Introduced in 2008, the Lotus Evora was the first entirely new product from the famed British automaker since the Elise of 1995. Designed to be more practical and comfortable than its more extreme, track-focused siblings it featured usable luggage space and even a back seat for children, despite retaining a rear-mid-engine layout. The Evora sacrificed nothing in terms of performance, however, thanks to a Toyota-sourced V-6 engine providing 276 horsepower, good enough for a sub-5.0 second run to 60 mph. As with all of its cars, Lotus paid particular attention to the driving dynamics and maintaining the lowest weight possible, achieved through the use of aluminum throughout the body structure and double wishbone suspension at all four corners. As production continued, Lotus freshened the lineup with higher performance models such as the hardcore Sport 410, an example of which is offered here.

Built to commemorate the automaker’s long-term motorsport sponsorship partner, tobacco company John Player & Sons, the Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP wears the distinctive black and gold livery that has become an icon in the world of racing. Mechanically identical to its Sport 410 siblings, the GP is powered by a supercharged V-6 producing 410 horsepower, as the name implies. Keeping in line with the company’s longstanding engineering ethos, the car’s weight is kept to a bare minimum thanks to a carbon fiber roof, tailgate, and front access panel. In addition, the rear seats have been removed, and a lightweight battery contributes to a remarkable 2,921-pound dry weight. Only five examples were slated for North America when the model was announced in 2017, making it one of the rarest modern Lotuses.

Delivered new to Cananda, this example is wonderfully presented with 3,062 kilometers (1,903 miles) showing on the odometer at the time of cataloguing and benefits from having just one previous owner. With exhilarating performance and one of the most handsome and recognizable liveries ever to grace a grand prix racecar, this Evora Sport 410 GP offers one of the purest driving experiences one can find in a roadgoing sports car, besides being highly collectible given its extreme rarity.