hedgerley

Looks like the journos are out testing this week. Embargo lifted 7th June so three weeks before we see anything online/in print I guess.

Nothing in the delayed EVO, which arrived this morning 😟

A long weekend away amongst the English. To Cambridge and back. Not a single Lotus spotted (lost count of the Porsche 911/Cayman/Boxter). Until 10 minutes from home this evening, a red Esprit, possibly an early V8 or maybe an S4S, heading South onto the bridge. Damn they are rare. So glad I've got one 😁

Yellow. Number plate RIG ****. Thought it might be me in a parallel universe with that plate....

With CTL taking over Paul Matty's treasure trove and I assume access to his niche suppliers and further investment planned, one would hope the parts situation will start to improve. More evidence of Lotus moving in the right direction.

Received this today. Maybe, just maybe........ Like how they say 'one-off' - I've probably had half a dozen of these emails over the years! Dear Mark, I wanted to let you know that your next issue of evo will arrive a few days later than usual. I hope you'll forgive us for the one-off delay, which is due to a number of manufacturer enforced embargos that lift on the day of publication. I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of the late delivery. If you have any further queries regarding your subscription to evo, please call our Customer Service Team on +44 (0) 330 333 9491 or email customercare@subscribe.evo.co.uk. Thank you for your patience and your continued support of evo magazine. Kind regards, Stuart Gallagher Editor, evo

More out with the old, in with the old I think. Good deal I reckon. https://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/paul-matty-sportscars-sold-classic-team-lotus

That would be this one @Barrykearley, although it's not an S1 obviously. Note the number plate. Reminded me that Musk wasn't a founder, just an early investor who quickly ousted Eberhard and installed himself as CEO. The rest as they say is history.

Being so close last week, I had another go for the Emira. Seems I wasn't the only one after it, its now been won, but not by me. Bugger. https://www.botb.com/winners/dc1622/

Yes, it was won. Winner went with a LR I think. There's always a winner, 2 a week and a huge choice of cars to choose from.

I've been doing spot the ball with Best of the Best (BOTB) for years, since they started in the airports. The other week I won a free ticket and a few quid as a consolation prize so, thinking I was on a roll, I thought I'd have a go for the Emira (plus £50k cash). Below is the result (mine is red) and no I didn't win. Bollocks. I'll get me coat....

Puts the Wolff/Horner spats into perspective doesn't it?

May EVO arrived. No Emira, just the Electra launch stuff. Looks like the delay was for yet another Porsche, the 911 GT4 RS.

Its the May issue I think (or could be June, they always come out a month or two before the actual calendar month.....very confusing) which should be out by now (early April), for subscribers. We get it about a week before it hits the shelves. Its not a one off by the way, its happened once or twice before. I think Top Gear have trialed the production Emira test and indeed we have seen some 'spy shots' (the Verdant one I think). I would hope Lotus have let EVO into that prospect as well. We shall find out shortly. The tension is palpable!!!!

Received this from the publishers of EVO yesterday. I wonder....... Dear Mark, I wanted to let you know that your next issue of evo will arrive a few days later than usual. I hope you'll forgive us for the one-off delay, which is due to a number of manufacturer enforced embargos that lift on the day of publication. I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of the late delivery.

And now the teasers make sense. Too clever by half....

Beats my previous record of low fuel light to full tank of £93 by a considerable margin.

Esprit featured in the Style section of today's Sunday Times showing off stupidly expensive shoes and accessories - "Cult Classics" apparently. Well at least the car is; 50 years old and she's still got it. Is this anyone's on here?

Let's not forget the windfall to the Government in fuel duty and VAT. I wonder what they'll spend that on?

Not me, mate of mine who had to go for the super unleaded. Think this is the highest I've seen.

Watching the auction, it was clear the guy was having the car come what may. He opened the bidding AT the reserve, £30k, as soon as it started. There were 3 or 4 interested and it moved quickly in £500 jumps then at £45k he bid £47k, which cleared the other bidders out bar one, who tried once more and left at £48k. He was really determined and it goes to show it very much depends who's in the room (or phone in this case) on the day. So I think there is an element of hubris/ego baked into the price 😉

81 Turbo just went for £48,000 at Mathewsons. Strong money I think, but a very nice car. https://fb.watch/bwVHKoKwyX/

So this idea of paddle shifts in an EV. Whilst I appreciate they could be used for adjusting regen to give some driver 'involvement', I was reminded of an article I read some time ago about using software to finesse torque levels (which we know is planned anyway for distribution to any wheel that needs it) to imitate a manual gearbox. Sure enough, a quick search came up with a patent recently filed by Toyota. Its not 1 April yet - is there real hope "For The Drivers"? Could be a genuine antidote to the self-driving tech, for sports cars at least. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/357350/toyota-patents-simulated-manual-gearbox-electric-cars

Timing and I suspect segment-wise this seems to coincide with the Type 133, Lotus's '4 door sports coupe'. I think. Substitute Type 133 for Polestar 5 and it could be a Lotus release.

Ditto. Better open the conversation with SWMBO....