Lotus other GT car
Discussion
Hi
I though I would write down my story of driving over the last two weeks. If you are a bit bored and you want to see how I got on then see below.
cheers
C43
Europa story
I have wanted to do a long drive in my Lotus Europa S for some time, and finally I got to take the Europa on a decent run down to Germany for the F1 test at Hockenheim, and then back via Nurburgring for a quick blast around the old circuit. One of my friends at work has a 996 and another an Elise, and the plan was to drive down in convoy from work one Sunday morning. Unfortunately the Elise owner had to pull out leaving the Porsche and the single Lotus to go it alone.
I left Sunday morning from Oxford and made good time to Folkestone for the tunnel. The Porsche was late so I grabbed an earlier train to the one I had booked and then waited in France for the rendezvous. The Porsche was on the next train and the two freshly refuelled gleaming black machines were soon headed off into northern France. It is always interesting when travelling in convoy to compare the performance of your car against the others with you. It was quite obvious from the onset that at least below 100mph the two cars were very evenly matched. At these sorts of speeds the Lotus is reasonably civilized by my standards, and it was a joy to drive through the French countryside enjoying the music and the scenery. Into Belgium and the roads cleared, and the pace upped with both cars holding +120 with little trouble. On these roads not much else touched us. A Maserati briefly joined in, the scream of its V8 clearly audible in the Lotus cabin. The Italian car peeled off before it got too out of hand and the two black cars moved on through Luxembourg untroubled. In Germany the roads were clearer again, although the surfaces were not great. Coming off a roundabout we had one great moment when my friend in the 996 took on an M3. I got caught napping and watched both cars disappear off into the distance. By the time the Europa had been awoken both German manufactured cars were travelling fast. The Europa may be down on power but it must be very aerodynamic and it certainly has the frontal area of a credit card. Eventually the Europa went round the outside of both cars on a sweeping right hander, I was concentrating too much at the road to spend too much time looking at the speed but at a quick glance it was around the 145 mark. The remainder of the drive to Hockenheim was reasonably uneventful, albeit fast. The drive did highlight the main drawback of the Europa. When travelling for long periods at seriously high speeds the fuel tank is not big enough. A tank of fuel can be dispatched in just over 80 minutes if you try hard.
Whilst in Hockenheim I did several laps around the circuit, but have to say for a road car the track layout is very uninspiring. Also with no one else on the circuit and no timing system the challenge goes a little. During the test the Europa was parked in the paddock and received a lot of admiring looks from spectators, mechanics and drivers alike. Most had not seen the car before and all said how good it looked in the flesh. The Ferrari mechanics were particularly impressed and Alonso popped over to ask about it. On the last night, when leaving the circuit, I was tailgated by a large saloon. I put it down to some German being a w**ker but when I stopped at the lights the car stopped next to me and it turned out to be Heikki driving the other car. He wanted to know all about the Lotus and thought it was very cool.
The next day the Porsche and Lotus set off for Nurburgring. Leaving at 11am we arrived at just after 1pm. The country side on the journey is not fantastic and the roads rubbish. The most inspiring thing was the number of wind farms we passed. I for one think that they look great and Germany is certainly taking global warming seriously. We, meanwhile, were not! The Wind farms may have looked great but they did not take my mind off the job in hand i.e. a run around the greatest circuit in the world. I must admit I was getting very worried. I have been around a lot of circuits but this was different. This was the equivalent of comparing hill walking in Sky with climbing the Eger, and I knew it. To add to my worries the circuit was wet and the first few laps were completed under drying conditions. I wont go into all the details of my runs, suffice to say that going round the Ring in a Europa is the most fun I have ever had in a car. I have had Thorney upgrade the suspension geometry, and it certainly improves the steering feeling and general balance. Despite the mod there is still an amount of understeer in the car. On most circuits this would be a pain, but on Nurburging where every corner is a challenge, it was comforting to have a bit of safety built into the car. The high point of my laps was the last run. There were some young guys in the paddock with an Exige, and when we saw them drive off to the starting gate we made sure the Europa was next in line. I eventually caught the Exige half way around the lap and spent the second half of the lap unsuccessfully trying to get passed. Although we did not make it passed it was great fun trying and the occupants of both cars all had large grins of their faces post running. Rain showers prevented any further serious running so the Lotus and Porsche set off back home. Following a great days driving we were happy to cruse back at slightly saner speeds, arriving back in Oxford 6 hours later. My friend in the Porsche hit it on the head when he said that the Europa is a great car as you are able to drive long distances in relative comfort but still you can thrash it around a circuit with no problem.
