Lotus Evora 400

[C8RKH 6,256]

Hmmm, is it not always the way?

 

Something is out there that does a great job and most owners are happy with. Then, along comes something shiny and new. Lotus have had 6 years to listen to owners of the Evora, to collect info on the grumbles etc and do something about it. MY2012 was a step forward and addressed some of the concerns.

 

But now, we are seeing the original Evora, some 6 years old, being compared to something that is 2/3rds BRAND NEW and builds on the knowledge and expertise and learning that Lotus have developed over those 6 years. Of course the old model does not look favourable, the 400 is much better and so it should be. Imagine the howls of criticism if it didn't deliver a step change for the better!  It does not though overnight make the "old" Evora a bad car, it's just that it was the benchmark at the time and so comparisons will show up the weaknesses. It won't stop me smiling when I open the garage to see my 2010 NA Evora smiling back at me.  It won't stop my heart fluttering as I slide down and across into the seat and it certainly won't stop the hairs on the back of my neck standing to attention when I depress the clutch, flick the key, jab the throttle and spark her into life.

 

In my mind Lotus have done a great job here and deserve to be well applauded given that their development budget for the 400 was probably the same as what Porsche spent on the fancy rear lights integrated to the spoiler lip on the back of the new Cayman!

 

But there are still some things about the original Evora I like as much as what they have done with the 400, if not more so.  I like the metal fascia on the dash and in the centre. I like the fact it is METAL and not silver plastic (which maybe explains why I don't like the painted version from 2012 on). I like the fact that when I grab hold of the aircon/heater switches and try to turn them with sweaty fingers I can't, as the smooth metal is like ice . It makes me feel like my car has been engineered. Has been lovingly made, as opposed to having been "pressed" from a plastic mould and stuck on.

 

I also love my current cars instrument binnacle. It's a work of art, a unique shape and despite +1500 miles of driving to date I have never once suffered from the really bad reflections so I can't see the important stuff (is this really so bad, or just an urban myth perpetuated?). Certainly no worse than other cars I have had.

 

I wasn't sure about the 400 when I first saw the first pictures. To be honest, after the recent glut of pictures it is really growing on me, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Lotus get one out there in Ardent Red or Canyon Red

 

I believe the 400 will be a success and expect seeing more of them on the road will open up the market in general bringing in renewed interest to the Evora from MY10 all the way through. Hopefully it will be like a Halo effect, and that way hopefully many more people will get to experience the fantastic Evora driving sensation.

[Stuno1 317]

Couldn't agree more. The same goes with the new release of any model from any manufacturer.

Stu

[Trevsked 769]

It's always the way with articles and a new or revised car arrives and they highlight all the perceived shortfalls of the outgoing car. Can't say I agree as some of those differences go a long way to adding character and ease of use can lead to a sterile enviroment. I'm not suggesting this is the case, far from it, but the old model has such a lot of things going for it that it would be a shame for prospective customers to read into it that the old car is too slow and difficult to use which is entirely not the case.

 

Trevor.

 

Looks like we all typed at the same time :-)

[atlasapl 16]

WTF would he expect after his charming 'jingoism' piece a couple of months back. Reap what you sow...

 

In his business you can’t afford to upset people. That doesn’t mean you can’t dislike their product or have a different opinion to them. I seem to have a different opinion to most people, but then again I have always been a bit odd, it’s never bothered me though. In order to do the job you need to be respected by the industry. If you go off like he did before seeing the car in the flesh or driving it, you can’t expect to get an invite. If the industry loses respect for you or doesn’t trust you to be neutral when reviewing a car then you are stuffed. You can have an initial opinion, but you can’t pre-judge a car/company to that extent and not get a reaction.

[Bibs 11,167]

Great article -  very technical, but explanatory... Should be proud of that.

 

Some feedback from someone in the East of the country whose opinion I hold very highly. Very happy

[Trevsked 769]

Anyone got a link to the Harris peice where he was naughty?

 

Trevor.

[Bibs 11,167]

http://jalopnik.com/how-auto-journalism-fails-when-nationalism-gets-involve-1686723025

[Gravel 102]

This might be a rather well played marketing move by Lotus - give Chris Harris a car to review but not straightaway. His being miffed at not being a tier one reviewer,combined with other pretty favouible reviews (at least two transmission moans in the ones I've read) out before his would put anything he had to say in context.

[Trevsked 769]

Thanks. This is after he left EVO and got even more friendly with Porsche?

 

Trevor.

[Bibs 11,167]

Yup, that was from Feb this year. It read to me that it had been written perhaps in Stuttgart and he was asked to publish it. 

[C8RKH 6,256]

I personally would not be swayed by anything Chris Harris had to say anymore.  If I were Lotus I would just ignore him.

[Trevsked 769]

Yes seemed to go from enthusiastic independent car reviewer to "Porsche is the best car in the world" overnight. Shame really as his review of the Exige was very complimentary.

Trevor.

[Bibs 11,167]

It was titled 'Chassis from the Gods' which does make him look a little skitzo! 

[atlasapl 16]

http://jalopnik.com/how-auto-journalism-fails-when-nationalism-gets-involve-1686723025

 

Damn I forgot how much that article pissed me off.

 

"Lotus will be left with a car that is more expensive than a Cayman GT4, has a fraction of the showroom appeal and looks far too similar to the model that's been on sale since 2009"

 

More expensive than a GT4, well yes, you can actually buy an Evora 400.

The GT4 had no showroom appeal because it never got to one.

Too similar to the model it replaced, err, hello, Porsche have been doing that for 50 years.

 

Anyway, I probably said all that back in Feb.

Edited July 24, 2015 by atlasapl

[jonwat 422]

Quite a nice review in autoexpress.co.uk

[Buddsy 1,622]

http://jalopnik.com/how-auto-journalism-fails-when-nationalism-gets-involve-1686723025

 

"Cut me and I bleed Lotus" Chris Harris

 

Sounds like a challenge to me.

 

Buddsy

[C8RKH 6,256]

Quite a few reviews now have referred to the Evora 400 as a "junior supercar" and to me, that is quite a compliment and a real nod to the achievement that Lotus has made and delivered with the 400.  It's not a super car (think 458/488, MP4, etc) and it's not a hyper car (Veyron, Pagani et al) so the moniker really fits and really is quite appropriate to my ears.

 

I hope the good reviews keep on coming and Lotus continues to deliver with some exciting new Evora derivatives like the roadster, a 430 Cup and a maybe even an extreme 450 CUP R etc.

 

Nice work chaps you deserve a mug of Tetley's and some milk chocolate hob knobs.

[Gravel 102]

^^^ I'm not sure I'd call another 5-10% power extreme - if you're going to dream,dream big, I say! 650BHP from Ford's GT 3.5L engine - just sayin...

Plus what is the market for a less comfortable 2+2 Cup Evora? Family man who also does trackdays but has just one car?

[NedaSay 835]

More positive reviews from the Dutch newspaper  De Telegraph and German authority Auto Motor und Sport (these guys appear to have enjoyed "enhanced" treatment)

 

 

Utterly gorgeous in black... I see nothing junior here, it's all grown up IMO. And is it me or there is an option for a side reflector delete? 

 

 

"The car is overbraked if anything to allow for future-proofing, watch this space!"  Bibs, July 32, 2015

 

So when shall we expect the new S version?

Edited July 24, 2015 by NedaSay

[C8RKH 6,256]

^^^  650 bhp!   To be honest Gravel my little 280bhp or thereabouts is more than enough on the road for me, very very few times have I needed more.

 

As for the market, maybe some one just like me. Late forties onwards. Little brats all but left home so no need for the +2. Lot's of opportunities to take the missus on road trips with the boot and the +0 load storage area so touring round UK and Europe.

 

Occasional track day use of say 4 - 6 times a year - probably at 50% of those abroad (Spa, Zandvoort etc anyone).

 

And doesn't have £150k plus in the bank for an MP4, 458, et al, but could stretch to say £85k - 90K for a 450 Cup R.  Hmmm, should be an OK market given the number of cars Maclaren, Ferrari, Audi, Porsche etc ship or have I missed something? Could be my early on-set kicking in again I suppose.....   

More positive reviews from the Dutch newspaper  De Telegraph and German authority Auto Motor und Sport

I you sure De Telegraph is Dutch as in Liverpool we always got de Telegraph and de Star, de Mirror and sometimes de Times too....    

[Gravel 102]

650 BHP is probably a bit extreme but they've done the 400's now 500 seems a good next step... Once you have to open the block to fit low compression pistons etc it all gets expensive so you might as well go for big power....

Would you not be better off with a new tub Exige if there's enough luggage space in it? That's surely Lotus's GT3 RS chaser...

[hosscartwri 45]

I get as fed up as anyone with so called reviewers who either just regurgitate the manufacture's publicity

blurb or who are clearly in the pocket of a particular manufacturer. Having said that, like most, I also

like to read/see reviews which reinforce my prejudices, my buying choices and which reaffirm my expert

judgement!!

Chris Harris has a certain style but he does appear to know how to drive a car properly and quickly which

does not always seem to be the case with motoring journalists. Whilst I agree he was harsh with his commentson the Evora 400, his real point was bang on the button - to survive and thrive in business these days, it

is no good being a plucky runner up with everyone saying how well you did whilst the bottom line remains

steadfastly red. You must be your own harshest critic and seek to continuously improve.

Nuff said on Mr Harris. Amen amen amen to the James Mills review for the (Sunday?) Times. His final few

paragraphs absolutely gel with why I sold my very capable and sophisticated German sports car after only a

year and bought a Lotus Elise S.

Quote from the article:

The Evora 400 can do 186mph, given its head, and reach 62mph in 4.2 seconds, but it almost doesn't matter.

As the Ferraris, McLarens and Lamborghinis get ever faster, ever more overspecified and ever more

frustrating to use on the road, what many drivers crave is a car whose road behaviour is more about how muchfun you can have when you're nowhere near the car's limits. This is where the Evora 400 hits the jackpot.

It overtakes with ease, but in a progressive whoosh rather than an explosion of energy. Its manual gearbox

is a joy to interact with (though the optional automatic isn't a patch on any dual-clutch system), the

steering communicates every tiny change in force acting on the front wheels and the handling balance reacts to how much power you're applying without ever threatening to spin you off the road.

In short, this Lotus matches a driver's intuition exactly. It feels alive, toned and firm, but never jagged or nervous. It's not so fast as to feel intimidating; you don't need to recalibrate your brain to come to terms with it.

You find yourself driving the Evora 400 briskly but not dangerously. Instead it encourages smooth, thoughtful driving and discreet progress. The Lotus Evora finally comes of age, and it's a driver's delight.

Unquote

If the Evora 400 does provide all the above sensations and feedback at speeds which don't have you risking

being locked up then, when I grow up (I'm only 61 after all) the Evora 400 sounds like a "must have"

replacement for my Elise S. Oh Lotus - I do so hope the positive reviews reflect reality!

[Bibs 11,167]

Did anyone twig the location where I took the pics of the silver 400 yet?

[Gravel 102]

Did anyone twig the location where I took the pics of the silver 400 yet?

I know! Well Google did - via Buddsy!

Some Chap or man if you like...

[NedaSay 835]

Did anyone twig the location where I took the pics of the silver 400 yet?

 

K- Hall...      ?!