RE: Lotus previews new Emira interior
Discussion
DonkeyApple said:
They've also never tried selling products to the larger number of car buyers who prefer auto but just been sticking to the tiny number of blokes on the planet who want a manual gearbox attached to a cheap engine, wrapped in a cheap looking shell. At a cheap price.
If you've owned as many TVRs as your profile says then you must understand that using a proven reliable engine is a positive for many. Forget the gearbox argument but the shells are nowhere near as cheap looking as the TVRs I've been aroundflukey5 said:
If you've owned as many TVRs as your profile says then you must understand that using a proven reliable engine is a positive for many. Forget the gearbox argument but the shells are nowhere near as cheap looking as the TVRs I've been around
Indeed. But TVRs were cheaper to buy than they looked and when they broke away from that they sold barely any. And they had no realcompetition back then either.
Nothing wrong with using someone else's engine. It's always made sense and is Al's most a given today but Lotus even managed to balls that one up by comprehensively failing to match the brand perception of the engine they chose with the price they were asking for their car. It doesn't matter how great the engine is the simple truth is that no one wants to pay £80k for something with an executive minicab engine in it. And back when Lotus did settle on a V6 the world still considered that layout to be the discount V of sub brands.
Today they must go upmarket in their pricing as that's where the buyers are and they must bring an end to 'adding cheapness' as absolutely no buyer at that level will entertain it.
Northernboy said:
So are you actually in the market to buy one if it’s available in manual?
The suggestion made by others is that very few buyers will want a manual, are you a genuine datapoint against that?
Depends on the actual price, but if it's under £60k, available in a manual and they aren't offering some ridiculous finance at 9% then I'm in. If not then I'm buying a nearly new elise. I'm putting the Audi up for sale this month so I should have my deposit ready when the time comes. The MX-5 can be my daily for a while.... not a bad thing in this weather.The suggestion made by others is that very few buyers will want a manual, are you a genuine datapoint against that?
Edited by flukey5 on Tuesday 8th June 12:55
stickleback123 said:
Does anyone outside the room full of marketing tossers at the car companies and the room full of motoring "journalist" tossers desperate for any content actually give a crap about these tedious "reveals"?
Yes.Dozens of PHers with small post-counts, no cars in their profile and strong opinions have been waiting to dash into this thread to say how awful it's going to be.
LotusOmega375D said:
Great to see all the interest in the gearbox options. You’ll soon be able to buy an Emira with DCT, regular Auto or 6 speed manual, so everybody will be happy. You all just need to get your deposits down now on the variant of your choice! Happy days!
Yes 
It’ll be interesting to contrast engines too. The (A35) engine will be a great modern turbo, but the old supercharged 3.5 might still be more appropriate for an enthusiastic drive? It’ll be fun reading about the contrast and even better having a drive.
Northernboy said:
What a strange insult to lob in, it makes no sense at all.
Wow, so all those racing drivers out there have slow brains? - name a modern race series that doesn't have auto boxes? Modern bikes have even ditched the clutch.I know for a fact I can get from A - B in an auto faster than a manual - basing this on my GT430 vs my McLaren 540 auto.
Looking forward to taking delivery of my 2.0lt Auto Emira
Edited by AndyGT430 on Tuesday 8th June 13:52
LotusOmega375D said:
State-of-the-art 4 cylinder with turbo shove and all singing all dancing DCT, or the venerable supercharged V6 with torque converter auto or 6 speed manual for the old guard. What’s not to like?
The V6 needs a stronger gearbox to allow more power and torque, and (much as I like the power characteristics) I suspect the superior economy of a turbo would be significant in markets such as France where there are draconian taxes for uneconomical engines.The 2L AMG engine would probably be quite superb in something like this. And have the right badge/image for the customers they're targeting.
Wouldn't they also seek to use the EQ hybrid system if there's enough space also?
Will they persist with the V6 as it didn't really fit in the Evora so why compromise again especially as downsizing and turbos are de riguer today?
Wouldn't they also seek to use the EQ hybrid system if there's enough space also?
Will they persist with the V6 as it didn't really fit in the Evora so why compromise again especially as downsizing and turbos are de riguer today?
DonkeyApple said:
The 2L AMG engine would probably be quite superb in something like this. And have the right badge/image for the customers they're targeting.
Wouldn't they also seek to use the EQ hybrid system if there's enough space also?
Will they persist with the V6 as it didn't really fit in the Evora so why compromise again especially as downsizing and turbos are de riguer today?
I think Lotus are in a bit of a bind with the V6. The 2L AMG engine can put out nearly as much power (and would be much lighter) - but will the market accept 85k for a 4 pot going against the 911. And, unless they can up the power of the v6, Porsche will always be able to turn up the wick on the 911 to be signicantly quicker. Wouldn't they also seek to use the EQ hybrid system if there's enough space also?
Will they persist with the V6 as it didn't really fit in the Evora so why compromise again especially as downsizing and turbos are de riguer today?
bcr5784 said:
I think Lotus are in a bit of a bind with the V6. The 2L AMG engine can put out nearly as much power (and would be much lighter) - but will the market accept 85k for a 4 pot going against the 911. And, unless they can up the power of the v6, Porsche will always be able to turn up the wick on the 911 to be signicantly quicker.
The 4-cylinder Emira starts at £50k and the V6 at £85kLotusOmega375D said:
State-of-the-art 4 cylinder with turbo shove and all singing all dancing DCT, or the venerable supercharged V6 with torque converter auto or 6 speed manual for the old guard. What’s not to like?
If it's any Merc engine it will be the A35 AMG engine, which (unlike the A45) isn't a proper AMG clean-sheet design, but tuning up of a normal A class unit. Would still be effective and offer good performance DonkeyApple said:
The 2L AMG engine would probably be quite superb in something like this. And have the right badge/image for the customers they're targeting.
Wouldn't they also seek to use the EQ hybrid system if there's enough space also?
Will they persist with the V6 as it didn't really fit in the Evora so why compromise again especially as downsizing and turbos are de riguer today?
Maybe just a rumour that the 3.5lt supercharged model may be a limited run only.Wouldn't they also seek to use the EQ hybrid system if there's enough space also?
Will they persist with the V6 as it didn't really fit in the Evora so why compromise again especially as downsizing and turbos are de riguer today?
DonkeyApple said:
The 2L AMG engine would probably be quite superb in something like this. And have the right badge/image for the customers they're targeting.
That will be hilarious, that they consider the four pot peasant engine the more desirable choice because of the badge it won't actually have on it 
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