Emira UK Roadshow

[mik]

Looked fantastic from every angle today. Lovely design in the “metal”.

Maybe I should have done more research, but I was expecting one of the early actually-running cars to be on-show today , not just effectively a model. A bit frustrating not to be able to adjust the seat to get a feel for the ergonomics.

[TomE]

5 hours ago, Cooper said:

I was the nerd who took a tape measure  

 

14 minutes ago, mik said:

Looked fantastic from every angle today. Lovely design in the “metal”.

Maybe I should have done more research, but I was expecting one of the early actually-running cars to be on-show today , not just effectively a model. A bit frustrating not to be able to adjust the seat to get a feel for the ergonomics.

That’s odd.  The seat was adjustable when I went on 29 Sept and I had a chance to adjust to a good position.  Perhaps it’s broken from all the traffic it’s had.

[Derek]

14 minutes ago, Mctaff said:

Do you have the older model or the new one?

I’ve got the new shape Vantage.
 

I had three of the older shape, and regretted it to a greater or lesser extent when I let them go for something else. 

[Mctaff]

Three!! 😁… nice work

I didn’t get on with the inside of the new one

[emstan]

13 hours ago, TomE said:

I was the nerd who took a tape measure  

 

That’s odd.  The seat was adjustable when I went on 29 Sept and I had a chance to adjust to a good position.  Perhaps it’s broken from all the traffic it’s had.

Awesome! Do I read it correctly that it says 32 cm? What's the seat position here? Can it be moved further forward?

[mik]

Not my image, but as noted above - the seat could not be moved (unlike earlier in the tour). It was pretty far back - possibly fully back.

[TomE]

I’m 5’9” and with the seat in a decent driving position it was 30cm gap behind the seats.  In my 2011 Evora I sit with the seat on the front stop but in the Emira there was still an amount further forward it could have gone.

A 6’0” person adjusted the seat after me and the gap was still 20cm.  So plenty of room for a cabin-sized bag behind each seat.  There’s a shelf at about the same height as in a 2+0 Evora. 

[freefall_junkie]

The electric seats weren't functioning when I tried them yesterday, and the base was so high I am now wondering if they were stuck at their highest adjustment. I never thought to ask at the time, but I'm assuming 14 way adjustment has to include height? The whole seat will be mounted 20mm lower in the production car, but a bit of experimenting today in my own car moving the seat 2cm up and down suggests that alone is not going to be enough to get me in a good position in the Emira. I'm 6ft 2 and my eye line was right at the very top of the windscreen. Can anyone who had a play with the seats at the earlier roadshows when they were working comment on how high the seat felt at its lowest setting, especially in comparison to an Evora? 

[KJD]

They were working when I sat in them and I’d say at their lowest it was pretty similar to my Evora.

For me that leaves about 20mm of headroom so if the production seats come 20mm lower I’ll be happy cos if I ever wear a helmet I’ll fit better than in the Evora.

[MrBlueSky]

Viewed yesterday in Hamilton. Looks fab. Definitely felt more like a new Esprit rather than a replacement for the Evora. Substantially more supercar- wider, angular, and certainly echo's of Ferrari, Maclaren, even 911 at the back?

I personally now see the Evora looking far more sportscar like, and closer in scale and aim to Elise/Exige.

Nice though the Emira is, I'm going to stick with my Evora 'sportscar' for now but sure there will be plenty orders from those looking for junior supercar looks.

 

 

[Bibs]

 

[chrisrace]

Kudos for that look on the Emira. Every angle of this car is amazing, I just feel like it needs more power. 

[Eagle7]

Why do so many people think it needs more power when we haven't even driven or ridden in one yet?  We don't know what they've done with the tuning, or the gear ratios they've chosen.  Maybe it'll be better than people think.  I'm going to reserve judgement until I get to experience an actual production spec model.

[Evotion]

To be fair, we are seeing hatchbacks with similar power figures so some people's reactions are that is underpowered. This is mentioned even more on LT mainly due to the Corvette being a rival for them money there.

 

However, yes, my view is that 400/416HP in a proven chassis with 'proper' steering and gearing will be more than enough to scare 95% of people.

I had an integrale Evo 2 - only had 216HP IIRC  - and I never once thought it needed more oomph. I also had one of Rover 220 Turbo Coupes back in the early 90s and that was certified dangerous.

So it is all how it puts the power to the road and the feeling you get whilst doing it.

Just like skiing and motorcycling, it is that grin as you break the law of physics that makes a true sports car.

