Emira Wheel Gap Discussion

[digilotus]

Do you know how much effort it takes to get that misalignment millimetre-perfect on every vehicle down the line!? Ingrateful sods...

I thought this was laser guided misalignment that is accurate to the micrometer?

 

[FederGigant]

Quite exhausting to read through the last few pages. Calm down guys. I think the real problem is that Lotus lost all the peoples trust which led to this kind of threads. They told us the exact ride height nearly one year ago (20mm higher than the Seneca show car, 5mm lower than the Shadow Grey running prototype). Why do you even bother after seeing some pre production cars that don't look exactly like you want them to look? Do some of you really think that Lotus will deliver cars with SUV ride height?

 

[Citizen]

There are a few of us new to the brand. A brand that is known for not having the highest quality standards prior to the Emira. Unlike the people in the UK and more likely elsewhere in the world, some of us were required to submit hefty non refundable deposits without any confirmation what we are really getting. So when photos fly around of the latest cars with raise suspension, panels misaligned, saggy leather seats, it alarms us. Especially knowing how Lotus touted to everyone that Quality is highest priority. Yes, these latest round of pics aren't production cars... but they are the closest we have seen so far and Lotus is doing nothing to say otherwise. The real test will be what we see in two weeks when the embargo lifts. That everyone is right and that the Koolaid everyone is drinking pays off. (My Koolaid wore off!!! Need the Reviews to refresh) I want to be wrong on this and I hope Lotus proves it. I want my Emira to be the car Lotus promised, because it was what captured my attention and lured me away from Porsche. I took a gamble and hope it will payoff!

After embargo lifts still non production cars showed

 

[Eagle7]

All of this last minute fiddling with things is a sign of a perfectionist. For 99% of people, they'll look at something and think it's fine, while the perfectionist is going "No, there's this one thing that needs changing."

It's good that the people at Lotus care this much about what they're producing, that they're willing to get that last bit of whatever it is they feel needs adjusting. The delay in production may wind up benefitting us in the long run, because it's given them time to make those small adjustments, like in the feel of sitting on the seats for example.

We're less than 2 weeks away from actual reviews. From seeing that snippet of the look on Chris Harris' face, who is not afraid to say if he doesn't like something (he even alienated Ferrari at one time because of his evaluation of their cars), I'm expecting the Emira to be simply great. It's going to deliver what no one else is, or may ever be able to. A grand combination of exotic looks, sound, road feel, steering feel, and for those who ordered one... a manual gearbox. All for under $100k U.S. What a way to end the ICE era (unless we get a reprieve because the electric era is already indicating it's going to be a LOT more expensive than it was thought to be).

 

[vision]

There are a few of us new to the brand. A brand that is known for not having the highest quality standards prior to the Emira. Unlike the people in the UK and more likely elsewhere in the world, some of us were required to submit hefty non refundable deposits without any confirmation what we are really getting. So when photos fly around of the latest cars with raise suspension, panels misaligned, saggy leather seats, it alarms us. Especially knowing how Lotus touted to everyone that Quality is highest priority. Yes, these latest round of pics aren't production cars... but they are the closest we have seen so far and Lotus is doing nothing to say otherwise. The real test will be what we see in two weeks when the embargo lifts. That everyone is right and that they Koolaid everyone is drinking pays off. I want to be wrong on this and I hope Lotus proves it. I want my Emira to be the car Lotus promised, because it was what captured my attention and lured me away from Porsche. I took a gamble and hope it will payoff!

Ok, I've owned a lot of lotus cars, and in all honesty its rare beast that will not often be seen on the road: Elise, Exige and Evora do not exist on a day to day basis and often appear as a sole driver hurtling at stupid speeds down a road who does not want to be seen. Some people like got go to meets, invest etc, I get all that but not for me.
It is certainly not going to be a Porsche its going to be its unruly cousin with ruff bits, a hangover, a mullet and generally rough around the edges to start with and certainly if it looks that good from here, I don't care, can't wait for delivery? if and when!!

