Lotus Evora S Sports Racer

The Lotus Evora Sports Racer is easily the best model in the range. Its impressive kit tally is attractive, while the Evora’s entertaining handling remains intact. If you want to do your bit for the British car industry, this is the Lotus to go for. However, the new Porsche Cayman S is just as fast, easier to live with, and it’s a few grand cheaper, too.

The Lotus Evora S Sports Racer is designed to make the firm’s flagship sports car more attractive, at a time when speculation about the future of Lotus continues to rumble on. Essentially the team has thrown every conceivable extra at the Evora, then reduced the price to create this special edition which could make Porsche Cayman S customers think twice.

The Sports Racer package is available on the standard car and supercharged Evora S, and comes with either a manual or IPS auto gearbox.

The upgrades start with a choice of four colours and a gloss black finish for the roof, front splitter, door sills, rear diffuser and detailing. Inside, there are leather Recaro sports seats with red stitching, and the dash is covered in suede-effect fabric.

Sports Racer models are also upgraded with the Sports Pack, which adds a sports exhaust, cross-drilled brakes and a Sport button that sharpens throttle response. Finally, the Tech Pack brings an upgraded sat-nav system, reversing camera and tyre pressure monitors.

All of these extras have done nothing to harm the way the Evora drives. The supercharged S delivers a wave of acceleration – although the six-speed manual does need a firm hand – and the Toyota V6 engine sounds great.

Driving the Evora on a twisty road is hugely enjoyable, thanks to excellent feedback through the steering wheel. And while there’s a hint of body roll, the standard Pirelli P Zero tyres provide plenty of grip.

The Sports Racer is also surprisingly capable when you’re taking things easy, as the supple suspension soaks up bumps without fuss.

But perhaps the best thing about this car is its price: buyers choosing the Sports Racer over an Evora S equipped to the same level will save over £7,000.