First impression of my i4 from a current V6 manual owner

[Wiz33]

My i4 arrived a week ago but because it's been constant rain and my sale guy was on vacation. I have not picked it up yet. I did get to drive it for a bit as I was travelling pass my dealer yesterday so I left a bit early and stopped by for a drive. It wasn't as long as I hope since it took them a while to get it from their storage facility and they have to put some gas in. There was a yellow warning triangle probably from sitting around on the delivery trailer and then a 2+ hours software update last week. First impression and one that I was most concerned about was the reports of paddle shift delay reported by some of the reviews from a year ago. I'm happy to say that is no longer a concern. The paddle shift response is quick, maybe not PDK quick but fast enough. The Electric Hydraulic steering feels a bit lighter but still have the same road feel and while I'm not an exhaust person, it does sound pretty good to me when the valve was open in sport mode. Still a lot of rain in the forecast but I'll get all the paperwork done later this week and will take it to PPF when we have a dry day. The Magma Red in some of the pics is my current V6 manual.

 

[gdotp]

I like the red seats….well done. I played it safe and went with black with yellow stitching but I think I prefer yours

 

[Aero]

So you're planning to keep both of them?

 

[Rayjoedef]

My dealer told me they are getting V6 trades for the I4.....

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

My dealer told me they are getting V6 trades for the I4.....

Did they say why? Were they manuals?

 

[Rayjoedef]

My sales guy is over the moon with the i4....I'm awaiting delivery so I can't comment. The hp/tq numbers are compelling I guess

 

[Wiz33]

So you're planning to keep both of them?

I had always intended to get both as they're the last ICE from Lotus. I missed the FE V6 allocation so I ordered an i4 in Sept 2023 with intention to order a final production run V6 MT in a few years. Then I chanced upon an Orphaned V6 MT with the exact spec I wanted last April and I grabbed it. The i4 is actually a better daily in Silicon Valley weekday traffic which also keeps the miles down on the V6 as I think the V6 MT will have some collector's value in the long run.

 

[Wiz33]

I like the red seats….well done. I played it safe and went with black with yellow stitching but I think I prefer yours

Silver with Red interior has been a classic combo in a lot of European cars. It reminded me of a Renault that my family had when I was a kid long long time ago

 

[Wiz33]

It's home! Well not really. Picked it up. Drove to office, went out for lunch and then dropped it off for PPF. Talked to the shop owner and he said he recommend clear wrap on lighter colors and only do Satin on darker ones so I'm following his advise. Should be ready for pickup next Tuesday. also got to drive on the freeway for a longer period and here's a few more impressions.

The first thing I notice is it's noticeably quieter than the V6 on the freeway. 80mph and rpm was 1800. Probably helpful for a long trip..

The throttle response in touring is meeh but guess that's how you get 30mpg but it wakes up in Sport and the low end torque is nice. Is there even a Turbo Gauge on any of the display? haven't looked.

 

[harleyujoe]

What do you need a gauge for... You get used to it and you will know when to push it and into corners how far to take it.
Enjoy your new ride and let us know what you really think of it..
Right now in NJ we are getting snow and salt put down so I am guessing 4 more weeks before
the roads are salt free and I bring it out ..

 

[Wiz33]

What do you need a gauge for... You get used to it and you will know when to push it and into corners how far to take it.
Enjoy your new ride and let us know what you really think of it..
Right now in NJ we are getting snow and salt put down so I am guessing 4 more weeks before
the roads are salt free and I bring it out ..

Yea, not really necessary but my S5 and RS5 still have them so was just asking in case I missed it on a screen.

 

[Blackthought_]

My dealer told me they are getting V6 trades for the I4.....

Weird, I’ve heard from a few dealers that the i4s are just sitting on their lot unclaimed

 

[Rupes]

That’s because some dealers (people) will say anything to lure a customer into a sale.

 

[Wiz33]

Weird, I’ve heard from a few dealers that the i4s are just sitting on their lot unclaimed

Those are cascade effect form the V6 delay. There were a lot of orphaned V6s. Especially FE 1.0. After a 3 years wait, a lot of early depositor have moved on. Some dealer then made them available to i4 depostor when the i4 was delayed and a lot of them jumped at the FE1.0 pricing. That's how I got my V6 and my i4 would be one of the unclaimed if I did not always intended on buying both a V6 MT and an i4.

 

[kitkat]

I

My dealer told me they are getting V6 trades for the I4.....

I’m sure the i4 is fantastic just keep in mind your dealer would love to lowball you on a trade in and sell you a brand new i4 for more than you paid for your v6. Going to make money on your used car trade in and your new car purchase

 

[Beachbum]

Yes there is a boost gauge, not the most usable, but tells you percentage being used.
On the centre console menus, its on the same page as the Tyre pressure view(I think), you have to scroll all the way to the left.
I've owned mine 7 months and only found it last weekend

 

[Wiz33]

Yes there is a boost gauge, not the most usable, but tells you percentage being used.
On the centre console menus, its on the same page as the Tyre pressure view(I think), you have to scroll all the way to the left.
I've owned mine 7 months and only found it last weekend

Ah. The one that show the hp/torque. Seen it on my V6 but rarely uses it. Thanks.

 

[Beachbum]

Yes there is a boost gauge, not the most usable, but tells you percentage being used.
On the centre console menus, its on the same page as the Tyre pressure view(I think), you have to scroll all the way to the left.
I've owned mine 7 months and only found it last weekend

A correction on my part, its not the Tyre Pressure option, its the G-Metre, then scroll to the far left.

 

[Rayjoedef]

I

I’m sure the i4 is fantastic just keep in mind your dealer would love to lowball you on a trade in and sell you a brand new i4 for more than you paid for your v6. Going to make money on your used car trade in and your new car purchase

Hmmm, not sure of your analysis here. I was i4 from the get go!

 

[Rayjoedef]

Those are cascade effect form the V6 delay. There were a lot of orphaned V6s. Especially FE 1.0. After a 3 years wait, a lot of early depositor have moved on. Some dealer then made them available to i4 depostor when the i4 was delayed and a lot of them jumped at the FE1.0 pricing. That's how I got my V6 and my i4 would be one of the unclaimed if I did not always intended on buying both a V6 MT and an i4.

Also, lotus released the i4 in the UK half baked at 360 and a slow gearbox. That may have spooked a bunch of buyers. President of lotus NA went to bat, from what I was told, and got us the 400/354 car.