Evora Sport 410

[French Frie]

Those silver wheels look ace, especially on this black 410  !

[ramjet]

On 8/9/2017 at 06:02, DJW said:

Damn I sold my Evora before getting chance to try this 

Go to a dealership to try it out?

Do it. You'll feel better.  

Maybe Bibs could add a section to each model area? "Long Unknown Tips and Tricks"

[Likuid]

I am not always a fan of black cars, especially sports cars, but the Evora 4XX probably looks the best in black.

[French Frie]

On 03/09/2017 at 08:01, Julian73 said:

 My trip to pick up my GP Edition has been delayed until next week so as to avoid Hurricane Harvey flooding. 

@Julian73: saw on your FB page that the 410 GP is now collected ... Tell us more about first impressions  !

[SFO]

On 03/09/2017 at 17:37, Stubox said:

Black

He even has a matching yellow bag. 

I love the wheels ?

[DJW]

Finally managed to test drive the Evora 410 today. 

Before I summarise my views, they are based on comparisons of ownership of Evora 400 Auto for 5k miles including 2 track days, Exige V6S for 4K miles including 3 track days and Exige Sport350 1500 miles and 2 track days.  

So let's cut to the chase. WOW what a great car.

I took the Silverstone demonstrator on some local roads around the area that I have driven all my previous cars, so able to make a decent comparison. Good long sections of national speed limit sweeping country roads, with some challenging uneven surfaces and off camber corners, to really test a car.  Chuck in a mixture of tight 2nd gear corners and fast sweeping 4th gear bends and it's perfect to show up any compromised  in a car.  

In my V6S Exige with race pack suspension, these roads would have the steering wheel dancing all over the place. If not used to this type of car it could be quite shocking to some drivers, but as we all know you just need to trust the car and you soon get used to the little dance. Feedback was spot on and the corners could be taken at a decent pace. 

Move onto the Exige Sport350 and the revised front end steering, geometry etc makes for a much calmer steering feel with improved front end bite. You just feel more confident to push on. 

Now before I moved on from my Evora 400 to the 350, I test drove the Silverstone 350 demonstrator back to back on same roads for comparison.   The 350 was epic, and at first it felt like the Evora was slower. However a quick look at speedo showed the Evora was still covering ground rapidly, but it hides that impression of speed. Much more civilised ,  but less feedback than the Exige (although still miles more than other cars).  You could feel the weight of the 400 in the corners vs 350, but as ever with Lotus, the way it flattened out the bumps with a carpet ride was pure magic.   Very  much felt like a fast GT car 

So now onto the 410. Straight away you can feel the firmer ride.  You feel a lot more of what is going on with the road surfaces, whilst still keeping decent comfort.  Hitting the NSL sections the smile came back from that Evora howl....what a noise !!  First corner came up at a speed I would have taken the 400 at and the first surprise. How can a car of this weight feel so light through the corner. The 400 would have loaded up, making you feel the sight, but the 410 just spat me out the corner and laughed in my face. 

OK so I upped the entry speeds and TBH I must have been up to or equal to  what my 350 could do. It's witchcraft I tell you.  The car is seriously rapid across country whilst remaining  composed. The only time it got a little out of shape was through hard braking approaching a corner, where the car had picked up more speed than I had anticipated on the previous straight.  Only a small wiggle from the back, a gentle reminder that you need to recalibrate your brain to the faster speeds this car can carry through the twisties. 

I struggle to understand how anyone would not be able to feel the difference from a 400 to a 410. It's a 410 dialled up to 11.  A fair bit sharper in terms of handling and feedback. If you're the kind of driver who appreciates the intricacies of driving an Exige, a caterham etc, you will appreciate the 410.  You know this car is going to be epic on track  I could imagine a comfortable drive to Spa followed by an epic track day in this car.  

If you are considering a new 400 and want that little extra in terms of handling, then do test drive the 410.  For anyone who loves the Exige but maybe find its a little too impractical, uncomfortable, then test drive the 410. 

I fully understand why @The Pits has ordered one !

The Silverstone car looks stunning and if you speak nicely to Aimee I'm sure she will sort a decent deal out for you. What you waiting for ??

 

 

Edited September 12, 2017 by DJW

[The Pits]

Nice write-up. Spot on.

[DaveC72]

Great write up Dave.  I almost felt like I was in the car with you.  Still want a 410 above all the other stuff Lotus currently offer.

[French Frie]

16 minutes ago, DJW said:

 If you're the kind of driver who appreciates the intricacies of driving an Exige, a caterham etc, you will appreciate the 410

For anyone who loves the Exige but maybe find its a little too impractical, uncomfortable, then test drive the 410. 

Many thanks for your feedback  ... and it was exactly what I was hoping for !

[M4rk]

Good reading your feedback, having experience of a 400 plus two Exiges puts you in a good place to compare.  Nice car that 410, I do like the colour.

[DJW]

2 hours ago, DaveC72 said:

....... Still want a 410 above all the other stuff Lotus currently offer.

Only live once Dave. Get it bought

[Neal H]

12 hours ago, DJW said:

The Silverstone car looks stunning and if you speak nicely to Aimee I'm sure she will sort a decent deal out for you. What you waiting for ??

So Dave, will you be moving into one when it's time to change the Exige? Lot's of compliments about the new 430's, but I think the Sport 410 is the sweet spot when it comes to Evora's.

[DJW]

I think so, although I would miss the ability to remove the roof on a summers day.   

The 410 would be able to cover the track days I do, although there would be the problem of noise.  I would probably also look to change seats as I would prefer a deeper seat that gives a bit more leg support, but that's me being picky.  

Reckon you could run one for 3 months whilst you wait for your Elise Cup. That blue demo car has your name written all over it  

[Neal H]

There a good reason why I've not tried a Sport 410....

[Julian73]

17 hours ago, DJW said:

I think so, although I would miss the ability to remove the roof on a summers day.   

The 410 would be able to cover the track days I do, although there would be the problem of noise.  I would probably also look to change seats as I would prefer a deeper seat that gives a bit more leg support, but that's me being picky.  

Reckon you could run one for 3 months whilst you wait for your Elise Cup. That blue demo car has your name written all over it  

Now have 1200 miles on my 5 day old 410.  Ride still feels overly luxurious to me, I got the sound proofing package, may be too much or its to do with the US speed Sparco seats and Super Sport tires

 

 

[Stubox]

Meanwhile somewhere in Spain...

[French Frie]

@Julian73 & @Stubox : 

some are talking about 410, others are driving them  ! enjoy ...

[The Pits]

Lovely shot with the low sun proudly picking out the 410 logo and good, honest road trip grime. 

[French Frie]

to me, those lightweight silver wheels, with Evora Sport engraved, are just car porn  ! 

[Stubox]

Epic Spanish trip. 2800 miles including a 700 mile drive back to tunnel. 410 performed perfectly . 

[Bibs]

[The Pits]

Such a great looking car. Proportions are peachy. Very happy to hear no beats were missed. ?

[Trevsked]

Congrats on using it properly Stu ?

 

Trevor.

[geartox]

where did you go in spain ?

[Stubox]

9 hours ago, geartox said:

where did you go in spain ?

The Picos, Salamanca,Trujillo,Teruel,Permola and thru part of Pyrenees . So basically big circular route through northern and central Spain. Ridiculously good roads.....we saw where the Euro money was going....?