[C8RKH]

15 hours ago, MrBlueSky said:

Viewed yesterday in Hamilton. Looks fab. Definitely felt more like a new Esprit rather than a replacement for the Evora. Substantially more supercar

I'm surprised by this. I didn't get this sense at all to be honest. To me it's a sports car, not a supercar, and does not have the presence (size) of a supercar. When you stand next to the latest supercars from Ferrari, McLaren, et al the one thing that hits you (well it hits me anyway) is the size of the things. They are not small cars at all, to the extent they would not be a great B road blaster!  Sure, a non major trunk road "A" blaster and a delight on those slightly wider roads that accommodate HGV's, large buses etc. Whereas the Emira is an Evora/Exige sized car (think it is around 2 inches wider only - need to check) and so more suitable to UK roads.  My point, a supercar not only needs to have the design, but it needs a hell of a lot more power and size too.  The Esprit was up there with the Ferrari's etc of its time in terms of performance, proportions, looks etc. The Emira has the looks only I'm afraid.  It's a great car, a great design, but in my mind calling it a Supercar is being over enthusiastic.  I'm sure many will disagree with me.

[C8RKH]

12 minutes ago, Evotion said:

This is mentioned even more on LT mainly due to the Corvette being a rival for them money there.

The Yanks are obsessed with power numbers in the main. It's all about bragging rights for the quarter and top trumps (nothing to do with Donald) motoring. Remember, it's not unusual for entitled college kids to be bought a 'vette as their first university car in many parts of the US (not all, and not all Uni kids granted).

The Americans you meet who see past this, are to me, the real aficionado's and are usually hugely knowledgeable driving enthusiasts.

The Emira has attracted a new kind of potential owner to Lotus - one that measures things by the size of the BHP number. Hopefully once they get behind the wheel they will realise it is about driving for the pleasure of driving. Enough performance to have fun. Certainly enough to kill yourself. Why would you want to kill yourself faster?  These days a spotty young Oink can get 500bhp+ out of a German boring saloon/hatch. But how many of them do you see in the hedge?

[Gashead1105]

1 hour ago, Evotion said:

To be fair, we are seeing hatchbacks with similar power figures so some people's reactions are that is underpowered. This is mentioned even more on LT mainly due to the Corvette being a rival for them money there.

 

However, yes, my view is that 400/416HP in a proven chassis with 'proper' steering and gearing will be more than enough to scare 95% of people.

I had an integrale Evo 2 - only had 216HP IIRC  - and I never once thought it needed more oomph. I also had one of Rover 220 Turbo Coupes back in the early 90s and that was certified dangerous.

So it is all how it puts the power to the road and the feeling you get whilst doing it.

Just like skiing and motorcycling, it is that grin as you break the law of physics that makes a true sports car.

My 145hp Caterham Superlight with the Caterham close ratio 6 speed box is properly mental..... 

I'm going AMG (or nothing, as giving up said mental 7 would be a total kick in the nuts at this time) but I am concerned that the V6 version won't necessary have the performance to back up the looks. It's the same power train as the Evora and that means 2nd gear goes beyond the legal speed limit.... It will still be a fast car, particularly on a track but I would be surprised if it's considered scary by anyone. 

[Graham Ridgway]

This is the essence of what Lotus have to get right.  Selling their attributes successfully.  I don't get the modern obsession with big bhp.  Perhaps I've missed a trick.  But driving fun (esp on road) for me is not defined by big acceleration figures.  Where on earth do you get to use it?  Such a fixation on revving out.  Tape over the rev counter.  Just see if it's fun to drive as the Evora certainly is!

The trick is that Lotus have got to make what they have appealing in today's world.  That means having something better than BHP to be their USP.

[C8RKH]

6 minutes ago, Gashead1105 said:

It will still be a fast car, particularly on a track but I would be surprised if it's considered scary by anyone. 

And yet people still regularly spin, crash etc cars with a less bhp/ton ration than an Evora.  I think Caterham Superlight is scary (i.e. needs a lot of respect) but then you know when you get in it!  The problem with cars like the Emira, GTR, etc is that cosset you and make you feel warm, comfy and secure like a normal saloon so some people forget it ain't a normal saloon. Again, that's why you see M3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10....'s, RS2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10.....'s and even Focus RS and tunes Fiesta's in the hedge or driven to the point where they catch the cocooned driver unaware that they have gone beyond their limits and those of physics.

[Mctaff]

35 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

 they catch the cocooned driver unaware that they have gone beyond their limits and those of physics.

the problem with limits is that often you only find out where they are once you've crossed them!

speaks the ex owner of a 350Z that got hedge planted... with almost zero damage 😁

I turned up at my local garage and got them to lift it to check underneath, which had half a grass verge attached.

no damage at all but a sarcastic "most expensive lawnmower I've ever seen" comment 🤣

[freefall_junkie]

1 hour ago, Gashead1105 said:

My 145hp Caterham Superlight with the Caterham close ratio 6 speed box is properly mental..... 

I'm going AMG (or nothing, as giving up said mental 7 would be a total kick in the nuts at this time) but I am concerned that the V6 version won't necessary have the performance to back up the looks. It's the same power train as the Evora and that means 2nd gear goes beyond the legal speed limit.... It will still be a fast car, particularly on a track but I would be surprised if it's considered scary by anyone. 

