RE: Lotus Exige Automatic spec confirmed

[Tuna]

Some people are determined to see ill in everything Lotus do.

OPTIONAL auto box is released, runs very slightly faster than 'good old manual' and widens the range for foreign markets.

What do we get? 'I hate autos', 'OMGZ delays!!', 'I heard they make it out of lead and dead badgers', 'Lotus don't make limousines', 'It's not like my BMW'

[kambites]

Indeed. Whilst I don't like the idea from a personal perspective, I don't doubt that it's the right thing to do to cheaply increase sales. Especially in the east.

[errek72]

kambites said:

Yes, it's purely a matter of preference. Obviously from a purely functional perspective, the more that's automated the better, down to the nirvana of completely driverless cars...

A big leap between a semi-auto and a driverless car, no? A future Lotus that does the daily traffic jams fully automatically, but hands back control when the driver would like it, why not?

[kambites]

errek72 said:

A big leap between a semi-auto and a driverless car, no?

Of course, but it's just a further step along the same scale. For me manually manipulating the clutch and gearbox is every bit as much of the driving experience as manually operating the steering. I've no objection to automatics, more choice is always good for the consumer, but saying that you don't understand why manuals are still sold is a bit odd.

I'd have no objection to a proper manual gearbox having an automatic function; just as long as I have a clutch pedal connected to the clutch by hydraulics when I want to change gear manually. Just as I'd have no objection to my car behind able to steer itself as long as there is a direct connection from the steering wheel to the wheels when I want to use it.

[After_Shock]

kambites said:

I'd guess it's aimed more at the eastern markets, though.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 29th January 15:40

Bingo, middle east, far east and if (not sure if they are) available in the USA.

[errek72]

kambites said:

but saying that you don't understand why manuals are still sold is a bit odd.

I just fail to see the benefit. Functionally it does the job at least as good and depending on the car there is no shortage of drama or exuberance either. I doubt it will be lacking when the robot is ramming in the gears while the V6 is screaming behind you.

[kambites]

errek72 said:

kambites said:

but saying that you don't understand why manuals are still sold is a bit odd.

I just fail to see the benefit.

I know, and as I said that strikes me as odd because the benefit is simply "some people find it more fun".

Very little about buying this sort of car is objective. There doesn't have to be a reason beyond "because I want it". More choice is always good, even if it's not choices I'd make myself.

Edited by kambites on Friday 30th January 16:00

[MentalRental]

As a one legger this is good news for me. £2k extra for the automatic and £700 for a left foot accelerator conversion and I'm away. The last fun car I converted was an Ariel Atom 300. £2k for the Elap mobility duck clutch kit the around another £4k for Ariel to fit and convert the Atom to take the kit which involved altering the chassis. An investment that was lost when I sold the Atom on. With a left foot accelerator conversion you retain the right foot accelerator aswell. You just pull down the accelerator you want to use and the other lifts out of the way simultaneously.

[kambites]

MentalRental said:

As a one legger this is good news for me. £2k for the automatic and £700 for a left foot accelerator conversion and I'm away. The last fun car I converted was an Ariel Atom 300. £2k for the Elap mobility duck clutch kit the around another £4k for Ariel to fit and convert the Atom to take the kit which involved altering the chassis. An investment that was lost when I sold the Atom on. With a left foot accelerator conversion you retain the right foot accelerator aswell. You just pull down the accelerator you want to use and the other lifts out of the way simultaneously.

You might need to fit a narrower brake pedal. If they fit a wide brake pedal like most automatics seem to have there probably wont be space for a throttle to the left of the standard pedal. It's a pretty narrow footwell. I guess you could use the standard manual Elise pivots and brake pedal with the conversion attached to the throttle and clutch pivots.

Or does the system replace the entire pedal-box?

Edited by kambites on Friday 30th January 18:33

[MentalRental]

kambites said:

MentalRental said:

As a one legger this is good news for me. £2k for the automatic and £700 for a left foot accelerator conversion and I'm away. The last fun car I converted was an Ariel Atom 300. £2k for the Elap mobility duck clutch kit the around another £4k for Ariel to fit and convert the Atom to take the kit which involved altering the chassis. An investment that was lost when I sold the Atom on. With a left foot accelerator conversion you retain the right foot accelerator aswell. You just pull down the accelerator you want to use and the other lifts out of the way simultaneously.

You might need to fit a narrower brake pedal. If they fit a wide brake pedal like most automatics seem to have there probably wont be space for a throttle to the left of the standard pedal. It's a pretty narrow footwell. I guess you could use the standard manual Elise pivots and brake pedal with the conversion attached to the throttle and clutch pivots.

Or does the system replace the entire pedal-box?

