Emira performance - disappointing?

[Hell4Leather]

That seems a bit over the top. Lotus is for anything but the wannabees. I'd say people drag racing their Tesla Model 3s or sliding their Hellcats off the roads would better fit that description than a true driver's car, even if it isn't as powerful as you'd hope it to be.

The thing is: “the true driver’s car” is the same phrase used in the brochure for the Saleen 1 and a number of other similarly priced sports cars with better numbers. Lotus is what I want but even if I don’t use all the muscle it has, I need the vehicle to have it. Otherwise we’re paying for the badge.

 

[EspritGuy]

The thing is: “the true driver’s car” is the same phrase used in the brochure for the Saleen 1 and a number of other similarly priced sports cars with better numbers. Lotus is what I want but even if I don’t use all the muscle it has, I need the vehicle to have it. Otherwise we’re paying for the badge.

I think a lot of the sentiment expressed involves
finese versus force. Handling versus horses.
There's something out there to everyone's liking.
Buy it or not.

 

[KAR120C]

The thing is: “the true driver’s car” is the same phrase used in the brochure for the Saleen 1 and a number of other similarly priced sports cars with better numbers. Lotus is what I want but even if I don’t use all the muscle it has, I need the vehicle to have it. Otherwise we’re paying for the badge.

The Lotus badge has never represented high power. It's always been about finesse. If you thought you were getting the fastest stoplight car when you ordered it, you have always been destined for disappointment.

 

[Chobfreak]

I'm happy it hasn't got more power. A few years back I put a bigger turbo on my Opel GT Roadster and it made it worse because it got too fast too quickly (legally speaking).

I actually went back down to 320hp (from 380hp) as it makes the car more enjoyable (can get to the 7600 redline more often without getting into trouble) and in a relatively light (1380 kg with a full tank of fuel) front-mid-engined car, 460nm are plenty of showe.

If I want more power I take my Camaro SS, but that's of course a lot less agile.

 

[Lotustoronto]

No, I deposited like a year ago. I want this automobile to be awesome but it’s not shaping up that way. Why the absolute F is it so damn slow.

Well... there's a couple caveats to this.

1. A 718 GT4/Spyder is 4.4s 0-60 with a manual - Getting below 4 Sec. in any manual car is almost impossible. This comes down to the driver and how much abuse you want your car to go through. This is also the reason performance cars no longer offer manuals. (Ferrari, Porsche RS cars, Lambo, Corvette) So keep in mind the only new manual car you can bench mark is a Cayman GTS 4.0 - they probably are the same if not very close in acceleration.

2. DCT - this is what is going to give you the extra performance you are looking for. Perhaps in the 360 BHP base i4 Emira 4.2 isn't amazing, but not terrible. This is easily tuned too 400 BHP or higher and will result in much much quicker acceleration times. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if a 425-450 BHP i4 takes down a C8 in 0-60 in the near future.

In reality the manual will give you engagement and a completely different driving feel. It will not give you comparable performance to any PDK/DCT cars. Perhaps what you are looking for is an i4 S variant, which will be coming probably announced in 2024 to be a 2025 model.

Base Emira V6 especially in manual form is a different type of car, more about feel then power. Yes I will agree they should have given it the 430 BHP from the last version Evora. But again you will be able to tune it to that fairly easily. This is what I will be doing once the car is out of warranty or if Lotus offer it as an upgrade I would choose it.

 

[Hell4Leather]

Well... there's a couple caveats to this.

1. A 718 GT4/Spyder is 4.4s 0-60 with a manual - Getting below 4 Sec. in any manual car is almost impossible. This comes down to the driver and how much abuse you want your car to go through. This is also the reason performance cars no longer offer manuals. (Ferrari, Porsche RS cars, Lambo, Corvette) So keep in mind the only new manual car you can bench mark is a Cayman GTS 4.0 - they probably are the same if not very close in acceleration.

2. DCT - this is what is going to give you the extra performance you are looking for. Perhaps in the 360 BHP base i4 Emira 4.2 isn't amazing, but not terrible. This is easily tuned too 400 BHP or higher and will result in much much quicker acceleration times. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if a 425-450 BHP i4 takes down a C8 in 0-60 in the near future.

