Evora Appreciation by Hagerty

[mdavies]

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/future-classic/future-classic-lotus-evora/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=23_MED_UN_UK_EML_UN_UN_UKNews_DrivetimeWeekend

Glad to read this - I share that view.

[C8RKH]

The Evora was criminally undervalued, partly due to frankly piss poor Lotus marketing efforts, and partly down to the fact that mo9st journo's couldn't see beyond Porsche.

It seems that, like the NSX, once out of production people feel they can now laud the Evora, maybe because it is doesn't stir their relationship with Porsche, as you can no longer buy a new Evora.

[jep]

Well, we all know this so nothing new from Hagerty there.  Lovely to see appreciation though. 

They make the mistake of trying to compare Evora to Emira. Emira is another 2 seat sports car; great but so many to choose from. Evora is +2 and is therefore unique in the modern world given mid-engine configuration.  

The 400 face-lift was, in part instigated to cheapen the interior (ie. Save money). It may or may not be better put together but the original interior was far more interesting and innovative.  

And if I'm on a mild rant, the column stalks are Ford not Vauxhall. I had the same ones in my Ford GT in 2005. 

Justin

 

[C8RKH]

6 minutes ago, jep said:

And if I'm on a mild rant, the column stalks are Ford not Vauxhall. I had the same ones in my Ford GT in 2005. 

They never mention the Fiat bin parts in Ferrari's, or, the VW/Audi parts in the Lamborghini's (which are numerous), Porsche and Bentleys. Funny 'dat.

[tim_marra]

Journo's etc are full of shit car wise. They seem to be driven buy who buys marketing etc, so Pork, Ferrari etc always win. Much better to listen to views who actually buy the cars rather than those who are wined and dined for praise.

[jep]

Views of most who buy the cars is wonky too. Most folk who buy prestige cars, especially sports cars, would never consider what they perceive to be a lesser marque - or 'brand' as they would call it. 

Sheep-like, they're convinced they have the best 'cos everyone they're prepared to listen to tells them the same. 

Justin 

[Bravo73]

2 hours ago, jep said:

And if I'm on a mild rant, the column stalks are Ford not Vauxhall. I had the same ones in my Ford GT in 2005. 

And the Ford Focus.

Which says more about your Ford GT than it does about Lotus. 🤣

[jep]

Ford GT was a Ford using Ford switchgear.  Loved that. As it should be.

I don't even like it when folk replace the Rover Metro window winder turners (super-light) with aluminium ones on S1 Elise. Blink to me. 

Justin 

[mdavies]

4 hours ago, jep said:

Well, we all know this so nothing new from Hagerty there.  Lovely to see appreciation though. 

They make the mistake of trying to compare Evora to Emira. Emira is another 2 seat sports car; great but so many to choose from. Evora is +2 and is therefore unique in the modern world given mid-engine configuration.  

Indeed, explicit appreciation as a future classic is great to see but, re the 2/4(opt) seating, I for one, having tried the V6 Emira against my particular Evora - just to make sure - my personal choice of Evora was obvious and immediate - no explicit decision process needed.  And, from reading across forums, I believe that I have plenty of company. 

Also, I chose the 2-seat version. Think of the weight saving! (Well, re the lighter wheels and no rear belts anyway!) 

[jep]

Agreed.  I've had both +2 and +0. I found the +2 easier to use for luggage but the carbon seats in Sport 410 didn't fold forward making it tricky with +0. And I did once use the rear seats for a person and it was useful that day with the +2.

Lightness wins though. 

Justin 

 

[C8RKH]

I do long road trips of 4-7 days in my Sport 410 +nothing.

The lack of fold on the carbon buckets is mildly irritating, however I use soft bags and they fit in fine. I've had stuff for mr and Mrs C for 7 days, including folding picnic chairs and table in it. No issues.

The fold in the recaro seats in my NA + nothing was a breeze for carrying stuff.

I'm sure the Emira seats will fold, so that should be easy to live with too for touring. Indeed, I reckon a V6 Auto Emira would be a great continent cruiser.

I've never forgiven Lotus for not doing a Targa Evora, the fact they haven't done one for Emira is unforgivable. A simple fabric Elise/Exige arrangement (or a simple panel like 308/328) would have been sufficient for me, the fancy tri-folding convertibles just add weight and is something else to go wrong.

[EGTE]

I believe the structure doesn't allow a Targa without compromising the rigidity of the car too much.

[Roobarb]

On 01/04/2024 at 22:24, jep said:

Agreed.  I've had both +2 and +0. I found the +2 easier to use for luggage but the carbon seats in Sport 410 didn't fold forward making it tricky with +0. And I did once use the rear seats for a person and it was useful that day with the +2.

Lightness wins though. 

Justin 

 

Having bespoke converted mine from +2 to +0 I get the best of both worlds luggage deck and folding seats and no pesky net with less weight too ☺️

[C8RKH]

On 03/04/2024 at 08:35, EGTE said:

I believe the structure doesn't allow a Targa without compromising the rigidity of the car too much.

I'd like to understand more given the roof is a thin piece of flexible GRP or carbon depending on the model. The Exige is a similar concept to the Evora. That worked fine. Where there is a will....

[Bravo73]

There is a roll bar which runs behind the back of the front seats. This can’t be removed. Someone has tried to create a convertible Evora in the past (and, frankly, it looked ridiculous). 

The Exige uses the Elise tub. This was designed to be an open top car from inception. (If you recall, the very first version of the Elise wasn’t even going to have opening doors). 

[C8RKH]

Where is it on this?

[Bravo73]

It’s not shown on that diagram. It basically runs up & over the B pillar (behind the front seats). 
 

Here are a couple of links to previous threads on the topic:

https://www.lotustalk.com/threads/first-look-my-evora-roadster.443026/

 

(Unfortunately, most of the linked photos seem to have been removed). 

[tim_marra]

1 hour ago, C8RKH said:

Where is it on this?

You must have noticed it just behind the headrests in the roof lining? As above the vertical section is contained within the B pillar.

[C8RKH]

Nope. Never noticed it Tim 🙄

[tim_marra]

Crickey! Go and have a quick butchers 

[C8RKH]

Ok, am taking the Evora out on Sunday for its first run of the year. Will check then. Thanks for the info.