bilen

Any improvement in the headlight area, as in more light? I think I remember JMG saying that was one thing that needed improvement.

Autocar http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/britains-best-drivers-car-2015-lotus-evora-400-mazda-mx-5-20-sport-and-mercedes Britain's best driver's car 2015: Lotus Evora 400, Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport and Mercedes-AMG C63 S ... Which is about the last thing that can be said of the performance of the Evora 400. Given that Lotus changed two-thirds of the Evora’s components to make, as the saying goes, the car it should have been from the start, we’d wager sixth equal with a Mazda costing a third of the money is not news that Lotus will want to hear. Then again, trying to grasp where the Evora fell short is like trying to juggle water: the evidence you need just slips through your fingers. The trite explanation is that the standard has never been higher, and although the Evora has taken a big step forward, those that beat it here have strapped on the seven-league boots and taken a giant leap. And there is much truth in that. But for the full picture, we need to take a closer look. Our comments are peppered with positives. It’s “practically stress-free”, according to Cackett, “fairly playful” in Prior’s book and “a good Lotus” in my notes. What you’ll find harder to find is rafter-raising praise of the kind we’ve heaped upon numerous Lotuses at this event in years gone by. We liked this car, we admired this car, but the truth is we didn’t love it. Saunders spoke for us all when he said: “I desperately wanted to rank it higher.” In the event, no one rated it better than sixth. It seems that all the Evora has gained in pure pace (thanks to its extra power, firmer suspension and, gasp, a standard limited-slip differential) has been achieved at the price of a little ‘Lotusness’. Its ride is now merely good rather than befuddling. Its steering is as sharp as a razor, but no longer a scalpel. And still it doesn’t change gear as we’d like. We welcome the noise, the traction, the grip and the fact that the Evora finally has the get up and go to challenge its chassis, but against the Porsches, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ariel that beat it, that was enough to bring it close to the top half of the field, but not close enough. ...

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115020588430/2016-lotus-evora-spied-for-the-first-time @ Geneva?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/lotus-boss-recovery-has-begun Lotus is recovering, after several years of turmoil, losses and soaring costs that most industry pundits associate with the Dany Bahar era. Following the announcement last March of a record-breaking £168 million loss in the 2012-2013 financial year, the company has been quietly cutting costs and expanding sales under a turnaround plan led by its low-key chief operating officer, Aslam Farikullah. Lotus’s UK car sales climbed by 86 per cent in 2013, while sales in export markets, especially in new regions such as China, also improved. Quality has been boosted by refinements to the Hethel manufacturing process, and the company currently has a four-month waiting list for cars. Appointed 18 months ago by DRB-Hicom, Malaysian parent company of Lotus and Proton, Farikullah is a Bath University engineering graduate with expertise in product development, manufacturing and quality and has been based in the UK for the past 26 years. He is a practical character who knows both the Lotus and Proton businesses well and regards the 2012-2013 loss as “housekeeping, carried out as part of our turnaround plan”. “The loss was expected,” he told Autocar. “We want Lotus to be at the forefront of automotive success and innovation, and we’ve spent the past 18 months laying the foundations.” In pursuit of these goals, claims Farikullah, Lotus’s shareholders recently contributed £100 million to stabilise and expand the business, which has largely maintained its 1150-strong workforce in tough times and currently has 100 engineering jobs open. Since 2012, overheads have been slashed by nearly 50 per cent, a move that has dramatically lowered the break-even point of car production. Farikullah identifies two key objectives for Lotus: maintaining financial stability (a condition he believes the company reached last March, ironically at the same time that it was required to report the record 2012-2013 loss), and further improving the build quality of its cars. The step up in quality is being achieved through improvements in Lotus’s own manufacturing practices, as well as continual contact and dialogue with underperforming suppliers. Between January and December last year, Lotus production amounted to 1368 units, 31 per cent ahead of the 2012 figure. UK sales for 2013 expanded from 120 to 230 units, with further gains in prospect this year. Farikullah says he is not satisfied with the totals but cites them as evidence of progress. Car production at Hethel is currently about 40 cars a week, at a markedly improved quality level. The aim now is to increase output to 45 or 50 Elise, Exige and Evora derivatives per week, pushing on towards an annual output of 1800 to 2000 cars. The company’s motorsport arm will build and sell around 110 of its lucrative bespoke models this year, nearly doubling its annual output of recent years. Lotus’s engineering consultancy — which made a mere £22 million contribution to turnover in 2012-2013 — is expanding again and currently has 120 live projects on the go, most of them commissioned by large, global manufacturers. On new models, Farikullah carefully avoids specifics, although he says: “Our long-term vision is for Lotus to be at the forefront of automotive innovation.” Farikullah declines to sign up to Bahar’s eye-popping suite of new model proposals, revealed several years ago, saying merely that Hethel has “a number of exciting new projects under development”.

Any news? Are these going to pass emission tests or is it race upgrades? I have not found a write up of this event, is this because of my lack of search knowledge or has there not been one? Cheers.

Hi. What to say. Soon mid thirties. No Lotus (yet). A couple off Saabs (as company car, former part of the R&D at Saab Automobile). Been reading this forum for a while and do like the attitude on the forum as well as the knowledge and input of the members and admins. I really like that Lotus still has either no assist or HPS for the steering. I do like manual hand brake and manual gear box. Imho they are proper sports cars. Though I will need to test drive a manual soon and see what its like, if the criticism is unfounded after the new gear linkage cables. A couple of months ago Lotus Gothenburg opened the doors so now there is a dealer somewhat close.

Ahh, thanks. I missed that. Nice. Though leather sills, will it not be hard to keep them clean or unbroken, my english might be a bit off, but I mean will you not over time have a hard time not to scar and rip the leather on the sills with your shoes? Never been in a Elise so I might be way of. Now offer a cheaper version sans the supercharger and I will be very tempted. 280 hp in 1160 kg should be more than enough on the public road. A 8-9 thousand £ less. Though I do get the people wanting the supercharger.

But sadly it seems like it is only the doors and seats that is quilted. I would like the leather dash and to save some mobey I would like a NA version. Remove the supercharger. It really is the most beautifull road car in a long time, imho.

Would love to hear some info about the NA V6 upgrades from Cosworth. By that I mean all info and about other engines as well :-D Will this be in your write up Bibs?

According to http://skiddmark.com/2012/12/lotus-fiddles-with-the-evora-while-hethel-burns/ There were supposed to be a revised Lotus shown in July at the Goodwood festival of Speed (not sure which year bt a get the impression of 2012). Anyone knows what was planned? Slightly tweaked engines? New bumbers/tweaked exterior? I am amazed how little that leaks from "the new" Lotus (especially regarding products) even though quite some time had passed.

According to someone (AirHH) att spykerowner.com the B6 Venator is based on the Artega GT. He is talking about "The new B6 is definitly based on the ceased Artega GT. Geometry, proportions, mirrors, diffusor, rear-geometry point already in that direction. But when you look at the interior: - inner door panels are identical including the door-opener - instruments for the cluster instrument including the green color are identical with Artega GT. - Air Outlet under the windscreen is identical - position of the handbrake and opener for the front luggage compartment are in the same position - shape of the whole dashboard is the same" I really liked the combination of Evora and MJK but the combo of MJK and the pieces of Artega sounds also like a good start.