Europa S – Driven To Write

Hethel’s Outcast – 2006 Lotus Europa S

A more expansive Elise or a Norfolk Cayman? Lotus themselves seemed a little unclear.

Lotus hasn’t a great track record when it comes to recycling storied nameplates. Elite, Elan, Esprit – the originals have tended to be more memorable. This no-exceptions policy seems to have extended to 2006’s Europa S too, cynics deriding it as a re-bodied Opel Speedster. Similarities between the cars are undeniable of course, sharing as they did the same Elise-based extruded aluminium chassis and GM sourced 2.0 litre Ecotec turbocharged engine. Others have suggested it was a still-born Lotus consultancy project re-purposed and shoehorned in to broaden the model range. Continue reading “Hethel’s Outcast – 2006 Lotus Europa S”

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