Lotus Evora
Driving a pack of 2010 Lotus Evoras from Turin, Italy to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England may not seem like hard work, but after nearly 500 kilometers on both twisty, narrow European roads and speed-patroled highways, we're pretty well worn out. What's the occasion? Lotus, as a perennial sponsor of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, had the stroke of brilliance to drive three Evoras (four, if you consider the guide car) from Italy to England along many of the same roads featured in the famous 1969 film The Italian Job. (If you haven't seen the classic Michael Caine flick, go rent it now. The remake with the Artist Formerly Known as Marky Mark has nothing on the original.)
In the original movie, a group of English thieves pull off a heist in Turin, loading millions of stolen Fiat money into the back of three Mini Coopers just outside the automaker's now-defunct Lingotto factory. To commemorate the movie, we, and a selection of European journalists, are driving three Evoras in the red, white, and blue colors of the Union Jack (the Green lead car represents the Italian green, white, and red tricolore flag) along the reverse route the gang took in the film. The journey started today, and we will reach England Saturday evening in time to show the cars -- road grime and all -- at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Sunday. The journey will cover roughly 1500 kilometers over three days (roughly 1000 miles), but using mostly smaller scenic roads, rather than main highways. That makes for three long days in the saddle.
Our journey began today in Turin, fittingly at the former Fiat factory featured in the film. Cars were produced here from 1923 until 1982, and it has now been renovated as a luxury hotel, shopping mall, and art gallery. The building may look fairly nondescript from the ground, but the roof actually features an oval-shaped test track, complete with banking at each end. It's an impressive sight and the fact that Fiat vehicles were actually driven around the circuit at high speed during the first half of the 20th century is an awe-inspiring thought. We were allowed to bring the Evoras to the roof to have a look, but sadly our request for a ten-lap sprint race was denied. (in 2008, the MT crew also took the Dodge Challenger to the top of the factory during 2008's Ultimate Challenger Road Trip)
After wheeling back down to the ground floor and navigating the hectic morning streets of Turin, we turned our Evoras north toward the Italian Alps and the Swiss border. The roads along the Alps are stunning, with picturesque scenery, steep rock faces and drop-offs, and some incredible roads for letting the Evora strut its stuff. Tunnels carved into the mountains provided some shade from the hot, humid summer climate and fortunately, our Evoras arrived at the other end unscathed -- unlike a certain Lamborghini Muira in The Italian Job that met its end on a similar stretch of road.
A not-so-brief stop at the Saint Bernard pass for Swiss border inspections and we were on our way into Switzerland's rolling countryside of lush, green hills and seemingly endless supply of breathtaking castles. Despite Swiss wine not being very popular in the U.S., the country is a hotbed for wine grape growing. We passed acres upon acres of hillside covered in rows of vines. With scenery so spectacular, we didn't mind much that the road straightened out, leaving us more time to take in the landscape. It also gave us more time to check our speedometers frequently, as the Swiss are particularly strict about speeding. We traveled along right around the speed limit, rarely exceeding 120 kph (62 mph). Those caught traveling even 40 kph over the speed limit are subject to having their cars towed on the spot -- and it happens frequently, according to our hosts. Warning enough, we'd say.
At the French border, not a single guard was found at the booth, leaving us to drive straight though without delay. Our Evoras headed up along Lake Geneva, and after enduring some heavy commuter traffic, we were finally allowed to run a little freer on the home stretch towards our end destination for the day at Chateau Nantilly in a farming region of France.
Day two begins tomorrow and we'll run from Southern to Northern France -- roughly 650 kilometers -- before settling down for the evening and preparing to cross the English channel the following day. More on the journey and the Evora to come.
Source: http://blogs.motortrend.com/
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