Lotus Emira

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by cheveux

You guys dont get the Alfa Romeo 4C in the US? Its a great (similar) car. Get the spider. Its like the "facelift" version of the 4c with improved ride and steering

We did get the 4C in both coupe and Spyder. Very rare to see around here, although Lotus' even more so. Excellent car, was always missing a manual though.

[damnitBobby]

Looks good but yeah I'd rather just get a Cayman GTS.

[cheveux]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

Looks good but yeah I'd rather just get a Cayman GTS.

I have to go to the US ahah, how much is a GTS?
In Portugal is 122000€ base model with no options! I hope the Emira goes on sale here for the price of a M2 (80000€)

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by IIIMPERATIVE

Also worth noting:

> The Toyota S/C 6 Cyl comes with a standard TC automatic or a manual
> The AMG M139 Turbo 4 comes with a Dual Clutch Automatic

The Toyota 6 is a nice nod toward reliability and I'm glad they're offering it. However, the AMG M139 (the new version of the AMG M133) is the most powerful turbo 4 on the planet and the DCT is very appealing.

I'm pretty hyped about the creature comforts they've finally added (CarPlay, cup holders, an option for a cushier "Street" suspension vs the sportier go-kart teeth rattler) while still keeping the Lotus quirks (hydraulic steering, little flip up cover over the start/stop). Waiting for some more info on the actual release date - you can reserve a spot today for 2000 GBP.

I'll be trying to get a yellow one with yellow calipers with the AMG 4 Cyl and DCT auto. The configurator isn't too fleshed out yet (can't set up the suspension or any external mods).

The only downside I can see to the AMG drivetrain is that it's not going to sound nearly as good as the V6. The CLA45 AMG sounds horrible.

[Equilibrandt]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

The only downside I can see to the AMG drivetrain is that it's not going to sound nearly as good as the V6. The CLA45 AMG sounds horrible.

No replacement for displacement

Is it similar to the S55, where it can be slightly remedied by an exhaust change but will never be what you want?

[Darth One]

I have a very positive reaction to the Emira overall, but still some mixed feelings.

I guess for some, the looks and price tag is enough to want the car. Especially if you think everyone has a Cayman these days. And from that perspective it's very very good.

But then…the whole point of a Lotus is extreme lightness. I get it - that no compromises attitude was what defined the company, but also what made a lot of people not want a Lotus. This one again, is basically a Lotus Cayman. I'm sure a lot of purists will say it's not really a Lotus and write it off. But for those who are still interested, the key will be to see if Lotus can beat Porsche at its own game.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

The only downside I can see to the AMG drivetrain is that it's not going to sound nearly as good as the V6. The CLA45 AMG sounds horrible.

Well if you can live with F/G 80 M cars, Any exhaust will be tolerable

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by SickGTR

Well if you can live with F/G 80 M cars, Any exhaust will be tolerable

Ha ha no. Not even close. At least the F/G8x cars make exhaust noises. The CLA45 AMG makes vacuum cleaner noises.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Ha ha no. Not even close.

Come on bro. Name another car at this price point and performance that sound so bad from factory. LOVE LOVE my F82, it just sounds like ass

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by SickGTR

Come on bro. Name another car at this price point and performance that sound so bad from factory. LOVE LOVE my F82, it just sounds like ass

Agreed. Loved my F80 too but it just sounded horrible and there was nothing you could do to make it sound better.

[Humdizzle]

sound will not be the cars strong suit. But its the tradeoff you gotta make for the exotic looks over the cayman. I'd rather have the MB motor than porsche's subaru sounding flat-4.

The gts 4.0 will no question sound better than the v6 camry engine though.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Darth One

I have a very positive reaction to the Emira overall, but still some mixed feelings.

I guess for some, the looks and price tag is enough to want the car. Especially if you think everyone has a Cayman these days. And from that perspective it's very very good.

But then…the whole point of a Lotus is extreme lightness. I get it - that no compromises attitude was what defined the company, but also what made a lot of people not want a Lotus. This one again, is basically a Lotus Cayman. I'm sure a lot of purists will say it's not really a Lotus and write it off. But for those who are still interested, the key will be to see if Lotus can beat Porsche at its own game.

Evora wasn’t about extreme lightness. Emira is 1405kg or 3097 lbs, not anywhere near a heavy car by today’s standards. They have added a lot of creature comforts that Caymans come with, more tech, safety features, etc. Honestly they have kept the weight down quite well considering the car is physically larger than an Evora. I could definitely see some future track focused variants with more lightweight materials, bucket seats, less creature comforts…being under 3000 lbs.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

The gts 4.0 will no question sound better than the v6 camry engine though.

