Lotus Evora 400

[Kimbers]

MJK really likes the car. I've had time to discuss it with him now. Whilst it doesn't have the clean lines he personally prefers, he likes the aggressive front and what they have done with the engine output. He thinks they could have done more with the interior and is not keen on the rear, being too "Busy".

 

But overall, on a tight budget he thinks they have done a stellar job. He noted that whilst he "likes clean lines and smooth flowing swage lines and corners" the current offering from most of Lotus's competitors is for aggression, bulges and air intakes (whether they be real or fake". Whilst he personally is of the old school he recognises Lotus needs to move with the times and may very well have made similar decisions if he had still been in charge.

 

He is also really pleased that Lotus have stuck with the same base car, which can still be seen under those aggressive lines, which he takes as an endorsement of his teams original design and concept.

 

Me, I like aggressive. The wing could be bigger??!!

[Trevsked]

I think they have done a good job on the car but not to say anything needed fixing on the old one. Everything on 400 is fine and the real headlines are 22kg less and 55hp more. Styling should be a grower and wait to see the car at Geneva but the price, that take a little more swallowing.

 

Trevor.

[Kimbers]

I agree Trev.

 

I could see my way to affording a 2-3 year old car from a starting price of £55k. It should be down to £30-5. But at over £70 a 3 year old will, realistically, still be £10k outside my affordable range.

[Stuno1]

Do lotus over state speed figures? For example my isf books 0-60 in 4.8 but many tests have it at 4.2 or 4.3. I know it's not what the cars about and actually makes no difference but just wondering.

Stu

[Neal H]

Interesting comments form MJK via Kimbers. I'm inclined to agree with the comments about preferring clean smooth lines (I love the original Evora look), but aggressive styling does seem to be in vogue at the moment. I guess it fits, I view my V6 Exige styling as aggressive rather than pretty and I think that really suits the Exige concept, but I wasn't so sure about that look on an Evora. If it helps sales though.....

[Trevsked]

I doubt they give figures that are'nt acheivable in whatever conditions they tested them in so really only a guide I think. I am more concerned with 0-100mph times as the 0-60 is a little outdated now.

 

Trevor.

[Stuno1]

True just wondered

[Lovedriving]

After two days of looking at it from every angle and reading comments from soup to nuts, I realize that I don't mind or don't care so much about the design. The reason I got an Evora S was because the way it drives. I can't wait to read about the reviews of the 400 and get an answer to questions like does the lsd make a big difference? What about the revised manual tranny? Is the handling significantly different?

Do we know when Lotus will release the car to journalists? Or maybe they did already with an NDA until Geneva?

Edited February 20, 2015 by Lovedriving

[Bibs]

There will be 400's in the press fleet from July/August. I've already asked for a chance to review it for TLF

[Lovedriving]

Thanks Bibs. Hopefully Lotus will release videos or something in the meantime to keep us waiting. ☺

[hopo]

meh...

I cannot and will not comment on any of the interior and performance upgrades i think these are fantastic (with the exception of the naf lettering on the console - will there be a de-badge option?!?!) the boost in performance is very welcome. I will however pass judgement on the styling;

This is such a missed opportunity. The evora (as is) looks great but is let down by the detailing (5 different typres of chicken wire thrown about the place and the awkward proportions. the car never photographs well but looks great in the flesh. However the nose has never been right... it keeps that cutesy "mouth" ala S1 elise/S2 elise. The evora is too big to maintain that, it needed more agression/stance both front and rear, Cue the GTE;



one issue with the GTE however was THAT wing... I found this on the tinterwebs which i think looks pretty smart. so much more presence, width and a purposeful snout;



the rear aint bad too;



An issue with the 400 is that the top and bottom half of the car no longer seem to gel. it looks like a facelift, not a cohesive model. the rear is like an accident with a Nissan GTR and the front is just bizzare. infact the image of teh above car's rear looks far more acomplished.

My issue with the front is that the strakes either side of the cooling appature (beneath the lights) head almost vertically down, giving it an aftermarket feel - they should slant in, asin forwards or out a la GTE front above... at present they just dont sit right. - not very cohesive or flowing in my view.



The hips on the Evora have always posed a problem too, the more agressive front and rear of the 400 make the hips look a little dainty especially with the black sills. Wack a big duct in there i say:



overall pleased with the performance & interior but a giant missed opportunity to tweak a pretty design that is not quite "there"

[Trevsked]

Clearly more "arty" than myself so not really got a clue what you are talking about except the rear GTR reference which is the first thing that came to mind when I saw the pics. I'll have a MSG Cup please.

Trevor.

[TBD]

hopo, you've summarized it so well, I couldn't agree more. I'll even agree that the GTE wing would be too much for a regular model.

 

But does suit the nature of the GTE as a (very) special model.

[Mark Blanchard]

It would be great if Lotus released the GT350 (as above and without the wing) as a lower spec model to the 400, in the same way the Esprit S3 was to the Turbo Esprit. People could choice between the 2 designs and I'm sure it would be good for sales too.

[NedaSay]

Considering there will be no more GT350s, 400 Cup (or lightweight) for anyone? I'm guessing it will come sooner than later, probably along the Evora cabriolet early next year or maybe even late this year. Big GTE wing, revised front bumper with carbon bits, slightly redesigned side air intakes and vents, no rear seats (replaced by a roll-cage) and probably eligible for GT4 as is. I wonder how much extra weight saving can be done but probably another 10/15kg. Probably priced a tad below 90k.

 

I wonder if the engine as anything left to give, the Evora 400 is steering clear of the Cayman GT4, so I'm guessing JMG will just take a clear shot at the 911 GT3 which is a beast and a lot more powerful. Yet I don't think so as the Exige Cup has no more power than the regular V6 S.     

[Frimley111R]

 

I love that car! I prefer this style to the new one too. 

[CaptainSlow]

Agree 100% with that

[auRouge]

Everyone on PH worships at the altar of Chris Harris who in turns faces Stuttgart and prays 6 times a day... Got bored of PH a long time ago!

They do preach a bit, have to agree Bibs.

I like Harris though.. he can drive and commentate on the stuff a keen driver wants to know about.

Just read this thread on the 400 and beyond from them, it's good.

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/lotus--evora-400-and-beyond/31661

[Simon350S]

The first thing I saw when looking at the head on photo was Audi R8...!!!

[softlips]

Not a 400-specific feature, but... heated rear glass? I haven't driven my car in the winter yet but I know in comfortable weather, the rear glass gets too hot to touch after a short drive

I asked about this and was told it was a legal requirement in some markets.

[auRouge]

Evora Roadster twelve months after the 400... Roadster with that sort of performance is getting quite exotic... all of a sudden £75-80k ish doesn't sound too bad for a car that can do 180mph.

[Andrew C]

Good bit in Aprils Evo on the Evora 400

[Stubox]

So current Evora owners with rear seats. How much space is there in the rear for passengers?.

Just asking for a friend...

[Mark Blanchard]

I recon these will sell well in the Dubai dealership.  They love anything new over there.

[Beady]

5 foot tall at most in the back..

To allow anyone to sit properly in the back, the seats have to be so far forward it is then impossible to drive or quite uncomfortable for a front passenger.

In reality a rear passenger may prefer to sit sideways with legs up on the seat.