First viewing at Bell & Covill

[TomE]

This issue with configurators is quite common to other brands.

The C8 configurator/visualizer on launch was ALSO full of weird issues that prospective buyers were complaining about.

Lotus subcontracts out the website, so most likely the web designer is not up to speed as to how different options need to be displayed.

And yet they have managed to get the steering wheel options (stitching and centre markers) correctly updated with this week’s info about no stitching options on manuals but only on autos. Most of the staff at the roadshow didn’t know about this latest change.

Perhaps Lotus will clarify all these points as the roadshows unfold and they spot where there are areas of confusion.

 

[TomE]

Fully agree Tom - I have even heard that Scott has given 2 different answers on when the i4 FE will come - that's not the Scott I know, so I wonder if there is something lost in translation... I asked Lotus directly btw - and they said q4 2022 still for the i4 FE

I think that’s the difference between the official Lotus line and a candid private comment about what the reality might be.

 

[Mike-engel]

This issue with configurators is quite common to other brands.

The C8 configurator/visualizer on launch was ALSO full of weird issues that prospective buyers were complaining about.

Lotus subcontracts out the website, so most likely the web designer is not up to speed as to how different options need to be displayed.

I hate to say this, but so what? This isn’t a race to the bottom. Just because another manufacturer does a crappy job with something doesn’t mean that’s all the better you need to do. Whatever happened to aspiring to more…to exceeding expectations…to setting perfection as a standard. If your customer’s perception is that you’re mailing it in, perhaps you should pay attention to that.

I hear Lotus is aware of this forum. If that’s true, there is little evidence that they are listening. People really are talking about a pretty limited number of issues…timing issues for roll outs of various models, color choices, configurator accuracy, pricing for models, options and packages, the customer experience, etc. it shouldn’t be so hard to provide consistent messaging for such things. How about an FAQ that answers the most common questions signed by leadership. How about a care package that includes the actual paint colors, maybe on mock up molds, interior samples, an accurate image of the car you’ve configured as a deposit holder suitable for framing, etc. I wonder if they have noticed the lackluster reception of the roadshow. It’s almost like these experiences have diminished enthusiasm. If they can’t do better, they might be better off doing nothing until they can exceed expectations.

 

[kratedisease]

I hate to say this, but so what? This isn’t a race to the bottom. Just because another manufacturer does a crappy job with something doesn’t mean that’s all the better you need to do. Whatever happened to aspiring to more…to exceeding expectations…to setting perfection as a standard. If your customer’s perception is that you’re mailing it in, perhaps you should pay attention to that.

I hear Lotus is aware of this forum. If that’s true, there is little evidence that they are listening. People really are talking about a pretty limited number of issues…timing issues for roll outs of various models, color choices, configurator accuracy, pricing for models, options and packages, the customer experience, etc. it shouldn’t be so hard to provide consistent messaging for such things. How about an FAQ that answers the most common questions signed by leadership. How about a care package that includes the actual paint colors, maybe on mock up molds, interior samples, an accurate image of the car you’ve configured as a deposit holder suitable for framing, etc. I wonder if they have noticed the lackluster reception of the roadshow. It’s almost like these experiences have diminished enthusiasm. If they can’t do better, they might be better off doing nothing until they can exceed expectations.

Had a bad day today ?

Does EVERYTHING suck ?

 

[jmn444]

some of these "expectations" are weird to me.... I couldn't care less about how fancy it feels to go look at a car. And while the car isn't "cheap", it's also not that much more than a loaded up suburban, so I'm not sure why it would need some sort of luxury event to see one...

that said, I agree with the accuracy of information issue. I think not knowing the actual production ride height, specifics about sport vs touring, having ACTUAL colors on the configurator, having seating position in the car that is what we will get in production... those are pretty big issues. Hell, i'd like to know who makes the brakes they are using even, but haven't seen that discussed at all. I was excited to get a car that comes with AP Racing brakes, but based on the rotors I'm thinking they've moved to Brembo maybe, which is okay still but I just don't get why it's not available info I guess.

also, probably more of a covid issue so kind of understandable, but not being able to get the color matching steering wheel with a manual trans... feels like a big issue to me and a disconnect on what I thought the "goal" of this car was.

I really don't understand how some of these things can still be unknown when actual orders are being placed already. I understood it at the deposit stage, and I was late to the game so I'll probably know this stuff before I have to submit an actual order, but still seems wacky to me.

