Press cars (Emira tests)

[TBD]

Now that it has been a few weeks and we've all had time to see or read the varios tests I'm wondering if Lotus really got the press cars right. Mind you, I'm not talking about the test results, the Emira is obviously a great step forward, but was it, for example, right to give EVO a car with road tires for the track tests, others semi-slicks for the road.

Since Lotus is so evidently positioning the Emira as the other sportscar against the Porsche Cayman it seems reasonable to compare how the two manage these campaigns.

Generally Porsche will invite the press to a great location (Portimao comes to mind), bringing a stable of cars with them. Some configured for the road, some for track. Each test crew is then given their chance to drive a road car, make their videos, etc. They then return to the track and are given the keys to a track prepared car for part two of the test. All the time Porsche has the necessary engineers on site to make sure the test cars are immaculate and properly set up.

It may be a bit more expensive, but that is how you get the best test reports and videos!

[Bibs]

As I understand it, EVO were supplied with a car on Cup 2's but requested Goodyears for a roadtrip to Monaco for a photoshoot. They didn't however request they were changed back for the track test which just so happened to have a Cayman GT4 there. Read into that what you will! 

 

9 minutes ago, TBD said:

Generally Porsche will invite the press to a great location (Portimao comes to mind), bringing a stable of cars with them. Some configured for the road, some for track. Each test crew is then given their chance to drive a road car, make their videos, etc. They then return to the track and are given the keys to a track prepared car for part two of the test. All the time Porsche has the necessary engineers on site to make sure the test cars are immaculate and properly set up.

Does this fairly represent the car to the readership? Review's like Harry Metcalfe's are golden in my opinion. Proper car nut with solid experience of many cars and no agenda other than he's ordered one (which I agree is a 'confirmation bias' agenda to be fair) and road testing, where the car will be 99% of the time. 

I understand Ferrari are even more controlling than Porsche over their press fleet. 

https://jalopnik.com/how-ferrari-spins-5760248

Lotus did a more 'controlled' launch of the Evora in Scotland, my old stomping ground on the shores and in the glens around Loch Lomond. I'm unsure of why something similar wasn't done for the Emira but a lot has changed since 2009! 

[Techyd]

It also goes to show that a lot of the time, the journalists are talking in subtle nuances but equally using strong or emotive adjectives when describing those differences; I know I forget that sometimes when reading / watching a review.  That the tyres make or break the car review goes to show basically both cars are great - choose the one YOU like 🙂 

[auRouge]

Bumped into Catchpole on the Route Napoleon at a petrol station in the Emira press car (left hand 22 plate Launch Edition in Grey). Looked sensational. 
 

@TBDyou’ve voiced exactly what I was thinking. Given how important a review why not take control? Bizarre 

Now Harris has made a conflicting review.. looking forward to making up my own mind up when and if Lotus offer potential customers a test drive.
 

From Harry’s reviews I’m thinking a manual V6 with Touring suspension. Although I have a feeling the AMG in Touring Spec will be the “new lotus” for the Instagram generation 😉

7 hours ago, Techyd said:

It also goes to show that a lot of the time, the journalists are talking in subtle nuances but equally using strong or emotive adjectives when describing those differences; I know I forget that sometimes when reading / watching a review.  That the tyres make or break the car review goes to show basically both cars are great - choose the one YOU like 🙂 

Tyres can be changed.. if the gearshift has to be managed and not just work without issue I might just go and whack my head against a brick wall.