Lotus Evora 400

[Trevsked]

All this admiration for the GT4 is a bit odd especially before anyone's driven it. What's it based on? Porsche 'motorsport's reputation presumably? Internet chatter?

I think you're right there and rightly so as Porsche Motorsport have a history of making great cars. You can't write off the GT4 because it is based on a Cayman, after all, look what what Lotus did with a Carlton.

Yes it will take £75k and more to make the GT4 what it needs to be but the 400 will be £80k with a Toyota V6.

Trevor.

[atlasapl]

My only problem with the GT4 is its obvious rarity. I think Porsche have dropped the ball on that. It seems that they are all sold, and you probably wont be able to get one for a good long time. Well the 911 GT3 has now stopped production so that’s out, and the cost of the GT3 RS puts it way out of most folks reach. the GT4 could have been a Porsche GT that was affordable to people who wanted one but couldn’t afford it previously. A missed opportunity in my opinion.

Edited March 15, 2015 by atlasapl

[the83man]

Is a GT4 a Porsche of some sort? As a Lotus man, am I supposed to know that? Just curious as to why it's so talked about on a Lotus forum. Or, perhaps it's a Lotus and I'm out of step with the world.

[The Pits]

No, sadly the GT4 is a new version of the Porsche Cayman. For some reason it is now impossible to discuss the Evora 400 without mentioning how much better the Cayman GT4 is.

 

I think your ignorance is bliss!

 

[DJW]

All this admiration for the GT4 is a bit odd especially before anyone's driven it. What's it based on? Porsche 'motorsport's reputation presumably? Internet chatter?

http://youtu.be/L9-Sr8RPty4

http://youtu.be/8MbLeygcY8o

Now Harris has laid out his views on the 400, so one can only hope EVO are a bit more open minded when they get to drive the car

Edited March 15, 2015 by DJW

[DJW]

Rightly or wrongly the Cayman has always been seen as the Porsche equivalent to the Evora (forgetting the 2+2 part)

Even I went to buy a new Cayman S and ended up buying an Evora instead.

The GT4 is getting a lot of attention as similar price to the 400, but also because it sold out on the first day with huge demand.

[the83man]

The GT4 is getting a lot of attention as similar price to the 400, but also because it sold out on the first day with huge demand.

So what? It's still just a Porsche.

[Bibs]

They sold 100, that was the UK's whole initial allowance.

[The Pits]

They will churn them out in big numbers in 2016, it's not a limited model. The best thing about it is that it's thrown a lifeline to the manual gearbox and we can only hope the restricted supply should help Lotus really. If it only leads to some more test drives it will sell more Exiges and Evoras.

 

It would be great if this thread was about the Evora 400 though, there's already a GT4 thread and I think I slightly prefer reading Evora bashing posts to the GT4 praising ones! Besides, isn't that what the playground's for?

 

  

[geartox]

1h30 just on the lotus stand in Geneva last week (I repost a link to the photos : http://postimg.org/gallery/1kxhgyeam/8f2ce502/) . The build quality of the Evora has really improved. Good looking car, even if I think that black or even white colours will be a better choice. I got in GT4. Ok it's nice and the build quality is excellent, but... another Porsche. I think that the (my ?) problem with the Evora will be the price.

 

Finally my feedback from Geneva : put 400hp inside the Exige.

Edited March 15, 2015 by geartox

[Stuno1]

The gt4 is NOT an evora competitor. You can't gloss over 4 seats, that's a major selling point!

[auRouge]

Spot on Stuno1

I use my rear seats almost everyday dropping the kids off. You CANT do that in a Cayman.

The 400 is a 2 + 2 that can almost do 190mph.

Looking forward to seeing the car ready and out on the roads to get a proper appraisal.

[DJW]

Agree for those who need rear seats, but there are people like myself who only need 2. I wanted a daily runner that offered not only perfomance but a decent level of comfort. The Evora fitted the bill perfectly. I've also had 3 x 911's and never used rear seats. Would be interesting to know how many owners use the rear seats.

