Henry Catchpole - Carfection review

[Leonard]

Not sure it's compromised as would be a common choice for UK all round weather. What is interesting is the tour setup version didn't have that many reviews I seem to remember it was the magma car

I more meant the fact that we/Lotus knew what Henry's thoughts were on the EVO test car with same set up. So why give him the same? Surely Tour and Goodyears would have been the better bet for his road trip

 

[TomE]

Got to be a little strange to give him the same 'compromised' set up again!?

It’s what they asked for, same as EVO asked for Sports for the Monaco trip. Lotus fitted Goodyears, again in anticipation of wet roads.

Lotus also offered EVO a Sports + Cup2s car for another track test.

It’s odd they haven’t asked for a Touring spec car to review. As Harry showed, if they’d asked for one they’d have had one within 24 hours.

 

[Citizen]

New videos news reviews new drama

Sleep repeat

I will not enter in this forum for months honestly … getting very tired, even more than from lotus PR

 

[Leonard]

It’s odd they haven’t asked for a Touring spec car to review. As Harry showed, if they’d asked for one they’d have had one within 24 hours.

Yup just edited my post a second ago to say that. Scotland in the wet? Tour everyday surely...

 

[Leonard]

New videos news reviews new drama

Sleep repeat

I will not enter in this forum for months honestly … getting very tired, even more than from lotus PR

Fair

 

[TomE]

Yup just edited my post a second ago to say that. Scotland in the wet? Tour everyday surely...

And frankly after last time Lotus should have asked them what trip they were doing and insisted they take a Touring setup given what route they had planned.

 

[Leonard]

And frankly after last time Lotus should have asked them what trip they were doing and insisted they take a Touring setup given what route they had planned.

Yup that was what I was kind of implying, ahhh Lotus

 

[VL3X]

It has been a difficult launch for the Lotus team. There is a plus to having an older powertrain and that is of course reliability. Not a bad thing with a smaller dealer network. 0-60 test, Ring times is something almost all sports car manufacturers have tested out. Lotus should have as well. The brand history deserves to be put up against the best and see where they are. Chapman was a verocius competitor, would be nice if they kept up with that.

Not all the reviews were mediocre. When Chris Harris states that he would most likely take the Lotus over a GTS 4.0, that is no small feat. Harry Metcalf really loved the Emira and Schmee did as well. The only real competition to the Lotus is either the C8 corvette or the cayman GTS. I do not see any other mid engine sports car with exotic looks that competes. C8 no manual, so 0-60 times and track isn't a fair comparison. Looks Emira wins. With the Porsche, depends on the reviewer. Like I have said once before Emira vs Cayman is James Hunt vs Nikki Lauda.

Agreed and the lack of options is a bummer, but I guess this is the way of the automotive world these days. Caymans are fantastic, but not exciting to me. I'm trying to stay excited about the Emira. I know I will feel like a little kid on Christmas morning every time I open my garage to take out my Emira... I'm just not sure how long that will last. I guess I just set my expectations a bit too high for this one. It is a first MY car from a new factory. I just hoped they'd update the powertrain a bit and expected the rollout and comms to be much better with the Geely money backing everything.

I can deal with Lotus being a quirky brand, but it would be nice if the Emira was best at something (other than looks, which is subjective). Lotus has always been known for their handling... and here we are with the most recent reviews being a bit critical of the one area where Lotus is supposed to shine. I ordered sport suspension with Goodyears because I like a firm ride and stiff handling suspension, but I also want to use it on the street as often as possible (not a daily, just an "every weekend" car and occasional track day toy). Now that seems like it may have been a poor compromise.

What was Gavin's reasoning behind using passive and non-adjustable Bilsteins? Whatever he said, it's clearly due to budget one way or another (either initial build or replacement cost). Every other sportscar manufacturer uses electronic adaptive suspension and it's pretty fantastic. If not electronic, they could have at least utilized manually adjustable dampers to allow customers to customize the ride height and dampening to their preference.

I have said once before Emira vs Cayman is James Hunt vs Nikki Lauda.

I like this.

 

[vision]

And frankly after last time Lotus should have asked them what trip they were doing and insisted they take a Touring setup given what route they had planned.

Hi, Im really annoyed with all comments. Im getting my car regardless of reviews, why! because I'm a normal fast driver on normal British roads, I don't need a media / pro driver to test drive my car because its never going to be ragged like that on tack or in all honesty a very long road trip? If you had a choice on looks (forget performance) what would you desire from a simple exclusivity perspective. From a kids performance Emira or Porsche, Emira interesting, pictures on walls, Porsche oh thats my dads car!!. Unfortunately thats how I see this whole debate and future owners.

 

[kitkat]

New videos news reviews new drama

Sleep repeat

I will not enter in this forum for months honestly … getting very tired, even more than from lotus PR

​

 

[VL3X]

Yeah I don't personally vibe with Carfection videos -- it's like picking up a book before you go to bed.

The intros are usually fantastic and visuals are always great. But yeah, I agree...

This is my favorite Carfection intro:

 

[Leonard]

Hi, Im really annoyed with all comments. Im getting my car regardless of reviews, why! because I'm a normal fast driver on normal British roads, I don't need a media / pro driver to test drive my car because its never going to be ragged like that on tack or in all honesty a very long road trip? If you had a choice on looks (forget performance) what would you desire from a simple exclusivity perspective. From a kids performance Emira or Porsche, Emira interesting, pictures on walls, Porsche oh thats my dads car!!. Unfortunately thats how I see this whole debate and future owners.

