RE: Lotus Evora 400 :Driven
Discussion
I drove an Evora once, it proved quite expensive 
On the Alpine ICE they are amongst Alpine's best offerings, and the later one's are functionally OK; unfortunately they do seem to have a UI designed by someone stuck in 1996. Annoying for Lotus, but baffling stuff from Alpine who you would think would be masters of the art.
On the Alpine ICE they are amongst Alpine's best offerings, and the later one's are functionally OK; unfortunately they do seem to have a UI designed by someone stuck in 1996. Annoying for Lotus, but baffling stuff from Alpine who you would think would be masters of the art.
Article said:
Some numbers, quickly. It's about £10K more than the Evora S it replaces....
...fact a development car slashed six seconds off the Hethel test track time of the Evora S it replaces...
I test drove an Evora S and didn't come away thinking that was a bit slow or that didn't handle very well. To me it just wasn't a 60k car. Obviously this is subjective but adding 15% to the price to make it a bit quicker is neither here nor there as that wasn't where I (or judging from the comments of most other people) felt it lacked. ...fact a development car slashed six seconds off the Hethel test track time of the Evora S it replaces...
Moulder said:
I test drove an Evora S and didn't come away thinking that was a bit slow or that didn't handle very well. To me it just wasn't a 60k car. Obviously this is subjective but adding 15% to the price to make it a bit quicker is neither here nor there as that wasn't where I (or judging from the comments of most other people) felt it lacked.
...which is why they did all that other stuff as well...The Porsche drivers can laugh at the flimsy switch gear and the Lotus drivers can laugh at the flimsy 996/997 and 991 GT3 engines 
On a more serious note, I wonder why Lotus can get the steering and handling spot on time and time again and still the gearbox is known to be less fantastic by a long way. You'd think it would be something easy to remedy compared to other things and would put the icing on the cake. The Auto IPS, would it be better just buying in the 8 speed ZF ? I know it's an auto, but that's very good and the manufacturer could make it zappier still if Lotus asked them to.
I like the look of the new one in silver with the black bits, makes it coke bottle shaped. It certainly looks more sporty than the Boxster / Cayman.
I always enjoy seeing the Evora when driving about, it's a shame it is not a more common sight.
On a more serious note, I wonder why Lotus can get the steering and handling spot on time and time again and still the gearbox is known to be less fantastic by a long way. You'd think it would be something easy to remedy compared to other things and would put the icing on the cake. The Auto IPS, would it be better just buying in the 8 speed ZF ? I know it's an auto, but that's very good and the manufacturer could make it zappier still if Lotus asked them to.
I like the look of the new one in silver with the black bits, makes it coke bottle shaped. It certainly looks more sporty than the Boxster / Cayman.
I always enjoy seeing the Evora when driving about, it's a shame it is not a more common sight.
kambites said:
True but they probably can't keep selling the same cars indefinitely.
I think the biggest problem they seem to have with selling the Evora at the moment is that 90% of sports car buyers simply don't know it exists and 99% have never seen one in the metal. They need proper advertising and they need dealers.
Its not Metal I think the biggest problem they seem to have with selling the Evora at the moment is that 90% of sports car buyers simply don't know it exists and 99% have never seen one in the metal. They need proper advertising and they need dealers.
Edited by kambites on Monday 27th July 19:18
StottyEvo said:
Indeed, I've just been checking the websites.
I asked a petrolhead friend what he thinks an Evora S weighs, he stewed over the question and predicted "Between 1100-1200kgs" thank god it wasn't just me. Furthermore I asked my flat mate who doesn't know too much about cars but has a good enough idea and he predicted 1200kg.
Porsche's website shows the entry 911 weighs 1400kg unladen, how the hell have Lotus manage to make this Evora 15kg heavier
I'm very unimpressed and slightly bemused.
Edit: Three more petrolhead friends just turned up and collectively predicted 1200, with comments like "Its a Lotus is supposed to be lightweight"
It looks like Lotus have good marketing and have a light weight perception
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 moreI asked a petrolhead friend what he thinks an Evora S weighs, he stewed over the question and predicted "Between 1100-1200kgs" thank god it wasn't just me. Furthermore I asked my flat mate who doesn't know too much about cars but has a good enough idea and he predicted 1200kg.
Porsche's website shows the entry 911 weighs 1400kg unladen, how the hell have Lotus manage to make this Evora 15kg heavier
I'm very unimpressed and slightly bemused.
Edit: Three more petrolhead friends just turned up and collectively predicted 1200, with comments like "Its a Lotus is supposed to be lightweight"
It looks like Lotus have good marketing and have a light weight perception
Edited by StottyEvo on Monday 27th July 20:20
"Bemused" is a good word for my initial reaction to the Evora's weight, too. The Exige is the best part of 1200kg and is obviously a lot smaller; I'm guessing that V6 with a supercharger bolted to it isn't light. Having said that, I wouldn't have expected 1200kg for the Evora; maybe 1300.
kambites said:
"Bemused" is a good word for my initial reaction to the Evora's weight, too. The Exige is the best part of 1200kg and is obviously a lot smaller; I'm guessing that V6 with a supercharger bolted to it isn't light. Having said that, I wouldn't have expected 1200kg for the Evora; maybe 1300.
