Test drove a GT430
Discussion
I was fortunate to be invited to test drive the GT430 at Silverstone Lotus on Saturday (thanks Matt) wasn't expecting it to be night and day different to my 400, how wrong I was!
First, in the flesh it is menacing, the revised front end splitter and vented arches give it a really aggressive appearance, which is complemented by the big wing and carbon tailgate.
Lots of subtle features like the cut away sections at the rear of the front arches and vents in the rear of the rear arches to allow air pressure to equalise and increase downforce.
The interior finish is real quality with carbon backed Sparcos which felt more supportive than those in the 400, stitched alcantara on the dash looked great too.
Out on the road gearchange linkage felt a bit more positive than the 400 (and mine has just had the cables adjusted which improved the gearchange no end)
The exhaust valve (titanium exhaust) was open, which anybody who has heard it will know sounds epic.
The car was on cup 2 tyres and it was a bit greasy which concerned me, not having used them before. They didn't give any indication of losing traction, but I suspect that on a dry road with some heat in them turn in would be much more positive.
With suspension being such a subjective thing I was really looking forward to experiencing for myself how the Ohlins performed on the road, as one of the stand out qualities of the 400 is how it copes with poor road surfaces (much better than my BMW F31 335d on Birds suspension and non run flats).
One word "pure quality" (ok two!) on decent road surfaces ride quality was very similar to the 400 but body control very much improved. I was accompanied by Lotus UK Sales Manager Scott Walker and it says a lot about his confidence in the set up that the test route deliberately took in some really poor road surfaces, the car dealt with these impressively, perhaps not floating over them as the 400 would, but very composed with no tramlining (in itself an achievement when you consider the wider tyres and more aggressive geometry).
I have to admit that before the test drive my thoughts were would the Ohlins be a worthwhile upgrade for the 400, the answer yes definitely.
Following the test drive I'm wondering how I can raise the 60k on top of my 400 to get into one of 20 UK GT 430s.
First, in the flesh it is menacing, the revised front end splitter and vented arches give it a really aggressive appearance, which is complemented by the big wing and carbon tailgate.
Lots of subtle features like the cut away sections at the rear of the front arches and vents in the rear of the rear arches to allow air pressure to equalise and increase downforce.
The interior finish is real quality with carbon backed Sparcos which felt more supportive than those in the 400, stitched alcantara on the dash looked great too.
Out on the road gearchange linkage felt a bit more positive than the 400 (and mine has just had the cables adjusted which improved the gearchange no end)
The exhaust valve (titanium exhaust) was open, which anybody who has heard it will know sounds epic.
The car was on cup 2 tyres and it was a bit greasy which concerned me, not having used them before. They didn't give any indication of losing traction, but I suspect that on a dry road with some heat in them turn in would be much more positive.
With suspension being such a subjective thing I was really looking forward to experiencing for myself how the Ohlins performed on the road, as one of the stand out qualities of the 400 is how it copes with poor road surfaces (much better than my BMW F31 335d on Birds suspension and non run flats).
One word "pure quality" (ok two!) on decent road surfaces ride quality was very similar to the 400 but body control very much improved. I was accompanied by Lotus UK Sales Manager Scott Walker and it says a lot about his confidence in the set up that the test route deliberately took in some really poor road surfaces, the car dealt with these impressively, perhaps not floating over them as the 400 would, but very composed with no tramlining (in itself an achievement when you consider the wider tyres and more aggressive geometry).
I have to admit that before the test drive my thoughts were would the Ohlins be a worthwhile upgrade for the 400, the answer yes definitely.
Following the test drive I'm wondering how I can raise the 60k on top of my 400 to get into one of 20 UK GT 430s.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/LYkAimCT.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/7Z2CJbc1" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/7Z2CJbc1.jpg)
Latest cars seem to be very good, but at a price premium most cant afford (you are getting a lot more spec though)?
I do prefer the styling of later cars over my 'S', especially the front.
I think a lot of man maths will go into working out how Komotec & suspension etc extras can give you most of the experience for less money,
However, it's the weight saving of the later cars that's also a big factor. You cant beat the physics of a heavier car not being able to be as responsive as a lighter car, & not sure where on an earlier car the weight could be saved?
I do prefer the styling of later cars over my 'S', especially the front.
I think a lot of man maths will go into working out how Komotec & suspension etc extras can give you most of the experience for less money,
However, it's the weight saving of the later cars that's also a big factor. You cant beat the physics of a heavier car not being able to be as responsive as a lighter car, & not sure where on an earlier car the weight could be saved?
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