The new Lotus Evora 400 is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine but with a new supercharger,water-to-air charge-cooler and engine management system. Its power output has increased by 16% from 345 hp (350 PS / 257 kW) to 400 hp (406 PS/ 298 kW). Torque has increased from400 Nm / 295 lbs ft to 410 Nm / 302 lbs ft with maximum torque available from 3500 rpm to 6500rpm.

The power increase of 55 hp comes from supercharger enhancements (volumetric capacity has increased from 1.32 L/rpm to 1.74 L/rpm), the application of a new charge-cooler and engine management upgrades.

While meeting legal pass-by and race track requirements for NVH, sonic changes have been made to the post-cat exhaust system. It features revised muffler internals and a switch that can be driver activated, which allows the exhaust to flow more freely, reducing back pressure under higher engine loads and where conditions allow. A by-product is an unique supercar sound track through the three-inches wider, central exiting exhaust pipe.

New engine mounts, which are 5.6 kg lighter than in the previous Lotus Evora, and a revised rear subframe have enabled better engine control and improved vehicle dynamics.

A number of manual gearbox enhancements have greatly improved shift quality including a new clutch disc and a low inertia flywheel that ensure swift and tactile gear changes. For the automatic transmission option, a new shift strategy has been developed, with gear changes made using the lightweight aluminium paddles mounted to the steering wheel. For the manual version, a Torsen-type limited slip differential (LSD) has been fitted as standard to the rear axle, which gives a more involving drive and better traction, to produce better lap times.