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Anyone Here Tempted
- Thread starter Dylan1
- Start date
Ever since the Esprit disappeared from the price list in the mid-2000s, Lotus's line-up has offered variations on a theme. From 2-Eleven to Europa, the basic ingredients have been the same: two seats, lightness, sublime handling and degrees of discomfort. Now, though, we have the Evora, an all-new model aimed at broadening the Lotus audience and with a greater emphasis on comfort and touring potential.
Lotus claims this is a car to be used every day "" one, it believes, that rivals not only Porsche's Cayman but, with the option of 2+2 seating, also the 911. This confidence and ambition are reflected in the pricing; Lotus asks £47,500 for the standard car (the 2+0) and £49,875 for the 2+2.
If you're a regular reader, you'll know that the Evora has already impressed us, but with the launch hype subsiding, this is its sternest test yet. In a week of motoring and several thousand miles, we'll be discovering if the Evora is sufficiently different from the Elise to justify the price premium, whether the marriage of a Toyota V6 and Lotus chassis gels, and, crucially, if the Evora stacks up as an everyday proposition.
Whatever you think about the styling, Lotus has to be commended for squeezing an additional pair of seats and a transversely mounted V6 engine between the axles without making the Evora appear ungainly. It is unmistakably a Lotus, although some feel that is a missed opportunity in itself.
Although the basic construction process of extruded and bonded aluminium apes that used in the Elise and Exige, the design and structure for the Evora is newDespite the use of aluminium and composite body panels, at 1395kg (as tested) the Evora is 500kg heavier than the Elise S. As a result, the Evora gains power assistance for the steering, delivered through a fully hydraulic set-up. Connected to the chassis through Lotus-designed bushes are double wishbones front and rear, coupled to Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers. While there is not yet full stability control, the Evora comes with traction control and "˜understeer mitigation', which are entirely switchable (in stages on cars fitted with the £950 optional Sport pack).
Continuing Lotus's partnership with Toyota, the Evora uses an all-alloy 3456cc V6 found in the Toyota Camry and Lexus RX350. Although the fact that the 2GR-FE engine has both variable valve timing (on intake and exhaust camshafts) and direct injection no doubt attracted Lotus, the engine's global type approval probably clinched the deal. Lotus has added its own electronic throttle map (including a Sport mode, which raises the rev limit by 200rpm to 7000rpm) and a bespoke AP Racing flywheel and clutch package. The result is 276bhp at 6400rpm and 258lb ft at 4700rpm.
The six-speed gearbox is also supplied by Toyota, but with the choice of two sets of ratios. Lotus says the standard ratios are taller for more relaxed cruising, by which it means better for the official economy and emissions tests. The optional sports 'box (£1495) tested here has shorter ratios from third to sixth.
Lotus has positioned the Evora between the Porsche Cayman S and 911, but it's the Cayman's performance that the Lotus more closely mirrors. On the road "" and, in truth, on most tracks "" you will not want for more power.
Is it truly a sub-five-second-to-60mph car, though? We matched Lotus's claim of 4.9sec in one direction, once, and with one occupant on board. Were it not for a stubborn gearchange from first to second, the Lotus would have hit five-nothings with regularity.
As it is, the Evora's loose, vague gearshift is the weakest part of the car's performance. Although it could handle more power, will get it and maybe will be improved by it, it does not need it. What it does need is a vastly better gearshift.
Unlike many Lotuses, the Evora does sound special, though. There is plenty of sharply defined timbre and a hollow, satisfying growl as it revs towards its 6800rpm limit.
Beyond any question is the Evora's ability to stop repeatedly without fade and with superb pedal feel.
It isn't all about press-on driving. Despite its large wheels (18in front, 19in rear) and low-profile tyres, the Evora rides with more fluidity and comfort than many superminis.
Certainly the Evora feels lighter on its feet than a Porsche Cayman S and it fidgets far less than a Nissan GT-R. The Lotus's steering also has a lovely oily, linear feel and perfect weighting.
In faster driving the Evora maintains a supple ride yet manages it across crests and bumps with body control that displays no hint of overdamping or underdamping.
It has more body roll than the GT-R and Cayman but don't mistake it for a big softie. Its roll rate is measured and progressive, and it reaches with perfect composure the points where its motions settle.
All the while its steering benefits from being hydraulically (rather than electrically) assisted and freed from over-assistance by dint of there being relatively little weight on its front end.
The first test is climbing aboard, normally a trial of flexibility with a Lotus but less so with the Evora. It takes a bit of practice (and effort) to exit cleanly and with dignity intact, but it is possible.
Inside, the driver's seat is supportive but it is relatively thinly padded and lacks height adjustment. However, forward visibility is good and the steering adjusts for both reach and rake. Most of us found it easy to get comfortable, save for its offset pedals.
The sweeping dashboard structure and suspended centre blade are neatly designed, as are the simple but striking dials and accompanying twin displays.
However, the longer you spend in the Evora, the more details you find that aren't quite right. Dials suffer from reflections in strong sunlight, back-lit buttons are hidden by the steering wheel, and there's nowhere to rest your right elbow.
Compared with an Elise, it feels much more spacious and upmarket, but you'd expect more for £49,875. And that's before you consider that the cruise control, extended leather, parking sensors (near essentials) and navigation system (best avoided) on this car push the price up to £63,707.
And the rear seats? Adult use will be limited to very short distances only. The issue is as much the restricted head room as the lack of leg room. But ultimately they're no less spacious than those in a 911 or Audi TT.
