Lotus unveils two very serious road cars at Pebble Beach (New Pictures)

Lotus are pulling out all the stops, launching two hardcore versions of the Exige and Evora for the Pebble Beach automotive events this week at Monterey and Long Beach.

The Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept takes its inspiration from the Evora GTE race car, which has been competing in the new global motorsport GTE category including the famous Le Mans 24 Hours.

Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept

With over 420 bhp from its race-developed 3.5-litre Toyota engine, fed through a sequential AMT racing gearbox and its Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres, the Evora GTE Road Car Concept is the kind of model which shows that Lotus can still make pure drivers cars rather than trinkets for the rich and famous.

It’s reassuring to hear Lotus say in their press release, “The Evora GTE Road Car Concept isn’t merely a paint scheme or homage to a race car – this is a serious race car that makes for a very serious road car.” Amen to that.

Lotus were unable to confirm when the Evora GTE Road Car Concept will become a production reality, but there’s little doubt it will happen and in doing so will likely become the most expensive Lotus road car ever sold.

Exige Matte Black Final Edition

Whilst the Evora GTE Road Car Concept is a world premiere, the Exige Matte Black Final Edition is for North American markets only.

To mark the end of an era of Exige production, Lotus upgraded its power to 257 bhp, clothed in an exclusive Matte Black paint finish with black Alacantara sport seats and a high level of standard equipment, only 25 examples of this Exige will be built, each with their own numbered plate.

If you’re over in Pebble Beach this week, then both of these cars will be in the Lotus exhibit on Peter Hay Hill near The Lodge at Pebble Beach Thursday August 18 through the weekend, but the Evora GTE Road Car Concept will then move to the Concept Car Lawn at The Lodge Saturday afternoon (August 20) and remain there through until Sunday afternoon.

Gallery