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A GT only by Lotus standards. Image by James Jenkins.

A GT only by Lotus standards
Lotus has launched the Europa, a more comfortable and refined car; an Elise GT if you like. It's a mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses.

   



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#02#The origins of the Europa S are veiled in a mist of rumour and confusion. It is commonly believed to be an aborted Proton project that Lotus then productionised to recoup some of the development costs. However, it also makes sense for Lotus to fill out the range where appropriate and the lack of refinement and everyday usability in the existing Elise variants leaves a gap for a GT-type Elise. The Europa is intended to fill that gap.

Styling-wise, the Europa is immediately recognisable as a Lotus and, depending on colour, the Europa is basically a pretty thing. For some, the detailing is a little fussy (the front headlights for example and the swage lines through the rear end), but it has family looks whilst being different enough to stand alone as a new model. The sills are lower to ease entry and exit and it has a conventional lift back with a more usable boot than the other models in the line-up.

Beneath the new body shell lurks effectively what is a VX220 chassis with retuned dampers and springs to reflect the softer edged intended nature of the Europa, and its additional weight. It is this less edgy personality that is obviously aimed at providing a more refined and soothing drive than that found in an Exige or Elise. There are some compromises though.

Behind the (airbagged) wheel the environment is entirely familiar. The basic shape and layout is straight out of the Elise, but there are a number of ergonomic enhancements such as repositioned vents. The word 'spartan' still applies though and the lack of stowage space is something of an issue in what is intended to be a GT car, as is the 200 mile real world range due to the relatively small fuel tank. The driving position remains perfectly set up though and the layout of the controls is carried over. #p##02# It's obvious upon moving away that this is a different Lotus. The suspension is definitely softer, the ride feels smoother and there is a real improvement in terms of refinement; you do actually feel more isolated from the outside world. First impressions around town are that this could be a Lotus for everyday use. Out of town things begin to grey. Opening the throttle on the 2-litre, 200bhp, turbocharged four-cylinder reveals that it retains the same frustrating power delivery characteristics that so annoyed when we drove the VX220 Turbo.

The on-off-on-off torque curve means the car feels like it accelerates in fits and bursts; the additional weight of the Europa potentially accentuates this feeling, but even after many miles the annoyance factor doesn't diminish. This nature means that the car has to be revved out to the red line in each gear to avoid falling back into one of the troughs and in-gear acceleration isn't always consistent. This characteristic will leave a different impression on people depending on expectations and priorities. For me it is a major issue that needs addressing. That isn't to say that the Europa lacks pace though; 0-60mph in the mid five-second bracket and a maximum around the 150mph mark back that up. The longer legged cruising nature of the turbo unit, rather than the revvy Toyota engine, pays off on longer journeys where it makes the car a capable mile muncher and wind and road noise are also well isolated when compared to the other current Lotus models.

The brakes, carried over directly from the Elise, cope with the added weight of the Europa well enough, but some of the feel has gone and ultimate stopping power is reduced slightly. Turning into the first corner reveals a slight reduction in prowess as far as turn-in is concerned too. Once settled in the corner the car has the typical Lotus balance, but the onset of understeer is earlier than expected, though it is predictable and controllable. #p##04# There is a tangible degradation of the dynamic envelope and the intimacy normally associated with driving a Lotus. Everything feels slightly toned down and there is a suggestion of a degree of detachment when compared to the Elise. It's at this point that you have to consider that Lotus isn't trying to appeal to existing Lotus owners with this car. They are trying to attract new buyers to the brand. Drive this car back to back with an Elise and you couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but compared to a BMW 3 Series Coupé or TT it offers a whole new experience. For buyers new to the brand the car still feels sharp enough to excite and wouldn't intimidate in the way an Exige might.

The Europa has more than enough of the brand's core virtues to sell the 500 units Lotus is aiming for, but it inhabits something of an odd niche. Coming to the Europa from an Elise or Exige exposes some dynamic shortcomings relative to the harder edged cars. Rightly or wrongly, you expect it to be an Elise-like driving experience and it comes up short. I would guess that many of the 500 customers will probably be new to the brand and blown away by the Lotus magic, even in this diluted form. However, many buyers will be coming from other circles and will expect a more complete and polished package for their £33,000.

That isn't to say that the Europa is a bad car; it just isn't a good Lotus. We've been spoilt of late with the brilliance of the Elise and Exige and the Europa doesn't sustain this surge of dynamic excellence - a task that was always going to be difficult. If the stories of the Europa's origins are true then one can understand its existence; even if not, there is a small market that exists for this car and it is a worthwhile attempt to broaden the brand's appeal. Existing Lotus owners may be underwhelmed; newcomers to the marque could be sufficiently bewitched to make the purchase. Either way, there is still room in the range for a proper GT Lotus.

Dave Jenkins - 22 Nov 2006



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2006 Lotus Europa S specifications:
Price: £32,995 on-the-road.
0-60mph: 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 140mph
Combined economy: 30.4mpg
Emissions: 220g/km
Kerb weight: 995kg

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by James Jenkins.2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by James Jenkins.

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by James Jenkins.2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.



2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.
 

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.
 

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.
 

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.
 

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.
 

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.
 

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by James Jenkins.
 

2006 Lotus Europa S. Image by Syd Wall.
 






 

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