An email accidentally sent by Lotus PR department yesterday afternoon (August 16) appears to have revealed part of the company's plans for the Paris Motor Show. They include two new versions of the Evora and at least one surprise debut.
The jury is out on whether the leak was a genuine blunder or a clever PR stunt, but by the time Lotus requested that all recipients delete the email it was too late, as the news had already appeared on internet forums around the world.
The email appears to hold a conversation between the marketing department in the USA and the head office in Norfolk, with the latter answering a few questions about the forthcoming Paris Motor Show.
Attention is focused on two new derivatives of the Evora sportscar. It is confirmed that a new high-performance version, called the Evora S, will be on display in Paris, alongside a variant fitted with a new automatic transmission.
Little is known about the latter, whether Lotus will employ a standard automatic gearbox or utilise a sportier dual-clutch set-up. Either way, the development of this model is certain to have been in a bid for more sales in the USA and Asia.
Speculation suggests that the Evora S will feature a supercharged version of the Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre V6 engine, with power upped from the standard car's 276- to well over 300bhp.
The leaked email confirms that the Evora S and Auto will be available for media to drive later in 2010, and more information will be released at the end of August.
The email also hints at a major surprise at the show. For some time now it has been known that Lotus is working on a new sportscar to sit above the Evora in the line-up, possibly as a successor to the Esprit. That car may make its world debut at the show.
Doors to the Paris Motor Show open on October 2.
