Harry's Garage videos - visit to Hethel and Matt Windle interview, Emira collection and drive

[TomAce]

I thought he looked uncomfortable when pressing on above 150mph. Later he mentioned steering wasn’t as rock steady at speed, he said the sneeze factor- that too me, seems to say, hang on not too happy here!

He said it’s the trade off having a superb handling car at lower speeds. And at 150mph and above you need to be aware what you‘re doing. It‘s still a sportscar and no Audi S8 plus made for Autobahn cruising at instand speeds.

 

[TomAce]

Yes mostly reiterating what he said in previous videos, that he loved the Evora, but couldn’t bring himself to buy one because the interior just didn’t match with the price lotus marketed it at. I also looked at an Evora but felt that for 85k the interior was far too basic

Yes, it truly is now an apealing package for me. And the Emira looks so much better, it’s not that „toyish“ anymore like the Evora sometimes seems to me. No more aftermarket feeling, but genuine Lotus design inside and out.

Tradeoff is a little more weight (but not too much) and maybe needs a tune some day. But then it‘ll be feeling mighty impressive.

And Harry is happy about the Emira, no real letdowns I could hear from him, very positive!

 

[Pugwash]

Positive review

I’m sure that the screen contrast can be fixed on an update, as will the wipers

Only real issue is the lack of side support from the seats. But at least he said they were comfortable

When I attached my phone using CarPlay the screen showed what it can do. Not sure why Lotus has gone for the slightly spindly HCI but definitely fixable through software.
On seats, I took him to mean that if you wanted it as a track machine you would want more support laterally but as a GT they were fine.
I agree it was a positive review.

 

[Grumpy]

Well I drove a 911 c4s in the very cold temps last week and it didnt give me the confidence I thought it should. The EMira feels super planted in comparison. The Video was definately an 8 /10 and for an all round daily possibly higher. The wind noise on the autobahn is hardly a problem!!

 

[Citizen]

Well I drove a 911 c4s in the very cold temps last week and it didnt give me the confidence I thought it should. The EMira feels super planted in comparison. The Video was definately an 8 /10 and for an all round daily possibly higher. The wind noise on the autobahn is hardly a problem!!

Big problems big solutions

 

[emiraspain]

IMHO - I think Harry would rate the Emira higher than a 7.5 as his points for improvement are almost superficial (except the wipers which should be an easy fix) The points of incredible handling in wet and engine/shifter performance, everyday use (ie: luggage), and the fact that he would choose the Emira over the Porsche 718 and 911 speaks volumes to me. After I drove the Emira there is no way that I am asking for my deposit back. Guys who drove it the same place/day drove 911's GT3 RS, Ferrari, etc., and all said 'Can I get it NOW...!' Also to compare the price at 65% of just the options of the Ferrari press car is incredible! I think the first FE cars will retain their value incredibly well as the price later will go up considerably. IMHO the "Lotus Emira is the Best Car for the Money" out there. Harry never did comment on the other cars he drove compared to the Emira on his favorite street to drive - We'll have to wait for that video I guess...
I just hope Lotus keeps the production numbers low...LoL...!

a genuine question as I was distracted by the football while watching it.....
DID he say he chooses the Emira over the 718 and 911.??? I may have missed it....
If you watch his videos on the 911, especially the touring, or the Cayman GTS I think he did as well as the RS, he generally finds these cars sublime and I mean, listen to the words he uses, its the only clue he gives, but I dont think apart from road noise, he rates anything above a GT3 touring If I am honest, and they have far better luggage capabilities than the emira as I know from experience also. Ive no doubt he bought the EMIRA as its a lotus and british and it doesnt cost a fortune. Its obvious he has wanted a lotus for a while, but as he said he was not willing to do the evora for various reasons, the cabin being one of them.

For the money, especially at base price and not FE price, its still a very good buy yes.... 100%.... but at over 100k $ US..... and over 80k pounds UK, Im not sure its great super value.... its not bad, for the moment as its new... but long term or 6 9 months down the road, I think the base car if they can hold prices, would be a better bet.

