RE: Lotus Evora 400
Discussion
I think it's a big improvement, and it sounds like they are taking some smart steps. Sadly though, going for just one £70k + model takes it out of my price range for a second car, so think it'll have to be a Cayman S for me.
I also guess this means we won't be seeing a new Elise any time soon. The key to Lotus' future may be securing the funding to make some genuinely new models at some point, not just improvements on the current line up.
I also guess this means we won't be seeing a new Elise any time soon. The key to Lotus' future may be securing the funding to make some genuinely new models at some point, not just improvements on the current line up.
Europa1 said:
dandarez said:
Hmm.
1 word.
Dreamer.
Backed up with ... 'no new cars for 5 years and only then 'if'..'
Sold fewer than 1500 cars last fin. year. Will double next fin. year... Hmm
Revamped Evora is £75k
And Gales holds '12-15' meetings DAILY! with staff from all departments, most standing up and under 30 minutes long. "It's hard but it's a lot of fun," he says. The staff must be reeling.
...when do the staff get chance to work?
Ah, back in the welcoming womb like embrace of PH. It's normally at least 3 or 4 posts on a topic before a doom monger gets in, so hats off for being so quick out of the blocks.1 word.
Dreamer.
Backed up with ... 'no new cars for 5 years and only then 'if'..'
Sold fewer than 1500 cars last fin. year. Will double next fin. year... Hmm
Revamped Evora is £75k
And Gales holds '12-15' meetings DAILY! with staff from all departments, most standing up and under 30 minutes long. "It's hard but it's a lot of fun," he says. The staff must be reeling.
...when do the staff get chance to work?
Edited by dandarez on Wednesday 18th February 00:46
DBR-Hicom must be kicking themselves that they didn't give you the Lotus CEO gig.
From reading a number of other posts I don't think dandarez wastes any opportunity to have a dig at Lotus
A 400hp Lotus, sorry ladies and gentlemen, what's not to like about that! They need a halo car at the top of the range above the excellent V6 Exige which has shown there is a market for a cleverly engineered, more powerful, pricier Lotus. If the set up on that Bosch traction control is on a par with that car then this will fly round a track and be a whole heap of fun on the open road. It will also be small enough to enjoy on the public highway. Will be interesting to see what the power to weight ratio of the production car comes out as. Could be keeping some pretty exotic company.
Gorbyrev said:
A 400hp Lotus, sorry ladies and gentlemen, what's not to like about that! They need a halo car at the top of the range above the excellent V6 Exige which has shown there is a market for a cleverly engineered, more powerful, pricier Lotus. If the set up on that Bosch traction control is on a par with that car then this will fly round a track and be a whole heap of fun on the open road. It will also be small enough to enjoy on the public highway. Will be interesting to see what the power to weight ratio of the production car comes out as. Could be keeping some pretty exotic company.
Autocar article states the 400 does a lap of Hethel in the same time as the Exige S, so it's pretty effing fast!
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-gene...
I think it looks great. Lotus, with limited resources, has addressed every area of criticism against the Series 1 car:
- Looks
- Weight
- Emissions
- Power
- Interior quality
- Ingress/Egress
- Rear space
Given it's a more useable car now, it should be compared against the 991 Carrera 2S, not the 2 seater Cayman.
At £75k versus ~£100k for the 991C2S, the Lotus is good value. It will ride, handle and steer better than the Porker too.
Great effort by Lotus. They deserve success.
- Looks
- Weight
- Emissions
- Power
- Interior quality
- Ingress/Egress
- Rear space
Given it's a more useable car now, it should be compared against the 991 Carrera 2S, not the 2 seater Cayman.
At £75k versus ~£100k for the 991C2S, the Lotus is good value. It will ride, handle and steer better than the Porker too.
Great effort by Lotus. They deserve success.
MikeGalos said:
3) Get rid of the L O T U S label on the center console. I know what kind of car I'm in.
Hadn't spotted that. No fan either. No-cost delete option I hope.dandarez said:
And Gales holds '12-15' meetings DAILY! with staff from all departments...when do the staff get chance to work?
It's not ALL staff from all departments. The queue to the sandwich van at 12:45 would be crazy.Plenty of companies / teams have their quick agile meetings every day, this doesn't sound out of the ordinary in the slightest.
Sounds like the plan from a man who wants to know exactly what's going on, what issues arise and what they're doing about it every day. Sounds like they got the right man for the job.
Repent said:
I'm excited. The man has the right formula!
Me Too 
Fingers crossed.p.s. I think the car looks fantastic.
Very good indeed.
Gales has cut to the chase twice now, the Exige V6 and now the Evora 400 - radically improving on what were already very good cars. You can tell that every aspect of the car has been considered and touched up, but the emphasis of the improvements has still been on the performance; broadening its appeal in all areas but still being able to play, dynamically speaking, with much more expensive kit.
They've specced it very well too - standard trim is generous compared to rivals; some lovely detail like the flat black paddles, front intake mesh, discrete red centre line. Not so keen on the back - it's a bit cluttered.
In terms of the general sports car market this is a now a serious, serious car to consider rather than being a more left-field, niche rarity.
I Knievel'ed my last Lotus and have seriously looked at the Exige V6, but I'm perhaps edging towards a bit of comfort and refinement in there too - this seems to be a very interesting proposition. How they managed to put more in and get weight down has been very clever.
Gales has cut to the chase twice now, the Exige V6 and now the Evora 400 - radically improving on what were already very good cars. You can tell that every aspect of the car has been considered and touched up, but the emphasis of the improvements has still been on the performance; broadening its appeal in all areas but still being able to play, dynamically speaking, with much more expensive kit.
They've specced it very well too - standard trim is generous compared to rivals; some lovely detail like the flat black paddles, front intake mesh, discrete red centre line. Not so keen on the back - it's a bit cluttered.
In terms of the general sports car market this is a now a serious, serious car to consider rather than being a more left-field, niche rarity.
I Knievel'ed my last Lotus and have seriously looked at the Exige V6, but I'm perhaps edging towards a bit of comfort and refinement in there too - this seems to be a very interesting proposition. How they managed to put more in and get weight down has been very clever.
Got a soft spot for Lotus and I think this is a good effort - would need to see one in the flesh to judge the ascetics but the engineering and practical side seems well balanced. This Evora will definitely take the fight to Porsche in a more confident manner and, if you look at Carrera prices, I don't think the Lotus is over priced.
I'm feeling more hopeful now that Lotus will stay the course.
I'm feeling more hopeful now that Lotus will stay the course.
Claudia Skies said:
May be quick on track but I fear it will still be slow out of the showrooms. 
That thumping £72k price ticket isn't going to help at all.
I think Lotus have built the right product for the right price. But yes, now the effort must turn to getting people into their showrooms!That thumping £72k price ticket isn't going to help at all.
IMIA said:
Mutton dressed up as lamb. Styling looked out of date in 2009. It looks prehistoric now.
A CEO with no vision or budget and deluded owners.
I'm sure it drives well but has never been the emotional/aspirational product the original late 70's Esprit was. Just goes from bad to worse.
I agree styling is subjective.A CEO with no vision or budget and deluded owners.
I'm sure it drives well but has never been the emotional/aspirational product the original late 70's Esprit was. Just goes from bad to worse.
I think the CEO is doing the best job he can on a limited budget, he's certinly not living in a dream world like Bahar.
I've given Lotus a lot of s
t in the past, but that actually looks like a proper expensive sports car. IE, I look at that, and the usual Lotus MO of make it drive right then just throw the rest together seems to have gone out of the window and they've actually had a go at making it properly. Bravo if that's the case. Would be interested for a review on this to see if the reality matches the pictures.
t in the past, but that actually looks like a proper expensive sports car. IE, I look at that, and the usual Lotus MO of make it drive right then just throw the rest together seems to have gone out of the window and they've actually had a go at making it properly. Bravo if that's the case. Would be interested for a review on this to see if the reality matches the pictures.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff