Evora Vs 458!!!
Discussion
Has anybody read the 458 road test in Autocar this week?
Under ride and handling, the Evora is deemed equivalent to and in some ways superior to the new 458 and Noble M400!!! Cars that I'm sure I don't need to remind anybody cost significantly in excess of £170k with options.
I thought this was an outstanding result for Lotus and if this doesn't help Evoras sell; nothing will. Interestingly, when the Evora was tested by Clarkson on Top Gear he said something similar along the lines of "if you compare this car to a 430, which you can, then it's a bargain at this price".
I love the line "it (the 458) comfortably sits in their company" (the Evora and M400)
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/RoadTestsOnThe...
Under ride and handling, the Evora is deemed equivalent to and in some ways superior to the new 458 and Noble M400!!! Cars that I'm sure I don't need to remind anybody cost significantly in excess of £170k with options.
I thought this was an outstanding result for Lotus and if this doesn't help Evoras sell; nothing will. Interestingly, when the Evora was tested by Clarkson on Top Gear he said something similar along the lines of "if you compare this car to a 430, which you can, then it's a bargain at this price".
I love the line "it (the 458) comfortably sits in their company" (the Evora and M400)
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/RoadTestsOnThe...
Edited by J-P on Thursday 19th August 16:55
squeezebm said:
What utter bollix lotus drivers tho blinkered surely aren't that daft!
It's not Lotus drivers who are saying it - it's in Autocar. And as stated they were referring to ride and handling not the whole package where clearly a 458 would be far superior!BTW - I don't have an Evora or indeed any Lotus - just saw the article in the week and thought - wow!
J-P said:
squeezebm said:
What utter bollix lotus drivers tho blinkered surely aren't that daft!
It's not Lotus drivers who are saying it - it's in Autocar. And as stated they were referring to ride and handling not the whole package where clearly a 458 would be far superior!BTW - I don't have an Evora or indeed any Lotus - just saw the article in the week and thought - wow!
squeezebm said:
J-P said:
squeezebm said:
What utter bollix lotus drivers tho blinkered surely aren't that daft!
It's not Lotus drivers who are saying it - it's in Autocar. And as stated they were referring to ride and handling not the whole package where clearly a 458 would be far superior!BTW - I don't have an Evora or indeed any Lotus - just saw the article in the week and thought - wow!
OK, so it's not definitive (what is?) but it's still pretty amazing that they chose to compare an Evora to a 458!Handling, after all, is what Lotus do. They are the best at it. They sell their 'handling' consultancy to other car manufacturers, most other car manufacturers in fact. A lot goes unnoticed due to corporate confidentiality. Its hardly surprising their modest car handles as well as if not better than a lot of more expensive competition. Those that slate Lotus as some bit player compared to Uber expensive marques clearly have no idea.
Of course the whole package won't compare, its a vastly less expensive car with a lot less technology put in. Still impressive considering the budgets they work to.
Of course the whole package won't compare, its a vastly less expensive car with a lot less technology put in. Still impressive considering the budgets they work to.
squeezebm said:
justin220 said:
^ You sound bitter.. If only they'd compared the 458 to the SUPER CAYMAN! 
now that would be silly as the 458 would trounce most normal cars,but i'll live mr kit car 
Hats off to Lotus for showing the competition the way in driving dynamics
JJ
jazzyjeff said:
squeezebm said:
justin220 said:
^ You sound bitter.. If only they'd compared the 458 to the SUPER CAYMAN!
now that would be silly as the 458 would trounce most normal cars,but i'll live mr kit car Hats off to Lotus for showing the competition the way in driving dynamics
JJ
I've had dealings with consultants
prefer being the decision maker
next...........
Edited by squeezebm on Tuesday 24th August 16:45
squeezebm said:
jazzyjeff said:
squeezebm said:
justin220 said:
^ You sound bitter.. If only they'd compared the 458 to the SUPER CAYMAN!
now that would be silly as the 458 would trounce most normal cars,but i'll live mr kit car Hats off to Lotus for showing the competition the way in driving dynamics
JJ
I've had dealings with consultants
prefer being the decision maker
next...........
