Gadzooks

I was thinking of the aftermarket Ti exhaust. You're right I can't see the Ti silencer being much different but I hope it is. At the last track day I may have blown a baffle in the standard exhaust or the engine has suddenly loosened up as it was noticeably louder by the end of the day - as noted by spectators and marshals. Still has the same tone and growl but now antisocially loud in sport mode. The child in me loves it but it will restrict track time

Exhaust change to Ti is worth it if you want to go on track. I squeezed in with a 106db static test at the start of the last track day but it seemed to get louder during the day. Not sure if I've blown anything. By the end of the day 109db static (just as the bypass valve opened) but 111db in sport 4.5k revs. Standard exhaust is LOUD

Love the look and spec of the 430. As a recent buyer of a 410 do I feel cheated - not a bit. This is a next step up in terms of performance and - to put it bluntly- it is out of my price range. I still think that in terms of fun, performance, drama and practicality per £, I have a pretty good deal with the 410. If I had the cash I would probably try to save a bit more to buy a Macca 570

The new tailgate took 3months to arrive (which is to be expected) and the old one has gone back to Prodrive(?) for inspection. Don't know if it's possible to refurbish them.

Silverstone have just got a GP version 410 - looks epic. Also, they say that the Persian blue 410 is going to be their next demonstrator. Get booking ? BTW is was at Silverstone getting my carbon tailgate replaced due to it having a 5-6mm air bubble in the surface. Lotus exchanged it without quibble.

Thanks Jonny for the video - much appreciated. Having done exactly the same thing in my car a few weeks ago I really liked the comparison and I picked up a few tips as you're a faster driver. The main one being the greater use of 2nd gear eg in the chicanes. Interestingly I took the single seater line into quarry which means carrying a bit more speed in but you get most of your braking done in a straight line once you are over the main bump. Downside is that it doesn't set you up for as fast an exit but for me it was worth it to avoid that squirrely feeling as you try to brake, turn and handle the bumps at the same time. I was on track with a GTR with a comparable driver and the 410 was better under braking but the GTR could get its power down early in the corner and it was faster down the straights. That said - it wasn't romping away from the 410. It is an impressive piece of kit and as I've said in a previous post I could only make a Ferrari 458 Speciale go a second quicker than the 410 around Castle Combe.

I will be taking my 410 to a by invitation track day at Castle Combe on 27th July. If anyone is interested in taking a 400 for comparison purposes let me know. It is £385. Not the cheapest day but you are pretty much guaranteed to pass the noise inspection as only 6 cars on track at a time. Also includes breakfast and lunch.

Was lucky enough to drive a 570GT back to back with an Evora 410. Even in track mode the 570 seemed more compliant and in comfort it did an incredible job of smoothing out the lumps and bumps. The Evora had slightly sharper steering feel and easier to use brakes. The 570GT was on steel brakes and they needed a good old shove to get them to bite (but this was a trait that you soon dialled in to). The 570 is an amazing machine and if I win the lottery or my wife is suddenly content to live in a tent I'd love to get one

I will be taking my 410 to a by invitation track day at Castle Combe on 27th July. If anyone is interested in taking a 400 for comparison purposes let me know. It is £385. Not the cheapest day but you are pretty much guaranteed to pass the noise inspection as only 6 cars on track at a time. Also includes breakfast and lunch.

Plus one with @JayEmm ref not having a slightly quieter exhaust on the 410/380. It is v annoying as it severely limits which tracks I can do and realistically there is no chance of changing the exhaust myself as it would invalidate the warranty. Complete own goal by Lotus and feels like I've been mis-sold a product as the marketing makes a strong play on its track credentials. That said I was aware before I bought the 410 (because I did my own research) and went ahead anyway. Still a damn shame though.

As someone who went through months of indecision trying to choose between an Exige 350 and Evora 410 the decision came from driving them back to back at Hethel. They felt equally rapid but I preferred the feeling of the Evora under braking and more importantly the steering was better. The unassisted steering of the Exige needed much more physical effort which, to my mind, detracted from the process of positioning the car. So I came to the view that the Evora 410 was better on track and it had the added advantage that it was a better GT car. I didn't try a 400 on track but I did try it on the road and it didn't feel as alert as the 410. Decision made. But as has been said in previous posts - each to their own. There isn't a bad Lotus when it comes to handling ?

