What do Evora 280 hp owners think about the Evora S ?

[Cedwat]

Hi,

After two C5 Corvettes, an Elise SC and a C6 Corvette, I am looking for my next sport car and very interested in the Evora. I have had a quick run with the "S" and will try the 280 hp with sport ratios tomorrow. My budget only allows me to go on the "second hand" market.

Second hand "Evora S" are still very uncommon and are usually 20-30% more expensive at least than "Evora 280".

As the Evora is not about power, i am wondering if the "S" is really much better generally speaking than the "280" ? What do "280" owners think about the Evora S after trying it ?

Thanks.

[Justin182]

My honest opinion is, its not worth the upgrade for me. However if I was buying one now, I'd probably stretch to an S.

I thought it felt almost exactly the same as mine, more low down torque and its sounds louder in sport mode, quieter when not. Its actually quite a 'lazy' drive, where the NA Evora is revvy and more fun. Thats just my opinion

[LotusX180R]

It seems that no matter what Lotus forum I am on I constantly read of how the Lotus they are driving is underpowered and needs more.

I think these people miss the point of the Lotus which is great handling, but I will readily admit that more power is always a good thing. But would also qualify that statement by saying that there is a point where having more powere doesn't really add value.

I do not have an Evora but I drove one on loan for a week and used it as a daily driver. Even though is was a 2010 model and Lotus addressed alot of its deficiencies I was completely enomored with the car and felt that the amount of power was more than adequate (the car had the sport pack - which I rarely turned on - and the close ration box). I was so enamored that I decided to buy one for myself for my 50th birthday (still over a year for now.)

THe plan is to get an S. I decided on this because since it is to be a special purchase (as if buying any Lotus wasn't special) I realy wanted to get the best performing car within my budget. The S is really not that much more expensive than the a similarly equipped non-S since the Sport and Close box are part of the package.

I did almost waver from my plan in both tiing and specification when I saw a new 104 mile 2010 LE Evora for a bargain basement price and missed out on buying it by a few hours.

So bottom line, the Evora is a fantastic car and worthy of being a Lotus by far even in base form and while many will think it needs more power, it doesn't.

So if you are on a budget and are considering used anyway, why not buy a low milage used non-S. At the very least, drive both to make sure you'll be happy with your choice.

Best of Luck.

[Cedwat]

I will try the 280 version tomorrow. As I said, I already had a quick try with the S. I loved the chassis but did not like the clutch. The sales guy told me it was a reinforced clutch on the "S". This was the reason why the car was having hiccups...

I agree that the "S" would certainly be more comfortable in the sense that you get power and torque in the low rpm. So you dont need to change gears as much. But i am more looking for involvement and driving "fun".

It makes me think about my elise sc : I chose this model because powers like 135 hp sounded ridiculously weak after a Corvette.

I lately found that I had more fun driving the simple 135 hp Elise. Why? Because you "have to" drive it. And the power seems more adequate with the chassis of the car. The huge difference in power (221 vs 135) was not so obvious except in forth gear. You can push the engine really bad with no restritions and the chassis will behave. With the sc, I always needed to hold back. Especially under rain.

Lets see tomorrow!

Edited August 16, 2011 by Cedwat

[Myfavedave]

I tried the S recently having owned an NA for 9 months, and I agree with Justin that it's not that different.

The extra torque is useful on the motorway, but I didn't feel it was any different in normal driving. The supercharger is loud, so you get a lot more whiney cabin noise, but I didn't think the exhaust was any louder than mine (Lotus sports exhaust).

If I was buying a new car tomorrow, I'd still buy the NA. I couldn't justify the extra cost for so little difference.

[anubis1]

I drove now 45.000 KM with my launch edition. I never missed any power, because the agility is the big goal of the Evora. I also tried the S; ok... some things are smoother. But the difference is maybe on the paper, but not essentially in daily use. The consumption is higer, the handling a bit better and the inside is better worked on. But the gap is very small. Stay on the normal one, you won't regret. And drive it, don't look at the wirtten stuff, feel the car. it is amazing, even now after 1 1/2 years of using it.

[mdavies]

Cedwat, I'll second Justin's comments above.

I tried two S demonstrators about 6 months ago, one with a dealer offer that made exchanging mine for the S quite an attractive prospect financially. I was disappointed in the S. Yes, more torque at low revs, but I enjoy using revs and I didn't find much difference in actual practical road performance. (I have the CR box and Sport exhaust.) Unless on the clear open roads you find "up North" it is not easy to use full performance on either car except for very short bursts of course. (I always use the Sport setting.)

