Factory tour

Ok guys and gals heading to factory next week looking for info on where to stay how to get there from London and any good pubs ?

 

[Nick Sticks]

Can't go wrong staying at The Bird In Hand, closest pub to the factory.

The Bird In Hand, Wreningham

The Bird in Hand is a family run freehouse and restaurant combining all the atmosphere of a traditional British pub with quality food and drink and comfortable surroundings.

www.thebih.co.uk

Plus a while back Alex Brake (the manager I think) posted a discount promo code on Facebook: GROUPLOTUS2022, which might still work.
I've had lunch there a number of times and there's lots of Lotus photos etc on the walls.
Some people hire cars but the train from London to Norwich is good, then get a taxi.

 

[JAY]

Perfect thanks

 

[peterjr]

I'm picking up my new Emira Turbo (the AMG i4) next week from the factory. I will be going from London so will be leaving from Liverpool Street Station. You may wish to take the inter-city style train (https://www.greateranglia.co.uk) it's about £20+ off peak after 9.30am for a single journey to Norwich, and takes about 90-100 minutes. Then you can take a taxi from Norwich for £25 (about 30 minutes) to the factory or take a short 10 min train down to Wymondham (£5.50 single and a £10 taxi to the factory), but the trains may not tie up, so you could be hanging around for a bit. Quite excited actually.

 

[JimH]

I'm picking up my new Emira Turbo (the AMG i4) next week from the factory. I will be going from London so will be leaving from Liverpool Street Station. You may wish to take the inter-city style train (https://www.greateranglia.co.uk) it's about £20+ off peak after 9.30am for a single journey to Norwich, and takes about 90-100 minutes. Then you can take a taxi from Norwich for £25 (about 30 minutes) to the factory or take a short 10 min train down to Wymondham (£5.50 single and a £10 taxi to the factory), but the trains may not tie up, so you could be hanging around for a bit. Quite excited actually.

Taxis are few and far between at Wymondham - I’d get one from Norwich if I were you…..

 

[JAY]

I'm picking up my new Emira Turbo (the AMG i4) next week from the factory. I will be going from London so will be leaving from Liverpool Street Station. You may wish to take the inter-city style train (https://www.greateranglia.co.uk) it's about £20+ off peak after 9.30am for a single journey to Norwich, and takes about 90-100 minutes. Then you can take a taxi from Norwich for £25 (about 30 minutes) to the factory or take a short 10 min train down to Wymondham (£5.50 single and a £10 taxi to the factory), but the trains may not tie up, so you could be hanging around for a bit. Quite excited actually.

What day you picking up your car I’m doing factory tour Wednesday morning

 

[peterjr]

What day you picking up your car I’m doing factory tour Wednesday morning

Apologies, only just seen the message. I picked the car up last Wednesday. True to form (trouble, serious, etc), having picked it up and down the motorway to Thetford and I had to return with a tyre pressure issue. Luckily a faulty sensor was diagnosed and replaced in 30 mins and back on my way....

 

[seralia]

I've just been told that factory collections are no longer available . Such a shame... I was told over a week ago that my Emira i4 was built and ready, but the customer service experience has been underwhelming... seems very chaotic.. I completed the checkout process 8 days ago and got a confirmation email to say that the finance team would be in touch. No contact yet..

 

[Nick Sticks]

I've just been told that factory collections are no longer available . Such a shame... I was told over a week ago that my Emira i4 was built and ready, but the customer service experience has been underwhelming... seems very chaotic.. I completed the checkout process 8 days ago and got a confirmation email to say that the finance team would be in touch. No contact yet..

Oh no, that's a shame, I was going for that as well.
I suppose that's means you'll have to select the nearest dealer or have a home delivery.

 

[seralia]

Oh no, that's a shame, I was going for that as well.
I suppose that's means you'll have to select the nearest dealer or have a home delivery.

Indeed, I have chosen to collect from my nearest dealer (just in case of issue and in the hope that they also inspect it)

 

[meenboli]

Indeed, I have chosen to collect from my nearest dealer (just in case of issue and in the hope that they also inspect it)

How was the dealer experience? Did it go well?

 

[tarta]

Hello, I would like to know how to get the invitation for factory tour of LOTUS.
If I can get the invitation, I will visit there from JAPAN.
Can I have some advice about it?

 

[Nick Sticks]

Hello, I would like to know how to get the invitation for factory tour of LOTUS.
If I can get the invitation, I will visit there from JAPAN.
Can I have some advice about it?

Hi, the Lotus Factory tour can be booked on the Lotus website from here:

Lotus Factory Tours | Lotus Cars United Kingdom - Welcome to the Hethel Factory.

Welcome to Lotus Factory Tours at Hethel, the home of Lotus Cars and Classic Team Lotus. Experience the most significant Lotus race cars from Formula 1.

www.lotuscars.com

 

[tarta]

Hi, the Lotus Factory tour can be booked on the Lotus website from here:

Lotus Factory Tours | Lotus Cars United Kingdom - Welcome to the Hethel Factory.

Welcome to Lotus Factory Tours at Hethel, the home of Lotus Cars and Classic Team Lotus. Experience the most significant Lotus race cars from Formula 1.

www.lotuscars.com

Thank you so much!
I will try to make book for factory tour.

 

[Nick Sticks]

Thank you so much!
I will try to make book for factory tour.

When are you coming over?

 

[tarta]

It is not fixed yet.
Which season do you recommend?

 

[Nick Sticks]

It is not fixed yet.
Which season do you recommend?

When it's not cold!
Usually April to May onwards.
June/July/August is better with September usually good.

Also consider coming in June for the Classic Team Lotus Garden Party at the family home of Colin Chapman.
I went to the first one in 2023 which was very good and am also going to the one this year.

Home page - Garden_Party

CTL Garden Party 2025

Classic Team Lotus Garden Party at East Carleton Manor NR14 8JY Saturday 14th June Sunday 15th June 2025. The format of the two days will be

shop.classicteamlotus.co.uk

 

[tarta]

Thank you for your kind reply!
I used to own Turbo Esprit HCPI and phase 1 Elise 111s. The CLT garden party is also interested for me. What a deep cultural activity is!

 

[virtualmacho]

@tarta -san, please ask the folks at headquarters when the following will be available for Japan EMIRAs if you have the chance. Thanks!

• TPMS
• wireless Apple Carplay / Android Auto

 

[tarta]

OK! If I visit lotus headquarter, I will ask them these matters.
Actually, The emira which I ordered does not have TPMS. Because of my emira is originally UK version, lotus canceled TPMS. That I heard from dealer sales person.