RE: Lotus Evora 400 :Driven
Discussion
Le TVR said:
PorscheGT4 said:
go and look what an Audi TT weighs these days :-) Audi are doing the light weight thing now. if you are too lazy it is 1230kg :-)
TT ROADSTER 2.0T FSI Quattro TTS 2dr S Tronic 1,470 kgOzzie Osmond said:
TBH I think that's cobblers.
With 6 or 7 gears in most manuals now, and 8 or 9 in auto's, it simply makes no sense to say cars are too highly geared. Or are you suggesting first gear is so high it's no longer possible to get away from the traffic lights?
Back in the day people used to get by with 4 gears.
Over 80mph in 2nd?With 6 or 7 gears in most manuals now, and 8 or 9 in auto's, it simply makes no sense to say cars are too highly geared. Or are you suggesting first gear is so high it's no longer possible to get away from the traffic lights?
Back in the day people used to get by with 4 gears.
StottyEvo said:
Even the 911 Carrera S is the exact same weight as the Evora, despite being bigger with a 7 speed manual box and I imagine a chunkier interior and sound deadening.
I hadn't noticed that they had identical quoted weights. It would be fascinating to see how similarly specced cars compare on a real weigh bridge. 
Robert Elise said:
Vee12V said:
@Rober Elise: The GT86 IS compromised by its long gears. It's part of the reasons why it lacks performance even though it packs 200 hp.
doesn't feel that way to me. i haven't looked at the specs at all, it just feels better than other cars as i hop from one to another.the car may have a torque dip, and may need to be revved to release power but that's something else.
i'm not saying it's close ratio, just not as bad as many of today's cars...
I really don't see the relevance of the weight of the Cayman. However pathetic they might be the Evora does have two more seats, it was always going to be heavier. The 911 comparison is much more significant, IMO.
The 911's weight is enormously impressive. I suspect the Porsche engines are a lot lighter than the supercharged Toyota one.
The 911's weight is enormously impressive. I suspect the Porsche engines are a lot lighter than the supercharged Toyota one.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 28th July 11:02
Vee12V said:
Of course, nothing wrong with a peaky NA engine. But a friend of mine equipped his one with a shorter final drive and that made a huge difference in terms of feel and responsiveness of the engine.
could be a worthwhile upgrade.... where did he have it done? i know it's not that specialist a job but i prefer to keep my cars with people who know the model like Fensport.My issue would be that my GT is also my long distance car - i know, it's not a GT car. i just like lighter cars
anonymous said:
[redacted]
So that's going to be say 1385-1390kg with a full tank of fuel while Porsche have quoted I think 1350kg kerb weight which I've always assumed as something like 90% fuelled with no driver? The R I believe drops 15kg from lighter door panels, maybe another 15-20kg from the seats and 5kg from the wheels. Taking 50kg off your car it's not obvious how any R even without radio and aircon is going to get below 1300kg at anything more than fumes in the tank IMO.
Robert Elise said:
Vee12V said:
Of course, nothing wrong with a peaky NA engine. But a friend of mine equipped his one with a shorter final drive and that made a huge difference in terms of feel and responsiveness of the engine.
could be a worthwhile upgrade.... where did he have it done? i know it's not that specialist a job but i prefer to keep my cars with people who know the model like Fensport.My issue would be that my GT is also my long distance car - i know, it's not a GT car. i just like lighter cars
NickGibbs said:
Anyone recognise which other car uses these (rather nice) conical heater controls in the Evora 400?
I was told McLaren but can't see em on 12C/650S/570S
Anyone know?
Mclaren definitely don't have anything like that. The Carrera GT oddly enough does actually have conical heater controls but not of that type...I was told McLaren but can't see em on 12C/650S/570S
Anyone know?
For manuals, I think it's down to how the NDEC cycle works. If I understand it correctly, cars are forced into particular gears at particular points on the cycle so manufacturers have to tune their gear ratios to get the best out of the test.
Setting the gear ratios for pointless tests rather than real-world driving isn't a new thing though; how many manufacturers made their cars hit the limiter at 101kph in second in order to record a 0-100kph time without a second gear change?
For me, 60 feels about the right point for second gear to run out but I suspect that's just because it's how the cars I grew up driving were set up.
Setting the gear ratios for pointless tests rather than real-world driving isn't a new thing though; how many manufacturers made their cars hit the limiter at 101kph in second in order to record a 0-100kph time without a second gear change?
For me, 60 feels about the right point for second gear to run out but I suspect that's just because it's how the cars I grew up driving were set up.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 28th July 11:17
Hedgerley said:
A very good review, well balanced IMHO. I'm surprised by all the negative comments though. Yes Lotus doesn't have the resources to match the competition so what money they do have is spent on the bits that matter to their target market. Yes, that is limited at the moment given how good the competition is but in my view its large enough to sustain the company going forward.
A few facts to show that JMG is doing the right thing and getting results. And this is real, not the marketing fluff of the Bahar era.
The redesigned front end is the solution to the need for better cooling. Looks are subjective I know but they are dictated by the engineering.
They are on target to sell over 3000 cars this year, up from 2000 last year and 1200 the year before.