I sold my 180bhp Duratec Caterham a while ago having decided it wasn't quite mental enough. If you are going to put up with something as wildly impractical and unusable as a Caterham for me it would really have to be scarily quick. I'd have another one, and in many ways it would make a nice complement to the Emira, but it would have to be the full-on nuts 620 🙂

BTW I am sure an Emira would leave any Caterham for dead on your average bumpy B road. On rough roads I sometimes felt that the Caterham was at risk of skipping me into the next hedge. On track it would be a different matter of course.

Edited October 18, 2021 by freefall_junkie

[MrBlueSky]

4 hours ago, C8RKH said:

I'm surprised by this. I didn't get this sense at all to be honest. To me it's a sports car, not a supercar, and does not have the presence (size) of a supercar. When you stand next to the latest supercars from Ferrari, McLaren, et al the one thing that hits you (well it hits me anyway) is the size of the things. They are not small cars at all, to the extent they would not be a great B road blaster!  Sure, a non major trunk road "A" blaster and a delight on those slightly wider roads that accommodate HGV's, large buses etc. Whereas the Emira is an Evora/Exige sized car (think it is around 2 inches wider only - need to check) and so more suitable to UK roads.  My point, a supercar not only needs to have the design, but it needs a hell of a lot more power and size too.  The Esprit was up there with the Ferrari's etc of its time in terms of performance, proportions, looks etc. The Emira has the looks only I'm afraid.  It's a great car, a great design, but in my mind calling it a Supercar is being over enthusiastic.  I'm sure many will disagree with me.

I'm certainly being a little "over enthusiastic" calling it a supercar, I get that, but for me it's moving towards that point where it becomes less practical sportscar and more impractical supercar. For me it's not about the bhp, 410 is plenty, but all about the feel across a variety of roads and conditions. I don't want a super car that is only super on very few occasions.

Twenty years ago I was looking to move on from my Elise S160 to something more refined but which still felt fabulous across a range of conditions. I test drove an Esprit but felt it was too wide, too extreme??? and then went left field with a Clio V6.

I feel the Emira has moved 2 inches in the wrong direction for me.. but that's fine because I have an Evora which feels just right for me. I should probably hold off on any more pontificating until we get a chance to drive the new car!

[tailslides]

An interesting afternoon at Central Lotus, it was nice to see the Emira first-hand and have plenty of seat time in the showroom.

Pleasantly surprised with the perceived quality the display model hints at, the fact that "dodgy hip" could get in without any issues, better than getting into our MX-5 and comparable to the 981 Boxster.

We were surprised by the colour pallette, only two choices shone for us and we had hoped the red might pop a bit more, overall though we didn't  feel the negativity that been present is some posts was warranted. 

It's still very early days and the display model is just that, I will happily put my £3k down on a red AMG LE, hopefully the price will go the right way on the I4's.

Bonus points to Central for hosting us, can't complain at some afternoon Freixenet

[duncx]

I've been to see the car at Central Lotus today too, not much to add to what's been said so far except maybe ...

My head was brushing the roof (6'3") and my eyeline was level with the top of the screen, plus the slightly drooping sunvisor didn't help my forwards visibility   Nobody knows (not even Scott!) if the seats are 'stuck' in the lowest adjustable position, although everyone I spoke to said they are definitely mounted too high. Scott said he didn't know where the 20mm too high figure came from, he thinks it's more like 30mm. Basically, the seats we are seeing at the moment are wrong, and at 6'3" Scott reckons I won't have a problem.

Overall the car looked great. It's much more of a 'model' than the real thing but the overall package looks sufficiently promising to give me the confidence to spec up a FE car and make the next payment. In all honesty I had recently been considering stepping off the queue and waiting for 'own spec' cars but I'm really not sure how long that's going to be? If they can sell fully specced cars for 2 years or so then why would they sell anything cheaper? Could be a very long wait (and maybe even a fruitless one?) for that £60K base car!

If only there were some different colours - a simple Ardent Red would suit me just fine

EDIT: Just remembered, for those wanting the tan leather, I am happy to report that the tan sample is a really nice colour, no hint of the orangeyness that I've seen on some photos, just a straightforward (and quite rich) tan colour. Spot on

Edited October 18, 2021 by duncx

[Murdock]

1 hour ago, tailslides said:

An interesting afternoon at Central Lotus, it was nice to see the Emira first-hand and have plenty of seat time in the showroom.

Pleasantly surprised with the perceived quality the display model hints at, the fact that "dodgy hip" could get in without any issues, better than getting into our MX-5 and comparable to the 981 Boxster.

We were surprised by the colour pallette, only two choices shone for us and we had hoped the red might pop a bit more, overall though we didn't  feel the negativity that been present is some posts was warranted. 

It's still very early days and the display model is just that, I will happily put my £3k down on a red AMG LE, hopefully the price will go the right way on the I4's.

Bonus points to Central for hosting us, can't complain at some afternoon Freixenet

I can just see my fat belly on the last pic 😅

Thought Central did a great job today, fizz and canopies and incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff (or as knowledgeable as they can be with info given )

Edited October 18, 2021 by Murdock