of achieving performance through "adding lightness" (the car only weights 2,189 lb), the Europa is much more liveable than the Exige and Elise, with more luggage space and easier access to the interior, courtesy of a higher roofline and lower chassis side rails. Inside, a full leather interior, built-in navigation/audio system, electric windows and door locks, and air conditioning add an unusual (for Lotus) level of touring-class luxury to the Europa.

The 2-liter Ecotec turbo puts out a modest 200 hp, but a broad torque band (90 percent of maximum at only 2,000 rpm) with a peak of 194 lb-ft at 4200 rpm helps hustle the lightweight car from 0-60 mph in a respectable 5.5 seconds.

Lotus forecasts production of only 500 per year, with no exports to North America planned at present. The Europa will be available in the U.K. later this year, for about $57,500.
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/EuropaS_Front_Blue_Low.JPG
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/EuropaS_Rear_Blue_Low.JPG
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/EuropaS_Front_3qtr_Blue_2_Low.JPG
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/EuropaS_Interior_Low.JPG
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/EuropaS_Rear_3qtr_Blue_1_Low.JPG
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/EuropaS_Rear_3qtr_Blue_2_Low.JPG

I have huge respect for lotus. They build awsome cars. That one looks real nice.

looks like it could use wider rubber. Other than that, I like it.

i think that looks pretty sick. it's about time they actually made a daily driver car. but the price is a little high for me. . .

Thay can get those prices, because of:
1. name
2. they build a car that does exactly what they say it does. Goes fast and hugs the corners.

Oh, and...

3. look good doing it.

It completely justifies it, seeing as it is built by the worlds finest chassis and suspesion engineers. To me, Lotus engineering lies somewhere between "Godlike" and "Otherworldly".

That car is nice. But is that the Chevy Ecotech engine their using or what? If so that sucks. Shoulda used a zetec :) I like it though! Very nice!
-Joe

I think its a great way to go for under $60k for that horsepower to weight ratio.

not bad, those tires look surprisingly economy carish for what is being said as a high performance car.

im not as impressed with the look of this car as i am the elise, exige, or the esprit.

not a bad looking car, but it looks surprisingly ordinary.

Lotus has always emphasized the use of skinnier rubber than we may be used to, because that will five you 95% of the grip, but a lot more communication. That way, you are more likely to use most of the grip that you do have.

Originally posted by Carrera26
Lotus has always emphasized the use of skinnier rubber than we may be used to, because that will five you 95% of the grip, but a lot more communication. That way, you are more likely to use most of the grip that you do have.

touche...sounds like a good idea actually