second thoughts?

[Cypriot]

I had the opportunity of sitting in the Emira at Concours last week, and had a chat with some of the guys there.  Obviously took everything they said with a pinch of salt, but it was still insightful.  Regarding the engine and gearbox feeling old, the problem they told me is the combination of the 2 with the well known gearbox limitations.  The Lotus guys there admitted to me that they are working on higher power versions of the v6 (after all it is making well over 500bhp in the Radford Project) but this would be without the manual gearbox.  These models are expected to arrive in about 2 years apparently.  I think a properly reworked v6 with a modern gearbox will really bring the drivetrain bang up to date for those that fear the current setup feels old school.  My own opinion is that the v6 is current hamstrung by the torque limit.  Whats the point of a large displacement engine with a supercharger stuck on it of it makes less torque than a similarly sized NA engine in the Cayman? Lotus needs to unlock this engine.

As for the car itself, it looks spectacular in the flesh.  Sitting inside, despite being the development car, the fit and finish was already better than the outgoing Evoras, so I am pretty confident in the finished product being well built.  Regarding the behind the seat space, there is substantially less than the Evora, and it is obvious why when you get in.  The cabin dimensions are basically the same as the Evora, but to aid ingress and egress, the driver and passenger have been pushed backwards in the cabin, further away from the windscreen as compared to the Evora. Hence the reduced rear space despite the cabin being the same size.

I hope that helps give some people some more information on the Emira before we all get to properly test drive them.

[r3nault]

1 hour ago, mg4lotus said:

Conversely, competing manufacturers will probably infiltrate to spread doom and gloom and encourage people to back out. A manufacturer I used to work for used to spy on competitors to get an inside handle on what they were doing. These things do happen.

 

1 hour ago, jimichanga said:

You have to wonder… things have certainly  changed here since Emira launch. Porsche are super manipulative, so many of the youtubers are in new Porsches now, a number of them have admitted to not being into Porsches previously.

Hmmm…

[Evotion]

Remember that a lot of the lack of comms is not the dealers fault. They are hamstrung by Head Office.

Keep the faith. As soon as the dealers have something firm, we will be told the details.

[TomE]

I posted a few weeks ago about the need for Lotus HQ and dealers to move the game on regarding customer engagement, and the signs they were still thinking and acting like before.  The week by week delays in providing the promised roadshow dates and specs/pricing info aren't helping.

I suspect they're thinking "but we said at Goodwood we'd provide the next main update in September" and hence haven't felt the need to publish much in between, while they focus on taking the cars to shows.  It's not realistic to expect an update every week, but some news on their plans and a concrete date for publishing info, which they then stick to, would be good.

[Beady]

On 07/09/2021 at 12:32, Simon Bateman said:

it seems you are more concerned with its design age, rather than its overall performance.

absolutely this is my concern.

16 hours ago, Likuid said:

I may go and try some other non-Lotus cars for awhile and maybe come back home once the Emira matures a bit.

this is where i am too. Probably 60/40 in favour of getting the Emira now v something else now and back to Lotus in 2 yrs.   

[DaveC72]

25 minutes ago, TomE said:

I posted a few weeks ago about the need for Lotus HQ and dealers to move the game on regarding customer engagement, and the signs they were still thinking and acting like before.  The week by week delays in providing the promised roadshow dates and specs/pricing info aren't helping.

I suspect they're thinking "but we said at Goodwood we'd provide the next main update in September" and hence haven't felt the need to publish much in between, while they focus on taking the cars to shows.  It's not realistic to expect an update every week, but some news on their plans and a concrete date for publishing info, which they then stick to, would be good.

Just received this from Lotus Cars:

"We're pleased to say Emira First Edition specification details will be released in the coming weeks, so that you can configure and create your perfect sports car. Our customer care team will be in contact to help guide you through the process.  As a priority customer we will keep you on the inside track"...

Coming weeks?  That doesn't sound like September to me... that's marketing speak for "we need more time"

[Evotion]

Yeah, but there was a nice little video attached - that told us nothing new.

This can still happen this month. My fingers are still crossed.

[Relic222]

I'm interested to know how Tesla have managed to keep all of their early donators in the Cyber Truck happy. They announced it ages ago, haven't let anyone actually get close to it, haven't provided any updates (other than delaying the launch) and still they have legions of fans throwing their money at them. In comparison, Lotus have been dragging a car around the country (and US) for people to view, it's only been a couple of months since it was announced, and yet people are already complaining about lack of updates. Maybe we should start smoking what the Tesla fans are smoking (although that wouldn't be environmentally friendly, so maybe they're not smoking at all).

[marclurr]

That email made me super excited then deflated in the space of about 15 seconds. The video was nice, I noticed it was unlisted so it did feel like "something just for depositors" but was honestly hoping for some real meat. They're sitting on a pile of people's money they could at least drip feed us some trivial information here and there, a bit of smoke and mirrors to show that it's all still happening. 

[DaveC72]

46 minutes ago, Relic222 said:

I'm interested to know how Tesla have managed to keep all of their early donators in the Cyber Truck happy. They announced it ages ago, haven't let anyone actually get close to it, haven't provided any updates (other than delaying the launch) and still they have legions of fans throwing their money at them. In comparison, Lotus have been dragging a car around the country (and US) for people to view, it's only been a couple of months since it was announced, and yet people are already complaining about lack of updates. Maybe we should start smoking what the Tesla fans are smoking (although that wouldn't be environmentally friendly, so maybe they're not smoking at all).

That's not really a like for like comparison though is it.  Be honest.  Tesla is a Global brand built on hype and jam tomorrow that is at the forefront of investors minds... just look at their stock compared to their actual assets and monetised value.  It's genuinely nuts.

