New Kid on the Block from Lotus
- Thread starter Motorhead
- Start date
I’m not sure that I read Catchpole’s review quite the same way Dave. His only gripe was that the steering wheel felt too thick, although Lotus’s explanation was that it was designed with paddle operation in mind which shows where they expect the major interest to come from in the transmission stakes.
It’s a development car running on the track where a major part of development work has taken place, so I don’t think that too much can be read into his appraisal other than that fundamentally it’s looking promising … and as he says, it’s definitely a Lotus!
Clearly Lotus have some way to go in the coming months to get the quality right, which I reckon is going to be their greatest challenge.
Jeff
It’s a development car running on the track where a major part of development work has taken place, so I don’t think that too much can be read into his appraisal other than that fundamentally it’s looking promising … and as he says, it’s definitely a Lotus!
Clearly Lotus have some way to go in the coming months to get the quality right, which I reckon is going to be their greatest challenge.
Jeff
Brian_Innes
Member
Like you Jeff, I have also expressed an interest in the Lotus Emira. I'm not placing a deposit, merely keeping a close eye on Emira developments.
Today I read with interest in Autocar digital mag, the first press track test of a V2 development Emira fitted with the 400bhp 3.5Lt Toyota supercharged V6 and 6-speed manual gearbox. The handling and steering received the high praise expected of a Lotus. The V2 development cabin still had some unfinished business, but including the Volvo switchgear, the general feel inside the car was of a quality product well up to the segment standards at which the Emira is pitched, ie Porsche Cayman.
My particular interest is focused on the Emira with the Mercedes AMG 2.0 turbo and 8-speed double-clutch gearbox. This model is better matched with my current Alpine A110 Legende GT. My guess is, this lighter and torquier power unit married to a close-ratio paddle-shift gearbox will be the star of the range. It'll also be more closely matched price-wise to the A110 and non-GT Caymans.
Patience is a virtue, and I'll need plenty of that as the Merc AMG version is not due for launch until well into 2023.
Meantime I'll enjoy my A110. A Lotus under the skin.
Brian
Today I read with interest in Autocar digital mag, the first press track test of a V2 development Emira fitted with the 400bhp 3.5Lt Toyota supercharged V6 and 6-speed manual gearbox. The handling and steering received the high praise expected of a Lotus. The V2 development cabin still had some unfinished business, but including the Volvo switchgear, the general feel inside the car was of a quality product well up to the segment standards at which the Emira is pitched, ie Porsche Cayman.
My particular interest is focused on the Emira with the Mercedes AMG 2.0 turbo and 8-speed double-clutch gearbox. This model is better matched with my current Alpine A110 Legende GT. My guess is, this lighter and torquier power unit married to a close-ratio paddle-shift gearbox will be the star of the range. It'll also be more closely matched price-wise to the A110 and non-GT Caymans.
Patience is a virtue, and I'll need plenty of that as the Merc AMG version is not due for launch until well into 2023.
Meantime I'll enjoy my A110. A Lotus under the skin.
Brian
Paul,
As far as I’m aware the Cayman’s 6-speed Getrag manual transmission dates back to the MY2005 Boxster S with a 276bhp/236lbf-ft 3.2L engine, although I’m sure there will have been minor updates since then. I don’t know about the early days but the main complaint these days seems to be an overly-long 2nd gear now that the engines are significantly more powerful.
Producing a new close ratio gearbox for the 4.0L GTS and GT4 - let alone the GT4 RS - would have been out of the question given the very limited production life of these cars.
Jeff
As far as I’m aware the Cayman’s 6-speed Getrag manual transmission dates back to the MY2005 Boxster S with a 276bhp/236lbf-ft 3.2L engine, although I’m sure there will have been minor updates since then. I don’t know about the early days but the main complaint these days seems to be an overly-long 2nd gear now that the engines are significantly more powerful.
Producing a new close ratio gearbox for the 4.0L GTS and GT4 - let alone the GT4 RS - would have been out of the question given the very limited production life of these cars.
Jeff
Brian_Innes said:
I’d agree that the AMG-engined car most probably is going to be the most interesting of the Emira offerings Brian, with its most impressive 200bhp+/litre I4T engine and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Being their last IC engine car, this will carry Lotus forward to full electrification of their offerings.
When Autocar tested the Mercedes-AMG A45 they hinted at a peakiness about the engine’s production of torque and noted that the gearbox could make the car’s low-speed manoeuvring behaviour a bit erratic, so it will be interesting to see how successfully Lotus powertrain engineers have been able to work their magic when the car appears next year.
Jeff
I see that the Emira First Edition I-4T spec is now available to order:
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/lotus-confirms-new-four-cylinder-emira-spec/45445
At £71,995 it’s not cheap, especially when compared with a Cayman GTS 4.0 at £66,700, although the entry-level car is more competitive at £59,995 when compared with the equivalent four-cylinder options of a Cayman S and Alpine A110.
Jeff
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/lotus-confirms-new-four-cylinder-emira-spec/45445
At £71,995 it’s not cheap, especially when compared with a Cayman GTS 4.0 at £66,700, although the entry-level car is more competitive at £59,995 when compared with the equivalent four-cylinder options of a Cayman S and Alpine A110.