The following week the car was cleaned, oil level checked and tyres changed for a track day at Donnington. The understeer apparent on the car at Nurburgring would be too much at a normal track, so Team Dynamics rims, again from Thorney were fitted, along with Toyo T1R tyres. Brakes were also upgraded with the fitment of Mintex pads all around. After the Nurburgring the first laps around Donnington were a bit of a disappointment, as there was just too much traffic to enjoy the circuit. However, on subsequent runs the traffic situation eased and I started to get into the circuit. It certainly is a good drivers circuit and not easy to learn. On the new tyres the Europa is well balanced for a novice on the circuit. Entry attitude can be adjusted by how late you leave the braking, just as in the Elise, and around the Old Hairpin the car just flew. What is apparent is that if you are going to upgrade the tyres for circuit use you need to update the brakes at the same time, as the standard ones will not cope with the additional grip from a sticky set of boots. It was great to be able to follow and be followed at high speed. There were a lot of race cars at the circuit from the 750 motor club and the race prepared machines did not want to let the Europa past, which lead to some very entertaining driving by cars in front of me. There was one stripped out Golf which ended up on the grass on the exit of nearly corner showering the Europa in mud as he tried to keep me behind. There was also a good tussle with a Catherham. The little car was quicker than the Europa around the corners but could not live with the credit card on the straights. The day finished with no serious mishap and we had the rare occurrence of two Europas in the same place at the same time, as another Europa turned up for the evening session.
As you can see from above I have been lucky enough to have had a great weeks motoring. It is only on a long journey that you get to truly know a car and I now feel that I and the Europa are good friends.
I though I would write down my story of driving over the last two weeks. If you are a bit bored and you want to see how I got on then see below.
cheers
C43
Europa story
I have wanted to do a long drive in my Lotus Europa S for some time, and finally I got to take the Europa on a decent run down to Germany for the F1 test at Hockenheim, and then back via Nurburgring for a quick blast around the old circuit. One of my friends at work has a 996 and another an Elise, and the plan was to drive down in convoy from work one Sunday morning. Unfortunately the Elise owner had to pull out leaving the Porsche and the single Lotus to go it alone.
I left Sunday morning from Oxford and made good time to Folkestone for the tunnel. The Porsche was late so I grabbed an earlier train to the one I had booked and then waited in France for the rendezvous. The Porsche was on the next train and the two freshly refuelled gleaming black machines were soon headed off into northern France. It is always interesting when travelling in convoy to compare the performance of your car against the others with you. It was quite obvious from the onset that at least below 100mph the two cars were very evenly matched. At these sorts of speeds the Lotus is reasonably civilized by my standards, and it was a joy to drive through the French countryside enjoying the music and the scenery. Into Belgium and the roads cleared, and the pace upped with both cars holding +120 with little trouble. On these roads not much else touched us. A Maserati briefly joined in, the scream of its V8 clearly audible in the Lotus cabin. The Italian car peeled off before it got too out of hand and the two black cars moved on through Luxembourg untroubled. In Germany the roads were clearer again, although the surfaces were not great. Coming off a roundabout we had one great moment when my friend in the 996 took on an M3. I got caught napping and watched both cars disappear off into the distance. By the time the Europa had been awoken both German manufactured cars were travelling fast. The Europa may be down on power but it must be very aerodynamic and it certainly has the frontal area of a credit card. Eventually the Europa went round the outside of both cars on a sweeping right hander, I was concentrating too much at the road to spend too much time looking at the speed but at a quick glance it was around the 145 mark. The remainder of the drive to Hockenheim was reasonably uneventful, albeit fast. The drive did highlight the main drawback of the Europa. When travelling for long periods at seriously high speeds the fuel tank is not big enough. A tank of fuel can be dispatched in just over 80 minutes if you try hard.