Yeah, I am complaining about updates.  How very dare I?  The cheek... anyone would think I cared...

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

I don’t think Lotus is unique with this. What about that Maserati MC20? It was launched over 18 months ago and they’re still nowhere near delivering any cars as far as I can make out. According to my VW dealer today (collected my new daily!), Factory order Golfs are on 12 month lead times. He reckons through the grapevine that some JLR products are now out to 2 years! Those are for existing models.

[freefall_junkie]

Rather ironic that email landed on the same day some of us were complaining about lack of communication from Lotus 🙂  

It is a start, but there is so much more Lotus could be doing to keep deposit holders engaged. How about having Gavan Kershaw explain more about how they have honed the dynamics? Or someone from production talk about quality control? Or have one of the engineers talk about crash testing and homologation? Lotus need to learn from past mistakes on marketing and customer engagement. The Evora was a great car which thoroughly deserved to sell in far greater numbers but it suffered from seemingly non-existent sales and marketing effort to back it up. 

 

 

[Wake]

I’m mostly waiting for the cars to be given to reviewers (Can’t wait to see Harry’s Garage). I won’t be in the country for the roadshow, so it will be the best source of info for me. 

[Mctaff]

who cares what journos say?!

its what it’s like to drive for you, not what someone who is paid to be opinionated thinks!

dinosaurs - I had the M3 coupe with the V8… test drove the replacement with a modern turbo V6. It was shit and boring in comparison!!

 

 

[Wake]

Well I care… as unfortunately I won’t be available to drive one myself. 

[Mctaff]

And the OP cares too.

my point was if you’re buying it makes no difference what any else thinks, it’s what it does for you - and possibly the other half! - that matters 

 

 

[Evotion]

I care too. 😃

Not in the way that it will affect me buying or not buying the car but I care that they all think it is perhaps the best car ever built.

That way I can drive around with an even bigger smug face. 🤠

[MJON]

Just been two months since launch, i’m totally 🥶 it’s only the first week of September it’ll happen and if it’s later so what. Just think you may have put £5k down on a Griffith in September 2017, they still don’t have a factory to build it in but they are still taking deposits from anyone mad enough to commit⁉️Now that’s something to get frustrated about. 😉

[scotty435]

 

4 hours ago, Mctaff said:

who cares what journos say?!

its what it’s like to drive for you, not what someone who is paid to be opinionated thinks!

dinosaurs - I had the M3 coupe with the V8… test drove the replacement with a modern turbo V6. It was shit and boring in comparison!!

 

 

Well you seem to be in a minority, looking at Harrys viewing figures 200k to 250k for his latest reviews one could say people like to listen to what he says

[philcool]

Now this 

[Mctaff]

17 minutes ago, scotty435 said:

 

Well you seem to be in a minority, looking at Harrys viewing figures 200k to 250k for his latest reviews one could say people like to listen to what he says

Sure, we all like to read, but I’d be very surprised if someone would buy a car because a journalist says it’s good if they don’t agree…  lots of people write interesting things, but isnt it your experience that counts at the end of the day, rather than their words ?

 

 

[Escape]

10 hours ago, Mctaff said:

Sure, we all like to read, but I’d be very surprised if someone would buy a car because a journalist says it’s good if they don’t agree…  lots of people write interesting things, but isnt it your experience that counts at the end of the day, rather than their words ?

A lot of people seem to buy cars purely based on imagine. So all they care about is what others think.

I admit this is less likely for a driver's car but does apply to some other sportscars, bought more for posing than to drive in anger. And it goes for a lot of other stuff as well, as long as it has a desirable brand and/or gets raving reviews, it is seen as something to be had. 

[Nick in Sydney]

12 hours ago, Mctaff said:

Sure, we all like to read, but I’d be very surprised if someone would buy a car because a journalist says it’s good if they don’t agree…  lots of people write interesting things, but isn't it your experience that counts at the end of the day, rather than their words ?

 

 

True, but many potential buyers will think twice about a car if a high profile motor journalist says it's rubbish (or even "a bit disappointing given the hype").  When it comes to a niche enthusiast's model like the Emira, I reckon Chris Harris could almost single-handedly destroy the launch if he really wanted to

Edited September 9, 2021 by Nick in Sydney

[Johnhoward]

Not having second thoughts, but the servicing side is a concern. My local dealer/service centre seem to be really struggling with availability. I have had two warning light issues over the summer on my Evora (the orange spanner electrical fault light and the airbag warning light) and both times it has been six weeks before they have been able to get the car in. All the folk on the service side are great, really friendly and helpful, but there just doesn't seem to be enough resource to fix things. I hope that Lotus will make a commitment to improve the servicing side. I appreciate that this is delivered by third party operators who need to run profitable businesses and can’t throw endless money at it.

I don’t want this to be a name and shame post because the guys I use are really good when they have availability, I would imagine that they get just as frustrated as the customers

I am sure that this will come up in conversation when I am finalising my order. It would be nice if Lotus outline their plans for improving the network to support the higher volume of cars.

[Mctaff]

1 hour ago, Nick in Sydney said:

True, but many potential buyers will think twice about a car if a high profile motor journalist says it's rubbish (or even "a bit disappointing given the hype").  When it comes to a niche enthusiast's model like the Emira, I reckon Chris Harris could almost single-handedly destroy the launch if he really wanted to

yeah, I totally agree that opinions influence your desire to buy.

but if you buy it based on those opinions, then your personal experience is that it's rubbish, would you keep it based on someone else's view? I imagine not!

Anyway, back to the Emira - its going to be great, and I personally have no second thoughts!