In reality the manual will give you engagement and a completely different driving feel. It will not give you comparable performance to any PDK/DCT cars. Perhaps what you are looking for is an i4 S variant, which will be coming probably announced in 2024 to be a 2025 model.

Base Emira V6 especially in manual form is a different type of car, more about feel then power. Yes I will agree they should have given it the 430 BHP from the last version Evora. But again you will be able to tune it to that fairly easily. This is what I will be doing once the car is out of warranty or if Lotus offer it as an upgrade I would choose it.

Starting from where the last model ended and pressing forward really isn’t too much to ask.

 

[Hell4Leather]

The Lotus badge has never represented high power. It's always been about finesse. If you thought you were getting the fastest stoplight car when you ordered it, you have always been destined for disappointment.

Not at all, never thought it would be the fastest ever. I knew it would be the best driving and the best to drive. I’m not a Lotus noob. I have a model de Havilland Mosquito just so so I can tell that F1 story. However, that doesn’t mean that the Emira shouldn’t at least post up numbers from where the last models were. You know, the ones with the same engine and drivetrain. If they offered it at 430hp with an auto doing 3.8 like the Evora then it’s really a non issue. But a 5 second car, manual or not, with what can only now be described as a comedically large amount of issues is not acceptable. Do understand I WANT this car. But it’s shaping up like we got catfished.

 

[KAR120C]

Not at all, never thought it would be the fastest ever. I knew it would be the best driving and the best to drive. I’m not a Lotus noob. I have a model de Havilland Mosquito just so so I can tell that F1 story. However, that doesn’t mean that the Emira shouldn’t at least post up numbers from where the last models were. You know, the ones with the same engine and drivetrain. If they offered it at 430hp with an auto doing 3.8 like the Evora then it’s really a non issue. But a 5 second car, manual or not, with what can only now be described as a comedically large amount of issues is not acceptable. Do understand I WANT this car. But it’s shaping up like we got catfished.

I guess I missed the memo. When did the Emira become a 5 second car?

 

[Hell4Leather]

I guess I missed the memo. When did the Emira become a 5 second car?

Since Autobild tested the FE V6 after deliveries began. In ideal conditions with a little prep they were able to push it to 4.6. But yea, for a non professional on a regular road driving for fun on the twisties; it’s 5 seconds. Look I’m not a Tesla 0-60 is all about it, but a sports car with a pedigree and price tag should be able to run with some pretty big dogs.

 

[Foxy87]

I couldnt care less about straight line performance but the thing is, the emira also doesnt deliver in the handling departement either (as the published tracktimes so far showed), which is just disappointing…

 

[KAR120C]

Since Autobild tested the FE V6 after deliveries began. In ideal conditions with a little prep they were able to push it to 4.6. But yea, for a non professional on a regular road driving for fun on the twisties; it’s 5 seconds. Look I’m not a Tesla 0-60 is all about it, but a sports car with a pedigree and price tag should be able to run with some pretty big dogs.

4.6 seems faster than 5. But then again every car mag test abuses the shit out of a car to get the numbers lower than a prudent owner ever would. That said, the 0-60 numbers are only marginally, if not completely irrelevant if you want to hang with guys in the twisties. I've never had any problem hanging with guys, in the mountains or on track in the corners, in a Lotus with much less horsepower. I don't expect the Emira to be any different.

You might as well ask for your deposit back. You're gonna be perpetually unhappy with bench racing, because that piece of paper isn't going to be a fast as you want.

 

[Hell4Leather]

. I've never had any problem hanging with guys, in the mountains or on track in the corners, in a Lotus with much less horsepower. I don't expect the Emira to be any different.

And yet the Emira is turning out to be different. That’s my point. Looking at the Elise, Exige, Evora 400, GT….then this. When I bring it up I’m met with “The Emira isn’t for the Legacy Owners” it’s a new market….blah blah. It doesn’t seem to be keeping pace straight or corner with similarly spec and priced vehicles……including older Lotus. That just shouldn’t be right.

 

[KAR120C]

And yet the Emira is turning out to be different. That’s my point. Looking at the Elise, Exige, Evora 400, GT….then this. When I bring it up I’m met with “The Emira isn’t for the Legacy Owners” it’s a new market….blah blah. It doesn’t seem to be keeping pace straight or corner with similarly spec and priced vehicles……including older Lotus. That just shouldn’t be right.

