i4 FE - When are we going to see it? Getting annoyed

[grahamgreen]

By the sounds of it my August delivery could be out then…. Darn it.

 

[Magicman]

Reaction patterns to negative news, or to something that does not appear at the expected timing, are different depending on different cultural related behavioral patterns around the world. So are the “suggested explanations” for why delays occur. Difficulty matching an ECU to the M139 engine type is a rather unlikely explanation. From various sources, mostly from England, UK where Emira I4 will be made, it looks like the model will start production towards the end of this year 2023. Most of us will receive it in 2024 as a 2024 model. The long wait will for sure see a certain percentage of cancellations; but for those of us who stand strong & patient, I am quite certain that we will be rewarded with a really excellent result at the end. The Emira I4 will be the genuine new EMIRA, which is the completely new model, and presumably the last LOTUS powered by an ICE engine.

Pretty unlikely reason as I saw an i4 going round the track 6wks ago when I fetched my car

 

[grahamgreen]

Pretty unlikely reason as I saw an i4 going round the track 6wks ago when I fetched my car

There’s hope yet then….

 

[Tokion]

Pretty unlikely reason as I saw an i4 going round the track 6wks ago when I fetched my car

Did you get any impression of its sound? Was it a likeable and characteristic sound (even if it might have been less forceful and loud than the sound from a V6 Supercharged car)?

 

[Magicman]

Did you get any impression of its sound? Was it a likeable and characteristic sound (even if it might have been less forceful and loud than the sound from a V6 Supercharged car)?

I'll be honest it wasn't great, sounded quite strained and unmistakably 4cyl, there was a decent whumph on the gearshift that was quite nice, but, it was a wet track and there's no guarantee it was the finished article (it was painted bright red so very much a prototype), it wasn't as vocal as my old A45 amg.

I've heard a video of one reving in China and that was fairly representative iirc.

 

[EMIRADILEMMA]

I'll be honest it wasn't great, sounded quite strained and unmistakably 4cyl, there was a decent whumph on the gearshift that was quite nice, but, it was a wet track and there's no guarantee it was the finished article (it was painted bright red so very much a prototype), it wasn't as vocal as my old A45 amg.

I've heard a video of one reving in China and that was fairly representative iirc.

Is it the video of a yellow one driving on the mountain road?

 

[Tokion]

I'll be honest it wasn't great, sounded quite strained and unmistakably 4cyl, there was a decent whumph on the gearshift that was quite nice, but, it was a wet track and there's no guarantee it was the finished article (it was painted bright red so very much a prototype), it wasn't as vocal as my old A45 amg.

I've heard a video of one reving in China and that was fairly representative iirc.

Thank you, Magicman. This is very useful information; and it is clear that what you heard was an I4 still under development. I am well aware of the Chinese, supposedly I4 video, of a car being started up and moved briefly. There is no guarantee that this video is genuine, and there was never any follow-up. I have never owned any AMG A45, but have seen them on the street and in videos. However, none of them produce a sound that I like. However, the same can be said about Toyota Camry cars, but we all know how good a sound Lotus has been able to produce from their Camry-based V6 with supercharger. I think there is still a decent hope that the Lotus I4 may end up with a favorable sound track worth listening too.

At one point I talked face-to-face with a visiting Lotus executive, and he showed me a video of what he told me was an EMIRA I4 driving on the track in Hethel. However the video was taken from a distance, and it wasn’t possible to judge the sound in detail. He also told me that the sound of a new model can easily be misunderstood when presented on a video that will be played on various mobile phone/pad devices.

It is clear that Lotus is taking the “sound development” of the I4 very seriously and aim to get it right. It is a long time since the UK TV program “A New Dawn” was aired (and it can be found on YouTube). This shows an early prototype of an older Lotus Model with the I4 engine mounted, and it does present a decent and likeable sound character. But, we all have to wait for the final result, possible during the upcoming summer 2023 (as rumored). Holding my breath still, since this is the version I have ordered for various reasons, and not only the sound.

 

[Matt]

btw, anyone got any reimbursement or extra benefit from Lotus due to the delay last year?

In China, you will get first year commercial vehicle insurance for free.

 

[Matt]

I will thank goodness if the sound of I4 is as good as the sound of the latest AMG A45S.

