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Does seem a bit early to let go. Whilst I was at Silverstone Lotus with mine a few months ago, they were preparing a blue one for re-sale. It had done relatively high miles (about 60k or so) and they had the rear clam off for various jobs including the clutch, which they were really only doing as a precaution, not because it had failed. Was a big old job though running into several days, from what they told me. Modern clutches seem to last far longer than they used to. I passed my test in 1987 and must have gone through 4 or 5 clutches on different cars during the first 10 years. Still, that could also be a reflection on my driving style back then...

Nice car, but certainly looks more evolution (i.e. face-lift) than revolution (i.e. new model). I wouldn't be too disappointed if I was lucky enough to own a 458: most people won't notice the difference between old and new.

I'll doubt you'll get many Lotus Carltons: we're having an Autobahnstormers Club Lotus Carlton/Omega 25th Anniversary bash at Billing that day. They're aiming to beat the previous record of 28 cars. There's also a 25th Anniversary Lotus Carlton/Omega visit to Hethel on Tuesday 28 April. We've got 20 cars confirmed for that one + the Vauxhall Heritage car.

Has any media road and/or track tested one of these 20 road versions yet? It would be interesting to know their views on the dynamic differences between a GTE and an S. Even comparing Hethel test track times would be nice.

I'd forgotten how ungainly many of these look when popped up, particularly the late 80s / early 90s rectangular lamps. So what was missing? Not many: every time I thought of a car it appeared sooner or later. Don't think we saw a Maserati Bora, certainly no Panther Solo, AM Lagonda. Not sure if I noticed a Porsche 924 either, but that may have passed me by (there was a 944 near the end). No ISO Lele or Grifo Mk2. Of course, we'll forgive him the one-off concept cars like the AM Bulldog.

Have a couple more from the same event.

Looks much nicer than the wonky Walrus, but that still looks like a computer image to me. Also can't spot any Lotus badging from those piccies.

So Bibs' has listed most of the additional parts/work that goes in to a GTE, so what is left for the customer to decide prior to order? For example could he specify a RHD Lamborghini Green (Verde Miura) manual 2+2, or is he limited according to what chassis (LHD/RHD, Manual/IPS, 2+0/2+2) are still left? Would this cost 85K? Also why do some seem to have the unloved pre-2012 interiors? Finally where's the GTE badge on the back? Oh and can Thomas (TBD) tell us how much his KoMoTec power upgrade's going to cost him to get it up to about 420/430bhp?

You won't get anything for £20k. You could try that unsaleable silver non-Sport pack one that's been on the market for about a year. I think the last advertised price was about £25k. 77,000 miles is pretty much unheard of for an Evora, but Parkers just crunch numbers without really doing any research.

British Gas Transit van driver gave me a flash of his headlights, thumbs up and a big smile, whilst I was out for a country drive yesterday in my Evora. In comparison, no-one seemed to notice the Lotus Omega, when I took that out for a blast a few minutes earlier. Even after 5 years ownership, it still amazes me how fast the Old Girl is: every journey is one long overtake.

I expect Clarkson will like it.

Finally seeing sense and replacing the original 23 year old tyres on my Lotus Omega. I guess there are limits to maintaining a car's originality

I read 2WD crossover and Evora convertible. If they manage the latter as a 2+2, I will be placing an order at launch. I bet it's 2+0 only though. As for a 2WD crossover? Meh, but I don't have to buy one, so I'm not fussed if it makes money. It will certainly be better looking than anyone else's.

Just popped into the garage to find something and noticed that the Evora has areas of heavy condensation around the lower panels. The car is covered by a loose-fitting breathable car-cover. To be honest I'm not surprised: this has happened before when previously cold temperatures quickly give way to unseasonably mild weather like today. Anyway, cover off, garage doors opened, engine up to temp and everything OK. I'll leave it uncovered for a few days. The pampered Lotus Omega in it's ventilated air chamber doesn't suffer from any of these problems...

I recently picked up a green Scalextric Evora for Xmas for one of my two little sons and am expecting to get a different model for the other boy. Anyway my wife left me to sort it out, but I kind of got side-tracked on the computer and started looking at real Evoras for sale on Pistonheads instead and found one that particularly tickled my fancy. "What about a red Evora?" I called out to her. "Yes that's fine." Comes the reply Blimey, that was easy, I thought as the euphoria started to spread. I'll contact the dealer and arrange a viewing before she changes her mind. "James (our son) would like a red one" she added. Oh bugger, she still thinks I'm talking about Scalextric. Looks like I'll need by best CIA persuasion tactics after all.

I'm glad to see Jenson stay, but I think Alonso will comfortably outperform and outpoint him next year. Irrespective of any announcements or secret deals, I think the whole world (inc. Jenson) knows that Alonso will be the Number 1 driver at McLaren. Just look at their pay packets for starters...

Leave them alone. I live nearby and they used to always have some interesting classic cars for sale (I remember a Jaguar XK120), although I see less classics nowadays. I believe their unusual name comes from the adjacent road name (Titty Ho Way or something). I'm sure it's also a god-send for attracting worldwide internet traffic to their website....

That V12 Vantage S is another great car ruined by a flappy-paddle gearbox it seems. I noted Evans' comment that he thinks these are a "passing phase". He's probably wrong, but he prefers a manual like I do. There are so few options nowadays for a high performance manual. To give you an idea, I have been looking at the classifieds for Ferrari 612 Scagliettis recently, since they were the last of the manual option Ferraris which could house a family of four. However, during a 7 year production run, Ferrari apparently supplied a mere 29 RHD manuals! And these were originally 7 grand cheaper than the F1 flappy paddle autos. Unsurprisingly I haven't been able to find a single one of these manuals for sale in the UK, but there is always a selection of F1 autos on offer. Likewise I can't find any of their 2 seat cousin 599GTB manuals in the ads either. I think there will always be a demand from enthusiasts for a high power manual car, so manual-equipped versions of cars like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, DBS, Ferrari 355/360/430 and 550/575/599/612 families, Lamborghini Murcielago & Gallardo, Audi R8 and Porsche 911 Turbo & GT3 will prove to be wise second-hand purchases in the long-term.

Me too: both Loti used all year round, but significantly less in the winter months. We Northern/Central Europeans are a strange bunch in having a hobby/passion for special cars which we only properly indulge for 6 months of the year. The good folk of sunny Southern California must think we're mad.

What Group B car(s) did he have?

My Dad was forever bodging up his V12 XJ-S exhaust pipes with Baked Bean cans. Made it sound rather flatulent.

The crazy thing is, he very nearly made it to the McDonalds Drive-Thru. Bummer!

Maybe the Phoenix Consortium will ride to the rescue?

I don't mean to me: I mean to the cash-strapped likes of Caterham, Marussia and, ahem, Lotus. They've all had engine deals in place, so why not an engine + chassis deal for last season's cars instead?

Noticeable how he stayed in the same gear (4th I think) throughout most of the second half of the lap.