They are returning to the States with the 400 next year, to be followed by the Roadster version, probably a targa, which is forecast to take half the sales. JMG has already driven the prototype.
There are 50 more dealers compared to this time last year with 20 more planned this year.
Upgrades to both Exige and Elise are being developed for next year, including a pared back entry level Elise to lower the price point.
The new 3-Eleven took over 60 orders in the first days following its announcement at the Goodwood FoS. Most are for the £115,000 race version. Most of the first years production is now sold. It previews a stronger, better quality composite body that is 40% lighter than the GRP previously used. This will extend across the rest of the range.
Lotus will be cash-flow profitable this year and operationally profitable next year.
Whilst they will never shed the 'it's not a Porsche' epithet, it's about time we appreciated what this outstanding British sports car company is managing to achieve under JMGs direction. And keep our fingers crossed.....
Yes but these are all facts and not ignorant hear-say, so clearly not relevant to this thread.A few facts to show that JMG is doing the right thing and getting results. And this is real, not the marketing fluff of the Bahar era.
The redesigned front end is the solution to the need for better cooling. Looks are subjective I know but they are dictated by the engineering.
They are on target to sell over 3000 cars this year, up from 2000 last year and 1200 the year before.
They are returning to the States with the 400 next year, to be followed by the Roadster version, probably a targa, which is forecast to take half the sales. JMG has already driven the prototype.
There are 50 more dealers compared to this time last year with 20 more planned this year.
Upgrades to both Exige and Elise are being developed for next year, including a pared back entry level Elise to lower the price point.
The new 3-Eleven took over 60 orders in the first days following its announcement at the Goodwood FoS. Most are for the £115,000 race version. Most of the first years production is now sold. It previews a stronger, better quality composite body that is 40% lighter than the GRP previously used. This will extend across the rest of the range.
Lotus will be cash-flow profitable this year and operationally profitable next year.
Whilst they will never shed the 'it's not a Porsche' epithet, it's about time we appreciated what this outstanding British sports car company is managing to achieve under JMGs direction. And keep our fingers crossed.....
Ozzie Osmond said:
Robert Elise said:
All cars are being affected by too tall gearing,
TBH I think that's cobblers. With 6 or 7 gears in most manuals now, and 8 or 9 in auto's, it simply makes no sense to say cars are too highly geared. Or are you suggesting first gear is so high it's no longer possible to get away from the traffic lights?
Back in the day people used to get by with 4 gears.
Not many gears useful up to 40 mph....
Now you mention it, i do find 'different' pulling away from lights. But that's more due CDVs and different ignition mappings. Always a delight changing gear in the old Beetle ;-)
PorscheGT4 said:
Toaster said:
I think some of you need a reality check, ignorance along with opinions often causes bemusement (no offence meant) but do a bit of research. An example of a light weight supercar The MP4-12C weighs 2,868 lb) DIN weight 1,434kg (3,161lb) Dry weight 1,336kg (2,945lb)dry and its made from feathers aka Carbon Fibre New it would cost £100K more
go and look what an Audi TT weighs these days :-) Audi are doing the light weight thing now. if you are too lazy it is 1230kg :-)The Evora being a Lotus should be class leading for weight, My Cayman is sub 1300kg's !
But no they just throw BHP at a 6 yr old car :-( which is a shame knowing what could be done.
Lets hope the CUP 400 brings a bit of weight off when it arrives.
The following is for the Cayman R manual and PDK
Unladen weight (DIN)
1,340 kg
1,370 kg
Unladen weight (EC)
1,415 kg
1,445 kg
Edited by Toaster on Tuesday 28th July 11:27
isaldiri said:
NickGibbs said:
Anyone recognise which other car uses these (rather nice) conical heater controls in the Evora 400?
I was told McLaren but can't see em on 12C/650S/570S
Anyone know?
Mclaren definitely don't have anything like that. The Carrera GT oddly enough does actually have conical heater controls but not of that type...I was told McLaren but can't see em on 12C/650S/570S
Anyone know?
The EC figure is 90% fuelled plus a 75kg driver. The DIN figure is 90% fuelled.
"the mass of the vehicle, with its fuel tank(s) filled to at least 90 % of its or their capacity/ies, including the mass of the driver, the fuel and liquids, fitted with the standard equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and, where they are fitted, the mass of the bodywork, the cabin, the coupling and the spare wheel(s) as well as the tools;"
"the mass of the vehicle, with its fuel tank(s) filled to at least 90 % of its or their capacity/ies, including the mass of the driver, the fuel and liquids, fitted with the standard equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and, where they are fitted, the mass of the bodywork, the cabin, the coupling and the spare wheel(s) as well as the tools;"
Shnozz said:
isaldiri said:
NickGibbs said:
Anyone recognise which other car uses these (rather nice) conical heater controls in the Evora 400?
I was told McLaren but can't see em on 12C/650S/570S
Anyone know?
Mclaren definitely don't have anything like that. The Carrera GT oddly enough does actually have conical heater controls but not of that type...I was told McLaren but can't see em on 12C/650S/570S
Anyone know?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff