Lotus announced more details on its all-new Evora coupe earlier this month, but it appears as though the British automaker could be readying a second press release for its sleek two-door. Per a new report, Lotus has officially given the green light to an open air version of the Evora.
According to Autoexpress, a convertible version of the Evora will hit the market in 2011 – just about a year after the coupe rolls into U.S. dealers. Expect the convertible Evora to adopt the Elise’s roof system, which means a simple removable fabric piece rather than a conventional soft top.
Although the open air Evora may not be a true convertible, the setup should help cut down on excessive weight, improving overall performance. The Evora convertible will tip the scales slightly heavier than its fixed-roof counterpart – thanks to some required reinforcements – but expect to see performance figures extremely close to that of the coupe. No changes are expected to the Evora convertible’s drivetrain.
Lotus has also promised a performance version of the Evora in the coming years – boasting at least 400 horsepower – but it remains to be seen the hi-po model will be offered sans roof.