In my NA, quick overtaking in a short distance often means using 3rd or even 2nd and spinning up the revs. Very effective! The salesman said that wouldn't be as necessary in the S. Not a good sales line for me!

In both S demos the gear change feel was "thick" - opposite of slick! - and much inferior to mine. (Generation 3, June 2010. Note they do vary as Lotus has tried different cables.)

If trying out a NA, make sure it has the latest software (routine upgrade at a service) to give a distinct improvement in torque.

The S suspension has been modified a little (it's heavier, 65Kg if I remember) and uses larger and wider tyres. If it's a concern, check the difference in price. The NA tyres are not cheap - and from memory (Justin?) the larger ones are significantly more.

On a track, doubtless the S would show up the NA, but on the road (I.e. not pushing the envelope!) I prefer the "feel" of my NA. The S does feel more planted, but mine has a lighter more responsive touch.

Driving both in a "lively, but not exciting" way, I read out the S fuel consumption as about 22mpg (after warm-up) over about 15 miles compared with about 25 mpg for the same sort of driving in mine.

I didn't like the sound of the S at ordinary revs as much as mine (Sports exhaust), though it brightens up when the exhaust valve opens.

In summary, I didn't make the change despite a financially attractive offer. Mainly because I actually preferred my NA and partly because of the higher running costs.

Each to their own, but before deciding, make sure of the CR box and the latest software in an NA and ideally the Sports exhaust. Good Luck!

[Al]

Stick to the N/A. I am totally with Justin on this and have have my car for almost 2 years and just over 10K miles. I tend to drive the car quite hard with sport selected and certainly don't hang about on country roads up my way. Not a huge % of my miles are long haul. I have the standard box as well and I seriously doubt that most drivers in the S would have a chance to go any faster in the real world motoring as opposed to stop watch motoring. It is all about the road holding and the driving feel.

I had a good long test drive in the S and apart from things that had changed due to the improved build was basically unimpressed which to be honest I hadn't expected.

I think as Justin said if money was no object then I'd probably go foe the S because I could but then in that case I'd be looking elsewhere anyway.

[Cedwat]

Incredible! Anyone in favor of the "S" here ?

[Bibs]

I'm moving from an NA to an S in 3 weeks, I'll be able to offer a comparison after that but by experience in the S so far is brief I'm afraid.

[slickmick]

Hi Cedwat,

I have an S and love it. But I am sure if I had the NA model I would love it equally!

I test drove an NA for about 1 hour and instantly fell in love with the Evora.

I was was looking into buying a 2010 NA Evora, when I spotted a 2011 Evora S at what I thought was a bargain price. so couldn't resist.

I don't think it matters whether you buy an NA or S. There is no real difference in daily driving.

Some people mentioned that you can't make use of the full performance of the S in normal driving, but to be honest you can't make use of the NA performance either.

It really depends why you are buying the car. Many people buy sports car not to drive them fast, but simply because they want one. I fall into that category.

Basically, if you want an Evora and want to run it economically then get the N/A model.

If you can afford it and don't mind the slight increase in running cost, then buy the S.

Good Luck

[AnthonyBraham]

I've had a N/A Evora for a year now.

I was given the first Swiss Evora S to test for a whole weekend in April - and I loved it.

It is better in every way.

Would I exchange mine for it? yes, if I had a bigger budget. Running costs are higher too, with fuel consumption and tyres are definitely more expensive.

Do I miss not having the S every day? no.

What do I sometimes miss from the S ?

- instant overtaking capability. No need to downchange - the torque is there. you can overtake in 4th or 5th when otherwise the N/A would need 2nd or 3rd.

- track days or straight line speed. There's nothing much out there that can outrace an Evora S, even costing twice or three times the price. It's up there with a Nissan GT-R on the straights and just as quick in the twisties in the dry.

- high-speed stability (I'm talking more than 240 kph here)

- the super-telepathic handling. Yes, it's even better than the standard Evora

- the lighter flywheel makes the engine more race-like and very free-revving

- I like the switchable exhaust

That being said my N/A Evora with the Sports Exhaust and short-ratio gearbox is 90% of an S in every day driving and definitely more economical.

The short-ratio gearbox makes a hell of a difference. And the engine is even more responsive now that it has done 15,000 km.

Edited August 16, 2011 by Anthony27

[Justin182]

It's up there with a Nissan GT-R on the straights and just as quick in the twisties in the dry.