New 4.0 needs over axle pipes at minimum to make it sound good. My buddy has a new 718 GT4, inside it is mostly intake noise. Outside it doesn’t sound anywhere near as good as 918 GT4(stock vs stock). OPF killed the 718 4.0L sound. I’ve heard an Evora GT in person, the 3.5 sounds really good.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by hellrotm

New 4.0 needs over axle pipes at minimum to make it sound good. My buddy has a new 718 GT4, inside it is mostly intake noise. Outside it doesn’t sound anywhere near as good as 918 GT4(stock vs stock). OPF killed the 718 4.0L sound. I’ve heard an Evora GT in person, the 3.5 sounds really good.

Yeah. Stock 4.0 718s with OPF (or the dummy filters in the US cars) sound like a Dyson compared to the supercharged V6 of the Lotus at full tilt with the valves open. The supercharger adds a lot of spice.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

sound will not be the cars strong suit. But its the tradeoff you gotta make for the exotic looks over the cayman. I'd rather have the MB motor than porsche's subaru sounding flat-4.

The gts 4.0 will no question sound better than the v6 camry engine though.

The one in the video sounds pretty good to me. Especially for stock

[baege]

Originally Posted by SickGTR

The one in the video sounds pretty good to me. Especially for stock

I suspect there is no OPF on that puppy, but there will be on the production car...

[Alfisti]

I'm not feeling it..... at all. Body work is messy and the interior looks too plush, as a stand alone car maybe that is ok but as a Lotus, i dunno....i am not feelign this at all and would take a well cared for exige any day.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by baege

As someone with a deposit down in the hopes of an allocation on a 4.0 GTS, this intially had me a little confused

then I thought more about it: normally aspirated flat six vs supercharged camry engine (wouldn't even consider the 4), porsche reliability vs lotus unpredictability, one of the best manuals in the biz vs an ok one, porsche resale value vs lotus depreciation

This thing is a looker, so a no brainer for someone looking to flex but don't think it's overall a better buy than a 4.0 GTS...

Fuck me you made a decision!

[cheveux]

Did anyone here from Europe got an allocation from the website? I can only find it on the UK website.

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by hellrotm

Evora wasn’t about extreme lightness. Emira is 1405kg or 3097 lbs, not anywhere near a heavy car by today’s standards. They have added a lot of creature comforts that Caymans come with, more tech, safety features, etc. Honestly they have kept the weight down quite well considering the car is physically larger than an Evora. I could definitely see some future track focused variants with more lightweight materials, bucket seats, less creature comforts…being under 3000 lbs.

You’re right about the Evora. I was thinking more of the Elise, Exige, and the entirety of the Colin Chapman ethos. Did Lotus consider the Evora a sales success?

I think we’re saying the same thing about the Emira - it’s a Lotus Cayman. Roughly the same weight, price, chassis layout. So they have to straight up beat Porsche at the Cayman game. They aren’t taking the Elise strategy of even lighter and more hardcore.

[baege]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Fuck me you made a decision!

hold your horses there, the deposit is fully refundable until I get an allocation

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Darth One

You’re right about the Evora. I was thinking more of the Elise, Exige, and the entirety of the Colin Chapman ethos. Did Lotus consider the Evora a sales success?

I think we’re saying the same thing about the Emira - it’s a Lotus Cayman. Roughly the same weight, price, chassis layout. So they have to straight up beat Porsche at the Cayman game. They aren’t taking the Elise strategy of even lighter and more hardcore.

Yup, that's another pt. I love what Lotus stands for: small/simplified cars, add lightness (Exige was my dream car back then) but the business model didn't work, there simply weren't enough enthusiasts willing to part w their $$$ and that's why Lotus almost went bankrupt and had to be rescued by Geely. The Eliges didn't make it to N Amer and the Evora was too compromised (sporty and capable but not compared to the Eliges being heavier and it was kinda laughable they thought it could compete w Porsche in the sport/luxury segment...the luxury simply wasn't there and there was no DCT option iirc).

Emira presents a fresh start and it looks promising for Lotus. Enthusiasts only have themselves to blame (since they didn't buy enough Loti) if they think it's a step in the wrong direction but I think it's a sign of the times and ppl need to face reality.