 

[VL3X]

I thought they were AP Racing brakes.. I believe I heard that in one of the dozens of Emira videos I've watch the past few months. I could be wrong.

But I agree.. We need more specific details and the steering wheel issue with the manual trans is total BS.. Especially since some of the promo photos showed a manual car with colored stitching and center marker.

 

[Mike-engel]

Had a bad day today ?

Does EVERYTHING suck ?

No, not at all. I am channeling my parents when I was caught doing something stupid. My comment would be something like “everyone else is doing it” and their response was always something like “if everyone else was jumping off a cliff would you do that too?” To use as an excuse for not doing a great job the fact that no one else is either is pretty lame. I’m over in the US, so all I can know about the experience with the car is what I’m hearing on this forum, and what’s dominating the conversation seems to be unmet expectations. Maybe that’s because the expectations were so high to begin with that no company could live up to them but that’s not the impression I’m getting. I’ll also point out that despite putting my deposit down back in July, being a regular participant in this forum, and being signed up for news and notices from Lotus, I’ve not heard a peep from the company about any aspect of my future purchase. They just aren’t doing a good job managing the introduction of this car and that’s a shame. Something as historic as this deserves better. So no, no one pissed in my wheaties, I’m just being honest about my impressions. Maybe when I’m able to experience the car I’ll have a different impression. But if my experience is a vicarious one, then my sense from the commentary is that Lotus is fumbling this opportunity. Just read the road show stream.

 

[jmn444]

I thought they were AP Racing brakes.. I believe I heard that in one of the dozens of Emira videos I've watch the past few months. I could be wrong.

But I agree.. We need more specific details and the steering wheel issue with the manual trans is total BS.. Especially since some of the promo photos showed a manual car with colored stitching and center marker.

I hope you are right about the AP, i recall seeing AP calipers on one of the mules at one point, but the rotors look almost identical to my gt350 rotors w/ a brembo setup. it's 100% possible they are just using the pinned 2 peice rotors for cost savings vs floating rotors, but seems like that info should be solid and in print at this point.

 

[kratedisease]

No, not at all. I am channeling my parents when I was caught doing something stupid. My comment would be something like “everyone else is doing it” and their response was always something like “if everyone else was jumping off a cliff would you do that too?” To use as an excuse for not doing a great job the fact that no one else is either is pretty lame. I’m over in the US, so all I can know about the experience with the car is what I’m hearing on this forum, and what’s dominating the conversation seems to be unmet expectations. Maybe that’s because the expectations were so high to begin with that no company could live up to them but that’s not the impression I’m getting. I’ll also point out that despite putting my deposit down back in July, being a regular participant in this forum, and being signed up for news and notices from Lotus, I’ve not heard a peep from the company about any aspect of my future purchase. They just aren’t doing a good job managing the introduction of this car and that’s a shame. Something as historic as this deserves better. So no, no one pissed in my wheaties, I’m just being honest about my impressions. Maybe when I’m able to experience the car I’ll have a different impression. But if my experience is a vicarious one, then my sense from the commentary is that Lotus is fumbling this opportunity. Just read the road show stream.

I see mainly glowing comments for the most part, and just pass over the few negative posts.

But then again, My wifey is super hot and wants sexy time constantly.......so there may be a reason for my HAPPY outlook

how about you ?

 

[Mike-engel]

I see mainly glowing comments for the most part, and just pass over the few negative posts.

But then again, My wifey is super hot and wants sexy time constantly.......so there may be a reason for my HAPPY outlook

how about you ?

I’m a widower.

 

[Rufy]

I thought they were AP Racing brakes.. I believe I heard that in one of the dozens of Emira videos I've watch the past few months. I could be wrong.

But I agree.. We need more specific details and the steering wheel issue with the manual trans is total BS.. Especially since some of the promo photos showed a manual car with colored stitching and center marker.

totally agree for the possibility to choose the customize steering wheel with contrast stitching! if I choose seats with that texture, why can't I make the same choice for steering wheel, to have coherence of the interiors only because I choose manual and not automatic gearbox?! what's the point?