Exactly.
Even an average driver that likes cars and driving would feel the benefits of perfect turn in, a crisp gear change, balanced handling, lack of understeer, stability under braking, perfect damping set up etc etc etc

 

[Leonard]

The intros are usually fantastic and visuals are always great. But yeah, I agree...

This is my favorite Carfection intro:

That is awesome
For the same reasons I still lust after one of these. Actually look like a bargain at the moment, just a little short... Denied

 

[Lotustoronto]

Hi, Im really annoyed with all comments. Im getting my car regardless of reviews, why! because I'm a normal fast driver on normal British roads, I don't need a media / pro driver to test drive my car because its never going to be ragged like that on tack or in all honesty a very long road trip? If you had a choice on looks (forget performance) what would you desire from a simple exclusivity perspective. From a kids performance Emira or Porsche, Emira interesting, pictures on walls, Porsche oh thats my dads car!!. Unfortunately thats how I see this whole debate and future owners.

James did get laid way more than Nikki did.

 

[TomE]

Agreed and the lack of options is a bummer, but I guess this is the way of the automotive world these days. Caymans are fantastic, but not exciting to me. I'm trying to stay excited about the Emira. I know I will feel like a little kid on Christmas morning every time I open my garage to take out my Emira... I'm just not sure how long that will last. I guess I just set my expectations a bit too high for this one. It is a first MY car from a new factory. I just hoped they'd update the powertrain a bit and expected the rollout and comms to be much better with the Geely money backing everything.

I can deal with Lotus being a quirky brand, but it would be nice if the Emira was best at something (other than looks, which is subjective). Lotus has always been known for their handling... and here we are with the most recent reviews being a bit critical of the one area where Lotus is supposed to shine. I ordered sport suspension with Goodyears because I like a firm ride and stiff handling suspension, but I also want to use it on the street as often as possible (not a daily, just an "every weekend" car and occasional track day toy). Now that seems like it may have been a poor compromise.

What was Gavin's reasoning behind using passive and non-adjustable Bilsteins? Whatever he said, it's clearly due to budget one way or another (either initial build or replacement cost). Every other sportscar manufacturer uses electronic adaptive suspension and it's pretty fantastic. If not electronic, they could have at least utilized manually adjustable dampers to allow customers to customize the ride height and dampening to their preference.



I like this.

Gavan has said he’s not satisfied they can get the ride and handling they want with an electronic active damper. It’s not a cost issue, as they’ve held out for other things that are more costly because they feel they are important.

Adjustable setup might come on the S/GT model, at least as a cost option. It was an option on the Evora GT430.

 

[Leonard]

Gavan has said he’s not satisfied they can get the ride and handling they want with an electronic active damper. It’s not a cost issue, as they’ve held out for other things that are more costly because they feel they are important.

Adjustable setup might come on the S/GT model, at least as a cost option. It was an option on the Evora GT430.

I still don't understand this, as it feels what they have are 2 set ups that are both compromised for the majority.
Hate to even mention Porsche but PASM and 20 inch wheels was a revelation. Best handling car I've ever driven on the Peak District roads where i live and equally at home on track

 

[Lotustoronto]

I still don't understand this, as it feels what they have are 2 set ups that are both compromised for the majority.
Hate to even mention Porsche but PASM and 20 inch wheels was a revelation. Best handling car I've ever driven on the Peak District roads where i live and equally at home on track

I really do believe, that EVO/Carfection are telling you NOT to spec sport suspension with goodyears.

I have no doubt that it is a compromise - Sport should be with Cup tires and Tour with Goodyears. If I was lotus I would not have the option of sport/goodyears. I think they are trying to tell us that in a not so direct fashion. I wonder if Lotus realizes the mistake and is trying to get people not to order it that way. I doubt it will be an option for the base car in the next configurator.

When I watched the euro reviews (with YouTube translate on), everyone that drove sport w/ cup didn't have any issues and loved the car suspension/steering feel wise.(including tour/goodyear) Catchpoole I think is telling us that as well.

 

[Leonard]

I really do believe, that EVO/Carfection are telling you NOT to spec sport suspension with goodyears.

I have no doubt that it is a compromise - Sport should be with Cup tires and Tour with Goodyears. If I was lotus I would not have the option of sport/goodyears. I think they are trying to tell us that in a not so direct fashion. I wonder if Lotus realizes the mistake and is trying to get people not to order it that way. I doubt it will be an option for the base car in the next configurator.

When I watched the euro reviews, everyone that drove sport w/ cup didn't have any issues and loved the car. Catchpoole I think is telling us that as well.

So why did Lotus give him that set up again
And altho I know tyres can make or break a car, I've never know a really high quality tyre (ie a top 3 test tyre) make such a difference.
So again part of me is thinking the chassis is compromised.
I know I shouldn't! But what do you expect!

 

[TomE]

I still don't understand this, as it feels what they have are 2 set ups that are both compromised for the majority.
Hate to even mention Porsche but PASM and 20 inch wheels was a revelation. Best handling car I've ever driven on the Peak District roads where i live and equally at home on track

They’re not a compromise, not the two primary options. Touring is the setup for the vast majority of road usage. Sports is track focused.

The compromise option is Goodyears on Sports.

 

[TomE]

So why did Lotus give him that set up again
And altho I know tyres can make or break a car, I've never know a really high quality tyre (ie a top 3 test tyre) make such a difference.
So again part of me is thinking the chassis is compromised.
I know I shouldn't! But what do you expect!

Seriously, you are over-thinking and over-analysing all of this. Take a break from the forums, stop fuelling the speculation and wait for a test drive.

I mean this with the greatest of respect and support, not telling you to go away!