New 400hp Evora
Discussion
Had several fast laps with Scott Walker, Lotus Sales, at the launch in Scotland last week, held at Ingleston in advance of the Revival meeting. He was kind enough to let me have a go.....
It took a few laps to settle into it as it was LHD but its a hell of a machine. Extremely fast, awesome brakes and 'other worldly' handling balance. How it can deliver on track whilst giving such a comfortable ride is pure alchemy. And yes, the interior is a huge step up in quality and accessibility. There are multiple reviews out there now from qualified and experienced testers that all say the same thing. Lotus have a winner.
It took a few laps to settle into it as it was LHD but its a hell of a machine. Extremely fast, awesome brakes and 'other worldly' handling balance. How it can deliver on track whilst giving such a comfortable ride is pure alchemy. And yes, the interior is a huge step up in quality and accessibility. There are multiple reviews out there now from qualified and experienced testers that all say the same thing. Lotus have a winner.
I like both, the older car has grown on me and in the right colour looks superb. The new car is a slightly different looking animal, and I like that aswell...they just need to get the steering feel and balance back with the new car, and soften the seat cushions and then for me they will deserve to have a winner...trouble is that there are lots of cars out there now that are all superb for all sorts of reasons, and most will shy away from Lotus for all the wrong reasons.
Lets hope they sell loads overseas...apparently they do very well in Germany, although probably more with the Exige...
Lets hope they sell loads overseas...apparently they do very well in Germany, although probably more with the Exige...
alex_gray255 said:
Must be me, but I prefer the looks of the old one. The front of the 400
is too in your face.
Couldn't agree more. I test drove the new one on Friday. Parked mine alongside it and the new one looks crass by comparison, IMHO. is too in your face.
I'm not convinced by the new one. The power is certainly more on a par with it's looks, and the lower sills and interior generally is more purposeful but, by the same token, I am not sure where the car now sits. I came from years of Exiges/Elises etc that were all out sports cars and did so because I needed a GT. The Sparcos on the new one feel more rigid in the spinal area and less comfortable in general, and the suspension seems to have been stiffened somewhat. IMO it didn't require that, it's never a balls out sports car and the V6 Exige does that fantastically. The slightly softer cruiser nature of the Evora is what differentiated it previously so the seats and suspension seem a step away from what the car is/was.
It is a wonderful car, no doubt, but for what I use mine for it's taken a few steps in the other direction from the one I would desire. I also think the pointy angles are less graceful.
Was passing Lotus Silverstone today so popped in to look at the 400. Have to say it looks a lot better in the flesh than the photos and the dark metallic grey car in the showroom looked stunning.
Very impressed with the interior too; quite an improvement on my previous Evora. Even the lotus lettering on the dash didn't look as bad as in the photos, but personally I would do without it.
Luckily it was raining hard, so no point in a test drive, which saves the wallet
Very impressed with the interior too; quite an improvement on my previous Evora. Even the lotus lettering on the dash didn't look as bad as in the photos, but personally I would do without it.
Luckily it was raining hard, so no point in a test drive, which saves the wallet
I would be intersted to knw what other peoples conclusions are from their test drives...lots of real improvements but the steering is now dead and understeery, and the seat cushion is too hard so you feel like you are sitting ontop of the car...it actually felt like a beefed up Boxster/Cayman to me! Maybe it was just the set up of the car I drove? Anyhow alledgedly they are working on these things and my interest is in the IPS version, but hey in the mean time I still love my IPS SR.
Along with a friend, I drove the Evora 400 today at the lotus test track. What a fantastic car!
I have no previous experience of driving Lotus cars, but the steering feel and chassis were brilliant. I can't believe how loud the sports exhaust is - it would almost benefit from a middle setting for some people I'd have thought.
I can't help but feel this car would sell like hot cakes if it were 10k cheaper. The only negatives I felt were the slightly notchy gearbox and the interior just not looking as high quality as that from say Porsche..
The track was very wet, but I had 2x 20min sessions and a tour of the factory. I found the factory tour very interesting and it made me want a Lotus one day, probably an Exige.
I have no previous experience of driving Lotus cars, but the steering feel and chassis were brilliant. I can't believe how loud the sports exhaust is - it would almost benefit from a middle setting for some people I'd have thought.
I can't help but feel this car would sell like hot cakes if it were 10k cheaper. The only negatives I felt were the slightly notchy gearbox and the interior just not looking as high quality as that from say Porsche..
The track was very wet, but I had 2x 20min sessions and a tour of the factory. I found the factory tour very interesting and it made me want a Lotus one day, probably an Exige.
Probably stuck for parts due to messing a supplier around. It's a criminal shame that Lotus do not have a professional competent owner with a solid business plan. The owners have brought Gales in give the business directon it badly needs but are totally failing to support him. In the mean time the staff are doing an amazing job with scant resources. ..just think what could be achieved if it had a plan that could be backed up...
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