New Lotus Roadster on the Way

Next year Group Lotus plc will add a roadster version of its new Evora 400, CEO Jean-Marc Gales tells reporters at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. He also says a lighter and faster derivative of the car is in the works, without providing details.

Production of the redesigned Evora 400 coupe will begin next month. Both models will be sold in global markets, including the U.S. where the Evora will mark the brand's return to the market. Demand in the U.S. is expected to be about 500 units per year for each model.

The roadster's carbon fiber roof consists of two 6.6-lb panels that can be stowed behind the front seats. An aluminum tub chassis enables the drop-top model to match the coupe's structural rigidity, according to Lotus.

The roadster will get the same supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine that will power the 400 coupe. Output for both will be 400 hp, up 4% from the outgoing Evora's 345 hp.