 

[lynchy73]

In China, you will get first year commercial vehicle insurance for free.

I heard a rumour that if order to delivery is more than 1 year, you get 3 years servicing free of charge. Is that true?

 

[kitkat]

I will thank goodness if the sound of I4 is as good as the sound of the latest AMG A45S.

Why? That sounds so bad.

 

[Magicman]

Is it the video of a yellow one driving on the mountain road?

No think it was a seneca car stationery reving. Can't remember where I saw it now, maybe fb

 

[Matt]

Why? That sounds so bad.

Because I saw someone saying the prototype of 2.0 sounded worse than A45.

I heard a rumour that if order to delivery is more than 1 year, you get 3 years servicing free of charge. Is that true?

The sales mentioned it, but it hasn't been confirmed by LOTUS.

 

[Russc]

I`d just go for some/any information on what`s happening at the moment. No current news on test drives for the I4 and no real news on launch.

Have a proposed build date of November but that doesn`t seem likely at all.

 

[TRX250EX]

I know alot are disappointed by I4 sound and it's expected anyway you can't do magic to the exhaust tbh, but I mentioned before I will rather see Emira R get I4 than V6 and I know alot will be annoyed by this, but let me make things clearer to me a driving experience is interior sound than exterior it's one of main reasons why a mid engine car have superior experience because engine + intake right next to your ears and first time I drove GT4RS without even revving past 4000RPM due to break in period, I knew how more important interior sound is than exterior (GT3 sound much better from outside but inside GT4RS absolutely smashes every new sports car in today market).

And to me the I4 can bring more character to the car from inside than the V6 will, if Lotus get intake sound right + DCT tuned properly like the one in GT4RS + gave exhaust some sort of pump into car interior (not speakers but mechanical like Cayman GTS models), then I see Emira having a chance to compete at GT4RS level once taking into account the weight + aerodynamics advantages Emira platform have.

I don't think Lotus will do but a roof scoop also will bring more drama into the experience, like many McLaren owners of 675LT regret not ticking a 50K or so option because of it's price.

Overall I will definitely be buying Emira R if they do I4, not that I won't buy it if V6 but I will be alot more excited with the M139.

 

[Foxy87]

How do you even know an emira R is coming? If things keep going the way they are I dont see a lot other versions of Emira before end of production…

 

[TRX250EX]

How do you even know an emira R is coming? If things keep going the way they are I dont see a lot other versions of Emira before end of production…

Emira production is planned to end in 2028 if I'm not mistaken, that's the life span of the car and usually a track variant is released within 2 years of production end just like majority of manufacturer, from what I understood is that S will be more of revised and slightly more powerful V6 model with more new options (ACC and other stuff) to come in 2025 while R will be track focused car to come in 2026, as for engine choice for R I don't think Lotus finalised that decision yet anyway, some rumor say 440HP from V6 others say it will be I4 only tuned to 450-460hp

Overall I think chances of S and R happening is more likely than not.

 

[Foxy87]

Thanks for your insights. As far as I know and what I have been reading EOP is in 2026, latest 2027. I also was under the impressions that sportier versions are likely to come. With the massive delay and the i4 not even hitting the road yet I am not certain anymore that there is so much more to come… (but then again, I have basically no idea…)

 

[TRX250EX]

Thanks for your insights. As far as I know and what I have been reading EOP is in 2026, latest 2027. I also was under the impressions that sportier versions are likely to come. With the massive delay and the i4 not even hitting the road yet I am not certain anymore that there is so much more to come… (but then again, I have basically no idea…)

Let's see electric replacement is planned 2026 hence alot saying 2026 but tbh I expect delays in that model, and I believe both will be produced along side each other in 2027/2028 with Emira ending in those years.

The delays and order list should be done by end of 2024 hence I expect S model to come shortly after that followed by R model a year or so after.

Now majority of these are just speculation and we all know Lotus so far unpredictable, but to me doesn't make sense not to offer S and R variants.

Majority of delay issues should be resolved by this year (china covid issues + new production facility and equipment + totally new electronics + hiring new employees and adding more production shifts), so I don't expect S and R will face these issues unless something big happens.

 

[Foxy87]

Lets hope you are right, looking for an S and cant wait to see what is coming.