Stirling_Villeneuve

Amazing cars, made a great noise at Goodwood last weekend... shame the going rate for kidney's won't stretch that far though!

I had a mail shot from MG a couple of days ago about the new Cyberster, terrible name, daft rear indicators, otherwise I quite like it. I don't understand why Lotus didn't kick off their EV range with some link to their past, hark back to the Elan heritage perhaps? No idea where they're headed though, 6790 sales to 150,000 in 5 years seems a tad optimistic.

Back in '84 I saw a JPS Europa parked up in London, that was it, I was hooked on all things Lotus. After that I started following F1, then Senna moved to Lotus, things looked up, exciting times. I may have slightly swapped allegiance when he joined McLaren though...

I gather McLaren have a V8Hybrid in development...

Floated but sinking a little, nice thought though... Lotus and McLaren might just make a decent Esprit happen between them, McF1's looking good at the moment too.

The dual clutch 8 speed on the i4 appeals over the old IPS box, although I never had any complaints about it when I had my Evora.

Thanks for that, interesting reading. I don't have the patience for a long wait and as you say there's a number of ex-demo, pre-owned, cancelled orders about. I'm. curious though... I see you had an Evora IPS, how do you think that compares to the Emira Auto? I had a deposit down when the car was first announced but cancelled when they said the i4 was a long way off. I figured the V6 was too similar to the my old Evora S IPS. Be interested to hear your thoughts.

Any idea on the lead time for the 4 pot? Seems to be a lot of V6 cars at the dealers, might take one for a spin but it's the AMG engine/box combo that really appeals.... perhaps.

So how are the later cars, any of these issues recurring or have Lotus resolved issues as they came up? Very much on the fence here, looking at all options here and a return to Lotus has always been on the cards.

It's a question I've asked myself a few times, certainly if I was serious I'd look at the competition a lot closer than I'd normally do with a heart over head, Lotus type purchase. I've no idea what to expect from the 135... EV Emira?

I'll reserve judgment until I've seen one in the real world, but the question I'm asking myself is... If this car didn't have a Lotus badge on it would I be looking at it?

I'll admit I did smile... 😇 ps Working now...

I'll be keeping an eye out for the launch but I still wonder about the words 'Sedan' & 'Lotus' in the same sentence. I just hope it's not 5 metres long... smaller, lighter, not just a squashed Eletre please! Getting dangerously close to Enema though! 😇

I never got offered a coffee... I knew I shouldn't have mentioned the sticky door! 😂

I could never go back to a manual box, a good flappy paddle's just as engaging when it comes to a bit of spirited driving, plus there's the huge advantage of auto mode in traffic and town driving, the whole experience is just so much better. Harry's Garage comparison was very interesting though, looks like the i4 box still needs a bit of a tweak but it's all software, no big deal.

I popped in last week, the doors opened 6" then stuck... a bit of encouragement from the staff and slide back into action but I couldn't resist the 'Well... it is Lotus showroom' comment. Beyond that... As a brand centre, not a dealership it's all about marketing and high profile, the fact the new place is just down the road from Bahar's folly wasn't lost on me. This time around though there's the Electre, which is impressive but the size of a London bus, I gather there's a smaller SUV in the pipeline, I did ask about a new Esprit and was met with blank faces, .however there was mention of a 'Sedan' after the SUV's.... 😱

That's probably the last thing Caterham want to hear right now, on the other hand it's been 15 years since the Tesla version.... about time!

I remember the 21 too, looked great on paper, a bit dodgy in the plastic, then Lotus came along with the Elise and totally annihilated it.

This is exactly what I'm looking for... reminds me a little of the Maserati MC20 too, no bad thing! I just hope it's up there quality wise, off to express some interest. Meanwhile I remember driving the original Tesla Roadster many years ago.... based on an Elise, any chance Lotus have something similar in the pipeline?

Definitely, although I just spent an evening in an Artura, probably the wrong place to say this but it's mind blowing... shame about the ££££££! Now.... Did I hear something about 'Special Edition' Emira's, ie paint jobs? Seems a tad early for that one. but it's inevitable and never a bad thing!

Very true, McLaren have changed their product line a lot in the past couple of years, no more entry level Sports Series, future models will all start above £200k, eye watering for most folks. I'd love to have seen a sort of McLotus, Mac provide the chassis and some additional tech, Lotus package in an affordable package. Be a good way for Lotus to get back into F1 too! Dream on...

Yep, the Artura's a stunning piece of kit but the price is eye watering. I'm still seriously enjoying the Mac, the GT's the best car I've owned, but the I4's especially temping while I wait for Lotus to announce the EV Esprit... a guy can dream right?

Today I was driving through Lewes, spotted a Lotus dealership and dropped in... who knew? The Emira looks the part, ( definitely Evora Mk2 but I'm not going there... 😈 ), I wasn't a massive fan of the various black placcy vents etc. but I'm sure they could be painted, or maybe will make carbon versions for slightly less than the cost of the car. Anyway.. After 7 years out of the marque I could see myself being tempted back, I'm extremely happy with where I am currently but I'll be changing my ride again in a year, ( another 3 years warranty period up! ), and I'd be daft not to consider a Lotus of some sort, especially when you consider 3 x i4's would be about the same as price an McArtura... Tempting... and nice to be talking Lotus again. 😎

Jeez... that's not good! I put a deposit down pre-reveal, sadly bailed a few months later when I realised the i4 was going to be a long way off. I've still not seen an Emira, it still appeals but '24 is a long way off and that may well be optimisic... is that the bottom line right now?

Sounds about right, I cancelled mine back in September when I was told the i4 was going to be another year. It'll be worth the wait I've no doubt, it's an unpredictable world though.