Porsche GTS4.0 owner impressions of the Emira

[netsinah]

A dealer recommend this in a video on YouTube...IF you are the only driver, use the seat memory settings to accomplish this (1 for your driving position, 2 for your preferred seat retraction position).

Thanks, already do that. It’s not the same thing as the car automatically moving the seat back (without anyone pressing a button) and moving the steering wheel up, for a convenient exit. I know it’s a little thing, but none of these conveniences are necessities.

 

[Jake]

Proud new Emira owner here in the USA. As my name implies, I am a bit of a Porsche fanboy, current Porsche fleet are a 2021 Cayman GTS and a 2023 911 Turbo S.

I've always admired Lotus since I drove an Elise in the 1990s, and am thrilled they've made a car that I (6' 3") can more readily fit in. I acknowledge now having been to a Lotus dealer that I actually fit in the Evora as well.

I thought worthwhile giving my impressions, with some embedded questions. In bulletpoint format:
- I'm only 400 miles in
- Touring spec
- The pedals! Despite driving manuals for the last 35 years of my life, I often struggle to get off the line in lazy driving. The clutch has a very small grab window. And it feels like the throttle mapping also seems to be tight (at least in Sport mode which is where I've been defaulting to). I have NOT stalled it yet, but I have definitely had it at 2k rpm while not moving, and have had the car nearly stall. The Cayman's clutch and throttle are a breeze, much more intuitive. I suppose I'll get used to modulating the clutch and throttle better, but would have thought after 400 miles I'd be comfortable. Oddly, I don't have any issues after a cold start. It sort of makes me wonder if the car is idling too low when at temp. And I have been experimenting and it does feel like Tour mode gives me much less issues.
- More pedals! The brakes. Yet again, the grab window on the brakes is tiny. The irony here, and I haven't figured this out yet - is that at higher speeds I swear the breaks are a tad mushy. But then, sometimes I'll be pulling up to a red light or a parking spot and the brakes are twitchy. I suppose I'm not used to the modulation required.
- Pedal spacing. There were lots of concerns about the spacing of the pedals, but am glad to report I don't notice any issues
- Throttle Blip - The Caymans throttle blip is just so enjoyable for downshifting. I wish the Emira had it. But I get it, this is a Lotus... man up!
- Proximity unlock/entry -I have to physically take my key out of my pocket and hit the Unlock button to get into my car. I understand the benefits with theft prevention etc, but I thought the days of touching a key were over. And yes, for many recent generations of Porsche, this was an expensive cost-option.
- The build quality - when I picked it up there was a badly loose fiber on a seat, and a piece of plastic in the trunk that I'm still not convinced is aligned properly... but I was told "yeah its hand built".. whatever, its a Lotus and I guess this is part of the charm. Otherwise, things are holding up.
- Not a fan of the steering wheel "buttons", I think I've pressed them accidentally, and they're not terribly easy to use. The Cayman's wheel buttons are better and yes they are optional, at a cost.
- Steering feel is indeed great. And love the shifter. Very different from the 718, perhaps more in a go-cart way? It certainly reminds me of my time in the Elise. Much more notchy than the Cayman.
- There is definitely a "sense of occasion" driving the car. I liken it to driving a 1980's sports car, which is what I've envied about Lotus.
- The sound. I do put it in Sport mode most often to hear the exhaust. And I tend to roll down the windows in summer with this car. I've never owned a supercharged car before, and to be honest when I see/hear cars like the Dodge Hellcat (or whatever similar supercharged cars), I really do not like that sound. But its kind of grown on me in the Emira. Undecided on this one, but the sound is nothing like the GTS.
- I've had no mechanical issues. I was indeed concerned about various problems I had seen on forums. The car starts, goes, no gremlins so far.
- I can readily (intentionally) get the back end of the Cayman out in lazy/fun driving, I am yet to do that with the Lotus. Perhaps because I'm not driving it as hard yet. But I fear its because of nannies. But that would not make sense.. so gonna hold my opinion on this, other than say the Cayman is such a fun car to drive. When I get past 1,000 mile breakin, I'll push it a tad more.
- Interior - Quite pleased with the quality and simplicity of it all. I had thought the climate controls (some of which are in the screen, like heated seat) might be a pain, but its quick to navigate and not embedded in a menu.
- Android Auto occasionally fails. I suspect I might be hitting a button on the steering wheel to cause this. However, its a pretty quick series of 2 buttons on the screen to get it to re-connect.
- This car attracts attention. I've had many sports cars for the last 10 years, and in that time, I might have gotten a handful of "cool car bro" comments. I would say that nearly every time I have driven the Lotus, someone will comment on it when I get in or out.

Overall, really enjoying the car, with the only "issue" being the clutch & throttle engagement. I've scoured the forums and have only seen a few threads and comments on the clutch and throttle, so I will just assume I am the moron and will try to get used to it.

Thanks for your insights.

 

[Cwolf]

Nice write up. Have 2500 miles on my Emira. The clutch doesn't bother me, but yes, I have stalled it once. Can be a little tricky when you first start. I 100% agree on the proximity key. That should be in any car this cost. Like you, the brakes are funny sometimes. Sometimes they feel mushy out of the blue, but overall not a problem. Apple carplay rarely connects on it's own in my car, have to manually do it. Love the controls. Buttons and a screen. That is how all cars should be. I think the exhaust noice is very good. No need for an aftermarket exhaust. Car gets tons of attention.

Porsche owner, thanks for the write up. I feel the same as this poster who replied. I am almost 4000 miles in. The clutch can be tricky and definitely would like a proximity key. The controls are perfect, I stay away from cars that have gone screen only. That is garbage cost cutting that distracts the driver and takes more time to use. Nothing beats a button or rotary fan control. Just hope you have no problems with HVAC fan. That has been a pain for me. Fixed once, and still not right. Other than that, it's all good. Gets a ton of attention. I have had a '17 911 S, and the Emira is more fun.

 

[jamesgareth]

A dealer recommend this in a video on YouTube...IF you are the only driver, use the seat memory settings to accomplish this (1 for your driving position, 2 for your preferred seat retraction position).

Yup. I do that. Works a treat.

I agree with the brakes thing - they sure are 'bitey'. Mines an auto so no issues with all that changing gears stuff (too old for all that). Love the car though. It's a trip to own and drive even around these tiny British roads where I live. In fact I should say especially around these tiny British roads.