Test Drives

[KennyN]

I got my email inviting me for a test drive, I'm booked at B&C on 5th Dec., the earliest daylight appointment that I could get.

It appears that Lotus have once again chosen to ignore the deposit/build order and opened up test drives for all deposit holders.  If it was a competition based on how to piss off your early customers Lotus would win a gold medal at every stage.  At least I'll know if I'm still interested on 5th Dec.

[PJS]

Got booked on for this Saturday. Excited. Perhaps we need a fresh thread for this new era of fastest finger first dealer test drives? @TomE

[Beady]

email today - test booked for Wednesday am at silverstone  - although they have touring and i have ordered sport - (current production date Jan23)

[TomE]

51 minutes ago, PJS said:

Got booked on for this Saturday. Excited. Perhaps we need a fresh thread for this new era of fastest finger first dealer test drives? @TomE

I was in meetings and so was 2 hours behind everyone else.  Booked for 16 Dec.  So much for the Lotus promise to prioritise early deposit holders.  I’ll probably have to do Checkout before I can test drive.

First person booked and test drove this afternoon 👍

[Woodman]

One of the first 30 depositors,  no email yet and all dealers within 100miles only have sports suspension which I have not ordered. Given what I have read on here it sounds very unlikely there will be any slots left  (when/if I get an email) before I have to commit to the purchase. Given the number of ‘flip’ requests I have been told directly that some dealers have been asked about and the state of the economy I think there are a lot of speculators out there hoping for a premium which is looking less likely. I have no intention of flipping, but if I cant try the car, get it and don’t rate it, it would be a pretty poor result after all this time if I cant sell it on without loss. 

As a very long term multiple Lotus owner this is again disappointing. They should simply have let the “agents” deal with their own customers. Having watched some of the Eletre interviews you cant help thinking that the Emira is such a tiny part of the plan as they switch to electric that the global management team are focussed elsewhere. The Emira has done its job in maintaining attention whilst they transition, but is now just a footnote and whether they actually deliver 5000 or 30,000 is probably irrelevant in the bigger plan. I have just been offered a lovely GT4 but suspect its a bit too hard for a regular ( albeit not daily ) car, but at least its available, of proven build and residuals and it certainly has me thinking. 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Woodman

[Sparky]

Just seen the email, and it seems I don't have a hope of a test drive unless I travel a considerable distance.  Can't see anything left in B&C's calendar.  Hey ho!

[simonb]

not had an email / invitation for test drive (june '21 i4FE deposits up to date)

[EmiraSi]

I'm down for Nov build/Dec delivery and couldn't get a test drive slot last night...just sent CS an email asking how they're going to rectify that before they get in touch expecting me to commit to the car.

[Abgreenbank]

Got my test drive email, guess it’s a little late for me😀

[Bibs]

Don't fancy booking and rocking up in your Emira?!

[Abgreenbank]

Would be amusing but atm its a 7000nm round trip, maybe my son might book.

[Bibs]

You're gonna need a quicker boat! 

[TomE]

4 hours ago, Sparky said:

Just seen the email, and it seems I don't have a hope of a test drive unless I travel a considerable distance.  Can't see anything left in B&C's calendar.  Hey ho!

They had about 170 slots available and they all went in about 3 hours after the email went out at 4pm yesterday.  Seems daft to have so few slots and then open it up to all deposit holders at once.

[exeterjeep]

Think Exeter are starting test drives tomorrow after the Eletre goes.

 

[Emiralust]

Genuinely baffled by this all. I'm new to Lotus and a young potential long term customer for them. I have stuck to this forum as I'm of the opinion you are the original Lotus owners and the real long term customers of the brand. It's really aggravating me seeing the many pre-reveal depositors and loyal customers being shoved to one side. It's so obvious this company is operating in the dark ages, I don't care how up to date their factory is. If you want to compete with premium brands you need to be making each customer feel like they're the only one buying the car and the business knows who you are. They should have in the very least taken all of the pre-reveal deposit holders and existing customers and given them a real VIP treatment which would have been totally justifiable, someone like myself (new customer and early deposit) wouldn't have minded, if anything It would have encouraged me to become a long serving customer after seeing the brand treating it's existing customers with respect. Instead the opposite has happened.