Calm down!

[Cedwat]

Slickmick,

I do drive my sports cars pretty fast. On twist roads mainly.

My evora would not be my daily. I have a A5 Quattro cab for that. It would replace my Corvette for the week ends runs in the twists.

I know I will not miss the corvette chassis (even if mine has been upgraded). I may miss the sound and acceleration capability ...

Well If the evora is that good, it could finally be my daily. But I doubt it. If it is, I would them sell the A5 and replace my discovery 3 for a discovery 4. Pretty much YOUR configuration!

Edited August 17, 2011 by Cedwat

[Bibs]

A friend of mine has just swapped his RS4 for an Evora as a daily commuting car through central London. The Audi was falling apart!

[Cedwat]

Failling appart? Not common for an Audi.

In fact I bought mine thinking I would get bored after one year (German, no soul). The result is I really like it for everyday: the best (non sport, non 4x4) car I have ever had.

I did not find anything:

- looking so good (without looking to flashy),

- so reliable,

- 4WD for winter,

- cab for summer,

- excellent mpg (diesel),

- very good handling,

- good engine (very torquey with a remap)

- excellent gear box (7 speed S-tronic)

- perfect audio/gps/bluetooth set

Can't see any better "compromise car".

[Trevsked]

I think Bibs means the ride is so much better in the Evora than the RS4?.

Trevor.

[Bibs]

No, the Audi wasn't up to the rigours of the daily commute and was struggling, the Evora is it's replacement.

[Hemlock]

Wait.... after 3, 400 hp corvettes seems to me that after a while, you're going to miss the power man!

I mean if you're into US cars and in need of a change, why not buy a Ford Mustang Shelby GT and

keep the elise for the twisties.

[Trevsked]

No, the Audi wasn't up to the rigours of the daily commute and was struggling, the Evora is it's replacement.

Really, I am surprised the Audi is falling apart but having said that a friend has a V8 convertible that has only 30k on the clock and the engine has lunched. Perhaps Audi are not what they once were.

Trevor.

[Justin182]

A friend of mine has just swapped his RS4 for an Evora as a daily commuting car through central London. The Audi was falling apart!

Have I read that right? Your friends commute caused an Audi to fall apart, so he has bought a Lotus? PMSL! He must be a glutton for punishment!

[Cedwat]

Wait.... after 3, 400 hp corvettes seems to me that after a while, you're going to miss the power man!

I mean if you're into US cars and in need of a change, why not buy a Ford Mustang Shelby GT and

keep the elise for the twisties.

Yes miss the power and the big V8 sound, that's definitely the risk. This is why I also considered a 996 turbo which has power AND handling. But, well, Porsche, I don't fell too well about the image and style.

I would also not buy a Shelby. Yes it has sound, style and power. But really is not fun to drive. And looks a little bit ridiculous here. I am not sure it accelerate better than my Vette and I am sure it doesn't handle as good.

I also thought about a Z06. But it is just my current car with more power (a lot more) and a better handling. But again : I have had 3 vettes already.

TVR : they are too scary under rain (even dry in fact!) and unreliable.

So I don't think even the evora S would beat my Corvette in "acceleration sensation" (sound and "G" force) this is why I came to the conclusion the NA would be the right choice.

So there are two possible candidates finally : Porsche 996 turbo (never owned a Porsche) and Evora NA.

Both are a complete break in style, power, sensation and handling. To avoid any possible comparison with what I have previously owned.

Edited August 17, 2011 by Cedwat

[chandrew]

I drove a 996 and 997 Turbo before getting the Lotus. I thought they were dull, lacking in steering feel but very, very fast. Good if you like driving along the autobahn as quickly as possible but not for me. Evora, any evora is much more fun to drive IMHO, especially at road speeds. (And I am a big fan of Porsche's but have decided that the only ones that I would ever get have a GT badge).

Best thing about the 996 TT compared to other similar-age Porsche's is the engine is much stronger with less reported issues.

[AnthonyBraham]

Calm down!

My statement is correct about country roads, i.e. real-world driving. Sure, the GT-R is quicker around the Nurburgring or in a drag race.

[Al]

Getting off topic just for a mo. Audi did not fare as well as I had expected in recent What Car mag with results of ownership satisfaction and reliability. I can't remember results as mag is at home but Porsche where also way down and most expensive too boot. I specifically looked after experience of both and poor experiences in case of the Porker.