Discussion
I had a nose around the 2006 car in a showroom the other day. Basically it is the same as my 2004 car.
The ket differences are
Pedal Box.
Without the engine running it is hard to assess but the travel is far less and feels very positive.
New instruments.
The instruments are subtly different. The calibration is non linear - 0 to 3k revs are very close together then an even spread for the rest of the range. The marking are clearer but slightly more "clutered". It may be that I am used to the display on my car.
New Seats.
Hmmm yummy! Though I dont have a problem with the old seats, the new ones are very comfortable and seem to hold you more securely.
LED rear lights
Very pretty
What they should have changed!
Front lights - lets face it the front lights are cack and worse, dangerous cack.
Indicator stalks - anyone who can live with the original indicator stalks is blind and ready to be admitted to the local loony bin. They are the automotive equilivent of the "venus de milo" streaked with bird poo.
Overall, it is more of a refresh than an overhaul. Lotus should have gone a little deeper with some changes but none of the changes would "obsolete" any of the older cars. I have been promised a drive in the new car and I will dish the dirt on the new pedal box.
The ket differences are
Pedal Box.
Without the engine running it is hard to assess but the travel is far less and feels very positive.
New instruments.
The instruments are subtly different. The calibration is non linear - 0 to 3k revs are very close together then an even spread for the rest of the range. The marking are clearer but slightly more "clutered". It may be that I am used to the display on my car.
New Seats.
Hmmm yummy! Though I dont have a problem with the old seats, the new ones are very comfortable and seem to hold you more securely.
LED rear lights
Very pretty
What they should have changed!
Front lights - lets face it the front lights are cack and worse, dangerous cack.
Indicator stalks - anyone who can live with the original indicator stalks is blind and ready to be admitted to the local loony bin. They are the automotive equilivent of the "venus de milo" streaked with bird poo.
Overall, it is more of a refresh than an overhaul. Lotus should have gone a little deeper with some changes but none of the changes would "obsolete" any of the older cars. I have been promised a drive in the new car and I will dish the dirt on the new pedal box.
Good summary gooby.
I echo your thoughts on some of the more sensible details (and again air my frustration at Lotus for missing a trick).
The key thing with a refresh is not just to add new gadgetry but to correct weaknesses. The fact that the lights have always been (and continue to be) shite is inexcusable. Why no HID lights as standard for instance?
If I ever go near a dealership again I may have a look over one myself (very unlikely though!).
I echo your thoughts on some of the more sensible details (and again air my frustration at Lotus for missing a trick).
The key thing with a refresh is not just to add new gadgetry but to correct weaknesses. The fact that the lights have always been (and continue to be) shite is inexcusable. Why no HID lights as standard for instance?
If I ever go near a dealership again I may have a look over one myself (very unlikely though!).
Morning boys and girls,
I popped in to see that 2006 car this morning, agree with the above, Chris says the pedal box feels pretty similar the the current one, it will be interesting to get more opinion from 111r owners. Seats sre really nice i must say.
That new Phantom Black is just sexy as hell.....for about a mile!!! Discussed the possibilities of doing that colour with the same stripes as the red sports racer. Could be a tough desision to be made sometime soon.
Oh yeh and my car got well cruded up today had it out all day, rained on it and all.
Alright i confess i spent the last couple of hours cleaning it again and putting it under its Blanket!!!! Oh how sad am i!!!
I popped in to see that 2006 car this morning, agree with the above, Chris says the pedal box feels pretty similar the the current one, it will be interesting to get more opinion from 111r owners. Seats sre really nice i must say.
That new Phantom Black is just sexy as hell.....for about a mile!!! Discussed the possibilities of doing that colour with the same stripes as the red sports racer. Could be a tough desision to be made sometime soon.
Oh yeh and my car got well cruded up today had it out all day, rained on it and all.
Alright i confess i spent the last couple of hours cleaning it again and putting it under its Blanket!!!! Oh how sad am i!!!
gooby said:
i had a nose too, apparently i just missed you!
Thought the subtle styling changes were nice!
The only person who could keep that black car clean is Just1!
It was very pretty but after 5 mins you could see the dust settle!
Thats ok, Just1, will get a dust cover too
The seats are fantastic, I wonder if Lotus offer a retro-fit and for how much?
LED rear lights were OK on the Nightfall Blue Sports Racer I saw but they are a bit fussy and I don't reckon they'd suit all cars.
HID lights need washers if they are OEM by law and we'd only end up with an argument over added weight with that one.
And as for the stalks, they're not the greatest but they're so flimsy they can't weigh much and are loads better than the tacky ally tat ones.
LED rear lights were OK on the Nightfall Blue Sports Racer I saw but they are a bit fussy and I don't reckon they'd suit all cars.
HID lights need washers if they are OEM by law and we'd only end up with an argument over added weight with that one.
And as for the stalks, they're not the greatest but they're so flimsy they can't weigh much and are loads better than the tacky ally tat ones.
just1 said:
That new Phantom Black is just sexy as hell.....for about a mile!!! Discussed the possibilities of doing that colour with the same stripes as the red sports racer. Could be a tough desision to be made sometime soon.
!!!
Black with white stripes? Bleugh, it will look like a chave trainer! Dont do it just....
See Autocar for a review this week.
DBW throttle is my biggest wory (see my recent thread on this), and Autocar don't mention it as being a problem. Thing is, they don't mention it on most other cars that are practically undriveable because of it in my opinion!
Currently, £32k is out of my price range, but I would be very interested to drive the car and see how this throttle has been done.
DBW throttle is my biggest wory (see my recent thread on this), and Autocar don't mention it as being a problem. Thing is, they don't mention it on most other cars that are practically undriveable because of it in my opinion!
Currently, £32k is out of my price range, but I would be very interested to drive the car and see how this throttle has been done.
I took a look too a couple of weeks ago. The seats were much more comfy and (I think) supporting. Best improvement in my view is the pedal box arrangement. Much better alignment of brake and throttle for heel & toeing than my 111R. Feels pretty much perfect so far as I could tell just sitting in the showroom.
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