CAR Mag Sports Car Test 2022- YouTube Video

[scarzie]

I also love how he complains about the clutch when the others don’t even offer a third pedal

 

[Jonhklee]

I also love how he complains about the clutch when the others don’t even offer a third pedal

Shows the way it is heading….. there will be less and less drivers knowing what a good clutch pedal feels like.

 

[emiraspain]

It is an interesting topic.... I think brand is also something to take into consideration. Lotus generally speaking, is placed higher on the Brand spectrum due mostly to the F1 heritage. It's probably in the same line as Maserati. Not Ferrari/lambo/aston/mclaren/porsche. Although with Evija they want to be placed in that pantheon... But unless they actually sell the Evija they will stay below it.

After that being mid-engine gives it a totally different perspective than front engine. More exotic. Hard to place it against "regular" sports cars. I do think M2, Supra, TTrs, C8, Cayman, Z, RS5 buyers would look at an Emira, however depending on circumstance choose different cars. (children, weather, AWD Vs rear, dealership, convertible, manual, auto, performance, fun, etc...) People will choose what they want. But I do think it's in the realm of competition.

Sub 100K (usd)
similar performance
2 door sports cars/coupes

So based on branding / mid-engine / price / performance / weight / manual ... it's GTS 4.0 vs Emira

I agree, although I do firmly believe many thinking of buying an M2 would consider an Emira, in fact there are people on this forum who currently have, or have had M2's so that answers that. However, as you said, simply practicality will swing the argument in favor of the M2; price, kids, dogs, work stuff, company car constraints, availability too it would seem . I myself could contemplate an M2 C, but then also as you say, although varying the perspective a bit, for me, the same as a Ferrari (apart from the ROMA) I just cant and dont want to see myself in one, as I feel it says something about me that I dont want to be said, although of course I should not care and each person views these things differently so no offence to BMW and Ferrari owners, I have had a BMW and driven Ferraris before.... so anything is possible. I am one of these people that see 99% of Ferraris and look away ahah... and same for BMW's, although if no one is driving them, maybe I sneak a peak.. haha. However, I much prefer to be seen in a Lotus than the other two and this is something I think many on this site would feel....

They ALSO and perhaps mainly do this to win race series and maintain their racing heritage/name/reputation amongst the industry and car buyers and
When Hyundia win race series / rally / whatever (I think they have the former head of BMW's M division working on their "N" cars and other things of course), well then, as is happening now already, younger people will buy their cars, people who would not have given a 2nd glance to them a few years ago, just like Seat. The idea being to get the young on side, who then "never" loose their love for the brand, same as Orio's trying to invade the UK biscuit market in a way . I hate the things myself....
Even Mercedes designs have changed over the last 25 years to take market away from BMW and move away from the "old mans" car image.... but getting off track again as usual.

Not so interesting fact, and speaking of Hyundai. years and years and years ago... I had the appalling choice at work between a Hyundai Coupe F something edition and a Renault Megane coupe, remember the famed bright yellow one (I actually liked them back in the day and I don't even think sexy french Nichole drove one in the adds). My work colleague said what clearly applies now , "do you want a car thats a mainstream family car, dolled up a bit, or do you want something a bit different, that was originally designed to be that way, ie a sports car." Yes a sports car is a bit of a push in this case, although it wasnt a "bad" car.
Lotus and Porsche for that matter have a very difficult job, even Caterham does, as not everyone appreciates or perceives the handling differences between mid engined cars, flat bottom floors etc. Any car company can throw a big engine in, tune it, get a better gear box than Lotus and get a decent race driver to help with the suspension, that comes from the same 3 4 companies for all cars. Yep, they have to create an overall package to beat the M2 or whatever other more mainstream cars and the LOOKS help a lot, as does the brand. For me the brand comes more from James bond than F1 to be honest .... their F1 days are so far behind now, like some of the Italians, it doesnt enter into my head, but the Esprit and barbara bach was it? and the skiis on the back later on and pretty woman... loved the white and later red/bronze/orange.... who knows what colour, a bit like DV in its lack of clarity.. haha...sorry.

 

[Lotustoronto]

I remember watching on how the director chose a Lotus for pretty woman. At first they had asked Ferrari who said yes, but after reading the script said they didn't want to be associated with prostitutes and denied them a car. One of the staff suggested the Esprit, the director at first didn't agree until they pointed out it was James Bond's car in the last Bond film... The rest was history.

 

[emiraspain]

I remember watching on how the director chose a Lotus for pretty woman. At first they had asked Ferrari who said yes, but after reading the script said they didn't want to be associated with prostitutes and denied them a car. One of the staff suggested the Esprit, the director at first didn't agree until they pointed out it was James Bond's car in the last Bond film... The rest was history.

I certainly did not know that.... I can see Ferrari's initial reaction could be that, but you would have thought.. they are Italian...who cares..hah
With the Time / age / date / history taken into.... I think the Esprit is equally if not BETTER looking than the emira, and in reality, the performance is also comparable... like with like at that time and going on true figures, not Lotus's, which were very untrue.... at least for early models.

 

[Lotustoronto]

I certainly did not know that.... I can see Ferrari's initial reaction could be that, but you would have thought.. they are Italian...who cares..hah
With the Time / age / date / history taken into.... I think the Esprit is equally if not BETTER looking than the emira, and in reality, the performance is also comparable... like with like at that time and going on true figures, not Lotus's, which were very untrue.... at least for early models.

Apple has a similar policy... the bad guy in any movie is not allowed to use an iPhone.

It is crazy to think that an Esprit V8 has similiar 0-60 time... It was a special Lotus that is for sure.

 

[Toomanyloti]

What a ridiculous test.

2 cars at around the third of a £million mark and another that 99.99% of us aren't even allowed to order.

I'm getting more and more sick of these magazines. They're completely pointless as far as helping anyone choose which of a bunch of cars to buy.

2/10 for effort.

Exactly.

I can't speak for those chaps buying £250k cars but if it were me and i had that sort of cash to spaff on a pointless car on the road im not sure I would seek out any reviews especially from those who cant afford one!!!

 

[emiraspain]

Apple has a similar policy... the bad guy in any movie is not allowed to use an iPhone.

It is crazy to think that an Esprit V8 has similiar 0-60 time... It was a special Lotus that is for sure.

I didnt know that either..... i think you have a book in you...
here's one of mine,... as if there were hundreds

Amazon product

 

[frazzer]

All this talk of weight.

The just announced (40mins ago) new GT3 RS features extensive weight reduction, for the first time the doors are CF as are most of the panels. All the glass is thinner and so on and so on....weight? 1,450kg. Sound familiar?

Ok, it has that beast of a 4.0 flat six, and a front end sharper than a katana, but it just shows weight is not objectively discussed when it comes to these cars.

 

[Leonard]

All this talk of weight.

The just announced (40mins ago) new GT3 RS features extensive weight reduction, for the first time the doors are CF as are most of the panels. All the glass is thinner and so on and so on....weight? 1,450kg. Sound familiar?

Ok, it has that beast of a 4.0 flat six, and a front end sharper than a katana, but it just shows weight is not objectively discussed when it comes to these cars.

Impressive looking car... Just watching the reviews now

 

[frazzer]

Impressive looking car... Just watching the reviews now

Rumour is it's not carbon fibre, it's crafted by Germans out of solid unobtainium

 

[Leonard]

Rumour is it's not carbon fibre, it's crafted by Germans out of solid unobtainium

Just heard the price and thought oooo 168k that's cheap for a car like that. Then remembered it will have a 100k premium

 

[DJS]

The wing at the back is just to much for me, other than that a good effort from Porsche as always.

 

[Leonard]

The wing at the back is just to much for me, other than that a good effort from Porsche as always.

Way OTT BUT fit for purpose.
Cool all the aero is adjustable in car

 

[TomE]

Way OTT BUT fit for purpose.
Cool all the aero is adjustable in car

You’re literally going to need a wingman in the passenger seat…

 

[hagen111]

For me it is clear after another review like this:

- Get touring suspension in case you want a grocery getter…soft and equipped for bumpy road

- Get Sport and Cup2 in case you want a sportscar and the best possible Emira.

 

[Lotustoronto]

For me it is clear after another review like this:

- Get touring suspension in case you want a grocery getter…soft and equipped for bumpy road

- Get Sport and Cup2 in case you want a sportscar and the best possible Emira.

Especially since CAR mag did the first review vs cayman gts with high praise on a sport/cup 2 (blue one)

On another note, Autocar drove the red touring, assuming it was the same to CAR mag in this review and he did point out a few of the same flaws, which did not come up on the blue car (sport/cup 2)

 

[Vanman1936]

Especially since CAR mag did the first review vs cayman gts with high praise on a sport/cup 2 (blue one)

On another note, Autocar drove the red touring, assuming it was the same to CAR mag in this review and he did point out a few of the same flaws, which did not come up on the blue car (sport/cup 2)

It’s weird, this solo Car review was broadly positive https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/lotus/emira-coupe/

 

[Lotustoronto]

It’s weird, this solo Car review was broadly positive https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/lotus/emira-coupe/

Sport / cup2 (blue) vs touring/goodyear (red) is the difference.

 

[eriegz]

weight? 1,450kg. Sound familiar?

By chance have you watched the Top Gear "first look" video for the new GT3 RS yet? Right after they give the GT3 RS's weight, they specifically say "that's only 45 kg heavier than the lightest-spec Lotus Emira". I thought that was funny in light of your comment.