Lotus has announced that the new Europa S mid-engined coupè Grand Tourer will be available starting from September 16th 2006 in European markets.

Prices for what Lotus calls a “Business Class driving experience” will be 32,995 £ in England and 42,100 € (before taxes) in Continental Europe, which translates in a recommended retail price that goes from 49,100 € in Germany to 50,600 € in France, all the way up to 66,603 € in the Netherlands (!). The only options will be the Metallic Paint and Lifestyle Paint finishes.

Below you can find the full text of the Lotus press release.

More photos here and here

Lotus Press Release

The eagerly awaited Lotus Europa S, a Grand Tourer (GT) inspired
two-seater, will go on sale from the 16 of September 2006. The car will be
fully equipped, including driver and passenger airbag, air conditioning,
satellite navigation and full leather interior. Metallic Paint and Lifestyle
Paint colours are the only cost options. The recommended retail prices for
the following countries are as follows and include local taxes:

Belgium
Recommended Retail Price - EUR51,100 RRP
Metallic Paint - EUR950 RRP
Lifestyle Paint - EUR1,450 RRP

France
Recommended Retail Price - EUR50,600 RRP
Metallic Paint - EUR925 RRP
Lifestyle Paint - EUR1,425 RRP

Germany
Recommended Retail Price - EUR49,100 RRP
Metallic Paint - EUR910 RRP
Lifestyle Paint - EUR1,390 RRP

Italy
Recommended Retail Price - EUR52,100 RRP
Metallic Paint - EUR932 RRP
Lifestyle Paint - EUR1,426 RRP

The Netherlands
Recommended Retail Price - EUR66,603 RRP
Metallic Paint - EUR1,275 RRP
Lifestyle Paint - EUR1,908 RRP

Switzerland
Recommended Retail Price - SFr 72,100 RRP
Metallic Paint - SFr 1,280 RRP
Lifestyle Paint - SFr 2,050 RRP

UK
Recommended Retail Price - £32,995 RRP
Metallic Paint - £595 RRP
Lifestyle Paint - £1,009 RRP

Euros before local taxes:
Recommended Retail Price - EUR41,500.00 RRP
Metallic Paint - EUR776.47 RRP
Lifestyle Paint - EUR1,188.10 RRP

Recommended retail prices for other countries in Europe and
non-European countries will be issued shortly. However, please note that the
Europa S will not be sold in North America (USA and Canada).

About the Lotus Europa S:

The new Lotus Europa S, a Grand Tourer (GT) inspired two-seater,
will provide Lotus customers a spectacular sportscar with significantly
enhanced levels of touring and cruising capability, as well as higher levels
of comfort and refinement to complement the simplicity of the Lotus Elise
and Exige models.

The Europa S follows the core Lotus philosophy of performance
through light weight, enabling this refined and high-performing GT car to
weigh a mere 995 kg, making it class - leading in this respect. This low
weight has been obtained through the clever use of advanced and high-tech
materials including an extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, composite body
panels and a very advanced composite energy absorbing front crash structure.

When compared to the award-winning Lotus Elise, the Europa S has a
larger boot / luggage compartment and easier cabin access, resulting from
lower chassis sides and a higher roof line. Combined with a full leather
interior, Satellite Navigation and driver and passenger airbags all as
standard, Lotus has created it’s interpretation of a “Business Class”
driving experience, which remains true to the Company’s design philosophy.

The new mid-engine coupe will deliver high levels of performance
from a high torque (272 Nm or 200 lbft at 5000 rpm) 2.0-litre turbo engine
producing 147 kW (197 hp or 200 PS) at 5400rpm.

The Lotus Europa S achieves around 90% of its maximum torque at only
2000 rpm to give class-leading levels of acceleration from low engine
speeds, propelling the car from 0 - 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (0 - 60 mph in
5.6 seconds), and 160 km/h (100 mph) in 13.6 seconds.

Maximum speed is 240 km/h (150 mph). Being a Lotus, the Europa S has
a competitive power to weight ratio of 198 hp / tonne (205 PS / tonne or 148
kW / tonne).

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