M250 Vs. Evora
Discussion
Agreed it has a stunning design, but it did have real packaging problems - even less storage than the Elise and quite a cramped cabin. For a GT, it wasn't something that you could seriously consider driving across continents in. I love the lines, but in retrospect it was more a 'big Elise' than a genuinely different car. Given the poor reception given to the Europa, I doubt it would have sold as well as they needed.
The Evora really has moved the game along.
The Evora really has moved the game along.
Tuna said:
Given the poor reception given to the Europa, I doubt it would have sold as well as they needed.
I was talking to a dealer on Saturday at the show - he said that he was at the motorshow when they launched the M250 and they took a whole year's profit in deposits for this car! Judging by that I don't believe they'd have been a problem with the take up - trouble is that now the market has moved along and dare I say the competition has caught up?From my understanding, the £5K deposit for the M250 was held by a dealership, NOT by Lotus.
Yes, for it's time the vehicle looked stunning, but what you see it a styling departmet's vehicle. Not a Production intent vehicle.
But it's looking dated now (it is over 10 years old).
No doubt Lotus took some styling ideas from the M250 & used it on the Evora. Makes sence really as the work had already been done & saves time, but legislation, packaging issues & component performance & availability change over time, so what you see in the Evora is a totally different beast, once you get underneath the skin.
Yes, for it's time the vehicle looked stunning, but what you see it a styling departmet's vehicle. Not a Production intent vehicle.
But it's looking dated now (it is over 10 years old).
No doubt Lotus took some styling ideas from the M250 & used it on the Evora. Makes sence really as the work had already been done & saves time, but legislation, packaging issues & component performance & availability change over time, so what you see in the Evora is a totally different beast, once you get underneath the skin.
purpleperil said:
Tuna said:
Given the poor reception given to the Europa, I doubt it would have sold as well as they needed.
I was talking to a dealer on Saturday at the show - he said that he was at the motorshow when they launched the M250 and they took a whole year's profit in deposits for this car! Judging by that I don't believe they'd have been a problem with the take up - trouble is that now the market has moved along and dare I say the competition has caught up?Tuna said:
Agreed it has a stunning design, but it did have real packaging problems - even less storage than the Elise and quite a cramped cabin. For a GT, it wasn't something that you could seriously consider driving across continents in. I love the lines, but in retrospect it was more a 'big Elise' than a genuinely different car. Given the poor reception given to the Europa, I doubt it would have sold as well as they needed.
The Evora really has moved the game along.
Honestly don't think this is the case, at the time, it was very well recived with more deposits taken that total Europa's sold!The Evora really has moved the game along.
purpleperil said:
Tuna said:
Given the poor reception given to the Europa, I doubt it would have sold as well as they needed.
I was talking to a dealer on Saturday at the show - he said that he was at the motorshow when they launched the M250 and they took a whole year's profit in deposits for this car! Judging by that I don't believe they'd have been a problem with the take up - trouble is that now the market has moved along and dare I say the competition has caught up?not convinced with the engine location either, it;s been pushed well back and up to make space of the back seat, be interesting to see what the COG and weight distro is...
Scuffers said:
saw the M250 show car at Donington today, along with the Evora's.
Hate to say it, but I really do prefer the lines of the M250... (still looks good 10 years on)
Am I alone?
You're not alone. Far from it. Just about every Lotus owner/enthusiast I spoke to at Donny said the same thing: "we like the look of the Evora but we love the M250".Hate to say it, but I really do prefer the lines of the M250... (still looks good 10 years on)
Am I alone?
For me, it's one of the best looking designs ever. It still cuts the mustard a decade on.
Scuffers said:
not convinced with the engine location either, it;s been pushed well back and up to make space of the back seat, be interesting to see what the COG and weight distro is...
I've got it as 39/61 front-rear. The problem with the M250 was that it was based on a stretched Elise. Though they didn't make much of a deal of them at the time, the performance figures were a long way from class leading. The deposits were placed based on the success of the Elise, not the actual ride, handling and accommodation offered by the M250 - you couldn't even sit in the early motorshow car as it was a clay. If it had come to market, people would have started asking questions.
Tuna said:
I've got it as 39/61 front-rear.
The problem with the M250 was that it was based on a stretched Elise. Though they didn't make much of a deal of them at the time, the performance figures were a long way from class leading. The deposits were placed based on the success of the Elise, not the actual ride, handling and accommodation offered by the M250 - you couldn't even sit in the early motorshow car as it was a clay. If it had come to market, people would have started asking questions.
be surprised if those figures are correct?...The problem with the M250 was that it was based on a stretched Elise. Though they didn't make much of a deal of them at the time, the performance figures were a long way from class leading. The deposits were placed based on the success of the Elise, not the actual ride, handling and accommodation offered by the M250 - you couldn't even sit in the early motorshow car as it was a clay. If it had come to market, people would have started asking questions.
either way, the arguments against the M250 just aren't valid in the bigger pictures.
it may well have been based on a (stretched) Elise chassis, so what, what do you think the Evora chassis is? yes they have changed some bit's (like the bolt on front structure etc) but it's essentially the same technology, and anyway, all the features you quote are equally do-able to either platform.
I am still not convinced there is a market for a 2+2...
Scuffers said:
be surprised if those figures are correct?...
They seem to be commonly stated around the 'net, but I can't identify where the original numbers came from. Reviews next week should confirm or deny.Scuffers said:
either way, the arguments against the M250 just aren't valid in the bigger pictures.
it may well have been based on a (stretched) Elise chassis, so what, what do you think the Evora chassis is? yes they have changed some bit's (like the bolt on front structure etc) but it's essentially the same technology, and anyway, all the features you quote are equally do-able to either platform.
Really? If only Lotus had realised, they could have saved a fortune on all that development work for the new platform. I get the impression that the Elise chassis is not as far ahead of the competition now as it was when it was launched. Certainly the Evora chassis is significantly more rigid whilst being able to stretch further and wider, as well as improving the access.it may well have been based on a (stretched) Elise chassis, so what, what do you think the Evora chassis is? yes they have changed some bit's (like the bolt on front structure etc) but it's essentially the same technology, and anyway, all the features you quote are equally do-able to either platform.
Don't get me wrong, the M250 is a stunning design and I was very disappointed not to get one. The Evora is a completely different proposition, so can't really be compared as better or worse because it's not aiming to do the same thing. However, having gone through every stage of development of the M250 with deep excitement, by the time I was sitting in the rolling chassis I found myself asking some questions about whether it was going to be good enough to justify buying. Other than good looks, it didn't have that much to distinguish itself from the competition.
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