Lotus Evora Makes Southern Debut At Melbourne - VIDEO ENHANCED

EDITOR'S NOTE: This page contains two videos, the European unveiling of the Evora at the 2008 British Motor Show and the North American premiere at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

MILPERRA - Australia: December 1, 2008: Lotus Cars Australia will give the new Evora flagship its southern hemisphere debut at the 75th annual Melbourne Motor Show when it opens on 27 February next year.

Expected to go on sale in Australia in the third quarter of 2009, Evora has generated extensive interest - and orders - since its first showing at the British International Motor Show in July.

The mid-engined 2+2 sports car is the first star car confirmed for the 2009 Motor Show, and is designed to deliver 21st century performance with practicality and economy.

It will complement the existing four-model Lotus range of Elise, Exige, Europa and 2-Eleven, and embodies the traditional Lotus combination of light weight and high performance.

Evora is powered by a Lotus-tuned all-alloy 3.5-litre V6, with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams.

Lotus has designed the Evora to be as much a luxury coupe as a high-performance sports car.

Click PLAY to watch the complete Lotus Press Conference at the British Motor Show

Its 2+2 seating configuration includes child seat capability in the back, and the practicality carries through to a 160-litre boot to accommodate a full set of golf clubs.

Option packs offer such features as cruise control and parking sensors, top-end stereo and multi-media systems, satellite navigation, reversing camera and active noise cancellation, switchable suspension and upgraded brakes.

Since Lotus opened the Evora order books, it has attracted orders from television, music and movie stars - including two James Bonds - and even the Mayor of London.

Melbourne International Motor Show is organised and promoted by the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce through its dealer division the Australian Automobile Dealers Association (Vic).