Here at Beastie Towers we have loved Superchargers ever since we had a MINI Cooper S JCW – The CheckBeast, so the press release from Lotus announcing a new Evora S is exciting news!

Lotus will add two new models to its new Evora range at next month’s Paris motor show.

The most exciting of these is a 350bhp supercharged S model, while a new six-speed paddle shift automatic transmission is mated to the standard version of the 276bhp Toyota V6.

The S, whose torque output rises to 295lb ft from the 252lb ft of the standard car, is reckoned to be good for 172mph and a 0-62mph time of 4.6sec – an improvement of 0.3sec and 10mph.

The S’s responses are further sharpened by a standard-fit Sport pack which alters throttle response, momentarily raises the rev limit and adjusts the operation of the exhaust by-pass valve for throatier-sounding acceleration.

This mode also alters the ESP settings to allow a little more drift before the system intervenes. The S additionally gets a bigger rear diffuser, revised suspension settings and cross-drilled brake discs.

The automatic option – a rare fitment at Lotus – is called Intelligent Precision Shift, and allows the driver to change gear either manually with the paddles, or automatically.

The automatic transmission is made by Toyota, but its control software has been programmed by Lotus to suit the Evora, which accelerates to 62mph in 5.3sec and onto 155mph in this form.

There are no prices yet, but the S is expected to cost around £60,000, while a fairly small premium will be charged for the automatic over the £48,550 standard car.