It seems the Brits are gunning for Porsche these days. Recently Jaguar launched its F-Type Coupe aimed directly at Porsche's key market, and now Lotus has the German sports car firm in its sights with the Evora 400.

This new Lotus is priced at £72,000 without options – that's roughly the same as a Porsche 911. But it also costs over 50 per cent more than the original Evora.

So is it worth the extra cash? The stats certainly look impressive. Under the bonnet is a 3.5 litre supercharged V6, sourced from Toyota. This gives the new Evora 400bhp and enables it to hit 60mph from standstill in just 4.1 seconds. Oh yes, and the top speed is now 186mph.

The car also looks prettier than its predecessor, although arguably not as pretty as most recent Porsches.

The techies at Lotus have also been working on the weight, stripping out elements that don't add to the driving experience. They've shaved off 42kg in total.

Inside, reviewers note an oddly high driving positon – but one that does provide an excellent view of the road.

And on the track – where it really counts – is where the Evora really impresses. The excellent suspension permits just the right amount of body lean, giving the car superb grip. The four-mode stability system lets you choose the amount of tyre slip you're comfortable with.

Powering through the corners can be done in good time thanks to the Evora's limited slip differential, the first on any Lotus.

The Evora is a little stiffer to drive on the road, but is still pleasant enough.

Overall, reviewers say the Evora 400 is quicker and more attractive than the outgoing model, although it comes at a cost.

Available to buy now.