I disagree there. Lotus was wise along with EVERY other car manufacturer that introduces a new model to bring out the lesser hp version first. It's ALL marketing and somehow enthusiasts never seem to grasp this concept. The magazines already love the car because of its handling and precised steering and knowing that the vehicle will come out with a higher hp soon only has them chomping at the bit that much more.
Maybe you're right. But I remember reading lots of comparo and reviews when the Elise first got out, now we hardly had a half pager on the 240S and 260S. The more powerful and interesting models.
I know Mazda use their Mazdaspeed version to help sell their last car when their time is up. Mazdaspeed Miata and 6 arrived at the end of their generation to generate some press when the models have nothing new to offer. Not so stupid I agree. But for a sports car, IF the Evora is tagged as underperforming, it's gonna take forever to change that mentality.
Mazdas are far from being performance cars in the mind of the public, maybe that's why they do that. Porsche did introduce the CaymanS before the regular Cayman.
Maybe Lotus should have introduce the SC, then the NAmic, then a cup version... :shrug: