IPS

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Can anyone tell me if the IPS gearbox uses the old slush box technology (so the drive is constantly slipping), or is it like the ZF set up used by BMW/Jaguar etc, where it uses a locking clutch, so that once the torque converter has changed gear, the final drive is locked by a seperate clutch. This clutch switches in and out everytime the gears are changed to give a positive drive...quite a good compromise really.

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Great thanks...

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Well I took the plunge and upgraded my

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Err do not know what happened there...but to continue...I have changed my 2011 's for a 2013 IPS SR spec. Comments have been made before about the upgrade is not worth the cost well I have to disagree, ...it for me is a vastly better car (not that the 2011 car was bad in any way...I have had some great experiences with it) and while the IPS system is not in the same league as many contemporaries, it works adequately well and is good fun when you have tuned into it. The car just seems more solid, refined, better controlled and the list goes on. I have done about 1500 miles this week and it just seems to get better with every mile, so yes I am very pleased with it and is now my daily driver!
I am in a fortunate position and also own a McLaren 12C. The McLaren is blindingly good in all respects but I have to say the Evora is absolutely superb also and at 1/3rd the new cost is pound for pound the better car. If the Mclaren had to go tomorrow I do not think my motoring life would be any less fulfilled.
Bring on the 400!

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I think the McLaren will be considerably faster but I think the 400 will still be a great car and every bit as much fun, and with much lower running costs. Interestingly though time will tell what the ownership cost of both will be... I do not think the 12C will depreciate much and if anything it might appreciate...people are beginning to realise just how good they are after some negative initial press. I test drove a 458 and came away preferring my then 2011 Evora!...
When talking to a colleague today I said that if I had to give up the 12C tomorrow, I would not be too disappointed given just how competent the Evora is...the 12C is pretty special, but the Evora is still a cracking car.

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Ah yes in answer to the question "is the MP4 too much for the road?" Hmm well virtually every car can comfortably exceed the speed limits so arguably all cars are too much. The MP4 though can be very docile and relaxed...just like the Evora, but yes when you want to nip by some slow moving traffic, you`ll find that by the time you have pulled parallel you`ll be in licence losing territory, but then you won`t be too far off that in the Evora.
You are right in that the Lotus has plenty of power for the road but in truth both have too much. Which do I prefer driving?...the MP4 and the additional power has a lot to do with it...

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According to the blurb the 400 IPS change is much improved, although sadly still a bit short of the current German offerings...if only Loftus could really bottom this...still the current car is brilliant so the 400 will be even better.

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Yes the change is a bit slow and irritating at times, but you know what, the car is so smooth and great to drive that the irritation is minor, and you adjust to it, which in some ways makes it more fun (and I think it is better in standard rather than sport...which is too frenetic most of the time). My 12C is spot on, but I did a trackday a couple of weeks ago and the car was awesome, but a friend of mine said that I did not seem to be bouncing off the walls with excitement over it. Having thought about his comment, I came to the conclusion that it was the lack of involvement in the gearchange process that took away a bit of the edge or fun...so for trackdays, whilst slower, the manual route is preferred, but for the road, auto is the better compromise by some way.
Not driven the 400 yet, but I guess it is a great drive and Octane apparently rate it above the 675LT for all round fun and usability!

[CTE]

I guess that because the 400 uses the same box it will be relatively straightforward to upgrade the software...I have been thinking it is down to development time to synchronise the changes with the clutch operation and the various different drive modes/conditions...and thank you for confirming it can be done.

Test drove the 400 manual the other day and in most ways the reviews are correct, but a couple of big negatives for me, the steering has lost feel, but the car is much more directionally stable, a less desirable compromise for me, but maybe better for most. Did no like the seat either, it is harder and makes you feel like you are sitting on top of the car. I love the seat on the SR because you really sink into it.
It does sound great and is definitely perkier...but the same can be achieved with a modification to the exhaust and a Komotec upgrade!

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Had the upgrade done now thanks and it is very well worth the effort...available from your local-ish dealer now.

Have been speaking to someone in the know at the factory and apparently the IPS has been further improved from the press cars that said the gearchange was improved over the SR car but still short of the Germans...well apparently more work has been done and it is apparently even better than the German set ups? We will see.
They are also working on the too firm seat which gives you a sensation of sitting on top of the car, and the dead steering...sounds like they are listening to customer feedback and acting upon it! Fantastic.