Lotus teamed up with hip hop artist and producer Swizz Beatz (a.k.a. the husband of world-famous R&B singer Alicia Keys) to make a special version of the Evora GTE, and the outcome of this collaboration has just been unveiled at the Alvin Ailey’s Opening Night Gala in New York. However, the only thing that makes it different from the standard Evora GTE - which is already a sort of special edition in its own right - is its chrome ruby red paint job with black accents. Everything else is the same: it has a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 delivering 444 hp, modified rear wing, enlarged air-intakes and uses the same ultra-light materials, which allows it to be 100 kg lighter than the Evora S it derives from.

Swizz Beats will continue to cooperate with the British brand in future promotional and commercial events, a partnership that resembles what Range Rover did when they chose Victoria Beckham as testimonial for the launch and customization of the Evoque. One thing though: no bling, no jumping suspension.. we just cannot see the hip-hop touch on this car. Not that we are missing it.

via | AutoEvolution

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Lotus isn’t exactly planning a repeat of the Paris show at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, but after a new Elise S and Evora GTE, apparently more will be announced. To start with the new Lotus Elise S will replace the SC model and will offer a new 1.8-litre supercharged engine with 220 hp. It’s aim is also to introduce reduced fuel consumption and emissions on the model.

A Lotus Evora GTE special edition model will also appear with more than 438 hp. New technology being presented includes the Lotus Serial Precision Shift transmission on the Elise and the Intelligent Precision Shift on the Evora S. After that we’ll get another two Lotus models at Frankfurt.

Details are utterly scarce right now (damn you Lotus), but the PR spin is that one will be one of the quickest roadgoing Lotus’ ever produced and the other will mark Lotus’ return to an adrenalin-filled motorsport discipline.

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Here is the first image of a new supersports Lotus Evora to be released. The new top-end sports car will be anticipated by this Evora GTE Road Car Concept prototype to debut at the Pebble Beach Concours in the next few days. The British sports car will be equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 Toyota engine producing about 426 hp. The transmission will be a sequential racing gearbox and other racing features will include front and rear spoilers, and alloy wheels shod with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres.

The new concept car takes its inspiration from the Lotus Evora GTE competition car and we understand will have a 2012 production debut. The model will appear alongside the final edition matte black Lotus Exige swansong for the US market. More images to come from the Pebble Beach event.

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