 

[Jonhklee]

I did the factory heritage tour this week. I understand 85% of the production run will go to countries outside of UK. the line was still doing pre-production cars working out the processes, but they did have the first 30 or so Production Car chassis staged at the start of the line with the majority left hand drive.

Here’s a thought. All pre-production cars will be CRUSHED eventually.

 

[TXEMIRA]

Quite exhausting to read through the last few pages. Calm down guys. I think the real problem is that Lotus lost all the peoples trust which led to this kind of threads. They told us the exact ride height nearly one year ago (20mm higher than the Seneca show car, 5mm lower than the Shadow Grey running prototype). Why do you even bother after seeing some pre production cars that don't look exactly like you want them to look? Do some of you really think that Lotus will deliver cars with SUV ride height?

Wait. What about the exhaust?

#ForTheFunny

 

[digilotus]

Wait. What about the exhaust?

#ForTheFunny

@TXEMIRA now you're just blowing smoke!

 

[Wizardwings]

At least there's consistency in assembly.

View attachment 5969
View attachment 5970

Yes, at least it's consistent!

 

[digilotus]

Yes, at least it's consistent!View attachment 6007

Everyone picks on this. But do they realise this is actually the way it is designed ?

They wanted to have an impression of a spoiler lip... so they integrated the lower spoiler lip edge with a panel join (which is actually quite clever). If they made the lower spoiler lip flush to align with the rear bumper, then the "integrated spoiler" would have appeared to be melted into the rear on each side of the car.

If this design bothers you, then get a Shadow Grey or DV and you won't see it.

#fortheshadow

 

[EspritGuy]

Here’s a thought. All pre-production cars will be CRUSHED eventually.

To fix the wheel gap issue?

 

[virtualmacho]

This won't help the wheel gap issue, but I think I found a solution for the panel gaps!

colored duct tape - Google Search

 

[kbhoz]

I am one that isn't too troubled by the wheel gap. Sure in this instance smaller is perhaps better. Compared to the on road shots of the Ferrari F8 (ie not configurator) the Emira is quite good.

 

[wallstbear]

The level of accuracy I expect from a $5 hamburger and a $94k sportscar are very different. I'd rather compare Lotus against Porsche, which seems to feel no need to enhance the appearance of their cars in their marketing materials and configurator.

As the average American consumes 2.4 hamburgers per day, that adds up to 70K burgers over a lifetime (US$350K)... Not to mention the deviation on a hamburger is probably 5-10 times more than that of the Emira.

 

[silverstonelotusguy]

Everyone picks on this. But do they realise this is actually the way it is designed ?

They wanted to have an impression of a spoiler lip... so they integrated the lower spoiler lip edge with a panel join (which is actually quite clever). If they made the lower spoiler lip flush to align with the rear bumper, then the "integrated spoiler" would have appeared to be melted into the rear on each side of the car.

If this design bothers you, then get a Shadow Grey or DV and you won't see it.

#fortheshadow

Have you seen shadow grey yet ? But not the Silverstone car with stickers all over it

 

[digilotus]

Have you seen shadow grey yet ? But not the Silverstone car with stickers all over it

Haven't seen one in person yet, but there's plenty of photos of it without stickers all over it!

 

[dgrace]

If you want to play around with ride height, camber, and offset: I updated my UE4 sandbox tool to let you control them. I'd love to add options for different wheel diameters but I don't have models for those parts. Download link in my signature. Enjoy!

 

[TomE]

There are a few of us new to the brand. A brand that is known for not having the highest quality standards prior to the Emira. Unlike the people in the UK and more likely elsewhere in the world, some of us were required to submit hefty non refundable deposits without any confirmation what we are really getting. So when photos fly around of the latest cars with raise suspension, panels misaligned, saggy leather seats, it alarms us. Especially knowing how Lotus touted to everyone that Quality is highest priority. Yes, these latest round of pics aren't production cars... but they are the closest we have seen so far and Lotus is doing nothing to say otherwise. The real test will be what we see in two weeks when the embargo lifts. That everyone is right and that the Koolaid everyone is drinking pays off. (My Koolaid wore off!!! Need the Reviews to refresh) I want to be wrong on this and I hope Lotus proves it. I want my Emira to be the car Lotus promised, because it was what captured my attention and lured me away from Porsche. I took a gamble and hope it will payoff!