Whilst in Hockenheim I did several laps around the circuit, but have to say for a road car the track layout is very uninspiring. Also with no one else on the circuit and no timing system the challenge goes a little. During the test the Europa was parked in the paddock and received a lot of admiring looks from spectators, mechanics and drivers alike. Most had not seen the car before and all said how good it looked in the flesh. The Ferrari mechanics were particularly impressed and Alonso popped over to ask about it. On the last night, when leaving the circuit, I was tailgated by a large saloon. I put it down to some German being a w**ker but when I stopped at the lights the car stopped next to me and it turned out to be Heikki driving the other car. He wanted to know all about the Lotus and thought it was very cool.
The next day the Porsche and Lotus set off for Nurburgring. Leaving at 11am we arrived at just after 1pm. The country side on the journey is not fantastic and the roads rubbish. The most inspiring thing was the number of wind farms we passed. I for one think that they look great and Germany is certainly taking global warming seriously. We, meanwhile, were not! The Wind farms may have looked great but they did not take my mind off the job in hand i.e. a run around the greatest circuit in the world. I must admit I was getting very worried. I have been around a lot of circuits but this was different. This was the equivalent of comparing hill walking in Sky with climbing the Eger, and I knew it. To add to my worries the circuit was wet and the first few laps were completed under drying conditions. I wont go into all the details of my runs, suffice to say that going round the Ring in a Europa is the most fun I have ever had in a car. I have had Thorney upgrade the suspension geometry, and it certainly improves the steering feeling and general balance. Despite the mod there is still an amount of understeer in the car. On most circuits this would be a pain, but on Nurburging where every corner is a challenge, it was comforting to have a bit of safety built into the car. The high point of my laps was the last run. There were some young guys in the paddock with an Exige, and when we saw them drive off to the starting gate we made sure the Europa was next in line. I eventually caught the Exige half way around the lap and spent the second half of the lap unsuccessfully trying to get passed. Although we did not make it passed it was great fun trying and the occupants of both cars all had large grins of their faces post running. Rain showers prevented any further serious running so the Lotus and Porsche set off back home. Following a great days driving we were happy to cruse back at slightly saner speeds, arriving back in Oxford 6 hours later. My friend in the Porsche hit it on the head when he said that the Europa is a great car as you are able to drive long distances in relative comfort but still you can thrash it around a circuit with no problem.
The following week the car was cleaned, oil level checked and tyres changed for a track day at Donnington. The understeer apparent on the car at Nurburgring would be too much at a normal track, so Team Dynamics rims, again from Thorney were fitted, along with Toyo T1R tyres. Brakes were also upgraded with the fitment of Mintex pads all around. After the Nurburgring the first laps around Donnington were a bit of a disappointment, as there was just too much traffic to enjoy the circuit. However, on subsequent runs the traffic situation eased and I started to get into the circuit. It certainly is a good drivers circuit and not easy to learn. On the new tyres the Europa is well balanced for a novice on the circuit. Entry attitude can be adjusted by how late you leave the braking, just as in the Elise, and around the Old Hairpin the car just flew. What is apparent is that if you are going to upgrade the tyres for circuit use you need to update the brakes at the same time, as the standard ones will not cope with the additional grip from a sticky set of boots. It was great to be able to follow and be followed at high speed. There were a lot of race cars at the circuit from the 750 motor club and the race prepared machines did not want to let the Europa past, which lead to some very entertaining driving by cars in front of me. There was one stripped out Golf which ended up on the grass on the exit of nearly corner showering the Europa in mud as he tried to keep me behind. There was also a good tussle with a Catherham. The little car was quicker than the Europa around the corners but could not live with the credit card on the straights. The day finished with no serious mishap and we had the rare occurrence of two Europas in the same place at the same time, as another Europa turned up for the evening session.
