Report: Other firms interested in using the Lotus Evora chassis

August 19, 2010October 29, 2011 Omar Rana Coupes, Lotus Evora, Sports Cars

Developing a whole new chassis, platform for a new vehicle is very expensive – but if you can cut a deal to use an existing vehicle’s platform by another automaker, you can save yourself a lot of money. While the folks at Lotus Engineering don’t really chase these type of third-party deals, they get approached more often than not and say they are “always happy to talk.”

According to Lotus Engineering operations boss Mark James, a few firms have contacted the company to use the Evora platform on their own vehicles. James said that most of them will most likely end up going with the Elise chassis instead, which is 275mm shorter than the Evora.

The Evora’s extra 275mm space give it the capability to fit a V6 engine instead of a in-line 4 and rear legroom for a passenger up to 5-ft tall. The Evora itself uses Elise principles including a self-supporting, bonded and riveted structure that combines folded sheet aluminum and extrusions.

Note: We’re pretty sure you all know this but the Tesla Roadster uses the Lotus Elise as its base.

Click here for more news on the Lotus Evora.