Lotus has marked the production start of the new Evora 400 with a small ceremony at the Hethel plant in the UK. The first model that rolled of the assembly line, an Evora 400 finished in metallic black, will be a promotion car for Lotus.

The new Evora 400 will enter production for European markets in the summer, with deliveries beginning in August this year. Customers from China and North America will receive the Evora 400 as a 2017 model year in early 2016.

Lotus’ range-topping model will cost from £72,000 in the UK, €96,000 in Germany, $89,900 in the US (excluding local sales taxes), 13,200,000 yen in Japan and 1,318,000 yuan in China.

“Today is a very significant stage in our long term plan, which we set-out more than a year ago. With the first Evora 400 coming off the line, we have achieved a key milestone for Lotus,” said Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus.

The new Lotus Evora 400 laps the Lotus test track at Hethel six seconds faster than the previous Evora S, in a time of 1 minute 32 seconds. Lotus says the Evora 400 is not only faster than its predecessor, but also more fun to drive.

Powered by a 400hp mid-mounted supercharged 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine, the Evora 400 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

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