Edited by kambites on Friday 30th January 18:33

Ah yes I'm thinking a standard cars accelerator. The Exige pedal box will be similar to the Atoms. On the Atom Ariel moved the whole pedal box to the left. Removed the pad off the clutch pedal which then became the 'actuator arm' and I used my left foot to operate the accelerator pedal to the right of the brake. But with it being moved to the left it didnt aggrevate my knee. Thinking about it may also have to be the same on an Exige. I've never had the left foot 'flip accelerator' conversion done to a car with a pedal box. I'm sure the company would give it a go though. The left foot accelerator would just end up where the clutch in a manual car would be

[Lowtimer]

errek72 said:

kambites said:

I do.

I've driven plenty of double clutch automatics and don't like them at all.

So is it purely a matter of taste for you or do you believe there is a functional benefit to the manual ones?

In my case, having tried BMW, Porsche and VW double-clutch gearboxes, I prefer manual. The functional benefit is that I enjoy using them more.

I'm not against a good epicylic or double-clutch box at all, and welcome the availability of the choice on the market.

errek72 said:

I just fail to see the benefit.

Clearly. You are therefore part of the market at which the two pedal option is aimed.

Personally I would never buy a red car, but that doesn't mean I think no-one else should choose one if red happens to make them happy.

Edited by Lowtimer on Friday 30th January 20:21

[angelicupstarts]

errek72 said:

kambites said:

but saying that you don't understand why manuals are still sold is a bit odd.

I just fail to see the benefit. Functionally it does the job at least as good and depending on the car there is no shortage of drama or exuberance either. I doubt it will be lacking when the robot is ramming in the gears while the V6 is screaming behind you.

same as watches ..why get a rolex ..when a casio digital needs less input e.t.c
answer is ..... they are nicer , aesthetic and tactile pleasing .
i would never give up a manual as first choice ...had plenty of autos ...but it is a small part of control one gives up ...even if performance is same ..its just that small part of poetry of being one with a machine that on certain moments on the right drive , right corner , right car .....nirvana when it all fits together

[angelicupstarts]

errek72 said:

kambites said:

but saying that you don't understand why manuals are still sold is a bit odd.

I just fail to see the benefit. Functionally it does the job at least as good and depending on the car there is no shortage of drama or exuberance either. I doubt it will be lacking when the robot is ramming in the gears while the V6 is screaming behind you.

having looked at you garage ...nice cars
but if you say you don't like manuals ..why are 99% if not all your cars manuals of some sort ? and your fantasy alfas wish list are manuals as well ...mayby you like them?

[Gary C]

kambites said:

Hmm, not convinced by a slush-box in an Exige but we shall see.

Is it a slush box though ?

A torque converter would be horrendous on an exige but I can't believe they would use one.

[CraigyMc]

Gary C said:

kambites said:

Hmm, not convinced by a slush-box in an Exige but we shall see.

Is it a slush box though ?

A torque converter would be horrendous on an exige but I can't believe they would use one.

It is. It's an Aisin Warner U660E.

[mario328]

djmotorsport said:

stoddie said:

lets hope its better than the manual version which suffers from major clutch rattle and lunging issues.

18 months of every day use and no issue with either........

Ditto, mine's been great over the last 15 months no rattle or lunging.

[Oilchange]

Tis a good thing, might not be for the purists but if it bolsters the Lotus balance sheet then what's not to like?

[Europa1]

Oilchange said:

Tis a good thing, might not be for the purists but if it bolsters the Lotus balance sheet then what's not to like?

So, so right. I cannot believe the number of miserable bds on here saying "it's too slow" (really? you could do it quicker in a manual? Or [x] supercar does it a few milliseconds quicker? - and your ninja senses can tell??)

Given that the manual will still be available (and nowhere, nowhere, was there any suggestion otherwise, so kneejerkers, please, wind your necks in and you might not jump to conclusions from the article), pistonheaders would, I hope, be delighted that Lotus is in fact expanding the appeal of one of its products to a new market segment to bring in additional revenue.

[kambites]

Europa1 said:

...Or [x] supercar does it a few milliseconds quicker? - and your ninja senses can tell??)...

Human latency perception (not the same thing as reaction times) is in double figures milliseconds; quite low double figures for some people. You can very easily feel a quarter second delay on a control.

I mostly agree otherwise, though. I don't personally think it'll be a very good car but if it helps Lotus sell more and hence turn a profit, it can only be a good thing. It's not like they're getting rid of the manual.

[andyps]

kambites said:

Human latency perception (not the same thing as reaction times) is in double figures milliseconds; quite low double figures for some people. You can very easily feel a quarter second delay on a control.

I mostly agree otherwise, though. I don't personally think it'll be a very good car but if it helps Lotus sell more and hence turn a profit, it can only be a good thing. It's not like they're getting rid of the manual.

I suspect it will be a very good car. Just that it won't require quite the same input as a manual would. And if that suits some people, particularly those who would not otherwise buy a Lotus that is a great outcome.