📓 Journals Hethel Yellow UBP Collection from Hethel Friday 2nd June

[Toomanyloti]

Ordered May 2021 unseen....

Right the car is bloody fantastic. Its very grown up and not what I'm used to comparing the current ageing Loti stable I have.

My comments below are mainly to do with what i would want not what a car meant to please such a wide range of users should be.

The opinions are mine right or wrong I'm just sharing. Feel free to debate but I'm not really bothered. I'm not knocking Lotus. These things are mine to deal with.

Steering Wheel - its Ok I will get used to it but i do think its way OTT form over function. The Taycan wheel is excellent. I only had to get used to how perfect it is. I thought the controls on the wheel would be akin to facing an Ebola and Aids sarnie but no I was wrong I got into how to use them really quickly. Even surprised myself.

Dash - said to Scott i wished it had options for a digital dial 'retro settings'. Must be a doddle to do on those screens. Told him to have a word! Got used to it already its grand just would like the trad option.

Seats - I did 4 hours straight without a stop back home after collection. not what I would say comfortable but not uncomfortable either. Scott recommended sticking with them as they do settle in.
The seat does not feel very supportive but chucking the car about a little bit I didn't notice at all so we'll see..

Seat Height - I was talking complete bollox. It does not feel too high at all. I'm wondering if i had not got them set lowest on the test run.

Performance - I'm still stuck under 4k revs but it feels great. Cant wait to let it run free. Auto cog swaps are starting to sound cool at 4k. Im not sure why we would need more in a road setting. I suppose a lot of this talk is top trumps and Dick swinging when comparing other marques. If you buy a Lotus in my mind you don't consider the other marques or you would be buying one of those not a Lotus..

Exhaust sound - just not loud enough in the cockpit. I want a way more obnoxious sound...but.... I understand why its as it is now and it still sounds great. My mate was at home waiting for me this afternoon and he heard it coming. Said it sounded fantastic.

Handling (Touring) - its not my Exige but its composure is on another level. I have just been on some of the worst roads locally where even the air suspension on the Taycan is iffy and the Exige is almost undrivable at much lower speeds. its fantastic. I have not driven sport but I'm not sure why one would want it any firmer? I think as a driver of either you would settle with it and never need to try the other. If you are so bothered get to MGR in Barnsley..talk to Russ and he'll hit you up with £10k of Ohlins you can top trumps anyone down the pub with (and they are amazeballs by all account).

Infotainment - from all experiences before using it myself I thought it looked a bit mickey mouse. But..I had no time with it at all. Sam set up my bluetooth..got apple car play running..booted up Ways (which I have never used until setting off back on a 4 hour journey home) and managed fine learning on the move. I can tell you I am a complete technology cockwomble. If it doesn't work first time its in the bin. We have big expensive tellys at home and I just throw the controller at the wife or daughter if i have to watch the bloody things.

Stereo - seems ok. Bass was 'overdriving' a bit so I knocked the level down and it was fine. No disrespect but if you are poncing about over a stereo in a car like this I think you are defo buying the wrong car. I'm riding with the windows down in track mode longing to get these first 1k miles done.

Fuel - the dash is lying. Top it up with super at ever Shell station. Problem solved.

Build Quality - so i think this has been achieved not only by the factory upping their game but also by a lot of internal ass kicking. I would say that a good chunk has been due to recruiting third party specialists to put sub assemblies together outside the plant and make sure they deliver the quality.

Hethel Handover - I wont bore you with my sh!t show trying to get there. I had a private aircraft all lined up Thurs 1st June but then an Urgent hospital appointment had to be attended so that went in the bin. I eventually got a lift down next day Friday (yesterday) with a colleague and met a friend who turned up in his newly restored Alp' A110.
Sam had been away with work overseas and got back in the early hours and I think Scott had the day off but bless them they were both there to look after us and they certainly did.
Factory tour was very informative and pretty unique as it was shut down completely for the week for maintenance.
There were bloody cars all over the place. Loads of I4s off to China and i think the guys are almost at the 200 cars handover point now.
If you can do it its defo worth the trip.
Scott remembers my Esprit. He immediately told me the name of the guy he sold it to and who I bought it from and the tale of the whole sales process. The sale took place quite a few years ago.
A great enthusiast and brand ambassador. A smart move by Lotus keeping him in the fold.

I tried to do this in a punchy easy to read fashion hope you make it to the end. No regrets so far.

 

[Toomanyloti]

I asked what my build number was...

521st for UK market and I think it was completed in late April

 

[VL3X]

Congrats!! And wow, 521st for UK with a deposit down in May 2021!!!? That's wild. But I'm glad you finally took delivery and are enjoying the car. I'm extremely envious here across the pond. Looking forward to your continued ownership feedback.

 

[Toomanyloti]

Its almost certainly due to it being auto and the emissions/approvals etc.
385 miles now. I'm finding every excuse to go 'the long way round' for every trip

 

[action_turtle]

This is the same spec as mine, but I went black wheels. I have still not received any checkout email they said it will be "this month", but was hoping for an early one!

Glad to know the Auto is going well, gearing all good? Is it responsive enough for you? Odd question, do they look good? I have not seen the flappy paddles in real life lol

 

[Toomanyloti]

If you can I would go to the factory to get it. Probably quicker than the delivery palava but I don't know this as a fact.
I see no reason for them not to do everything they can to get the car gone and you cash in the bank.
Contrary to the majority on here everyone I have dealt with representing or working for Lotus has been bang on and very helpful.
Car is better than I expected in every way. I will reserve full judgement until after the run in period.
I did one of the school runs this morning in the Taycan (first time i have driven it since collecting the Emira) and its like Driving the Ark Royal

The auto is great fun. Its a challenge keeping the revs under 4k esp in track mode. The Stinger had paddles but one could not hear the engine to use them intuitively. That 8 spd auto box was very good left to do its own thing.