 

[emiraspain]

Well I drove a 911 c4s in the very cold temps last week and it didnt give me the confidence I thought it should. The EMira feels super planted in comparison. The Video was definately an 8 /10 and for an all round daily possibly higher. The wind noise on the autobahn is hardly a problem!!

its certainly not a problem in the UK.. haha...
Ok, I will go to your 8, but I wont raise you.... Ill call though... haha

 

[emiraspain]

Positive review

I’m sure that the screen contrast can be fixed on an update, as will the wipers

Only real issue is the lack of side support from the seats. But at least he said they were comfortable

I disagree with the screen, agree and hope with the wipers.... the screen has been an issue from the outset, before anyone external even drove the car, and improvements have been promised and made, I honestly dont think its a quality unit or that much more can be done with it, it is now what it is. The whole system behind it is a bit...... well...... you will see when you get your car. Better than the Evora, yes, of course, but on par with other manufacturers, no, it simply isnt and I wish they had worked with someone else. here as I personally love in car entertainment crap.

 

[Nova]

a genuine question as I was distracted by the football while watching it.....
DID he say he chooses the Emira over the 718 and 911.??? I may have missed it....
If you watch his videos on the 911, especially the touring, or the Cayman GTS I think he did as well as the RS, he generally finds these cars sublime and I mean, listen to the words he uses, its the only clue he gives, but I dont think apart from road noise, he rates anything above a GT3 touring If I am honest, and they have far better luggage capabilities than the emira as I know from experience also. Ive no doubt he bought the EMIRA as its a lotus and british and it doesnt cost a fortune. Its obvious he has wanted a lotus for a while, but as he said he was not willing to do the evora for various reasons, the cabin being one of them.

For the money, especially at base price and not FE price, its still a very good buy yes.... 100%.... but at over 100k $ US..... and over 80k pounds UK, Im not sure its great super value.... its not bad, for the moment as its new... but long term or 6 9 months down the road, I think the base car if they can hold prices, would be a better bet.

I think what he said is something along the lines of the Emira being a more interesting choice, that it is better styled than the Cayman, which would he left him wondering if he should have gotten the 911, etc. He said that the Emira stands on its own - to which I take to mean that it is less of a compromise among available choices.

The Emira being about 100k in FE configuration is not a bargain based on raw performance and features. There is a variety of M cars and AMGs that is a better "bargain". What you can't get for Emira money is the combination of looks and the chassis feel. If it didn't look the way it does, and offer the promise of a well connected driving experience, I wouldn't be interested in it at all. No one else offers a car like this for 100k USD.

 

[Cutting42]

I really enjoyed Harry's piece today and they align well with my test drive from last week although much less variation of route and time in the car obviously. It seemed to me that it was all about the feel on the roads, the B&C car had similar miles on it - around 3k I think and revved freely. It really is a beautiful British B road specialist car. Luggaeg storage looked fab as well which is what I hope to be doing a lot of with "The Wife".

Define bargain? Not sure a brand new car is ever a bargain c/w a used car with 30-50% of its depreciation taken care of already. That was my hunting ground for all my non company car buying life. Thid will be my first new private car and fortunately as I have been saving for the last 5 years it will be a cash purchase so not impacted by interest rates.

The Debbie Downers on here have caused me to question my decision occasionally but today has been a good day, only 8 more months to go now!

 

[EspritGuy]

Good report of real-world experience. Adds to the Emira body of knowledge. I was keen to hear more of the high-speed driving impressions, as the bonnet aero design and air flow management was said by Lotus to create unique downforce effects at speed.
Haven't seen this addressed anywhere.
I want to believe it's not just good looks.

 

[Cachaco131]

I think what he said is something along the lines of the Emira being a more interesting choice, that it is better styled than the Cayman, which would he left him wondering if he should have gotten the 911, etc. He said that the Emira stands on its own - to which I take to mean that it is less of a compromise among available choices.

