Evora, my little video review...
Discussion
So I finally got to drive an Evora yesterday. I've only been looking at them since July. The car I 'borrowed' was en-route to a German magazine and fresh from the factory. I broke it in for them... 
I have to say, for a 'free' colour, that red is absolutely awesome! Imagine that with oyster interior and in the right town centre you'd probably get more looks than a Ferrari 360.
Anyway... on to the media:
Video review on YouTube
I have to say, for a 'free' colour, that red is absolutely awesome! Imagine that with oyster interior and in the right town centre you'd probably get more looks than a Ferrari 360.
Anyway... on to the media:
Video review on YouTube
Spot on with your number 1 complaint - the car desperately needs more power.
Few other downside notes to throw in tho, gear ratio's are sub-optimal I believe (not much lotus could do about this tho given fixed parameters of the Toyota box), gear change itself is too vague and can baulk, some of the minor controls are not easy to read/use (lovely dashboard design tho), the sat nav pixels seemed oddly crap for some reason, the engine noise isn't as spine-tingling as it should be, brakes are over sensitive at the top of pedal travel, and of course I have to return to the lack of power.
Love the Evora tho - all the above are easy fixes and if Lotus can make it faster then i'm sure the Porsche conquest sales will come.
Few other downside notes to throw in tho, gear ratio's are sub-optimal I believe (not much lotus could do about this tho given fixed parameters of the Toyota box), gear change itself is too vague and can baulk, some of the minor controls are not easy to read/use (lovely dashboard design tho), the sat nav pixels seemed oddly crap for some reason, the engine noise isn't as spine-tingling as it should be, brakes are over sensitive at the top of pedal travel, and of course I have to return to the lack of power.
Love the Evora tho - all the above are easy fixes and if Lotus can make it faster then i'm sure the Porsche conquest sales will come.
Nice review Dale. Spot on about the sportscar / supercar distinction - it has the potential but perhaps needs more performance in both quantitative (accelerative g and v-max) and qualitative ("better defined aural expression"
) terms to convince the doubters and make the rest of us grin as much as the ride / handling nuance that is more or less a given with Loti.As a slight aside, I'm convinced that some performance headers / back-box will liberate the singing voice of the 2GR-FE - just listen to it with virtually no exhaust here.
I'm betting there's a fair amount to be liberated by careful tweaks, intelligently applied FI and/or displacement increases (I understand that kits to increase the capacity to between 3.9 and 4.5 litres are available / under development in the US). This is particularly believable seeing as this is an "economy" oriented engine model from Toyota and they traditionally over-engineer such powerplants. It may be a Camry donk but it has some serious engineering behind it and has yet to be optimised for a sporting application (outside of fully blown competition spec, where it has put down over 800 hosres at the wheels with FI). Lotu know this and are probably spinning things out as long as possible in the interests of cash flow
With a chassis as good as the Evora allegedly has (and I can believe it even having not driven one), the car can clearly handle anything up to double the current output with supporting enhancements - a figure the engine can surely deliver even if Lotus are unlikely to offer it as a retail option any time soon (if at all). A good choice of engine there by Lotus methinks, even if I can't afford an Evora in the near future (again, if ever!) sadly...
Hence I'll be fitting a 2GR-FE to my Mk1 MR2 in the new year. "Diesel Meister - soon to be found in a ditch near you" 
Very good points & a cracking job on the video, one point I want to pick on thou they are not letting us down they are letting themselves down.
I love Lotus, I've owned 6 Lotus Cars (3 New) in the last 5 years, again were covering some of the same ground that we covered when the Europa was released, sure its not the same as the Evora is a brand new Car, it's cracking but should have been:
1. Faster
2. Around 50k for the top model not 62k
3. Power around 330bhp not 280bhp
I don't see the Evora selling in anything like the number's which Lotus need unless they make these changes and fast, this really could have been the answer to all those Ex Tvr, Noble, etc owner's but not like this
Just my take on it anyway
Boggy
I love Lotus, I've owned 6 Lotus Cars (3 New) in the last 5 years, again were covering some of the same ground that we covered when the Europa was released, sure its not the same as the Evora is a brand new Car, it's cracking but should have been:
1. Faster
2. Around 50k for the top model not 62k
3. Power around 330bhp not 280bhp
I don't see the Evora selling in anything like the number's which Lotus need unless they make these changes and fast, this really could have been the answer to all those Ex Tvr, Noble, etc owner's but not like this
Just my take on it anyway
Boggy
Very good points & a cracking job on the video, one point I want to pick on thou they are not letting us down they are letting themselves down.
