New Kid on the Block from Lotus
- Thread starter Motorhead
- Start date
Thanks Andrew. I always enjoy Harry’s vids.
Very frustrating for Matt Windle and his team facing numerous issues leading to significant production delays, so they’re well behind schedule. Hopefully things will pick upon next year with the additional shift and maybe more reliable parts supply. Harry’s car is only #333! Nice touch having all the production techs signing his car though.
Interesting that Lotus rebuild the V6’s Toyota gearbox … different final drive ratio maybe?
Jeff
Very frustrating for Matt Windle and his team facing numerous issues leading to significant production delays, so they’re well behind schedule. Hopefully things will pick upon next year with the additional shift and maybe more reliable parts supply. Harry’s car is only #333! Nice touch having all the production techs signing his car though.
Interesting that Lotus rebuild the V6’s Toyota gearbox … different final drive ratio maybe?
Jeff
I finally test drove one last week after six years driving a base Cayman pdk, my thoughts…
Sports suspension is firmer than the Cayman on passive damping. I would order touring as will be a daily driver
Steering is far more direct, I now understand all the comments about hydraulic. I mean wow, the Cayman is direct and much improved from the vague old 981 first gen epas but the Emira’s steering is on another level entirely
Manual gearbox was excellent, quick change, is also very direct and definitely suited the car. I originally ordered an i4 dct but am now weighing up a base v6 manual as I enjoyed driving it so much.
Engine puts down a bit more power than the 300bhp Cayman and this is very evident as you run through the gears, it also has a very linear power curve. I didn’t hit the limiter so had no problem with the rev limit, it is plenty to have fun with as you blast through the gears. If you’re comparing to an SF90 then perhaps you might find it slow, but then there is a slight difference in price..
No issue with gear ratios. Always a lot of commentary on here about high gearing in Porsches but as long as you have power throughout the rev range I really don’t find it a problem.
No auto blipping on the down changes like Porsche but the pedals are well placed to heel and toe, this car is old school
Noise- coming from a hated four cylinder Porsche you’d think a v6 would be a revelation, well it wasn’t. My Cayman is pre gpf and much louder especially in sport mode. It sounds good to my ears but the Emira’s engine from inside the car was muted, that said the interior noise was much louder than the Cayman which is not particularly quiet.
I didn’t notice the interior fit and finish particularly as was far too busy enjoying the drive but build quality looked good to me. Trying the kef stereo at the end was better than the standard one in my Cayman.
Luggage space and all important cup holders are fine, maybe slightly less luggage space than the Cayman but plenty available and perfectly liveable as my daily car.
Looks, no comment needed here
As soon as I pulled away after getting in the driver’s seat I knew I liked it enormously. Cayman now feels positively more of a GT in comparison!
Sports suspension is firmer than the Cayman on passive damping. I would order touring as will be a daily driver
Steering is far more direct, I now understand all the comments about hydraulic. I mean wow, the Cayman is direct and much improved from the vague old 981 first gen epas but the Emira’s steering is on another level entirely
Manual gearbox was excellent, quick change, is also very direct and definitely suited the car. I originally ordered an i4 dct but am now weighing up a base v6 manual as I enjoyed driving it so much.
Engine puts down a bit more power than the 300bhp Cayman and this is very evident as you run through the gears, it also has a very linear power curve. I didn’t hit the limiter so had no problem with the rev limit, it is plenty to have fun with as you blast through the gears. If you’re comparing to an SF90 then perhaps you might find it slow, but then there is a slight difference in price..
No issue with gear ratios. Always a lot of commentary on here about high gearing in Porsches but as long as you have power throughout the rev range I really don’t find it a problem.
No auto blipping on the down changes like Porsche but the pedals are well placed to heel and toe, this car is old school
Noise- coming from a hated four cylinder Porsche you’d think a v6 would be a revelation, well it wasn’t. My Cayman is pre gpf and much louder especially in sport mode. It sounds good to my ears but the Emira’s engine from inside the car was muted, that said the interior noise was much louder than the Cayman which is not particularly quiet.
I didn’t notice the interior fit and finish particularly as was far too busy enjoying the drive but build quality looked good to me. Trying the kef stereo at the end was better than the standard one in my Cayman.
Luggage space and all important cup holders are fine, maybe slightly less luggage space than the Cayman but plenty available and perfectly liveable as my daily car.
Looks, no comment needed here
As soon as I pulled away after getting in the driver’s seat I knew I liked it enormously. Cayman now feels positively more of a GT in comparison!
Thanks for that appraisal James. Always good to get an input from someone other than a journo.
Does that mean you’re going to take a punt on one though, and more to the point, what’s the current position on delivery? I believe that they’re running well behind schedule ATM.
Jeff
Does that mean you’re going to take a punt on one though, and more to the point, what’s the current position on delivery? I believe that they’re running well behind schedule ATM.
Jeff
I‘m certainly no expert but the last press release I saw said developed by Lotus in collaboration with AMG:AndrewCS said:
https://media.lotuscars.c...on-featuring-the-world’s-most-powerful-four-cylinder-engine.html
https://media.lotuscars.c...on-featuring-the-world’s-most-powerful-four-cylinder-engine.html
AndrewCS
Active member
Thank you, although ^ links not valid but found ...
Lotus Emira First Edition: featuring the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine - Lotus Cars Media Site
The new four-cylinder Emira is powered by a bespoke version of AMG’s M139 direct injection engine. It is manufactured specifically for the Lotus Emira, and includes hardware changes to aid mid-mounted integration and new software to give it a true Lotus character. It is the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine homologated for road use (up to 208bhp / litre), widely regarded as the world’s best i4 unit and has an enviable reputation for reliability.
Using cutting-edge technology, it delivers outstanding performance for comparatively low emissions. The twin-scroll turbocharger with roller bearings is optimised for fast spool-up and minimum lag. The exhaust system is designed by Lotus and unique to the Emira.
Key to its appeal is the standard-fit eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with paddleshift – a first for Lotus. Gavan Kershaw, Director, Vehicle Attributes, Lotus, said: “It’s a bespoke rear-wheel drive variant of the transmission developed by Lotus in collaboration with AMG. On top of that, the gearshift strategy has been defined by the Hethel team as part of the car’s performance attributes. It is unique to the Emira and optimised for the best blend of outstanding driving engagement and performance, fuel consumption and emissions.”
Lotus Emira First Edition: featuring the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine - Lotus Cars Media Site
The new four-cylinder Emira is powered by a bespoke version of AMG’s M139 direct injection engine. It is manufactured specifically for the Lotus Emira, and includes hardware changes to aid mid-mounted integration and new software to give it a true Lotus character. It is the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine homologated for road use (up to 208bhp / litre), widely regarded as the world’s best i4 unit and has an enviable reputation for reliability.
Using cutting-edge technology, it delivers outstanding performance for comparatively low emissions. The twin-scroll turbocharger with roller bearings is optimised for fast spool-up and minimum lag. The exhaust system is designed by Lotus and unique to the Emira.
Key to its appeal is the standard-fit eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with paddleshift – a first for Lotus. Gavan Kershaw, Director, Vehicle Attributes, Lotus, said: “It’s a bespoke rear-wheel drive variant of the transmission developed by Lotus in collaboration with AMG. On top of that, the gearshift strategy has been defined by the Hethel team as part of the car’s performance attributes. It is unique to the Emira and optimised for the best blend of outstanding driving engagement and performance, fuel consumption and emissions.”
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Thats a good summary I think. All excellent cars. Corvette, great value for money and a definite 'look at me' design. Lotus, back to basics, pure, focus wrapped in a lovely shape. Cayman, so competent in all aspects that it has become a bit dull and it takes the GT cars to add the special sparkle.
I hope the 4 cylinder Emira lives up to expectations as it should be brilliant, but weight is still against it recapturing the values of the Exige.
I hope the 4 cylinder Emira lives up to expectations as it should be brilliant, but weight is still against it recapturing the values of the Exige.
Lotus are having difficulty getting the target power from the 4 pot turbo engine because of engine/turbo excess heat.
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