 

[Andy]

I was at the viewing last night and spoke to a very knowledgeable gentlemen called Graham, i asked about the steering wheel and apparently the messages have gone back to Lotus and he said that they are likely going to have the stripe on the steering wheel for manual and automatic, had my heart set on Nimbus Grey but do not like the colour of the sample to beige for me, so i am now going for the Shadow Grey

 

[boozyjay]

I was at the viewing last night and spoke to a very knowledgeable gentlemen called Graham, i asked about the steering wheel and apparently the messages have gone back to Lotus and he said that they are likely going to have the stripe on the steering wheel for manual and automatic, had my heart set on Nimbus Grey but do not like the colour of the sample to beige for me, so i am now going for the Shadow Grey

Hi Andy. What did you think of Nimbus Grey when you saw the sample, was it more silver?

Thanks.

 

[Andy]

Yes it looked silver with a beige tone to it, it did not look as nice as on the configurator, the verdant Green look stunning but i am not brave enough to choose it.

 

[TrickeeKiYay]

I was at the viewing last night and spoke to a very knowledgeable gentlemen called Graham, i asked about the steering wheel and apparently the messages have gone back to Lotus and he said that they are likely going to have the stripe on the steering wheel for manual and automatic, had my heart set on Nimbus Grey but do not like the colour of the sample to beige for me, so i am now going for the Shadow Grey

That’s good news. Maybe we should be more demanding - anyone else disappointed at lack of a V8 option?

 

[jamesbxxx]

Anyone else come away from the event wanting a yellow final edition Exige

My feedback:

Event was well organised, decent amount of people from Lotus and B&C to support. Presentation etc was not too long and generally well done apart from as mentioned before reading from a piece of paper....

Car looked really good in the flesh, interior looked and felt decent as well. Generally very nice and didn't disappoint. Hard to get a real idea of quality given its not a final production car but very nice even so. The alcantara trim was nice with good mix of leather as well. Its a nice size and just felt very exciting to be around. Really there were no red flags or any items that for me were a deal breaker.

I went in the evening so the colour was really hard to judge. For me the blue looked good but a bit flat given it was under so much lighting, I'd have preferred a more metallic look to it.

I got a look in the boot of the car - in the blue one its full of mechanical parts so no way to get a decent idea.

The space behind the seats for storage is smaller than I had hoped. If you have the seat back and at an angle then its really just the space at the bottom, its also not easy to get to so you wouldn't be using that for heavy or large items as your default choice. Probably big enough for 2 cabin suitcases on their sides (didn't test this) or maybe upright but depends on seating position.

Only thing I was not keen on was the seats / driving position. Cabin felt more cramped than my 997 911. They told me the seats would be mounted 30mm lower than in the car we were seeing, and also be softer. Its a bit frustrating as driving position is a key thing for me, and it wasn't possible to assess it easily. Head room was good, I'm 6'2 and had enough head room even with the seats mounted higher, so should be able to get a helmet on with them in the production height.

Colours available really hard to judge but don't go on the configurator, better to see them in real life. In the lights of the showroom the green looked black. The red was way more 'red'.

I'm 6'4" and in the Goodwood car (assume same one), the headroom is tight. I'd definitely bump a helmet on the structure above the window. I was told 15mm lower for production at Goodwood. Really poor that this isn't sorted for this tour.

 

[jamesbxxx]

Does the speedo screen really look that washed out in real life or is it a camera thing? If it does appear washed out in real life, has anyone at Lotus commented on whether that will be rectified for the production version?

Have a look at a high spec Volvo XC90. Probably from the same parts bin

 

[TomE]

I and several others fed back on Wed about the steering wheel stitching, so it’s good that they’re listening to everyone’s feedback. I’m still lobbying for Hethel Yellow to be a metallic…

 

[Leonard]

totally agree for the possibility to choose the customize steering wheel with contrast stitching! if I choose seats with that texture, why can't I make the same choice for steering wheel, to have coherence of the interiors only because I choose manual and not automatic gearbox?! what's the point?

Anyone elses OCD struggling with the starter button 'cage' being red only. If I spec anything other than red calipers its going to annoy me Same if I choose yellow stitch inside

Imagine this would be a simple customisation after purchase however, so Im not going to complain! lol

 

[TomE]

Anyone elses OCD struggling with the starter button 'cage' being red only. If I spec anything other than red calipers its going to annoy me Same if I choose yellow stitch inside

Imagine this would be a simple customisation after purchase however, so Im not going to complain! lol

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