I love Lotus, I've owned 6 Lotus Cars (3 New) in the last 5 years, again were covering some of the same ground that we covered when the Europa was released, sure its not the same as the Evora is a brand new Car, it's cracking but should have been:
1. Faster
2. Around 50k for the top model not 62k
3. Power around 330bhp not 280bhp
I don't see the Evora selling in anything like the number's which Lotus need unless they make these changes and fast, this really could have been the answer to all those Ex Tvr, Noble, etc owner's but not like this
Just my take on it anyway
Boggy
I love Lotus, I've owned 6 Lotus Cars (3 New) in the last 5 years, again were covering some of the same ground that we covered when the Europa was released, sure its not the same as the Evora is a brand new Car, it's cracking but should have been:
1. Faster
2. Around 50k for the top model not 62k
3. Power around 330bhp not 280bhp
I don't see the Evora selling in anything like the number's which Lotus need unless they make these changes and fast, this really could have been the answer to all those Ex Tvr, Noble, etc owner's but not like this
Just my take on it anyway
Boggy
Tuna said:
Boggy said:
2. Around 50k for the top model not 62k
Serious question Boggy - what are you comparing it to that makes it worth 50K fully specced?Boggy
I've always been a Lotus fan, since being a small boy. As soon as I could, I bought an Elise and have had 3 in total. When the M250 prototype appeared I knew then that I must have one eventually. However, when the Evora first emerged, I have to admit to being slightly dissapointed when compared with the M250 I had seen. However, the car has grown on me, and I do still want one...
So what's the problem? Well, quite simply, it's the price! This is a massively overpriced car and it's no wonder they're not selling well, especially in this economic climate.
Never thought I'd say it, but I'm now looking to buy a used Porsche Cayman S! I simply cannot justify the high initial price and the massive depreciation I believe I'd take on an Evora.
Come on Lotus...lets have a cheaper basic Evora for sub 40K. And let's see a model with the extra power it's crying out for at the same price as the current standard model. Otherwise, these things just are not going to sell in any significant numbers.
So what's the problem? Well, quite simply, it's the price! This is a massively overpriced car and it's no wonder they're not selling well, especially in this economic climate.
Never thought I'd say it, but I'm now looking to buy a used Porsche Cayman S! I simply cannot justify the high initial price and the massive depreciation I believe I'd take on an Evora.
Come on Lotus...lets have a cheaper basic Evora for sub 40K. And let's see a model with the extra power it's crying out for at the same price as the current standard model. Otherwise, these things just are not going to sell in any significant numbers.
trash said:
Never thought I'd say it, but I'm now looking to buy a used Porsche Cayman S! I simply cannot justify the high initial price and the massive depreciation I believe I'd take on an Evora.
A really nice example of the Cayman S can be yours for £30k, and with the change from the price of an Evora, you could buy a used Exige S or Elise SC trash said:
Come on Lotus...lets have a cheaper basic Evora for sub 40K. And let's see a model with the extra power it's crying out for at the same price as the current standard model. Otherwise, these things just are not going to sell in any significant numbers.
It might be the case that the Evora needs to sell at that price to make Lotus the profit that they need. If that is the case, and what you say about them not selling at that price is obviously true, then very sadly Lotus simply can't turn a profit making bigger more refined cars like the Evora.Well, I'd imagine they are trying to recover dev costs for both the Evora and Esprit (the latter benefiting from the former). The base Evora 2 + 0 remains a ~£47k car which isn't actually all that different from a basic Cayman S. Comparing new to used in this situation is a bit misleading as a depreciated car is always going to appear better value.