When I test drove a 410 vs a 400 I could feel the difference at normal road speeds. Tyre and geo changes to a 400 would narrow the difference but I think the lighter weight and lower CofG would still be telling on track. I got the 410 as it could do the GT thing (not as well as the 400) but it was still very happy doing this.

No left it alone as It wouldn't be worth it for me. I'd prefer to spend the money on more tyres for the track!!

The stripes can be removed if you don't like them!

Caste Combe is a fast circuit they added a couple of chicanes to slow thing down a few years ago but still quick - 3rd or 4th gear (no 2nd gear corner) Manual yes. I tried the IPS/auto on track before and it isn't fun. Way too slow for track IMHO

I was 1.22 per lap in the 410 and 1.21 in the 458. Same driver same conditions. Later when I followed the Ferrari I was taking slightly better lines and made up time in the corners but he pulled away on the straights. The 458 was on Cup2s ( I'm pretty sure) as was the 410. His extra power plus the awesome double clutch box made the key difference. I didn't think he had any advantage in the braking zones. Also had some fun with a Nobel M12 that was pushing 510hp. In the end the better chassis (he said that he wasn't happy with his set up and given that he is a race driver I believe him) and better brakes of the 410 won out. I couldn't catch a GT4 but an ex Ginetta championship driver was behind the wheel so I put that down to driver rather than car. Similarly I overtook a GT3 RS but I can't believe that the driver was really pushing it! Key points that I like about the 410. Excellent brakes and they never faded despite some serious abuse. Great chassis. Initial turn in is brilliant and when you trail brake into a corner you can feel the back axle moving out to help you through the corner. Weak point is probably the engine as you could easily use another 50hp. I was never brave enough to turn all the stability controls off - it stayed in race mode for the day. Oh and it could do with a harness - the seats don't give enough shoulder support. Despite being on track with some seriously expensive kit the 410 never felt outclassed (I apologise in advance to all those people who are going to fall out with their partners because they now need a 410 in their lives)

Took the 410 on track today at Castle Combe - epic. I was worried about passing the noise test but at 4500 rpm it was registered as 104 db. Amazing performance. I also drove a Ferrari 458 Speciale (not quite as hard as my own car) on the same track and it was only 1 sec per quicker per lap than the 410.

I've not noticed this as a problem - but then again I don't normally clean the engine bay. Only 'problem' I have with the louvres is that at night it makes traffic behind you appear to be flashing their lights which keeps catching your eye in the mirror..

I find the 410 seats comfortable if they are adjusted properly. I did one drive where my left leg went numb but all returned to normal once I moved back one click. Equally I have had the hip pinching problem but the key seems to be getting your back to the rear of the seat and don't try to sit with your legs splayed

I am happier knowing is was you doing the stalking! My other half was sat in the passenger seat wondering why someone was taking pictures. The car is the new racing green but it does look quite bright in the sunlight. Really happy with the car as I wasn't sure whether to go for an Exige but I definitely made the right choice.

That was a good blast. I ushered you past as I was turning off at the next roundabout so I wanted to see and hear yours at 'full chat'. I only know the experience as a driver rather than observer. Good fun!

I was lucky enough to do one of the last Lotus academy sessions at Hethel and they were using a 410 (I think it was the yellow one they launched at Geneva) and an Exige 350 for the afternoon session. So managed to give the car a good blast and confirmed that the Evora was the better car for me. But unfortunately that doesn't help you get your test drive ? However I hope the dealers wake up to the (old) fact that driving the car sells the car and a few more 410s appear.

I was in that exact position. I wanted a special car to use on track occasionally that would also provide some theatre when I drove it. Tried an Evora S and thought it was brilliant then tried a 400 and fell in lust for the exhaust and thought that all the little improvements were worth the upgrade. Then drove a 410 and the extra rawness and carbon fibre (the seats are works of art) ticked all the boxes. I had to have one. It was then a case of extreme man maths to justify the cost! It sounds like a quick decision but I have been thinking about this for 2 years! (OK the 410 since Nov is when I first drove one). Evora 410. Try it and you'll buy it.

+1 If you can make the 'man maths' work, go for it

I agree. I had the stripes removed as they just didn't match the colour scheme. I also thought that they cheapened the look - but maybe that's just me!