2018 Lotus Evora GT430 Sport: 315km/h sports car becomes fastest-ever road-going Lotus
Following in the footsteps of the regular Lotus Evora GT430 – the British brand’s most powerful road-going model ever – Lotus has added a newer, even faster, variant to its ranks: the 2018 Lotus Evora GT430 Sport.
Powered by the same supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 320kW of power at 7000rpm and 440Nm of torque at 4500rpm, the 2018 Lotus Evora GT430 Sport takes the regular Evora GT430 and simplifies things even further.
Stripped of the standard Evora GT430’s “downforce-creating aerodynamic elements”, Lotus says the new Evora GT430 Sport will match its non-Sport sibling in hitting 100km/h in 3.8 seconds (in six-speed manual trim) but will wind out past the GT340’s top speed of 305km/h and onto 315km/h, “making it the fastest Lotus production car ever”.
So while the aero-clad GT430 generates up to 250kg of downforce at its maximum velocity, Lotus says the aerodynamically slipperier GT430 Sport generates up to 100kg of downforce at its Vmax.
The new Evora GT430 Sport also weighs 10kg less than the standard Evora GT430, coming in at 1248kg dry or 1289kg kerb.
Attached to an 11kg weight penalty, buyers can opt for a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission over the standard six-speed manual, scoring themselves not only an additional 10Nm of torque, but also a slightly sharper 3.7-second 0-100km/h time.
Keeping weight to a minimum – as is the Lotus way – carbon-fibre features heavily across the Evora GT430 range, with both the standard car and the Sport equipped with front and rear bumpers, a front access panel, roof panel, rear quarter panels, and a one-piece louvered tailgate with an integrated spoiler all constructed out of the lightweight material.
All Evora GT430s in the range also come standard with Lotus-tuned Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers, Eibach springs, four-piston AP Racing brakes, a titanium exhaust system, a Torsen-type limited-slip differential, and an adjustable traction control system.
Inside, carbon-fibre race seats join new carbon-fibre door sills and a new carbon-fibre instrument binnacle cover, while a mix of Alcantara and perforated leather top off the package, along with red and white contrast stitching, and matt black interior panels.
Ensuring everyday usability is not completely ignored, an integrated touchscreen infotainment system can be optioned in, bringing with it satellite navigation, a rear-view camera, and phone, Bluetooth, and iPod connectivity.
Group Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said although the Evora GT430 has already become a collector’s car, the introduction of the Evora GT430 Sport was a response to customer feedback.
“We know that many of our customers want the option of choosing a less aggressive version, with the same power, but without some of the more arresting design and aero elements,” Gales said.
“With the Evora GT430 Sport, we have responded to this demand.”
In the UK, the Lotus Evora GT430 is priced from £112,500 ($184,000), with the Lotus Evora GT430 Sport kicking off at £104,500 ($171,000).
CarAdvice has contacted Lotus’s Australian importer, Simply Sports Cars, for comment, however, even back in July when the Lotus Evora GT430 was revealed, the group was unable to confirm whether an allocation of cars had been secured for Australia. Stay tuned…
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