Historically, Lotuses hold their value well thanks to low rates of production and high demand. That the Evora is forecast to retain its value better than the Cayman S and M3 is one of the very few monetary aspects where the Lotus has the edge over the more solidly built and cheaper Porsche.
That said, good economy and low CO2 (though it still falls in the same road tax band as the Cayman S) as well as the rear seats all help.
Still, issues such as the perceived quality, poor standard spec and the high price may have you thinking twice about Evora ownership.
So the Evora wins our Britain's Best Driver's Car contest by a country mile two weeks ago, and then scores only four stars in our road test. But there is logic to this. In its ride and handling, the Evora is quite exceptional, as are its brakes. The engine is more than up to the job too, both in pure performance and aural appeal. If these were all that mattered in this assessment, the Evora would score a full five stars with ease.
However, Lotus is positioning the Evora as a GT, rivalling not only the Cayman but also the 911, and it has priced it accordingly. As such, we must consider a broader set of criteria, including interior functionality and perceived quality. We give Lotus credit for what it has achieved "” the Evora being a big step up from the Elise "” but the cold reality is that the Evora still asks its buyer to accept compromises in exchange for its excellence in other areas.
Black80XSA
New member
telford_mike
New member
Huh? In what way?ORIGINAL: Black80XSA And if the crash performance of the Elsie is anything to go by ....
In Lotus's defence I ran a couple of 1990's Lotus Elan SE's one for a year and 10k trouble free miles and the second for 2 years and 16k trouble free miles and as the Evora running gear is tried and tested to Toyota/Lexus bullet proof standards I would be very confident that this Lotus, like todays Jags, are right up there for reliabilityORIGINAL: telford_mike One word - reliability. Porsche and Lotus are at totally oipposite ends of the scale. I'd never spend 50k on a Lotus - I'm sure the drive is great but iit would be infuriating as daily transport. It will take Lotus 10 years to fix this reputation, even if they actually improve the reliability of their products.
John H
New member
Black80XSA
New member
Sadly Mark I know of one person killed and another seriously injured in single vehicle incidents, both of which happened at between 30 and 35mph. In both cases the supposedly strong passenger cell failed. Worryingly the accident investigators weren't surprised at all and yet there was never any safety recall or doubts expressed publically. When you consider the pherora (sp?) over the original Audi TT and Mercedes AClass i'm amazed but I guess those cars soldin much greater numbers.ORIGINAL: Mark BennettHuh? In what way?ORIGINAL: Black80XSA And if the crash performance of the Elsie is anything to go by ....
Very sorrry to hear that. I've evidently been swept along by all the positive publicity about how strong it was. I knew the body panels were a pain to replace - as they are not seperate (so v. costly) but I understood the chassis was strong. [&o]ORIGINAL: Black80XSASadly Mark I know of one person killed and another seriously injured in single vehicle incidents, both of which happened at between 30 and 35mph. In both cases the supposedly strong passenger cell failed. Worryingly the accident investigators weren't surprised at all and yet there was never any safety recall or doubts expressed publically. When you consider the pherora (sp?) over the original Audi TT and Mercedes AClass i'm amazed but I guess those cars soldin much greater numbers.ORIGINAL: Mark BennettHuh? In what way?ORIGINAL: Black80XSA And if the crash performance of the Elsie is anything to go by ....
The Lotus Elise model range lies within the price bracket of £25,712 - £32,067. Currently the Elise has not been tested by Euro NCAP and therefore does not have a rating. The Lotus Elise is in insurance group 20.ORIGINAL: Black80XSA And if the crash performance of the Elsie is anything to go by then i wouldn't want to drive one either.
Alan Woods
New member
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1030927_spy-shots-2012-porsche-boxster Late last year Porsche unveiled its updated Boxster and Cayman range but there are still several other models based on the same Boxster/Cayman platform in the works. One of these is a high-performance RS model, recently seen testing at Germany’s Nurburgring, and another is a long-rumored chopped 'Speedster' model.ORIGINAL: Draven Well I emailed Reading asking if they had any details on the Cayman ClubSport and I got a letter back saying that a letter of intent to purchase had been logged in my name for the forthcoming Cayman RS. Now, unless it's a monstrous typo, that sounds like good news to me![]()
When I changed my Boxster for a Cayman at the end of June my OPC said all he had heard about a ClubSport model was the Autocar article written in Jan 08 that I had sent him. Their Sales Manager said there was no mention of any Cayman derivative on their future models list. Unless there been some new info released recently I dont believe it will happen in the next 2 years.ORIGINAL: Draven Well I emailed Reading asking if they had any details on the Cayman ClubSport and I got a letter back saying that a letter of intent to purchase had been logged in my name for the forthcoming Cayman RS. Now, unless it's a monstrous typo, that sounds like good news to me![]()
Unless he needed the sale right then... [&:]ORIGINAL: chrisHWhen I changed my Boxster for a Cayman at the end of June my OPC said all he had heard about a ClubSport model was the Autocar article written in Jan 08 that I had sent him. Their Sales Manager said there was no mention of any Cayman derivative on their future models list. Unless there been some new info released recently I dont believe it will happen in the next 2 years.ORIGINAL: Draven Well I emailed Reading asking if they had any details on the Cayman ClubSport and I got a letter back saying that a letter of intent to purchase had been logged in my name for the forthcoming Cayman RS. Now, unless it's a monstrous typo, that sounds like good news to me![]()
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