It wouldn't have even been that hard to do! Give them all the first factory tour on the house and give them first test drives. Job done and you maintain a real foundation of heritage fans. Without that your brand is dead and the history goes with it. 

I am no longer excited about this purchase

Edited November 9, 2022 by Emiralust

[Beady]

Had my test drive today at Silverstone. Magma Red, Touring Spec, goodyears.

My Emira is due for Jan build/ Feb delivery.

I arrived in an S1 Elise but my recent cars include a launch Evora, Evora S and most recently Evora 400 - so my real comparable is against an Evora 400. 

Looks are very supercar and the ultimate accolade was getting a thumbs up from a guy in a 911 GT3 who went past me on the dual carriageway. This car will turn heads.

Quality good, no obvious problems, although behind the mesh around the exhaust tailpipes looked messy with some unsightly insulation visible (very Lotus).

Seats very comfortable - to be honest I found them slightly  too soft / padded / comfortable for a Lotus. I would be happier with something a little firmer (but remember I arrived in an Elise)

I really didn't like the colour but that's a personal opinion.

Mainly quiet, fast(ish) country roads and a short dual carriageway. Car in Sport mode throughout and roads dry although a little greasy.

Very quiet and refined on the dual carriageway and I didn't notice any wind noise - perfect daily driver. 

Exhaust noise (in sport mode) was too quiet (400 much better)

Power is ok, adequate at best but it did feel fast enough for the road, but no "wow" factor. As somebody else said, this is why its £80k not £100k+. However it does pull well in all gears throughout the rev range.

I hit the rev limiter twice in 3rd gear when I wasn't expecting it - there is no real noticeable top end 'crescendo'  to the power / noise that instinctively tells you to change gear. I guess I was going faster than I realised - the car carries speed easily.

Brakes amazing

Gearbox / change - ok. Not amazing, not bad. A bit notchy but nothing of concern. Again no different to a 400. Gear ratios suit the car well.

Handling - great (as you would expect). I found the touring spec very compliant. However again it felt softer than a 400 and again a bit too soft for me. However I think

I have selected Sport in my spec and I am happy with the choice, although it would be helpful to test a Sport car in comparison. 

In summary - its a great car but I was a little underwhelmed. It is very much an Evora 400 in a new dress and much nicer interior

If I still had my Evora 400 i would struggle to justify the uplift to change. The Evora 410's are currently around £60-65k on a 19/20 plate so a 15-20k uplift for a brand new Emira just about makes sense but if the 410s were closer to £55k then I think a 410 would be a much more attractive option.

Before this drive I was 50/50 on whether I would proceed with the purchase and that has not changed - if anything I am moving more towards pulling the plug and coming back in a couple of years. I have spent the last hour browsing Astons and Mclarens at just a little bit more money, which tells you everything.

In the short term i will stick with the deposit as i don't need a sports car in Winter and will review in Jan/Feb when I need to make a decision. If used prices start (continue) falling then will probably bail out and if I had to decide today I think I would probably pull out.

 

 

[MJON]

Got my mail on Monday, tried to book Rybrook Bristol within the hour, but nothing available as all taken. Just gone back into site and there are a range of dates available for January, so just booked in. Have already driven it at Hethel and it’s actually the i4FE that I’m going for, which i’m informed will not be until October, but do want to feel/see the quality of a final production car and drive it on the road. Besides it’s the day after my birthday, just hope it’s not snowing🥶

[Al]

Well another disappointed fairly early deposit holder (10th July) and long term 5 Lotus owner here with 2 still in garage.  I was on an 8 hour flight to work when e-mail came in and was in transit in a lounge some 4 hours after e-mail arrived and couldn't get a single slot in Lotus Glasgow (nee Parks) in Nov or Dec. I'm working away until 7th Dec anyway but there were no slots.  Another LEGS member said it showed he was 308 in the queue to book when he first logged on soon after e-mail arrival.

