The Lotus Evora, the all new sportscar from one of the leading global car marques has won a prestigious award at the European Aluminium Awards 2008. The aluminium structure of the Lotus Evora, the world’s only mid-engined 2+2 was triumphant, capturing the Overall Jury Prize, celebrating the technological advancements of the Lotus aluminium vehicle architecture.

In what is the first award to be bestowed on the visually stunning Lotus Evora, even before production is underway, the award, only presented when special recognition is warranted, recognises the latest developments of this low volume version of the Lotus vehicle architecture technology. The European Aluminium Award is the leading international prize of the aluminium industry and was presented to Lotus at the prestigious International World Trade Fair ‘Aluminium 2008’ at Messe Essen in Germany on Tuesday 23rd September.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Lotus Evora has won such a prestigious award so soon after its official unveiling at the British International Motor Show in July. The Lotus Evora architecture is an advanced, lightweight technology that provides a foundation for our long term model plan for future Lotus and client products.

Kimberley continues: “This structure is the latest development of our vehicle architecture technology which was celebrated as the leading entry in the Aluminium Awards in 2006. The Evora heralds an exciting new era for Lotus Cars and proves that you can have phenomenal performance, fuel efficiency, elegant design and practicality all in a mid-engined 2+2 sportscar.”

A statement from the jury said: “Lotus provides an automotive structure with a unique approach. They combined adhesive bonding techniques with mechanical joining, resulting in innovative and creative solutions. Lotus used their expertise in lightweight materials to complete this structure, achieving a low weight and a high structural stiffness and therefore ensuring a major impact on environmental and sustainable performance.”

Richard Rackham, Vehicle Architect at Lotus Engineering said: “The Lotus Evora demonstrates an accumulation of our core competencies in aluminium and composite body engineering, jointing techniques and vehicle systems integration. Lotus pioneered the technology of bonded aluminium extrusions for use in road vehicles and has successfully developed high performance cars for other car companies around the world. One great advantage of our low volume vehicle architecture technology is that it can be used by one car manufacturer looking to develop a range of niche products, or by a group of car manufacturers looking to share investment, but still retain a high degree of end product separation.”