Edited by squeezebm on Tuesday 24th August 16:45
footsoldier said:
squeezebm said:
jazzyjeff said:
squeezebm said:
justin220 said:
^ You sound bitter.. If only they'd compared the 458 to the SUPER CAYMAN!
now that would be silly as the 458 would trounce most normal cars,but i'll live mr kit car Hats off to Lotus for showing the competition the way in driving dynamics
JJ
I've had dealings with consultants
prefer being the decision maker
next...........
Edited by squeezebm on Tuesday 24th August 16:45
now go and have your tea and have a think....For the cynics who assume a £200k (with options) Ferrari must be better than a £50k Lotus in every way,
it was actually Ferrari themselves who asked journos how they thought the steering on the 458 compared to the Evora.
Lotus cars have been used as benchmarks for other manufacturers for years, Ferrari included.
Personally, having bought a ferrari in the past, I know that you pay a hell of a lot for the badge. There's no way on earth a 458 could be worth over £200k. It's mostly a wealth statement. If driving pleasure was the only criteria, an Elise has most ferraris beat hands down.
it was actually Ferrari themselves who asked journos how they thought the steering on the 458 compared to the Evora.
Lotus cars have been used as benchmarks for other manufacturers for years, Ferrari included.
Personally, having bought a ferrari in the past, I know that you pay a hell of a lot for the badge. There's no way on earth a 458 could be worth over £200k. It's mostly a wealth statement. If driving pleasure was the only criteria, an Elise has most ferraris beat hands down.
The Pits said:
... If driving pleasure was the only criteria, an Elise has most ferraris beat hands down.
Not sure an Elise has the engine noise or sense of occasion of a Ferrari (both of which I'd equate to some form of driving pleasure), so can't entirely agree there although I do concede that in the handling stakes it (the Elise) would beat pretty much anything!I totally take your point that noise and sense of occasion play their part in adding to driving pleasure.
However, to my ears, the toyota engine with a louder exhaust is scintillating. The best sounding four pot around. I'll grant you Ferrari has the edge in sound (even if a flat plane crank makes an essentially four cylinder sound), but that is traditionally a Ferrari strong point. Sense of occasion I find is very great in an Elise and strangely even greater in an Exige because they are completely unlike anything else to sit in. The later Ferraris have cool interior designs and that badge is very evocative so I grant you that one as well.
In terms of ownership I can only compare my Elise to the ferrari 355 I used to own. The 355 won on noise, no question but in every other aspect I prefer driving the Elise. Having driven an Exige 260 recently I think it has a considerable performance advantage over a 355, round corners and on the straights too. All for under £50k. To my surprise I had no problem keeping up with the latest GT3 Porsche at Spa (I'm refering to the huge straights too) back in May and that car is several leagues above the much older 355 for track driving.
I mean this as less an insult to Ferrari, more an complement to Lotus. Their cars really are very special and often not properly appreciated.
Given a Euromillions jackpot I'd without question have an Exige parked in the mansion but still not convinced I'd bother with a 458. Or currently any modern Ferrari.
However, to my ears, the toyota engine with a louder exhaust is scintillating. The best sounding four pot around. I'll grant you Ferrari has the edge in sound (even if a flat plane crank makes an essentially four cylinder sound), but that is traditionally a Ferrari strong point. Sense of occasion I find is very great in an Elise and strangely even greater in an Exige because they are completely unlike anything else to sit in. The later Ferraris have cool interior designs and that badge is very evocative so I grant you that one as well.
In terms of ownership I can only compare my Elise to the ferrari 355 I used to own. The 355 won on noise, no question but in every other aspect I prefer driving the Elise. Having driven an Exige 260 recently I think it has a considerable performance advantage over a 355, round corners and on the straights too. All for under £50k. To my surprise I had no problem keeping up with the latest GT3 Porsche at Spa (I'm refering to the huge straights too) back in May and that car is several leagues above the much older 355 for track driving.
I mean this as less an insult to Ferrari, more an complement to Lotus. Their cars really are very special and often not properly appreciated.
Given a Euromillions jackpot I'd without question have an Exige parked in the mansion but still not convinced I'd bother with a 458. Or currently any modern Ferrari.
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