2016 Lotus Evora 400 adds lightness, power, Scottish leather seats

FASTEST PRODUCTION LOTUS YET HEADED TO UNITED STATES FOR THE 2016 MODEL YEAR

   When the Lotus Evora returns to the U.S. market this fall -- it’s taking a gap year, remember -- it’ll be faster, more powerful and, perhaps most importantly, lighter than the most recent Evora to come to our shores.

   Though it shares its overall shape with the previous car, Lotus claims that its just-announced 2016 Evora 400 is “over two-thirds” new, from its aluminum chassis to its 400-hp (hence the name), 302-lb-ft 3.5-liter supercharged V6 to its interior. There are both automatic and manual transmission options; choose the manual, and you’ll enjoy a standard limited-slip rear differential.

   The manual Evora 400 is down 48 pounds overall compared to the Evora S (the automatic is down 50 pounds), which should give it a curb weight of around 3,119 pounds for manual cars and 3,128 pounds for automatic-equipped cars. The lower weight, along with the horsepower boost, permits a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds. Top speed is 186 mph, making it the fastest production Lotus yet -- the automaker says the Evora 400 can lap its Hethel test track a whopping six seconds faster than previous models.

   True to Colin Chapman’s mantra, lightness has been added all over the car: The set of new forged aluminum wheels is down 7.28 pounds; the new front seats are down 6.61 pounds each (they’re available in Scottish leather, which we assume is richer and peatier than the typical napa offerings); even the engine mounts have been redesigned to achieve a 12.35-pound weight reduction.

   Further, Lotus promises substantial improvements to both interior ergonomics and aesthetics. The new chassis permits side sills that are 1.7 inches narrower and 2.2 inches lower, improving ease of entry and exit without compromising vehicle stiffness. The dash and center console get a new treatment that’s reminiscent of the Alfa Romeo 4C, which isn’t a bad thing in a sport-focused coupe. We won’t know if it retains the previous model’s charming “curing fiberglass” scent until we can get behind the wheel.

   The Evora 400 package is rounded out by new front and rear fascias. Massive cooling intakes up front, which manage to incorporate daytime running lights, are probably the most noticeable change. Lotus says the new body kit increases downforce substantially -- to roughly double that of previous Evoras at any speed.

    Pricing for the 2016 Evora 400 has not yet been announced, but the Evora S started at $78,600. Our last tester stickered for $92,530. That’s far out of Locost Seven territory, but the Evora is nevertheless a very special car to drive -- and the Evora 400 promises to follow the same formula. Only with more speed. And lightness. We'll see more of the car at the upcoming

Geneva motor show.