atlasapl Posted May 21, 2015 Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 (edited) Who needs an Evora when they have an Excel......(me). I always liked the Excel, never got round to getting one though. I was skint back then as well. My second hand Renault Fuego 1.6 served me well. Tanking down the M180 at 120mph with everything shaking, me included. When your young and insane. Edited May 21, 2015 by atlasapl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auRouge Posted May 21, 2015 Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 Religious people often talk of faith...Living your life in a certain way as you hope you will be rewarded...Well I think on present form faith in Lotus is a much more tangible faith to believe in. Fast cars, loud music, cheap....ok lets not go there! Buddsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Barrykearley Posted May 22, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 22, 2015 Only 20 years to go and one of these will be on the drive Clocks counting....... Quote Only here once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM DaveC72 Posted May 26, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 So, it looks like the first chance UK based peeps will have to see one of these will be 8-14 June at Motorexpo at Canary Wharf:http://www.motorexpo.com/london/1167/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyteck9 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Can't wait to hear all about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auRouge Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 From the ad... "the Evora 400; a true supercar with unrivalled handling and performance" Fighting talk... I'm obviously a huge fan but this sort of statement makes me worry because if the car isnt flawless in every way and laps faster than anything sub £80k they will get a slating after making a statement like that. Truely hope the transmission and "niggles" have been sorted... It's a very important car all of a sudden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Annoying that they have released prices but you wouldn't know it from the 'non configurable' car configurator! You can't even see what colours of car are available never mind what they would look like on one. A bit of a poor show when so much is now popping up in PH, other mags, websites and places. The next natural step for any petrol head after reading an article is to go configure their unachievable dream isn't it? How many times I've configured R8's, Porkers, F types, Lambo's I don't know. Quote A LEGS man and proud to declare it! Lotus Enthusiasts Group Scotland Autocar's Best UK Drivers Car 2009. Car's Performance Car of the Year 2009; Evo's Car of the Year 2009. Top Gear Sports Car of the Year 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlasapl Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 I'm obviously a huge fan but this sort of statement makes me worry because if the car isnt flawless in every way and laps faster than anything sub £80k they will get a slating after making a statement like that. Thats true, but then again Porsche made a huge fuss over there 918 Spider ring time. Then Lamborghini turned up with the new Aventador SV, and with only a 15 minute window got to within 2 seconds of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM DaveC72 Posted May 26, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Ring times. As fascinated as the next petrol head when it comes to the green hell, I can't help feeling that it's somehow become the be all and end all of a car's status. And not in a good way. Back on topic, I've registered my interest in the 400 and have been told by a marketing follow up that after the Motor Expo, the Press should be getting cars 5-9 July, and then the demonstrators will be in dealerships the first few weeks of August. I was actually quite impressed to get an e-mail from a human being who has entered in to a dialogue with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auRouge Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Annoying that they have released prices but you wouldn't know it from the 'non configurable' car configurator! You can't even see what colours of car are available never mind what they would look like on one. A bit of a poor show when so much is now popping up in PH, other mags, websites and places. The next natural step for any petrol head after reading an article is to go configure their unachievable dream isn't it? How many times I've configured R8's, Porkers, F types, Lambo's I don't know. I hadn't tried yet but am shocked that you can't go onto the main web page and configure one... Oh well, good luck with the order book Lotus! JMG needs to get his team to understand the way people research and buy cars these days. YouTube would be a good start. I remember watching the F-Type ad on there before it was released. Apart from TLF and MMC's webpage, I've always found Lotus websites very user unfriendly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NedaSay Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 They are working on it. The website has undergone skin refresh but there's a lot of info out there that hasn't made its way to the new website template. The configurator is coming but it's new to Lotus and I expect quite a few hiccups with it. Regardless not updating pricing info on the Evora pages and the homepage is shameful, it's a 1" fix in the webpage editor and about 4' minutes of email exchanges and confirmation between marketing, sales and the webmasters. Lotus Evora range - prices from £72,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diego Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Ring times. As fascinated as the next petrol head when it comes to the green hell, I can't help feeling that it's somehow become the be all and end all of a car's status. And not in a good way. why not? i love the idea of manufacturers having to compete on the same stretch of road/track.... you have to be in it to win it. if you feel your product is good enough you will stick up a time ... or alternatively chicken out... look at the Aventador SV's time, what a magnificent result for petrol heads who couldn't give a toss about electric hybrids, silent motors, turbos and batteries... alternatively ferrari felt their LaF product probably wasnt in the running lol lets see how JMG's fastest thing on track sub £100k does against the benchmarks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBD Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Just two constraints : There is no "official" ring time because there are neither defined specs nor is there an official timing at the ring (except for race events). The ring requires an optimized setup that is rarely suited to general driving or even other tracks. But, I agree, it is much better than nothing. And the 311 should do very well. 1 Quote If you have the choice between a Stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell don't forget the Nomex®! Captain, Lotus Airways. We fly lower! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravel Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I don't really understand the 'fastest thing under 100K' sales pitch - surely the Evora 400 will only hold that for a few months until the Exige 400 appears? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM DaveC72 Posted May 28, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I'm not saying that the ring times aren't fascinating, but that they seem to have become overly important. Yes, they're a good yardstick, but as stated above they're in optimal conditions / Setup. I read as many magazines, forums and opinions as the next person, and they will influence my interest and opinion, but only driving a car will let me know what is really like. If we went with the consensus outside of these and other Lotus forums, we'd all be driving 911s or Caymans (apologies, but the popular wisdom is this, however unfounded or annoying it is) within the budgets we have. The Aventador is an incredible machine but, unless my circumstances significantly change, one I'll never own. It's purely my own (possibly antagonistic) opinion that the ring has started to be the only yardstick that a car's greatness is measured by.Back on topic: Who else has registered interest on the Lotus website and is seriously considering a test drive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlasapl Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I would love to take one for a test drive, but it would only result in pissing me off as hand on heart, I don't have the funds to buy one. If things go OK work wise, I may have enough for a V8 Mustang, but that is a lot cheaper than a 400. Uncouth a V8 Mustang maybe, but its a car that is within my reach, just. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM C8RKH Posted May 28, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 No test drive for me either I'm afraid. I'm only just 5 weeks into Lotus ownership and my current Evora NA is getting fettled and shown some TLC (Scarlett is getting some nice shiny gloss black fook me boots put on today). I rarely buy a new car, so splashing out £75k plus on a 400 is not for me - however, if I could get a GTE for £50k in a couple of years (not at all likely by the way) or an Evora 400 for £50-55k in 2 years then that would be my route to ownership. Thinking of going racing next year, so that will make a dent in the bank deposits... Re the 'Ring - a couple of points on here have hit the nail on the head for me. Cars are setup and in some cases developed "specifically" to do well at the 'Ring but that does not often translate well into a well balanced car for real roads. Even with the 'Ring there are just too many variables for a real "apples to apples" comparison and you can't always guarantee the car that set those mesmerising times is the car you get to drive. Chris Harris (sorry to swear in public) had an interesting blog rant about Ferrari and how they specifically deliver a car for the "track" the Journo's are using and spend a few days before hand setting the car up for a track. Apparently, according to Chris they hate and try to ban Journo's from using REAL customers cars as the experience is just too far removed from the test mule they present. 