mdavies

As I've mentioned a few times above: Telegraph Business News now: British car brands caught up in EU crackdown on electric vehicles: MG and Lotus among those to be affected by 48pc tariff on EVs made in China. One extract from article: (So Geely re Volvo, but Lotus?) BYD is building a car factory in Hungary, while Volvo is shifting EV production from China to Belgium and SAIC – which relocated production of MG cars to China in 2016 – is also hunting for a European manufacturing site.

If there is a more appropriate thread - my topic is not mere politics - please move it. _____________ I could hardly believe a report yesterday that Sunak had left Normandy ahead of the main event, with other leaders of the Western world present. Something far beyond a political error - a deeply serious absence of judgement, no mere “error”. For me, it was “the mark of the man”. His history leaves no doubts about his intellect - very clever. But in a situation that could leave no option about what to do, whatever his mere “advisors” advised, for anyone with a grasp of his position as PM of the UK, an appreciation of British and US history and of the 2,400 US casualties on the heavily defended "Omaha" beach and of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many others, with a few British survivors present for their last time, he failed Britain in a most abject way. For one of the lowest reasons. Further, today, he seems to think that he can merely “apologize” his way back. IMO, he is fundamentally unfit. His judgement behind our finger on the button?

Typical profile for the share price of a loss-making company after spiking on results. Primarily influenced by traders rather than investors. I'm surprised only that it held near the top for a whole day. Making a gross profit on the actual car building and selling process all very well, and good of course, but there is so much more to the overall financials of every company than gross margin. Hence the Increased Quarter on Quarter Operating, Net, and EBITDA losses. I see also that those numbers, pro rata, are increases on the FY23 overall figures. Over and above any analysis of the financials (I've not), from an investment viewpoint I see as invisible and imponderable, firstly the impact of whatever support and influence Geely is/will give to Lotus Tech. then the Chinese Govt's influence on Geely, then the impact of global matters on Chinese industries, e.g. tariffs. (Not to mention Taiwan!) Lotus Tech. may do well in whatever while, but I'm steering clear of the company. (Still enjoying my real Lotus though!)

That Pistonheads report skims over what Adusted EBITDA covers. In the Results the exclusions in the Adjusted EBITDA are typical for non-profitmaking companies but usually the definition is upfront in the note following the key financials - not in an Appendix. Appendix 3 states: "Lotus Tech defines adjusted EBITDA as net loss excluding interest income, interest expense, income tax expenses, depreciation of property, equipment and software, and share-based compensation expenses. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in its business and enhance the overall understanding of the Company’s past performance and future prospects." Numbers re the exclusions are given variously, but I'm not motivated to get into those for a company dealing in "lifestyle vehicles". EVs at that! And Chinese!

Food for thought re Geely’s Lotus-badged EV models. (Noting the recent US tariffs.) So build in the UK! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/05/22/europe-must-defend-itself-china-export-tsunami-crush/ “The [EU] Commission’s probe of Chinese EVs will conclude in early July. It does not take a crystal ball to see that a giant tariff wall is coming, and that it will spread to every area targeted in Xi’s bid for cleantech hegemony.”

Indeed, carbon on mine, manufactured 2017.

DrRick, the issue is what is best for your wide-ranging uses. I agree Jep's comment in principle - indeed all the models are marvellous, but they do differ! I stick with my thoughts above. There is a mass of information on different Evoras on here (see the front page road test links for one thing.) Suggest you explore. I can't comment on the 410 Sport - only had two, limited, road tests and not quite bought. Drives were great, but held back because knew of differences from the GT410 Sport then available. Just from my broad awareness, look at physical/aero, seats, torque curve slightly less mid-range, slightly more top end. See the "Club" threads on here too. No thoughts on Auto/IPS. Not for me.

I've owned both models on your short-list for several years each. Also an Evora NA (short box) in basic form and then taken to almost 300 bhp. Considering those experiences and your described use, I agree with Bravo's conclusion above - but not an NA. I trust that you are not basing your view of recent Evoras on your previous NA. Test drive a GT 410 Sport (repeat, Sport) to assess its "driver's car" qualities before a decision. No, it's not the same as either on your short-list, but very enjoyable indeed. Also, I wouldn't dream of doing your motorway commute in either the Elise or the Exige, other than very short term. By the way, the Emira is perhaps better than the Evora for your commute, but less so for your "driving" use.

".......... CATL’s latest announcement last month, that it has developed a new battery, the Shenxing Plus, capable of ranges of 600 miles between recharges." (Telegraph) Ready access to en route recharging is clearly important at present - but the range quoted above - yes, some kind of max I expect - would likely enable many full trips without a recharge en route. PS: Re anti-EV points, no need to make for me. I'm very far from an EV enthusiast! But tech marches on.

I have what's been proven a pretty good, reasonably priced, Extended Warranty on my 4-year old Evora via B&C. (Bought SH from a different dealer.) Possibly other dealers too - I don't know.

