The first time a car named Europa appeared in the production line of the company Lotus in 1965. The name was associated with the decision to sell it only in the Old World. The model was a two-door mid-engine coupe, which lasted on the conveyor until 1975. Body traditionally Lotus was fiberglass.
At the base of the car lay spinal frame. The heart of the model was the engine from Renault 16 of 1470 cm ³. The basic version had a power of 52 hp, charged - 82 hp The engine was paired with a 4-speed gearbox. The maximum speed of 180 km / h. Acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour took 10 seconds. Car weight was 686 kg. From 1966 to 1970, the racing version of the Europa model, 47, was produced.
This car received a power unit with a volume of 1,594 cm³ and 165 hp. and a 5-speed gearbox. Lotus 47 successfully acted in club races, the history of the company keeps many victories of this car. In April 1968, an updated version of Lotus Europa appeared.
If the assembly of the first cars the body was glued to the frame, then with the advent of the second series of Europa, it was abandoned. The changes also affected the configuration and interior. In 1969, the changes affected the engine. The working volume of the power unit has increased to 1565 cm ³. Now the acceleration to 60 miles per hour the car accelerated in 9.6 seconds, and the top speed was 187 km / h. After some time, the company management felt the emergence of demand for a faster version of the car.
Therefore, despite the price increase, Lotus refused to cooperate with Renault and began to install its own engine with two camshafts, simultaneously changing the shape of the rear part of the body. So in 1971, the Europa Twin-Cam was born with an engine capacity of 1558 cm3 and 115 hp. There was another version of this 105 hp engine. Transmission 4-speed. In 1972, having received a 126-hp Big Valve engine and a customized 5-speed box, the model name changed to the Europa Special. The maximum speed increased to 195 km / h. In 2006, Lotus presented a 2x local coupe under the name Europa S at the international auto show in Geneva. The factory index is Type 121.
It is positioned as a “business class coupe”. At the heart of this car is the Lotus Elise Roadster platform. The familiar design: aluminum space frame, plastic body panels, double-lever suspension, central location of the engine. The body is distinguished by a high roofline and low thresholds, which facilitates the landing and increases the space in the cabin.
The heart of the car is a 200-horsepower 2-liter turbo engine. The maximum speed is 225 km / h. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 5.6 seconds. With this engine and with a weight of 995 kg, the coupe turned out very agile and comfortable. As standard, there are two airbags and power steering, satellite navigation and air conditioning.
Lotus Europa S went on sale first in North America, and then in the Old World. Production started at the Norfolk plant. By releasing the Europa S in the Luxury Touring Pack, the Lotus company made the car more comfortable. Brown panels and chocolate-colored leather seats appeared in the cabin. Four types of high-grade soft leather were used to trim the steering wheel, dashboard and side door panels.
Airbag areas are covered with highly sensitive materials, and the gear lever is made of wood. The luggage compartment lined with leather and the luggage bag cover complete the big picture. Exterior aspects of the Luxury Touring Pack are expressed in tinted glass and painted headlights and air intakes to match the body color.
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