British car manufacturer Lotus is marking 50 years since the founding of its famous factory in Hethel with a limited edition of its benchmark Evora 400 sports car.

Available in three colours, with matching trim options and a special commemorative build plate, the Hethel Edition Evora 400 combines high performance with Lotus’s legendary chassis development. 

Winning the praise of customers and the press since its launch, the Evora 400 weighs in at just 1,395 kg and epitomises Lotus’s approach to efficient engineering.

The Hethel Edition Evora 400 is the first in a series of special products and events marking this milestone in the company’s history, when, in 1966, founder Colin Chapman moved Lotus to the purpose-built facility in Hethel, Norfolk.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus, said: “The Evora 400 is the latest in a long line of

world-beating sports and racing cars to have all been hand built in Hethel over the last 50 years.

We are immensely proud to be part of the community and it is entirely fitting that this limited

edition be dedicated to our home. We’re looking forward to celebrating our connections to Norfolk throughout 2016, and more Lotus Hethel anniversary news will be announced soon.”

As well as marking 50 years in Norfolk, the new car allows Lotus fans to enjoy some of the company’s iconic colour schemes. Buyers can choose between Essex Blue, Motorsport Black, and Racing Green when ordering the Hethel Edition 400, with either black or red leather or Alcantara interior trim available depending on bodywork colour. 

Every Hethel Edition 400 comes with lightweight silver forged aluminium wheels, and contrasting brake callipers, while bespoke graphics complete the car’s distinctive look.

The Hethel Edition 400 perfectly illustrates how customers can personalise their vehicle through the Lotus Exclusive programme. 

Developed by the Lotus Design team, the programme combines traditional British craftsmanship with modern design. It has been conceived to inspire customers, allowing them to tailor vehicles to their personal taste. With a comprehensive array of options, it provides an alluring alternative to an off-the-peg sports car.


EVORA 400

The Evora 400 has established itself one of the most significant Lotus models for a generation. Developed through Lotus’ Lightweight Laboratory concept, the car is 42 kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to a host of weight-saving measures. As a result, the limited edition Evora 400 accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 4.1 seconds (0-100 kmph in 4.2 seconds) and delivers a maximum speed of 186 mph (300 kmph). 

The Evora 400 is capable of lapping the Norfolk site’s challenging test track in 1 minute 31 seconds.

Over two thirds of the Evora 400 has been revised, including its supercharged and chargecooled, mid-mounted, 3.5-litre V6 engine, which produces 400 hp and 410 Nm of torque. This complements a revised aluminium chassis, which offers increased torsional rigidity and reduced weight.

However, the Evora 400 doesn’t just rely on its lightweight engineering to deliver remarkable performance. The car’s efficient composite body, flat-floor, sizable rear diffuser and three-element rear wing have all boosted airflow management, drastically improving aerodynamics and effectively doubling downforce.

The Lotus Evora 400 enjoys a high specification as standard, including 370 mm composite two piece brake discs from AP Racing, a Limited Slip Differential (LSD), automatic air-conditioning and infotainment system with satellite navigation. Cost options include automatic transmission and cruise control.

A number of manual gearbox enhancements have greatly improved shift quality, delivering swift and precise gear changes. The Torsen-type LSD is fitted as standard with the manual, to give better traction when exiting fast corners. The automatic option has also been improved, with a reprogrammed gearbox ECU for faster changes, while gear selection is via lightweight aluminium paddles mounted to the steering wheel.

The car also features Lotus’ Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) which, selected via a dashboard switch, provides ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ settings. Proportionally increasing throttle response, lowering traction slip thresholds and removing understeer recognition, it allows a greater degree of driver indulgence before the system intervenes.

The Evora 400 features a revised interior, fusing elegance and functionality. As befitting a hand built car, the cabin uses the highest quality materials, including Alcantra and leather, while the driver orientated layout provides ergonomically optimised controls. Passenger space is improved, with greater legroom and wider rear seats, and the chassis revisions have increased the size of the door aperture, making it easy to enter and exit the Evora.

The Evora 400 Hethel Edition costs in the region of $109,000.