Jeff
AndrewCS
Active member
Having had a 2015 A45 AMG (360bhp) in the family for two years and 40k, I hope that the latest gearbox is a significant improvement on that one. I don`t believe that was a true DCT though ?
The engine was absolutely spectacular, so too the large Brembo`s ... a perfect match for the drivetrain, not sure if it`ll completely suit the Emira ?
The engine was absolutely spectacular, so too the large Brembo`s ... a perfect match for the drivetrain, not sure if it`ll completely suit the Emira ?
Brian_Innes
Member
Andrew,
An interesting comment there on the Merc 360bhp AMG engine and DSG gearbox. I have read various reports on the Merc A45 AMG and all say the engine is quite peaky regarding power delivery. The latter remark was related to the current 416bhp evolution of the A45 AMG engine.
It will be a point of great interest to many Emira followers to see how Lotus develop the Merc AMG engine and gearbox installation in the forthcoming entry level Emira.
Build quality, reliability, and that special Lotus DNA are all at stake here.
Brian
An interesting comment there on the Merc 360bhp AMG engine and DSG gearbox. I have read various reports on the Merc A45 AMG and all say the engine is quite peaky regarding power delivery. The latter remark was related to the current 416bhp evolution of the A45 AMG engine.
It will be a point of great interest to many Emira followers to see how Lotus develop the Merc AMG engine and gearbox installation in the forthcoming entry level Emira.
Build quality, reliability, and that special Lotus DNA are all at stake here.
Brian
AndrewCS
Active member
Emira First Edition vs. Cayman GTS 4.0 ...
New Lotus Emira vs Porsche Cayman GTS review | Autocar - YouTube
A bit more action ...
NEW Lotus Emira: The Last REAL Lotus? | 4K - YouTube
Over to you Harry ...
Lotus Emira review. Driving Tour & Sport versions of Emira back to back but which is best? - YouTube
New Lotus Emira vs Porsche Cayman GTS review | Autocar - YouTube
A bit more action ...
NEW Lotus Emira: The Last REAL Lotus? | 4K - YouTube
Over to you Harry ...
Lotus Emira review. Driving Tour & Sport versions of Emira back to back but which is best? - YouTube
Thanks Andrew.
A couple of useful and interesting comparisons there: Emira vs 718 CGTS and the Touring vs the Sport Pack on the Emira. I always think that road appraisals are much more valid than watching some journo hooning around a track, and Harry’s reviews are always entertaining. Not much to choose between the Emira and CGTS in terms of sports car `feel’ and I was surprised by Harry’s comment on how different the Emira and Touring and Sport Packs felt, with the only major differences being the damping and tyres, plus some very minor spring rate and geometry changes. I read elsewhere that the Emira feels quieter and more refined than the Porsche (all relative of course!), so maybe Lotus have decided at present not to take-on Porsche head-on?
A lot to digest there but it seems that Lotus have succeeded in producing an attractive, practical, competitively priced and (hopefully!) well-built car suitable for everyday use, which must have been their principal aim. Only time will tell but Lotus have to overcome their vaguely kit-car image to compete with the likes of a so-called premium make like Porsche in terms of image and build quality, but it’s a promising start and at least they have the financial and technological clout of Geely behind them.
Jeff
A couple of useful and interesting comparisons there: Emira vs 718 CGTS and the Touring vs the Sport Pack on the Emira. I always think that road appraisals are much more valid than watching some journo hooning around a track, and Harry’s reviews are always entertaining. Not much to choose between the Emira and CGTS in terms of sports car `feel’ and I was surprised by Harry’s comment on how different the Emira and Touring and Sport Packs felt, with the only major differences being the damping and tyres, plus some very minor spring rate and geometry changes. I read elsewhere that the Emira feels quieter and more refined than the Porsche (all relative of course!), so maybe Lotus have decided at present not to take-on Porsche head-on?
A lot to digest there but it seems that Lotus have succeeded in producing an attractive, practical, competitively priced and (hopefully!) well-built car suitable for everyday use, which must have been their principal aim. Only time will tell but Lotus have to overcome their vaguely kit-car image to compete with the likes of a so-called premium make like Porsche in terms of image and build quality, but it’s a promising start and at least they have the financial and technological clout of Geely behind them.
Jeff
It looks as though the Porsche is a more competent all-round motor vehicle, but the Lotus certainly has more visual appeal. Both will feel quite special, but Lotus will be more exclusive and have its own loyal band of followers. I think I would go for one if I was in that market.
I suppose the real test will be residuals 2 years down the line, when all the current advanced demand is satisfied and the model has some history in use.
Regards,
[font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"]Clive[/font]
I suppose the real test will be residuals 2 years down the line, when all the current advanced demand is satisfied and the model has some history in use.
Regards,
[font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"]Clive[/font]
AndrewCS
Active member
Have never been a Lotus fan, always considered that Mr Chapman`s uncompromising ethos / legacy has been a `monkey on their back` and inhibited their future re. quality and reliability
I`d be interested in a look / test but nearest dealer is Glasgow, Alpine however have recently opened a new centre here in the city []
I`d be interested in a look / test but nearest dealer is Glasgow, Alpine however have recently opened a new centre here in the city [
]
AndrewCS
Active member
Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members
Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions
