More than a quarter...
More than a quarter of young motorists drink and drive, a new survey has revealed. Of 1,000 students aged 15-25 questioned for the study, six per cent also admitted getting behind the wheel without a licence - some didn"t have one as they were under 17.
The car is as much about...
The car is as much about comfort and space as handling and pace! The two-seater GT may resemble the stripped-out Elise, but it promises to be practical and refined. In profile, the Europa S is clearly longer than existing Lotuses, and wider, too.
Power comes from the 2.0-litre turbo used in Vauxhall"s VX220, rather than the Toyota-derived V6 initially expected. The 200bhp unit is mounted behind the cabin, allowing designers to give the car a low nose. Flush-fitting clear-lens head-lights and a gaping grille provide an aggressive face and athletic stance.
A pair of air vents ahead of the rear wheels offers a visual link with the rest of the Lotus family, but it"s all change at the back, where there"s a steeply raked windscreen. It forms part of a practical tailgate arrangement, and gives access to both the engine and boot. The taller roof and lower sills mean easier cabin access than on other models in the line-up, and the interior is far more luxurious, with leather upholstery, twin front airbags and carpets as standard.
Despite the increased dimensions and generous kit, the same extruded aluminium construction used on other models ensures weight is kept to a minimum - the car tips the scales at only 996kg.
As a result, performance is impressive, with 0-60mph taking only 5.5 sec-onds. The Europa S will debut at March"s Geneva Motor Show, and deliveries will begin in the summer, with a price tag of around í‚á£33,000 expected.