a110 still winning comparisons

[a110au]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEC6NJMqz-M

enjoyable review of A110s vs Mustang MACH1 vs current RS3

[essexstu]

the most fun car without doubt!

will be interesting to see the forthcoming Lotus Emira v Cayman v Alpine group tests. The Emira looks great but its 50% more expensive than the Alpine and performance very similar. Actually the lightweight Alpine is more "Lotus" than the Lotus lol

[pfaz]

essexstu said:

The Emira looks great but its 50% more expensive than the Alpine and performance very similar. Actually the lightweight Alpine is more "Lotus" than the Lotus lol

50%?

Agreed though that the Alpine is the best car Lotus should have made. I imagine the badge snobs would have approved of that as well.

[essexstu]

pfaz said:

50%?

Agreed though that the Alpine is the best car Lotus should have made. I imagine the badge snobs would have approved of that as well.

Based on Alpine £50k and the Emira First Edition £73k so yes, about 50% more

[pfaz]

essexstu said:

Based on Alpine £50k and the Emira First Edition £73k so yes, about 50% more

Fair point, I just assume the more natural comparison is with the £60k base model rather than the FE with a bunch of options you may/may not care about. I expect the 4cyl/dct Emira is going to be stiff competition.

[essexstu]

pfaz said:

Fair point, I just assume the more natural comparison is with the £60k base model rather than the FE with a bunch of options you may/may not care about. I expect the 4cyl/dct Emira is going to be stiff competition.

yes I believe the AMG engined Emira will start at £60k but there will be quite a few options probably to bring it to the same spec as the base Alpine. Hope it does well though, it will ensure Lotus long term survival.

[bcr5784]

pfaz said:

Fair point, I just assume the more natural comparison is with the £60k base model rather than the FE with a bunch of options you may/may not care about. I expect the 4cyl/dct Emira is going to be stiff competition.

Be interesting to see. It clearly has supercar looks that will be a big draw to many. Once you get past that though it's appeal is more limited (to me at least) as a buyer as opposed to a keyboard warrier. It's girth and weight count against it (as may ground clearance under the front splitter). In some markets it's emissions will inflate the price. Performance will be similar and Lotus will have to work hard to make the engine sound as good (it sounds dreadful in the A45).

At the moment quite a few look forward to 4 pot - perhaps because, to date, the V6 has rather failed to live up to its billing.

I wonder how many will go on and on and on about the lack of manual gearbox - probably few potential buyers.

I DO want Lotus to succeed, partly as a past owner and partly because of the cooperation with Alpine on EVs.

[worldwidewebs]

essexstu said:

pfaz said:

50%?

Agreed though that the Alpine is the best car Lotus should have made. I imagine the badge snobs would have approved of that as well.

Based on Alpine £50k and the Emira First Edition £73k so yes, about 50% more

There is a world of difference in specs between a V6 FE Emira and a base A110! Compare the £50k base A110 with a base i4 Emira at £60k, or a loaded £70k+ A110S with a £78k FE V6.



(For what it's worth, I'm keeping my A110 that was £56k with options in favour of the Emira that I ordered in April 2021 and money has nothing to do with it - I just think it will be closer to my Elise that I still have than the Emira will be)

[Venisonpie]

worldwidewebs said:

There is a world of difference in specs between a V6 FE Emira and a base A110! Compare the £50k base A110 with a base i4 Emira at £60k, or a loaded £70k+ A110S with a £78k FE V6.



(For what it's worth, I'm keeping my A110 that was £56k with options in favour of the Emira that I ordered in April 2021 and money has nothing to do with it - I just think it will be closer to my Elise that I still have than the Emira will be)

Yeah, I had a deposit down on an Emira but realised it wasn't going to work for me. Width was the biggest thing but for a sportscar the weight was disappointing. For a fun car it's a high priority for my money.

[pfaz]

Venisonpie said:

Yeah, I had a deposit down on an Emira but realised it wasn't going to work for me. Width was the biggest thing but for a sportscar the weight was disappointing. For a fun car it's a high priority for my money.

I've still got mine down on an FE. I'm picking up a new A110 tomorrow and tbh can't see myself chucking it in for an Emira sometime next year when mine is due but I'll keep the deposit rolling for now until I get to drive one in earnest.

I do find it ironic that on the one side we have a brigade of people complaining about the A110's lack of manual and then Lotus bring out a v6/manual car and the Emira forums are full of posts saying, wait for the lighter 4cyl/dct, that'll be the car to get!