Lotus Evora GT430, the most powerful road-going model they have ever built

There are iconic cars, especially sports cars, that tend to receive special editions from time to time to attract new buyers, and one of them is the evergreen Lotus Evora. Since production of the Evora began in 2010, the British manufacturer has delighted us with several spectacular versions of this model, but now they bring us the best of them all: the Evora GT430.

The Lotus Evora GT430 arrives with the reputation of being the most powerful Evora ever built, always speaking of models legal for road use, so this is no ordinary version, with spectacular aerodynamics and a weight that could be considered ridiculous, as has been happening with the new models from Lotus Cars. That said, we must not forget the mechanical side, which has also been thoroughly reworked.

Its exterior styling is completely different from other Evora versions, much more radical and sporty, with an aerodynamic kit that reveals all its intentions at a single glance. The bumpers are entirely new, featuring a front splitter and a striking double rear wing made from carbon fibre; the roof and the rear hatch, now a single piece with a louvre design, are also made from carbon fibre.

But this aerodynamic kit is not just for good looks or to appear more radical; it serves a real purpose, and the engineers at Lotus Cars have put all their effort into it. All these elements have been designed to increase aerodynamic downforce, producing for the Evora GT430 a downforce of 250 kilograms at its top speed, set at 305 km/h. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Evora GT430 weighs just 1,258 kilograms dry, 26 kg lighter than the Lotus Evora Sport 410.

As I was saying, there are also improvements in the mechanical section. The engine is the same 3,500 cc V6 found in the rest of the Evora range, but updated to deliver up to 430 CV of power and a maximum torque of 440 Nm. This engine is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, featuring a dual-mass flywheel that allows much faster shifts at high revs, along with a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Continuing with the mechanical elements, Lotus has fitted the Evora GT430 with bidirectional adjustable Ohlins TTX suspension, which can be adjusted across up to 20 different positions, together with dampers signed by Eibach. The tyres it fits are also 10 mm wider, namely MichelinPilot Sport Cup 2s in 245/35 R19 at the front and 295/30 R20 at the rear.

Inside, we find a car that, despite its completely radical exterior, feels quite comfortable behind the wheel, with a fully sporty atmosphere where leather, Alcantara and carbon fibre combine perfectly. And for anyone who needs music on their journeys, something I don’t think is necessary given the magnificent roar of its engine, it can be equipped with an infotainment system.

By the way, take note of this figure: the Lotus Evora GT430 ran on the test track in a time of 1 minute and 25.8 seconds, making it faster than the radical Lotus 3-Eleven. So if all this has made your mouth water, and provided you can afford it, be quick to reserve one of the only 60 units that will be built. In Europe it can already be reserved at a price that is currently unknown, while for the United States it will not be launched until spring 2018.