Exige goes the brute route, choosing a 3.5-liter V 6
that’s likewise supercharged and mounted midship.
The engine, delivering 345 hp and 400 Nm, is related to
the Camry’s V 6 , but no stock Camry sounds like this.
The throaty rumble from the motor is not just heard
but is also felt, vibrating the back and butt ever so
slightly. The sprint to 100 kph takes only 4 sec, with the
automatic version even quicker at 3.9sec.
The Evora S is the luxury offering here, at P8.88
million. Despite the engine’s location behind the
driver, Lotus has found a way to squeeze in two more
seats, making this a 2+2. But you can dismiss the no-
tion that you can fit a person in the rear seat—Tyrion
Lannister would shoot you with a crossbow if you
tried to put him there. The interior trim, particularly
the quilted red leather on the seats and the doors, is
odd in that it tries to impart luxury to what is essen-
tially a track machine. The workmanship is impecca-
ble, but the overall feel is too fetishistic for our taste.
Chapman’s philosophy of keeping lightness stays
intact especially in the Elise 220 Cup. Getting into it
requires stepping over the tall and wide doorsill, and
plopping down into the low bucket. You are imme-
diately surrounded by aluminum—lots of it. You see
the bulkhead, the door sill, and the backbone as bright
metal. This isn’t trim added to make the interior look
pretty. It is actually the chassis, left exposed. But, lest
you forget, this is still a multimillion-peso car, so there
are some concessions to comfort—A/C, remote
‘FORTUNATELY FOR US,
LOTUS IS ALIVE AND ROARING
IN THE ROAD-CAR ARENA’
IF THIS BUCKET SEAT
DOESN’T GET YOU IN
THE MOOD TO DRIVE,
YOU HAVE A pROBlEMYOU MAY NOT BE ABlE
TO pUT A lOT HERE,
BUT WHO CARES?LOTUS EVORA S SPORT RACER
Engine: 3.5-liter supercharged V6 Power: 345hp
Torque: 400Nm Transmission: 6 -speed manual
Dimensions (L/W/H): 4,361mm/2,047mm/1,229mm
Wheelbase: 2,575mm Price: p8,880,000
LOTUS ExIGE S ROADSTER
Engine: 3.5-liter supercharged V6 Power: 345hp
Torque: 400Nm Transmission: 6 -speed manual
Dimensions (L/W/H): 4,084mm/1,802mm/1,129mm
Wheelbase: 2,370mm Price: p7,500,000
WWW.topgear.com.ph TOp GEAR pHIlIppINES 73