TBH I sat in a 2+2 and with the driving seat in the right position for me; there was no space for rear passengers legs. Appreciate for others this is not the case.

Personally for me, an Evora as an option for only 2 people, could allow for a lower roofline. Look forward to a convertible model

Anyway back on subject, when will the 400 be in the UK for viewing btw ? Really need to see one in the flesh.

Any idea when the likes of EVO will get a car to road test, as a successful review will make a difference to future sales ?

Edited March 16, 2015 by DJW

[Bibs]

I've requested that the 400 attend the TLF day at Brooklands in May and we're on the list to drive it in July or August.

[The Pits]

Nice, I'll give you a hand washing all the eggs off it!

 

Can we make sure that whoever's in charge of it gives Kimbers some attitude. I want to be there when he finally plays the 'do you know who I am' card!

 

[Advantage]

I'll gladly be that person. I'll even wear a clean shirt.

[Kimbers]

Ha, bloody Ha! Frankly, I shouldn't get anything that everyone doesn't get as a Lotus enthusiast and owner of a car and a company who can only thrive by looking after it's enthusiasts!

[Advantage]

The tannoy crackles into life:

 

"Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to TLF at Mercedes Benz World. Before we start, would the family or carers of an elderly chap please contact Reception. He's a fat, red faced man possibly in his early sixties. I think he's a little lost as he's looking a touch unkempt and doesn't know who he is. I'd be grateful if you'd collect him promptly before he again attempts to show our staff members which bit of him was recently lopped off. Many thanks.

 

Now, would all those entering the Concourse Competition please return to their cars..."

 

   

[Kimbers]

.............................. ..............................

 

I can show you the bit that was lopped off if you want?

[The Pits]

If that's what you were doing in Geneva I'm surprised they didn't escort you from the building never mind the Lotus stand!

 

[Bibs]

Wouldn't be the first time!

[ramjet]

I have to live with that image now.

 

Thanks very much.

[hyteck9]

Not sure how I missed this thread previously.  I'd like to add my thoughts on a few things...

 

+ I just sat in a Porsche CaymanS yesterday.  Pedal layout was no good for me.  Something that is hard to live with when not comfy.  Interior build seemed fine, but not exceptional? Overall it did not feel "exotic" at all.

 

+ 400 changes.  I think they got the formula right.  Attention to all the right places.  I can't wait to play with one.

 

+ Where does the Evora fit in the market?  That is hard to say.  I think its a tough price point. 

[The Pits]

GT4 is totally over-hyped. I don't think any car could live up to the hype, never mind a detuned Carrera S engined Cayman. Lots of assumptions being made about the Weissach connection. That said, I'm sure that very few owners will be disappointed and will enjoy watching their cars increase in value for a time but it's probably a good idea that they never drive a 911 GT3. Lots of talk about it being great value for money as standard but a reasonably well equipped car will not be cheap, very likely more than an Evora 400 in the UK at least.

 

There's a very good chance the Evora 400 will feel more exotic than the Cayman GT4, the Evora S already feels considerably more exotic and special than the Cayman S. The 400 should be just as fast, hopefully even faster too and the steering will be night and day better. There's lots to like for those who can see beyond the allure of the Porsche 'GT' badge.

[DJW]

Personally disagree re GT4. Took a Cayman S specced same as a GTS for 120 mile test drive before buying my Evora S. The speed that car could carry across country, especially on the twisties with such confidence was up there with my previous 997 GT3. I still put the Cayman as the best handling car I've driven. The GT4 with extra power and GT3 suspension will be immense

Reviews seem to support this too

That said I ended up buying an Evora, as rightly pointed out it feels a more special place to be when driving and much better exotic looks. Will be interesting to see lap times and associated reviews of the Evora 400 vs Cayman GT4, but I get the feeling they have different customer base .....anyway GT4 is sold out so irrelevant other than a bench mark

Edited May 12, 2015 by DJW