The Lotus Europa S has a simple interior design, with plenty of bare aluminum on display. The overall finish is good, with trimmed leather covering the cabin. However, rivals like the Audi TT offer a better cabin. The Europa S interior isn't luxurious and has just a few gadgets on board.
The Lotus Europa S is a small, efficient, and rare British sports car made between 2007 and 2010. Car enthusiasts view the Europa S as the underdog of sports cars. It's the modern version of the iconic 1966 Lotus Europa, and like its predecessor, the Europa S is a two-door sports car.
Lotus designed the Europa S to be a more practical sports vehicle. It has features like a large boot and a soundproof cabin that make it perfect for long trips. The company built the Europa S on the same platform as the Lotus Elise, and both sports cars are rare.
Lotus has always found ways to make vehicles that deliver the best performance on either road or track. The Europa S is an excellent example with its small engine, steel chassis, and independent front and rear suspension, making it very light and agile on twisting roads.
Let's find out more about the Europa S cabin and why it's a unique vehicle.
Despite Having A Small Exterior, The Europa S Interior Is More Spacious Than Most Lotus Models
The driving position is low, making the experience better, especially for taller drivers. However, shorter drivers won't like this because there's no reach adjustment in the steering. The designers covered the interior with leather and added airbags for drivers and passengers.
Compared to its rivals, the Europa S has an outdated infotainment system. Although, it has standard equipment such as air-con, electric windows, ABS, leather ProBax seats, Alpine radio/CD player with MP3/iPod interface, and remote immobilizer/alarm system.
Compared to the Lotus Elise, the Europa has a softer suspension set-up. One might notice this when the car is on rough terrain; the Europa tries its best to make the experience enjoyable. Lotus claims that the Europa S is a refined model of the Elise due to its interior trim and improved noise isolation. However, critics say the vehicle feels basic and tiring on long trips.
You'll notice that Lotus tried making the Europa S comfortable by reducing the engine noise and making the seats soft and wide. However, the Europa S is still a sports car, and like most sports vehicles, they feature a tight interior that makes it hard to get in.
Furthermore, the space between the driver and passenger is uncomfortably close. Owners of the Europa S advise that large drivers and passengers should avoid the vehicle because it will be difficult for them to adjust to the car's small space.
Lotus tried to make the car comfortable for tall drivers by increasing the headroom. However, the cabin is not roomy, and the wrap-around bucket seats adjust only forwards or back. The ride may be able to tackle rough roads and might have better soundproofing than other Lotus models, but it's still pretty noisy and uncomfortable.
The Europa S Has Good Performance Features That Make It Capable On The Track
Under the hood, a 2.9-liter turbocharged engine produces 145 horsepower and 201 lb-ft. The engine manufactures 90 percent of its maximum torque at only 2,000 rpm, giving the car great pulling power in almost any gear. Lotus paired the vehicle with a six-speed manual transmission, but unfortunately, there's no automatic as an option.
According to Lotus, the Europa S can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 150 mph. Its rival, the Porsche Cayman, can reach 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 160 mph. The steering wheel is responsive, sending messages you never knew a car could have. It's unnerving at first, but you soon learn to adjust the steering and recognize the limitations of your grasp.
The only issue is that not everyone will find this appealing. Many sports car fans love Lotus vehicles for their lightweight design and especially for how responsive the steering is. However, drivers of an SLK, Z4, 370Z, or even a Cayman may find it annoying if their car keeps informing them of what their front tires are doing.
The Europa Isn't Expensive To Maintain, And Is Quite Reliable
Older Lotus models have a terrible reputation for reliability, and many car enthusiasts avoid the vehicle because of this. However, the Europa S doesn't have those issues; it's screwed together well, and with a terrific drivetrain, Europa S owners can enjoy the drive.
Furthermore, maintaining the car isn't as expensive as you might think. The materials around the vehicle don't fall, and yearly servicing can cost around $300.