As you can see from above I have been lucky enough to have had a great weeks motoring. It is only on a long journey that you get to truly know a car and I now feel that I and the Europa are good friends.
Fantastic!! And my god:
They are great cars although I'm still yet to actually see another one!!!!
Sounds like a great time was had!
C43 said:
During the test the Europa was parked in the paddock and received a lot of admiring looks from spectators, mechanics and drivers alike. Most had not seen the car before and all said how good it looked in the flesh. The Ferrari mechanics were particularly impressed and Alonso popped over to ask about it. On the last night, when leaving the circuit, I was tailgated by a large saloon. I put it down to some German being a w**ker but when I stopped at the lights the car stopped next to me and it turned out to be Heikki driving the other car. He wanted to know all about the Lotus and thought it was very cool.
The Europa is easily the best of the current Lotus's, as I never tire of telling people!!! They are great cars although I'm still yet to actually see another one!!!!Sounds like a great time was had!
Totally agree, i love the europa and think it's great, only area were lotus fell down was not releasing it with the 225 upgrade and leather trimmed interior as standard, leaving owners to shell out extra for those two items
Good to see your enjoying your purchase as at the end of the day, thats what it's all about
Good to see your enjoying your purchase as at the end of the day, thats what it's all about
Glad people enjoyed reading about the car. I wanted to show that the Europa was a fun car to travel long distances in and I thought it funny the reaction to the car from people in Hockenheim. Even at Nurburgring the car got a lot of looks and comments. Here are some pictures (if they work, my fire wall blocks it so can't check). Not many as I did not take a camera. I did have a chase cam fitted and will try and put the lap of the ring on Youtube if I get a chance. Nice fottage of the back of an Exige!
the two cars
another Porsche which I followed for half a lap before being let past. Great to follow as it had massive flames out the back. It should have been much quicker than the Lotus but I guess the driver was just getting used to the car.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2747172870102...
paddock
going out for a run. I guess not the first run as I have a smile on my face rather than a very worried frown!
the two cars
another Porsche which I followed for half a lap before being let past. Great to follow as it had massive flames out the back. It should have been much quicker than the Lotus but I guess the driver was just getting used to the car.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2747172870102...
paddock
going out for a run. I guess not the first run as I have a smile on my face rather than a very worried frown!
Thats made my day, reading this while eating a bacon sandwich before work. Fantastic looking car, and even better in the darker cars.
I think people like the brand so much in Europe as still very rare to see any Lotus's. Apart from the nurbergring I have only ever seen a couple of Elise's (In Torino of all places) Also they dont sell tacky merchandise. Even seen a red BBQ now - what on earth is that about - Italians dont even BBQ food - well not on a gas BBQ anyway! http://www.ballerhouse.com/2008/05/01/coleman-pini... [OK its not the actual car maker - but the design house - but thats not what Joe Public will think]
I think people like the brand so much in Europe as still very rare to see any Lotus's. Apart from the nurbergring I have only ever seen a couple of Elise's (In Torino of all places) Also they dont sell tacky merchandise. Even seen a red BBQ now - what on earth is that about - Italians dont even BBQ food - well not on a gas BBQ anyway! http://www.ballerhouse.com/2008/05/01/coleman-pini... [OK its not the actual car maker - but the design house - but thats not what Joe Public will think]
Hi Ad220. glad you like the write up. I was also going to get a graphite grey one but then saw the black one and managed to get it at a good price. Not many black ones about although the dealer in MK did have a black one, not sure if it is still there. I had a grey one as a test drive for a week and it did look good in the car part at work..
C43 said:
Hi Ad220. glad you like the write up. I was also going to get a graphite grey one but then saw the black one and managed to get it at a good price. Not many black ones about although the dealer in MK did have a black one, not sure if it is still there. I had a grey one as a test drive for a week and it did look good in the car part at work..
