New Kid on the Block from Lotus

[Motorhead]

For those who’ve not been keeping up with the pre-release hype, Lotus has just announced details of the (potentially) 718 Cayman-rivalling Emira -

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/all-new-lotus-emira-kick-starts-firms-reinvention-amg-power

Price ~£60k and with two engine options: Toyota 3.5L supercharged V6 (with manual and auto transmissions) and an AMG 2.0L I4 (with DCT transmission) featuring outputs between 355bhp and 395bhp. Lotus wants to produce up to 4800 Emiras per year, on sale spring 2022.

It’s a big step up for Lotus in terms of useability and certainly looks good on paper.

Jeff

 

[AndrewCS]

If it has `mesh grilles` to protect the radiators / exchangers as standard plus lower gearing ... it`ll be a winner []

 

[Motorhead]

Ha,Ha! Yes Andrew, although I think that there’s just a central near-horizontal radiator for the coolant … not sure about a/c condensers though. []

Head over to Carfection for Henry Catchpole’s (non-driving) piece on YouTube for some interesting technical and design insights.

https://youtu.be/F1H_Wd1tN-A

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

After looking at few videos I think I'd possibly go for one of those in V6 manual format over any Cayman except a GT4. I'm looking forward to the reviews, Lotus may well have a winner on their hands if it's any good.

I hope it's not a tarted up Evora though, which is what the pricing suggests it is...

 

[Motorhead]

Dave,

I get the impression that the Evora was the starting point (same wheelbase but wider track?), although that in itself isn’t a bad thing from the ride and handling standpoint. The V6 powertrain installation sounds like carry-over too, although lots of chat about the most powerful 360PS engine being the AMG I4. In the video I thought I caught the comment that it’s steel bodied, but could be wrong there.

Like you I’m looking forward to the reviews, and definitely I’d agree that it looks as though Lotus could have a winner on its hands. Much will depend upon build quality and reliability when they crank-up production though.

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

I think the AMG I4 is the 360bhp unit Jeff, and the V6 the 400bhp?

Plenty of potential to wind the wick up on the AMG unit to A45 specs I suspect...

 

[AndrewCS]

Much will depend upon build quality and reliability when they crank-up production though

This and dealer proximity & quality are my main concerns

Family had an A45 AMG back in 2015, did 40k in two years ... amazing engine and brakes but fragile gearbox (replaced under warranty). `Box was not a patch on a PDK, hopefully much improved now

Depending on `box I`d favour the auto V6

 

[Motorhead]

Andrew,

I think that Lotus is planning to have 30 UK dealerships, including a presence in the major cities, which is more than achievable given their strong financial backing. Whether or not that’s going to be sufficient given their ambitions we’ll just have to wait and see. It is important though, to which McLaren owners will undoubtedly testify.

The auto-box used with the Toyota V6 is I think a conventional slush-pump type whereas the AMG I4 is coupled to a dual-clutch transmission.

Jeff

 

[Kaiser981]

One of these just opened Goodwood this morning, on the live feed it sounded quite well and I know of a Porsche owner who has already booked one of these. Superb looking car, certainly not as lightweight as the Lotus Elise, Exige but the looks won me over quite quickly, especially at the price point.

 

[Motorhead]

I’ve not yet seen that Paul. I assume that it’s the V6-engine version since it would be the most straightforward version for public presentation in terms of a tried and tested powertrain.

It’s a great looking car - almost a mini-supercar - with similar dimensions to the Cayman, but maybe slightly heavier. Having said that, the PDK transmission adds quite a lot of weight (30kg) to the Cayman, so you need to compare apples with apples.

There’s a lot of online criticism by Lotus purists of the weight compared with the Elise family, but things have moved on a long way particularly regarding crash requirements since that car was introduced, and Lotus are now looking at a different type of market and customer … especially in terms of usability. Making low weight, minimalist, Sunday drive/track day cars hasn’t made Lotus any money and has threatened the very existence of the company, so with the strong financial backing they’ve secured let’s hope that the new car is a success and keeps the major manufacturers - Porsche included - on their toes.

Incidentally, although the headline price is sub-£60k I wouldn’t be surprised to see top-spec cars coming in at more than £80k.

Jeff

 

[AndrewCS]

The New Lotus Emira - An Evora Fan's First Impressions. - YouTube

 

[Twinfan]

The New Lotus Emira - An Evora Fan's First Impressions. - YouTube

Hmm, seems I called it earlier...

I hope it's not a tarted up Evora though, which is what the pricing suggests it is...