I sympathise with this a lot. Lotus could have done a whole load more to reassure people new to the brand on things like this.

I appreciate the obsessive Lotus attention to detail and quality. I doubt many of us could tell the difference between any of the dozens of tyre compounds Gav tested (not tyre brands, the multiple type compounds on one tyre option). But the effect of that has meant continuing delays in finalising items like the seats.

Those delays have, as a consequence, delayed publishing details and pictures of the final version of the car. That's not helping reassure the very people Lotus want to attract to the brand. A big miss from my perspective.

 

[silverstonelotusguy]

I sympathise with this a lot. Lotus could have done a whole load more to reassure people new to the brand on things like this.

I appreciate the obsessive Lotus attention to detail and quality. I doubt many of us could tell the difference between any of the dozens of tyre compounds Gav tested (not tyre brands, the multiple type compounds on one tyre option). But the effect of that has meant continuing delays in finalising items like the seats.

Those delays have, as a consequence, delayed publishing details and pictures of the final version of the car. That's not helping reassure the very people Lotus want to attract to the brand. A big miss from my perspective.

I agree
I am getting nervous now and just waiting for some reviews that aren’t free car pay offs & brown envelopes like most are
I wouldn’t touch a lotus previously but went with the flow at goodwood a car with sealed doors
The

I sympathise with this a lot. Lotus could have done a whole load more to reassure people new to the brand on things like this.

I appreciate the obsessive Lotus attention to detail and quality. I doubt many of us could tell the difference between any of the dozens of tyre compounds Gav tested (not tyre brands, the multiple type compounds on one tyre option). But the effect of that has meant continuing delays in finalising items like the seats.

Those delays have, as a consequence, delayed publishing details and pictures of the final version of the car. That's not helping reassure the very people Lotus want to attract to the brand. A big miss from my perspective.

i agree with the above @77k there up against proven brands & known cars and Manafacture’s
I previously wouldn’t touch a Lotus
I bought in on the basis of a car with sealed doors at goodwood
uK climate looking sketchy and car went from 60k at goodwood to then being told my build August 22 is now 77k that’s moved it a lot closer to other proven cars
60 was great value
77 not feeling it as much now & the fact I check YouTube every 72hrs to see a couple of “reviews”
I hope to see so genuine non freebie cars / brown envelope reviews before I get that request for the big chunk 3rd payment
Is that how it’s going to play out ?

7th June embargo lifting and a request for the balance on the 4-5th or loose your slot ?

Have any of you paid the 3rd payment yet for a July / August 22
car ?
Was it the full remaining balance ?

 

[switchlanez]

I agree
I am getting nervous now and just waiting for some reviews that aren’t free car pay offs & brown envelopes like most are
I wouldn’t touch a lotus previously but went with the flow at goodwood a car with sealed doors
The

i agree with the above @77k there up against proven brands & known cars and Manafacture’s
I previously wouldn’t touch a Lotus
I bought in on the basis of a car with sealed doors at goodwood
uK climate looking sketchy and car went from 60k at goodwood to then being told my build August 22 is now 77k that’s moved it a lot closer to other proven cars
60 was great value
77 not feeling it as much now & the fact I check YouTube every 72hrs to see a couple of “reviews”
I hope to see so genuine non freebie cars / brown envelope reviews before I get that request for the big chunk 3rd payment
Is that how it’s going to play out ?

7th June embargo lifting and a request for the balance on the 4-5th or loose your slot ?

Have any of you paid the 3rd payment yet for a July / August 22
car ?
Was it the full remaining balance ?

I don't view car reviews that cynically. The reviewers have a reputation to uphold and ones that are brutally honest but forthright tend to prosper. There is an element of emotional hype that could tip some subjective talking points in Lotus's favor but you can sniff those out if not presented with hard facts to back them. Then just take those points with a grain of salt or throw them out completely. You'd also know a review isn't BS when multiple others corroborate a praise or complaint. The odd review that misses on those or fails to elaborate with facts might have credibility that's not up to snuff (for good reason).