'Ring times, magazine articles, manufacturers websites and other things - including user forums like this one - are all they to provide a generally biased view, but thankfully we have the freedom to take all the information provided and make our own decisions based on our own critiera. Otherwise, as the previous poster said, "we'd all be driving Caymans". Quote Alcohol. Sex. Tobacco. Drugs. Chocolate. Meh! NOTHING in this world is as addictive as an Evora +0. It's not for babies! The first guy to ride a bull for fun, was a true hero. The second man to follow him was truly nuts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM DaveC72 Posted May 28, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 So, if I'm honest - and I will be with the Dealer - this is not a buy now test drive. I'm lucky that Chris at Westway is a genuine enthusiast (in my experience) and knows that he will be "bedding in" a future customer if the 400 turns out to be the belter it's shaping up to be. When he supplied my current car he suggested that most of his customers were "two year" owners. That might not be us all on here... but I can see his logic. I have oscillated massively over certain aspects of the 400s look and I think will only know for sure when I see the damn thing in the plastic. For now - I'm smitten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diego Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I don't really understand the 'fastest thing under 100K' sales pitch - surely the Evora 400 will only hold that for a few months until the Exige 400 appears? not to be a party pooper but i dont think it will ever hold that record apart from round Hethel ! it was a silly thing to say... but wild statements seem to be the way they want to do things at the moment. according to lotus its as quick as a v6s ... theres plenty of quicker stuff out there sub £100k already, the gheyman gts matches the exige v6 on the ring, the gt4 will shave a load off that again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frickin_idiot Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 Registered my interest for a test drive and am deciding between three options: Keep my exige s s2 and buy an Elise for racing. Buy and evora 400 and sell exige But exige v6 and sell exige The everyday usability of the evora is a bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyteck9 Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I'm not saying that the ring times aren't fascinating, but that they seem to have become overly important. I have grown very found of the ring and it's yardstick laptimes. I hope to one day make it across the pond and drive the ring. I have spent many hours memorizing the track. That said, the reason I think it 'matters' so much is because of what it requireS. Consistent perfection. Braking, suspension, acceleration, driver confidence and reliability more so than anywhere else. A car can be setup for a short track with amazing advantages. The ring insists you must be good at everything... and do it without overheating. something that the new z06 corvette can't seem to get right even on a short track. If you debated a 1/4 time from the drag strip doesn't tell you much about a car, I would completely agree. But the ring? It will quickly hand you your hat (in the form of a list of things your car isn't competent in doing.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubox Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 Registered interest before lunch and I've already had a phone call and email from Simon at Lotus about the car, when cars are ariving ,specs etc... well done! As for the Ring, well manufacturers mostly use it for durability testing , specifically 10,000km, to speed up their testing schedules. The Lap times is an interesting byproduct which has sadly descended into unique suspension/tyre/aero setups to give the necessary times. Still makes good pub talk about the cars in question. Quote Black n gold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyteck9 Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 Indeed! I actually think Lotus would do extremely well at the ring. It is a rough course and suspension magic really shines there. The 400 may loose out a bit on the high speed bit at the end, but that top speed limit is a known spec. Would only cost it 2 seconds or so. If the 400 pulled a 7:05 I would be hugely impressed! !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyteck9 Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 Indeed! I actually think Lotus would do extremely well at the ring. It is a rough course and suspension magic really shines there. The 400 may loose out a bit on the high speed bit at the end, but that top speed limit is a known spec. Would only cost it 2 seconds or so. If the 400 pulled a 7:05 I would be hugely impressed! !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Tris... Posted May 29, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 I don't get the mania around Porsches. I had a Cayman as a courtesy car for 7 weeks and after all the hype I had read about it was really worried that I would be really disappointed when I got my Evora back. Not a bit of it, the ride was shocking, roads I whizzed along in the Lotus or even my old Type R felt like someone had gone down them with Tank Tracks. In comparision the steering was numb and the handling was badly affected by overly the stiff suspension. It was not a pleasant experience, beautifully engineered, and in fairness it was the entry level Cayman, but if to get comparable ride and handling you have to buy the all singing all dancing most expensive version of the Cayman then in my head there is something wrong. A good car should have good ride and handling to start with, not need expensive upgrades and optional extras to make it handle well etc. The other thing was, it had no soul. It was just like every other Porsche out there, nothing made it stand out. A Lotus has soul (And a lot of squeaks and rattles), it has character and I suspect no two Evoras are quite the same. I've registered for a test Drive and once the agreement on my current Evora comes to an end will be seriously considering a 400. If it rides and handles as well as the current car and is quicker, then I would have it over a Porsche any day. Tris... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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