The shifts are a tiny bit laggy in normal driving but its what you get used to. When 'making progres' and in track mode i think they are quick enough and sound great. Its a new way of driving which I was greatly looking forward to and it makes the car for me.
I think the I4 will be different from a torque perspective and with more gears in manual mode one might be up and down the box a lot more.
As someone else said the paddles could do with more of a positive click to know you have made a change. Obviously the display tells you but it would be better with a more tactile confirmation.
The wheel takes some getting used to when making larger turn where the wheel is rotated >270 or so. missing the flat spot where one would expect 'wheel'.
I have now been on the terrible test roads near me and it just smashes through them no bother. Not felt any under or oversteer at all so far or in fact any strange steering moments at all lock to lock.
Speed bumps are no issue at all. I had one small incident yesterday with a gradient change at a junction doing an acute left hand turn. The front grounded slightly and so the entropy of driving a new car started...
On the way back i was regretting not doing what I have done on my exige by adding two shuttering plywood skids under the splitter to help protect it.
Inspection reveal Lotus already beat me to it with a sacrificial bobbin at each side

 

[FederGigant]

If you can I would go to the factory to get it. Probably quicker than the delivery palava but I don't know this as a fact.
I see no reason for them not to do everything they can to get the car gone and you cash in the bank.
Contrary to the majority on here everyone I have dealt with representing or working for Lotus has been bang on and very helpful.
Car is better than I expected in every way. I will reserve full judgement until after the run in period.
I did one of the school runs this morning in the Taycan (first time i have driven it since collecting the Emira) and its like Driving the Ark Royal

The auto is great fun. Its a challenge keeping the revs under 4k esp in track mode. The Stinger had paddles but one could not hear the engine to use them intuitively. That 8 spd auto box was very good left to do its own thing.

The shifts are a tiny bit laggy in normal driving but its what you get used to. When 'making progres' and in track mode i think they are quick enough and sound great. Its a new way of driving which I was greatly looking forward to and it makes the car for me.
I think the I4 will be different from a torque perspective and with more gears in manual mode one might be up and down the box a lot more.
As someone else said the paddles could do with more of a positive click to know you have made a change. Obviously the display tells you but it would be better with a more tactile confirmation.
The wheel takes some getting used to when making larger turn where the wheel is rotated >270 or so. missing the flat spot where one would expect 'wheel'.
I have now been on the terrible test roads near me and it just smashes through them no bother. Not felt any under or oversteer at all so far or in fact any strange steering moments at all lock to lock.
Speed bumps are no issue at all. I had one small incident yesterday with a gradient change at a junction doing an acute left hand turn. The front grounded slightly and so the entropy of driving a new car started...
On the way back i was regretting not doing what I have done on my exige by adding two shuttering plywood skids under the splitter to help protect it.
Inspection reveal Lotus already beat me to it with a sacrificial bobbin at each side
View attachment 27538View attachment 27539

Those two suckers do a really good job of keeping the car intact!

 

[Toomanyloti]

and you reminded me to clarify.

The bobbins are not nylon but either very hard alloy or maybe steel. I'll get a magnet on the job!

 

[Toomanyloti]

the 1000mile curfew passed yesterday so i went out this evening for a mess.
What a feckin hoot!
Who would guess thats the motor from a camry and the box from and auto oil burning avensis (the ugliest car ever made).
On full chat in track its like shifting on a superbike.
Exhaust sound is fantastic.
Never had or tried a pdk or a DSG but i don't care this is way good enough for me. Goodness only know why anyone would want a manual - each to his own.
I think an Auto V6 Exige would be the sweet spot on the road if you want full thrills but as more of an all rounder (if we can call it that) the Emira has nailed it.
Lots Of Problems Usually Serious has defo followed the brand and its such a shame folk are having issues (inc me) and some have cancelled.
I would not want to think I had cancelled and even missed tonights drive..
Go Pro on the back for some 'music' recording next week

 

[Toomanyloti]

Apologies for the repetition but I have copied this over from Joels thread as i think its important and more may see it...

Re V6 I4 zaust music...

Forgive me all but honestly you have to be in the car with it at full chat to get any idea what it is like.
Speculating from an idling car is sniffing the scotch with the stopper in the bottle while its still in the drinks cabinet...pointless..although I completely empathise with the frustration.
My S1 Exige is crackers and the sound is addictive at full chat.
The emira is a whole new level of experience for me. I'm working out how i will cope over winter missing the sound never mind the drive. Its completely addictive to an idiot like me.
Even up to 4k its great but at full send its crazy. Its like another new car from 1000m on.
Also all this hoo haa about the rev limit being lower than the outgoing Evora - I think 'we' need to have a word with ourselves.
Maybe i'm a numpty but when it shifts itself in auto with your foot fully planted I just cant see what discernable difference it would make.
I'm new to it I know and the novelty has not worn off but its a sensory overload - just mega
Its a real pity we can't share this on here. I will do what I can to ease the pain by sharing whatever i can

edit...

I also think I would be very reluctant to touch the exhaust at all unless i could try a proposed alternative being driven in the same way as i experience the stock item. I would absolutely not speculatively change it!