New 400hp Evora

[BravoV8V]

SFO said:

why does it take so long to launch the Evora 400 Roadster .. especially if it's as simple as Gales says; 2 removable lightweight panels, stored in the back seat area.

It's not quite that straight forward. The entire rear clam is different.

They've also got to build the 3-Eleven, Cup 360 etc etc But, yes, it does seem to have taken a long time. And why, oh why, release a Roadster during the winter? Does their marketing department really have rocks in their heads??

[Thorburn]

BravoV8V said:

It's not quite that straight forward. The entire rear clam is different.

They've also got to build the 3-Eleven, Cup 360 etc etc But, yes, it does seem to have taken a long time. And why, oh why, release a Roadster during the winter? Does their marketing department really have rocks in their heads??

If you launch it in the winter then first customer deliveries will be Spring/Summer.

[BravoV8V]

But buyers don't want to buy, or test drive, convertibles in winter.

[Shnozz]

BravoV8V said:

But buyers don't want to buy, or test drive, convertibles in winter.

Are Lotus focused on the UK market making up more than 50% of sales for this model though? If its aimed at US and the ME then November isn't a bad launch time.

[BravoV8V]

The USA is also in the Northern Hemisphere so it's still winter there in November!

And yes, Lotus still concentrates primarily, and initially, on the UK market. Next comes Japan, which (surprise, surprise) is also in winter in November. (FWIW, the 400 has yet to be launched in the USA).

[CTE]

Germany is a strong market for them as well believe it or not...

[Tuna]

BravoV8V said:

And yes, Lotus still concentrates primarily, and initially, on the UK market.

Not sure that's remotely true. Last figures I heard were something like 75% of cars go abroad. The UK market is not the most important to Lotus.

[BravoV8V]

Tuna said:

Not sure that's remotely true. Last figures I heard were something like 75% of cars go abroad. The UK market is not the most important to Lotus.

They might end up selling more cars elsewhere but all of the cars are launched in the UK first. All of the press etc is done in and around Hethel.

[andy_s]

A good first impression State-side - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1pU_tfMAUY [Smoking Tire - One Take]

[Oilchange]

They say the hardest thing is getting people in to test drive the cars, once they are in they are usually sold... or at least 30% are anyway

[Ikobo]

And I'm very happy to be in that 30%. I enjoyed that video when I'd seen it through another forum, genuine shock and enthusiasm over a great car.

[giveitfish]

That's great. Very rare to see a reaction like that from a proper journo, and I assume Lotus couldn't afford to pay enough for him to fake it either!

[stuno1]

The more amazing thing is that he has never been in an Evora up to that point!

[Tuna]

andy_s said:

A good first impression State-side - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1pU_tfMAUY [Smoking Tire - One Take]

That video is fantastically positive. Lotus should buy him a beer at the very least.

[GTD40]

Tuna said:

andy_s said:

A good first impression State-side - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1pU_tfMAUY [Smoking Tire - One Take]

That video is fantastically positive. Lotus should buy him a beer at the very least.

Lotus marketing team need to jump on that review !

[Porsche911R]

CTE said:

Germany is a strong market for them as well believe it or not...

and

The UK market is not the most important to Lotus.

people do talk bks!!!

These are Lotus figures !!!

2015 sales

375 Lotus cars were registered in the UK
Germany registrations are 142
France 108
Italy 56

So to say the UK market is NOT important is bks !!!

[Tuna]

Porsche911R said:

2015 sales

375 Lotus cars were registered in the UK
Germany registrations are 142
France 108
Italy 56

So to say the UK market is NOT important is bks !!!

That's against a background of sales of around 2,000 cars - so for every car they sell in the UK, they sell over four more abroad. Of course Lotus are very much a British sports car company, but most of their customers are overseas and that's where the biggest market growth is. Pandering to the unique demands of the UK will not benefit their overall sales.

[K666ADM]

There is another way to get 400hp and its slightly cheaper than the new 400...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C457263

Perhaps makes a better noise too, but loses some comfort and everday driver practicality.

[Redmax]

I've been borrowing a 400 for the weekend with a potential view to purchasing one. It's typical Lotus - some stuff that's absolutely sublime, other stuff that's wrong that's basic and irritating.

The really big issue for me is the long brake pedal, it drives me mad every time I use it and is approaching being a show-stopper for me. Has anybody found anywhere who will modify/shim the master cylinder (which I assume is the issue) to remove some of that travel?

Given that it'll need to do 25k miles per year the poor audio is an issue too (tinny speakers) but I'm sure that could be changed...

Thanks

Jason

[blueg33]

Interesting, the brake pedal on my 2010 isn't long at all, it is spot on perfect, but at 2014 car I drove did have a long pedal that made it tricky to heel and toe.

My car has no mods to the brake, so I wonder if it is adjustable?