I'd like to see a bigger sample size of tests. Regardless, it is what it is. Definitely not worth being unhappy about it, just get the car that works for you.

 

[EspritGuy]

I couldnt care less about straight line performance but the thing is, the emira also doesnt deliver in the handling departement either (as the published tracktimes so far showed), which is just disappointing…

Chris Harris/Top Gear would beg to differ.

 

[Foxy87]

Chris Harris/Top Gear would beg to differ.

True, but numbers dont lie
I patiently await the SportAuto Supertest with tracktimes on HHR and green hell.

 

[Hell4Leather]

4.6 seems faster than 5. But then again every car mag test abuses the shit out of a car to get the numbers lower than a prudent owner ever would. That said, the 0-60 numbers are only marginally, if not completely irrelevant if you want to hang with guys in the twisties. I've never had any problem hanging with guys, in the mountains or on track in the corners, in a Lotus with much less horsepower. I don't expect the Emira to be any different.

You might as well ask for your deposit back. You're gonna be perpetually unhappy with bench racing, because that piece of paper isn't going to be a fast as you want.

And not just the paper times. I don’t care it is the feel. But a 4.6 feels like a 4.6 a 5 feels like a 5. A 3.8 Evora GT feels like a Lotus. I want that. I was shopping for one in 2021 when I came across the Emira. Same power plant, better lines, better infotainment, updated chassis- sign me up! Then all this……Why does wanting a new Lotus have to be a compromise?

 

[KAR120C]

And not just the paper times. I don’t care it is the feel. But a 4.6 feels like a 4.6 a 5 feels like a 5. A 3.8 Evora GT feels like a Lotus. I want that. I was shopping for one in 2021 when I came across the Emira. Same power plant, better lines, better infotainment, updated chassis- sign me up! Then all this……Why does wanting a new Lotus have to be a compromise?

It doesn't. Obviously it's not a compromise for many people.

Your personal expectations just don't align with the product they offer. Nothing wrong with that - it just says you need to be looking at a different vehicle.

 

[eriegz]

And not just the paper times. I don’t care it is the feel. But a 4.6 feels like a 4.6 a 5 feels like a 5. A 3.8 Evora GT feels like a Lotus. I want that. I was shopping for one in 2021 when I came across the Emira. Same power plant, better lines, better infotainment, updated chassis- sign me up! Then all this……Why does wanting a new Lotus have to be a compromise?

I see that you only joined this forum a few months ago, but Emira depositors have had almost 2 years by now to figure out what this car is and isn't. You sound like you're either just finding out about all this now, or you've been living in denial this whole time. In the past year or so there's been dozens of hands-on reviews from YouTubers, car magazines, and owners on this forum, and they all say pretty much the same thing:

• It's not a track weapon
• It's not a drag racer
• It's less exotic / prestigious than a Ferrari
• It's less reliable than a Porsche, AND YET...
• It's more fun (and beautiful) than any car you've had in your life

If that sounds like something that appeals to you, then fasten your (twisted) seatbelt and enjoy the ride with the rest of us! And if not, then all the best in your search.

 

[Hell4Leather]

I see that you only joined this forum a few months ago, but Emira depositors have had almost 2 years by now to figure out what this car is and isn't. You sound like you're either just finding out about all this now, or you've been living in denial this whole time. In the past year or so there's been dozens of hands-on reviews from YouTubers, car magazines, and owners on this forum, and they all say pretty much the same thing:

• It's not a track weapon
• It's not a drag racer
• It's less exotic / prestigious than a Ferrari
• It's less reliable than a Porsche, AND YET...
• It's more fun (and beautiful) than any car you've had in your life

If that sounds like something that appeals to you, then fasten your (twisted) seatbelt and enjoy the ride with the rest of us! And if not, then all the best in your search.

Search already happened. I’ll either wait for the excitement to cool off and grab the Evora I wanted in the first place or wait until the sport Emira comes out ———soon. I still want a Lotus. And your track weapon - a properly tuned Lotus in the right hands is always a weapon.

Lotus - For the Time Travelers

 

[Concept24]

Had the option of that car but it’s way too “BMW Bland” as i know it. Pretty quick but feels as boring as possible.

Well there's absolutely no contest when it comes to looks, but if the Supra looked like a Cayman at half the cost, then.......