Has the very recently announced CATL Shenxing Plus battery been mentioned here? AFAIK not. Changes quite a lot of EV considerations I'd have thought, putting it mildly. One report says China is apparently to ship cars with that battery later this year. Apart from having jumped ahead with the tech, it seems China alone has large scale access to all the minerals needed for the battery. Geely is Chinese I understand - perhaps not quite as bad a base for Lotus after all........... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/05/17/china-revolutionary-electric-car-battery-charge-10-minutes/

An excellent review IMO, straightforward and factual, carried out without a trace of obsequiousness by someone very well qualified by long experience to set the Emira in the context of previous Lotus models. Well done too to TLF for including it here, given the aspect of its Evora comparisons that make clear that, "for the drivers", it is no Evora. Of as much interest and relevance under one of the Evora thread headings, I suggest, especially to those who have not yet chosen between an Emira and one of the GT410 Evoras still available on the SH market.

EGTE, thank you for the Emira/Evora price depreciation video that you posted above, titled: "Emira Prices are Tumbling". I'm surprised that it has attracted so little attention so far. It's surely of wider interest here than discussion of some specific car on the market, given the details about Evora models (V6 and 400 up) that it contains. Perhaps the title could have been better chosen to reflect that. A key point about the GT410 Sport - yes, I'm interested naturally! - as the only Evora to be appreciating in the context addressed, is glossed over too briefly in the video. That is that it and the Emira are distinctly different cars for different buyers. A matter now beyond debate I believe. Anyway, as an owner who, 12 months ago, specifically chose a GT410 Sport over a SH V6 Emira, I'm in no way surprised at the GT410 Sport's appreciation. Long may it continue!

Seen frequently 2024 in and around the town. Don't expect too many Evoras here, but I'm another owner. Send a PM?

Bravo, indeed, but I hope that the tone of my Chapman Bespoke post, overall, left little doubt that I considered my wishes as just hopeless pie in the sky!

Indeed, explicit appreciation as a future classic is great to see but, re the 2/4(opt) seating, I for one, having tried the V6 Emira against my particular Evora - just to make sure - my personal choice of Evora was obvious and immediate - no explicit decision process needed. And, from reading across forums, I believe that I have plenty of company. Also, I chose the 2-seat version. Think of the weight saving! (Well, re the lighter wheels and no rear belts anyway!)

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/future-classic/future-classic-lotus-evora/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=23_MED_UN_UK_EML_UN_UN_UKNews_DrivetimeWeekend Glad to read this - I share that view.

Bibs, did you spot my "lower price" condition!

Darryl, thought I’d better be realistic!

I wonder if those running the "Chapman Bespoke" programme, rather than playing about with fancy paints, interior finishes, emblems etc, would produce a bespoke V6 Emira stripped of everything not directly "for the drivers"? With lighter replacements for essential items that are heavier than necessary for good drivability. Ok, maybe still some basic infotainment - but no heavy speakers etc. And the ECU cranked up to 410 bhp. And, given the consequently lower bill of materials, then surely it should be sold for less than the standard version? No, of course they wouldn't! ("Couldn't" would be claimed, together with "ridiculous notion", "silly boy" and similar.) But surely in the spirit of the programme? Just read the name? Oh............so better change the name then!

Giving the Sparco seats a made-to-measure fitting for slim people is easy enough in principle with side pads. I use carpet underlay offcuts. For covering that in different versions on various cars I’ve used both Alcantara and strong plastic from robust bags intended for garden rubbish. The challenge is fixing the pads firmly to the seat without risking any adhesive like double sided sticky tape in contact with the actual seat - or the unknown effects of chemical glue removers. (A mistake made only once!) Equally as important is being able to make adjustments during trials of prototypes. The photo shows my solution for the Sparco seat on my GT410 Sport. The red seat belt webbing is all a single length. It is looped around each side of the seat and runs low down across the back. Each end is glued – very effectively – back to the bottom of the main loops by a 2 inch square patch of double sided sticky tape. The arrangement keeps the loops firmly in place at the bottom of the seat. (Held at the top in the harness recesses.) The sides of the seat pads are then fixed by – initially small – patches of the same double sided sticky tape to the backs of the main loops. Larger patches after positioning trials. Works well for me.

I didn't actually "choose" a Lotus. Rather, one forced itself upon me. I'd gone to a Caterham showroom to pick one but being long of leg and quite large of foot found that there were issues. Leaving to mull over second thoughts I walked past a traded-in Series 1 Elise. Tried a sit in, then a test drive. My decision was obvious very quickly - and still the case after now lots of Lotuses and failed trials of alternatives.

Wrong name on mine too. Perhaps Lotus trying AI now.

Now Special Offers from Silverstone: "Lotus UK and Lotus Silverstone are excited to announce exclusive limited-time offers and incentives on the new Emira Turbo and Eletre R models. Make an appointment to visit our dealership between 14th and 16th March to take advantage of these special deals."

A bad sign? Wonder if I'm the only one "chosen by Lotus and B&C" to receive "special offers" in the last week or so? (0% finance deals/3 year servicing plan/home chargers & cheap charging). For two days only. Persistent: two recent emails and today a phone call as I'd not booked yet! Learnt that the scheme is being managed by a subcontractor, so I guess it's fairly large scale. [Mods, please delete if discussed already.]