Lotus's new model, which will resurrect the erstwhile Europa nameplate, will be a coupe worthy of a staredown with Porsche's Cayman. The newest Lotus in the pipeline will be "less frenetic" than the company's Toyota-powered Elise — drawing on the 2.2-liter GM-derived Ecotec four, found in the Opel Speedster / Vauxhall V220 to propel it (highly modified, we'd imagine). Sources at the company say the two-seater Europa, the development of which is taking an, er, back seat to the new-generation V8 Esprit currently in the works, will be more of a grand tourer than the coltish Elise — with less noise, more room and a more comfortable ride. "Auntie Elise," if you will.
Lotus Revives Europa [Evo]
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Lotus to Build New 2 Plus 2 Coupe; Lotus's Super-Powered Exige, the 240R [internal]