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How much?	£33,945
On sale in the UK:	now
Engine:	1998cc turbocharged four-cylinder, 197bhp @ 5400rpm, 200lb/ft @5000rpm
Transmission:	6-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive
Performance:	0-60mph in 5.5sec, 143mph, 30.4mpg, 220g/km
How heavy / made of?	995kg/aluminium and composite body panels
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	3900/1714/1120

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Lotus Europa S (2006) CAR review

By Ben Barry

First Drives

10 September 2006 00:01

What's this – a slightly bigger Elise?

Kind of. Lotus claims the Europa delivers the majority of the Elise and Exige's driving thrills while offering a load more practicality and comfort – 'business class by Lotus', says the blurb. It's a bit longer than the Elise, a smidge wider and a good deal heavier (995kg versus 860kg), but sticks with the Norfolk firm's trademark mid-engined, rear-wheel drive layout. The bonded aluminium chassis will be familiar to Lotus fans too. You'll pay £32,995.

Europa? Don't I recognise that name?

Quite possibly. Colin Chapman first released the frog-eyed, pick-up-like Europa in 1966 – his first mid-engined road car. Understandably, Lotus' design department opted for a clean sheet this time. Even so, it still doesn't gel quite as well as the Elise or Exige, looking more like the offspring of a Noble M15 and Vauxhall VX220. Credit where it's due, mind, the Europa turned heads constantly while we blasted through East Anglia.

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