How did you manage a week long test drive??With regard to colour, I would be considering putting my black Speedlines from the VX so perhaps a black car would look too stealth and not really suit. It's ideal for me as there are shed loads of Graphite greys about.
Great to see that you are enjoying the car C43. Sounds like it really works very well on longer tours but is also not a compromise on the odd trackday.
Adam
C43 said:
Not many black ones about although the dealer in MK did have a black one, not sure if it is still there.
There must be at least four black cars out there - C43 I assume yours is the JCT600 car, then there's the MK car (sold in April... I had been watching that one and it was sold the day I went for a test drive in it 
). Dick Lovett also had a black car and there was an 06 model going for £23k second-hand on Autotrader a couple of months back...If your car isn't the JCT600 car - did yours come with the cream and black leather as standard or did you have it sent back to Lotus for trimming?
JJ
Edited by jazzyjeff on Thursday 24th July 09:53
JJ
I bought mine second hand from a guy just outside Bristol. It was originally from Williams and the guy who bought it new went up to Hethel to choose the interior himself. I think he did a very good job. I think the JCT car is with biscuit interior rather than cream but not sure. I think if you are going to get a black one then a lighter interior does look nice to get a contrast.
There used to be a JPS Esprit near me when I was a kid (No12 of 100) and that looked great. I had a S4 Esprit which was black with cream and that worked well as well. The only pain with black cars is keeping them clean. But then if it is a Lotus you don't mind spending the time cleaning them! BTW a good shine with Autoglym seems to make a massive difference to the depth of shin on the Lotus.
cheers
C43
I bought mine second hand from a guy just outside Bristol. It was originally from Williams and the guy who bought it new went up to Hethel to choose the interior himself. I think he did a very good job. I think the JCT car is with biscuit interior rather than cream but not sure. I think if you are going to get a black one then a lighter interior does look nice to get a contrast.
There used to be a JPS Esprit near me when I was a kid (No12 of 100) and that looked great. I had a S4 Esprit which was black with cream and that worked well as well. The only pain with black cars is keeping them clean. But then if it is a Lotus you don't mind spending the time cleaning them! BTW a good shine with Autoglym seems to make a massive difference to the depth of shin on the Lotus.
cheers
C43
How much does it cost to get the interior re-trimmed by Lotus? I've got the figure of £2000 in my head for some reason?
Does that also mean they'll put the starter button in?? I really enjoy that little sense of occasion in the VX when you push the button to fire it up (I'm sure JJ will agree).
Adam
Does that also mean they'll put the starter button in?? I really enjoy that little sense of occasion in the VX when you push the button to fire it up (I'm sure JJ will agree).
Adam
ad220 said:
How much does it cost to get the interior re-trimmed by Lotus? I've got the figure of £2000 in my head for some reason?
Does that also mean they'll put the starter button in?? I really enjoy that little sense of occasion in the VX when you push the button to fire it up (I'm sure JJ will agree).
Adam
I heard £2k as well (which sounds a bit steep, though that's a lot of leather... Does that also mean they'll put the starter button in?? I really enjoy that little sense of occasion in the VX when you push the button to fire it up (I'm sure JJ will agree).
Adam
). Mmmmm starter button...! When I asked Stratstone about this they told me that it is only fitted at the factory when the super luxury pack is specified and cannot be retro-fitted
I hope someone can correct me on that.Oh, and as for black cars there's also at least one LHD for sale in the UK, an early '06 car. Some joker is trying to flog it on eBay for £35k!!!
JJ
the starter button is a pain to fit. Mine does not have it as the guy asked for it too late in the build spec and Lotus said it would be loom change. Probably an exageration but not cheap, you could use the cast to fit TC and have a lot more fun.
BTW I have onboard of the laps at the ring following the Exige so if I can work it out I will put it on Youtube.
C43
BTW I have onboard of the laps at the ring following the Exige so if I can work it out I will put it on Youtube.
C43
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