 

[geoff lane]

Andrew, the new A45S is a big step up from the original car I had the mk2 original and have driven the new A45S quite a lot, it really is good the engine and transmission is really good in fact this engine is to be the base for the new hybrid C63 (no V8 anymore) so Merc must trust it.

For me a Lotus should have a manual box and as this will be the last before electric it would have to be a manual V6 for me.

A pity there will not be a manual for the 4 cyl.

I really like it and a drive when possible could give me a decision to make if it drives as well as it looks.

 

[MrDemon]

I ordered one already

I disliked the 981 range and the 718 GTS is flawed (AT £90k all in )for a fun car to a point I did not buy one of those either.

Emira has passive shocks, a real diff, hydraulic Steering and double wishbones all round. Sounds like a Cayman R with 992 GT3 suspension.

It will out drive any Cayman hence I ordered one. Not the fasted thing but if I wanted that I would keep my GT3.

This car will drive great if you enjoy driving, some thing Porsche seem lately to have forgotten in the Cayman Models. And now only chase Ring times in GT models. Quite exited for the Emira to be on my Drive. A Green comfort V6 manual of course to use and drive every day all weathers for FUN. This will pick up many ex Porsche owners and is doing.

 

[Motorhead]

Well done D for taking a punt, site unseen as it were … brave call! I suppose that with the underpinnings in terms of chassis and V6 powertrain well-proven there’s less risk involved.

Hopefully there’ll be minimal problems with the new production facility and Lotus will come good on their promises since it’ll be a great car regardless of transmission choice. If so they’ll be on to a winner and will be taking sales away from the likes of Porsche.

Jeff

 

[geoff lane]

David,

Sold your GT3 ?

If I were to buy it would be the same, Green, comfort V6 manual.

I would miss all the PCGB benefits not having a Porsche.

 

[MrDemon]

David,

Sold your GT3 ?

If I were to buy it would be the same, Green, comfort V6 manual.

I would miss all the PCGB benefits not having a Porsche.

I still have the GT3 and Spyder and added a Z4 M40i as a stop gap until the Emira arrives which I am enjoying a lot more than I expected, in fact it does a lot of things far better than a Boxster esp the soft top which is night and day better than Porsches esp at speed, also having 500NM torques makes it a great daily atm, the Cabin and tech also leagues above Porsche. It just don't drive as well, but I bought it for ease and lifestyle and was 1/2 the price of a 718 GTS 4.0.

And only 46 mph in 2nd gear vs 89 in a GTS .

Lotus drivers club is a great club so cannot see me missing Porsche events much, I did not do many Porsche events anyway and Lotus ownership is more family and down to earth imo. you can even wave at each other when you see another Lotus, In the Porkers you get the middle finger wave lol. The events are more down to earth and affordable over the willy waving I see within PCGB. And I won't miss the OPC's !!!

I'll keep the Spyder and stay in the Club so best of both. But if I can never walk into a OPC again that will be a good thing Many Porsche owners will jump ship as they have been treated like shit for too long and the Emira offers a drivers way out from the Caymans we all loved.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Wow looks the part style wise and performance to match. []

 

[JohnCRS]

It will be interesting to see the relative weights on these. The Toyota V6 is a heavy old lump but the 4 Cylinder AMG unit should be a tad lighter. Having had a supercharged Exige the 4 cylinder engine is OK for me, but I am disappointed at the lack of a manual gearbox.

 

[MrDemon]

It will be interesting to see the relative weights on these. The Toyota V6 is a heavy old lump but the 4 Cylinder AMG unit should be a tad lighter. Having had a supercharged Exige the 4 cylinder engine is OK for me, but I am disappointed at the lack of a manual gearbox.

the Emira is about 312 BHP/ton VS the 718 GTS at 277BHp/ton, nothing to worry about. Lotus quoted full DIN weights with drivers etc, the cars about 1330KG vs 718 1404kg and it has more Bhp.

You would have to be bonkers to buy a GTS unless lifestyle or badge. I had a GTS for a day it was dull as dish water so did not order one hence my Z4 M40i.

its the V6 which they want to race in GT4 so again the AMG 4 pot for me is an odd choice when we are at the last ICE era, the V6 sounds so bloody good.

I did not buy the 981 or 718, not good enough cars for the ££££ the 981 hype is just daft it's Porsche worst steering car ever made lol. But people buy the badge and then post the Hype. Emira over 2000 deposits now !!! thank goodness people will vote with their feet and shun OPC's and the crap we had to put up with, it was always going to bite them back at some point.