Just been speaking to Customer Care and more slots have become available in the new year and you just need to follow the link - as only for deposit holders - I have just followed her advice and although I'm away all Jan I have now got 3rd Feb booked. Mixed feelings about that!  

As my job has prevented me evening seeing one to touch yet I'm pretty peeved overall to be honest although excited to know I at least have a date now.  I think I'll try Glasgow directly to when next home in December to just see the car in showroom even without a drive.  It will be a start.

Edited November 9, 2022 by Al
Updated info re test drive

[Badger77]

Likewise

Re:Beady

[Gary G]

First I heard of test drives was from a friend who placed a deposit after me and had received the email and booked a slot. Nothing yet for me, do you have to receive the email invitation? I sent an email to Lotus Silverstone but didn’t get a reply.

[TomE]

You'll need the email from Lotus with the personalised link if you're a deposit holder.

After 21 Nov you'll be able to book direct with dealers but I guess you'll then be looking at March or later for a slot, provided you jump in quick.  Some dealers have over 1,000 people without deposits who have registered as wanting a test drive.

[Al]

I would recommend phoning Lotus Customer Care after my experience today.  03300 948 047 and I used option 2 then 1.  I have to write to them now about another matter and she did warn me that emails can take 48+ hours to be responded to.

[Gary G]

Ok thanks guys. Wonder how my email got missed 🙄

[Woodman]

Just had an update from the lovely people at customer care. They confirmed my build and delivery unchanged, which I find very hard to believe given the number of deliveries so far against the numbers in the Harry’s Farm video. I had hoped it was ‘the call’ to start the checkout process but no.

Re the infamous demo’s email I was told the ‘original’ plan was to space out the emails but that was changed and they all went out together. As I and a number of others still havent even had an email I pointed out that was not correct and I understand that test drives are booked out. Given that I was assured I would get a drive before committing I asked what would happen if I couldn't get the demo and I wanted to delay the car until I could. I was told that they hadnt had that yet so didnt know!! You might think someone in the management would have thought about that surely?

I then asked if I wanted to delay the car until I could get the demo would I be kicked in 2024? I was told they didnt know but if it could be delayed I would be charged storage!!!! So they are 7 months late and if I want to delay a month or two they now charge me.

After all the mess ups with bookings , deposits and now reports of demo’s being held up with ECU warning lights I would love to ask Lotus who actually is in charge of the Emira project, it smacks of a project being controlled by multiple groups with zero cohesion. 

Edited November 11, 2022 by Woodman

[PJS]

Here's the route from JCT 600 in Bradford.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/JCT600+Lotus+Bradford,+99c+Sticker+Ln,+Laisterdyke,+Bradford+BD4+8RU/Shelf,+Halifax/53.7033721,-1.7679717/Hartshead+Moor+Top/53.7231535,-1.7120684/JCT600+Lotus+Bradford,+Sticker+Lane,+Laisterdyke,+Bradford/@53.7442239,-1.8365061,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m28!4m27!1m5!1m1!1s0x487be1f20d699f23:0x8d8c3a0a886cf45d!2m2!1d-1.7191176!2d53.7860398!1m5!1m1!1s0x487be7011dd17981:0x9d8120f27fd8abc1!2m2!1d-1.8147935!2d53.7530436!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x487bde03bf8bb2ab:0x5070f3276fa2584f!2m2!1d-1.7485105!2d53.7202707!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x487be1f20d699f23:0x8d8c3a0a886cf45d!2m2!1d-1.7191176!2d53.7860398!3e0

 

Test drive just done at Bradford. Car felt exactly as expected but the test drive route was shite . Mainly 30-40 zone built up areas including several roadworks and queues . 
Only one short burst of fast A road and a short burst up the M606. I drive a M5 so comparisons are largely irrelevant and managed to stall it
Seat could be a fraction lower , gearbox is precise , clutch feels heavy but the last manual I drove was a diesel seat hire car . Sport suspension was fine ( ride feels like the middle suspension setting on the M5) so Tour will be ideal for my 15k miles a year 
It turns heads , lots of heads. Sounds great in sport