Then we all woke up and reality kicked in, who would have thought the carbon Mclaren was as heavy as it is Toaster said:
Then we all woke up and reality kicked in, who would have thought the carbon Mclaren was as heavy as it is
I don't know but yes, the Mclaren is very heavy. All mass produced modern cars are but until recently Lotus were the exception. Of course lack of weight is only a means to an end (or rather several ends) but I can't help but feel Lotus have made life harder for themselves by suddenly making heavier cars when everyone else is struggling to make theirs lighter.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 28th July 08:03
A four pot supercharged Exige or an alfa 4c weighs a ton, so no big surprise. I would really like to try the evora, have only sat in it and i though the interior was really nice. I hope its better driving wise than modern porsches that hardly feels different to any other vag product at road speed.
andy_s said:
Moulder said:
I test drove an Evora S and didn't come away thinking that was a bit slow or that didn't handle very well. To me it just wasn't a 60k car. Obviously this is subjective but adding 15% to the price to make it a bit quicker is neither here nor there as that wasn't where I (or judging from the comments of most other people) felt it lacked.
...which is why they did all that other stuff as well...I'm reminded of Whiskas cat food.
Back in the day 8/10 owner's who expressed a preference said their cats preferred it.
So 2/10 owner's loved Whiskas but their cats ate something else?!
And what about all the other owner who don't like Whiskas?
Here 8/10 Lotus lovers/owners say they prefer this Lotus to anything else...well there's a surprise.
(In the same way 8/10 Porsche owners say they prefer Porsche... trouble is Porsche have a broader apeal, more owners, more profit and can splash out on stuff their owner's appreciate..)
So the issue is can Lotus actually convert non-Lotus lovers/owners into trying and buying?
On the back of this article and the general feel of the contributions thus far, I'd conclude that Lotus have achived precious little for their Evora overhaul outlay.
As an armchair enthusiast, IMO the Evora exterior design past and present failed, the interior design passed but execution failed, and the quality of build past and present isn't up to scratch when spending this amount. Looks and stuff is subjective of course and there is much to valued in being a rare sight, and it does of course depend on your priorites and disposable as to whether you want build quality or thrills, but that adds up to minimal sales...
The lightness has gone, but that was always going to happen, but it is heartening that such a brand can still out drive the rest...
Perhaps the only real markets that matter to them and their future are the emerging ones....all/most of the others have their stalls set out and are well established.
Keep going Lotus, I really hope you can raise and invest enough to make an 21st century Esprit...
Back in the day 8/10 owner's who expressed a preference said their cats preferred it.
So 2/10 owner's loved Whiskas but their cats ate something else?!
And what about all the other owner who don't like Whiskas?
Here 8/10 Lotus lovers/owners say they prefer this Lotus to anything else...well there's a surprise.
(In the same way 8/10 Porsche owners say they prefer Porsche... trouble is Porsche have a broader apeal, more owners, more profit and can splash out on stuff their owner's appreciate..)
So the issue is can Lotus actually convert non-Lotus lovers/owners into trying and buying?
On the back of this article and the general feel of the contributions thus far, I'd conclude that Lotus have achived precious little for their Evora overhaul outlay.
As an armchair enthusiast, IMO the Evora exterior design past and present failed, the interior design passed but execution failed, and the quality of build past and present isn't up to scratch when spending this amount. Looks and stuff is subjective of course and there is much to valued in being a rare sight, and it does of course depend on your priorites and disposable as to whether you want build quality or thrills, but that adds up to minimal sales...
The lightness has gone, but that was always going to happen, but it is heartening that such a brand can still out drive the rest...
Perhaps the only real markets that matter to them and their future are the emerging ones....all/most of the others have their stalls set out and are well established.
Keep going Lotus, I really hope you can raise and invest enough to make an 21st century Esprit...
XBOW said:
How many of the people who have commented have actually test driven the Evora ? With any sports car, there is a fair bit of heart over head when making a purchase, otherwise we would all drive sensible saloon diesels.
I was unsure until I drove one, then I was hooked. I usually get bored of cars within 6 months, including a 997 GT3, however after 9 months the Evora S still made me smile and was only sold to fund a property development.
Just go drive one and then report back your thoughts based on experience
Dave
I have, it's very, very good. I also got a couple of passenger laps from Jean Alesi in one as well. You might be surprised, but he was rather quick. As in "what the fI was unsure until I drove one, then I was hooked. I usually get bored of cars within 6 months, including a 997 GT3, however after 9 months the Evora S still made me smile and was only sold to fund a property development.
Just go drive one and then report back your thoughts based on experience
Dave
k is happening???" Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to buy one on account of being poor.
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