The Emira being about 100k in FE configuration is not a bargain based on raw performance and features. There is a variety of M cars and AMGs that is a better "bargain". What you can't get for Emira money is the combination of looks and the chassis feel. If it didn't look the way it does, and offer the promise of a well connected driving experience, I wouldn't be interested in it at all. No one else offers a car like this for 100k USD.

What he said is that if you get a 718 then you always feel "should I have gotten a 911", and that the Emira stands on its own and is unique.

 

[Cachaco131]

Lots of positives. Screen, auto dimming lights - secondary for me. Seats, I think it's fair to say an upgrade is warranted if you are track oriented, but enough for spirited drives.

 

[GetawayDriving]

Car seems like an 8/10 but if there’s any truth to the 450 remap and a 3rd cat delete, this car can become a 9.8 pretty easily.

I have no doubt Lotus turned the volume down on this car due to regs but my hope now is that there’s a wink-wink after-sale mod package with a Lotus seal of approval that wakes the car up beyond Evora GT levels.

I mean maybe the AMG will be the hot one, but maybe just MAYBE they’ll go make some fat after sale margins on their existing V6 customers by waking the car up even more - and since it’s aftermarket, the onus of meeting regs is on the owner, not Lotus.

Combine with carbon bits etc and have a little build-your-own GT450? The car as a platform feels ready for it.

 

[Cachaco131]

Car seems like an 8/10 but if there’s any truth to the 450 remap and a 3rd cat delete, this car can become a 9.5 pretty easily.

I have no doubt Lotus turned the volume down on this car due to regs but my hope now is that there’s a wink-wink after-sale mod package with a Lotus seal of approval that wakes the car up beyond Evora GT levels.

I mean maybe the AMG will be the hot one, but maybe just MAYBE they’ll go make some fat after sale margins on their existing V6 customers by waking the car up even more - and since it’s aftermarket, the onus of meeting regs is on the owner, not Lotus.

Combine with carbon bits etc and have a little build-your-own GT450? The car as a platform feels ready for it.

Agree, I think the margins on the upgrades (especially software) are very interesting.

It becomes simply after sales options (which people would spend anyway) and keeps the headline number reasonable.

 

[Nova]

How much would you guys pay for a +50HP map with factory warranty?

 

[Cachaco131]

How much would you guys pay for a +50HP map with factory warranty?

Probably $2-3k?

 

[VL3X]

Car seems like an 8/10 but if there’s any truth to the 450 remap and a 3rd cat delete, this car can become a 9.8 pretty easily.

I have no doubt Lotus turned the volume down on this car due to regs but my hope now is that there’s a wink-wink after-sale mod package with a Lotus seal of approval that wakes the car up beyond Evora GT levels.

I mean maybe the AMG will be the hot one, but maybe just MAYBE they’ll go make some fat after sale margins on their existing V6 customers by waking the car up even more - and since it’s aftermarket, the onus of meeting regs is on the owner, not Lotus.

Combine with carbon bits etc and have a little build-your-own GT450? The car as a platform feels ready for it.

Sounds incredible, but what are the chances of Lotus actually going above and beyond for their customers like that? A 450HP flash would be amazing and honestly what the Emira should have came with.

 

[GetawayDriving]

Sounds incredible, but what are the chances of Lotus actually going above and beyond for their customers like that? A 450HP flash would be amazing and honestly what the Emira should have came with.

Well, money. Costs almost nothing for them to produce, assuming the engine can handle it, it's pure margin and I think would skirt regs. I'm sure lawyers could figure out the wording, just as Jeep lighting is "for off road use only".

If they sell 10,000 V6 cars and upsell an extra $5k map to each, that's $50,000,000 pure profit potential. Regs vary by region so not sure what the actual uptake would be, but it has to be one of the easiest ways lotus can make money on their existing customer base. Again, assuming the engine can handle it without increasing their warranty claims etc.

 

[lion shf]

I do agree that supercars are usually and maybe should be a little bonkers because part of it for them is to get noticed and have a WOW factor, good or bad.

Based on my price/style theory, that must be why the Emira looks so damn good. It’s an affordable sports car which makes it a supercar for the masses in my opinion.

I think downforce to the extreme is ugly, no way around it