I'd agree that the Evora would be more attractive at £40-45k with some options but to be fair, that price range is already occupied by high end Exiges and bottom end 211s. Assuming Lotus are intentionally positioning the Evora "higher" than Elises and there derivatives, ~£50k would make sense (to them if not to us!).
I don't think they are letting themselves down - they're probably being realistic about cost recovery and margins and/or optimistic about the ability of the subjective aspects of the car (feel, brand value etc.) to win sales.
Who knows how many they need to sell. I've only seen one on the road though (central London). Looked good in red.
It still fascinates me that the Cayman S (£45K - £82K) is seen as being priced fairly,
yet the Evora (£47K - £65K) is seen as too expensive.
As another comparison, the Audi TT RS is priced from £43K. Are people here really saying that a hand made car with the latest greatest chassis technology and Lotus pedigree should sell for the same price or less than an over-cooked mass market coupe? In your dreams.
yet the Evora (£47K - £65K) is seen as too expensive.
As another comparison, the Audi TT RS is priced from £43K. Are people here really saying that a hand made car with the latest greatest chassis technology and Lotus pedigree should sell for the same price or less than an over-cooked mass market coupe? In your dreams.
Tuna said:
It still fascinates me that the Cayman S (£45K - £82K) is seen as being priced fairly,
yet the Evora (£47K - £65K) is seen as too expensive.
As another comparison, the Audi TT RS is priced from £43K. Are people here really saying that a hand made car with the latest greatest chassis technology and Lotus pedigree should sell for the same price or less than an over-cooked mass market coupe? In your dreams.
But who is selling more cars? It isn't Lotus! yet the Evora (£47K - £65K) is seen as too expensive.
As another comparison, the Audi TT RS is priced from £43K. Are people here really saying that a hand made car with the latest greatest chassis technology and Lotus pedigree should sell for the same price or less than an over-cooked mass market coupe? In your dreams.
The point is that rightly or wrongly the market has spoken, look across forums and magazines every review says great car, that isn't in question, but too expensive. Whether or not that is a justified position is not relevant, what is relevant are sales figures.
The fact is that it isn't selling and I can't see it selling in any great volume any time soon. In any market or industry when you find yourself in a position when you are not selling you have to adjust your price point if you want to sell. Of course Lotus may be quite happy just to have a couple of cars dribbling out - who knows? But if they want to sell in volume the price has to come down.
Tuna said:
It still fascinates me that the Cayman S (£45K - £82K) is seen as being priced fairly,
yet the Evora (£47K - £65K) is seen as too expensive.
As another comparison, the Audi TT RS is priced from £43K. Are people here really saying that a hand made car with the latest greatest chassis technology and Lotus pedigree should sell for the same price or less than an over-cooked mass market coupe? In your dreams.
The TT RS pricing is a joke. As for the Cayman, how do you spec on to £83k?! I remember speccing up some in an idle few moments and most were coming in at around £50k; £60k if you went absolutely wild with the options.yet the Evora (£47K - £65K) is seen as too expensive.
As another comparison, the Audi TT RS is priced from £43K. Are people here really saying that a hand made car with the latest greatest chassis technology and Lotus pedigree should sell for the same price or less than an over-cooked mass market coupe? In your dreams.
I view the Cayman differently to the Evora because of two things: a) the engine is bespoke b) the engine is flat, and situated much much lower in the car. Plus the Cayman S is a bit more powerful. If the Evora had a Lotus engine which was proven to be reliable and 300bhp, then it could cost the same as a Cayman. Don't forget also the strong rumours that the Cayman doesn't cost much more to make than the Boxster. Note the quick depreciation to Boxster levels for proof of the market's opinion on that one.
On the other hand the Cayman is an expensive Boxster and the engine a warmed over version of that car's powerplant. Yes, you can buy a second hand Cayman for less but it's second hand. A second hand Evora will be less than the price of a new one.
As for power - it's up to you whether headline figures count.
As for power - it's up to you whether headline figures count.
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