So I got to take a test drive.... :)

[Shyatic]

Just came back from the test drive! I have a video (which my face is half blocking, sorry) that I'll upload later.
Early impressions -- phenomenal. Power is where I expected it to be, does not throw you back in the seat like other cars but the delivery is linear and solid. Handling, which I got only a taste of given the roads and structure is solid, no tire slip, no jitters, just glued to the road. Interior cabin noise is also pretty good -- I mean, it's a sports car so I don't have a huge amount of hope for that.

Driving position, visibility, stellar. Sports mode vs touring makes a huge difference in throttle response. Honestly I don't ever see myself driving it in touring. Gearing ratios are pretty close, so there's a lot of engagement for the driver.

This car was the sports suspension, and I found it perfectly suitable for me. Touring may be a bit quieter, not sure, but given for me it's a weekend and evening toy, I don't personally care. Interior quality was superb, I sat and felt all the materials, everything felt Germanic in quality -- a compliment! This car had the alcantara seats which I'm not sure I'd go for -- they are comfortable, but I think I'd prefer something easier to clean and maintain. Plus not sure how they hold up longer term.

Any complaints? Trunk is smaller than I thought -- might fit some stuff but not a big deal. Pedal placement is a little weird as I got into the car, but I got it sorted after a minute. Shifts are a little longer throw -- not a big deal, but something to note. Stereo sounded a little flat, the clarity was good but no bass -- that may just have been a setting I didn't bother to play with. I only had 20 minutes so wanted to spend the majority of that driving. Hope this helps, happy to answer any Qs.

 

[idleuser]

Wow the sport suspension is what I imagined it to be on US roads. I'm definitely going to be getting the touring setup.

 

[Porter]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing!


Also, random FYI... you marked your vid as "Made for Kids" which in YouTube lingo means it's explicitly child-oriented content and designed for them. Not sure if you meant to do that. See also: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9632097

 

[Leonard]

I dont wanna be that guy but it did look quite slow
Everything else looked pretty good though

 

[eriegz]

So, are stop signs more of a suggestion down there?

But seriously, thanks for the video, and congrats on your test drive!

 

[BeHappy]

Couldn’t hear much roar or burps engine noise

 

[EspritGuy]

Just came back from the test drive! I have a video (which my face is half blocking, sorry) that I'll upload later.
Early impressions -- phenomenal. Power is where I expected it to be, does not throw you back in the seat like other cars but the delivery is linear and solid. Handling, which I got only a taste of given the roads and structure is solid, no tire slip, no jitters, just glued to the road. Interior cabin noise is also pretty good -- I mean, it's a sports car so I don't have a huge amount of hope for that.

Driving position, visibility, stellar. Sports mode vs touring makes a huge difference in throttle response. Honestly I don't ever see myself driving it in touring. Gearing ratios are pretty close, so there's a lot of engagement for the driver.

This car was the sports suspension, and I found it perfectly suitable for me. Touring may be a bit quieter, not sure, but given for me it's a weekend and evening toy, I don't personally care. Interior quality was superb, I sat and felt all the materials, everything felt Germanic in quality -- a compliment! This car had the alcantara seats which I'm not sure I'd go for -- they are comfortable, but I think I'd prefer something easier to clean and maintain. Plus not sure how they hold up longer term.

Any complaints? Trunk is smaller than I thought -- might fit some stuff but not a big deal. Pedal placement is a little weird as I got into the car, but I got it sorted after a minute. Shifts are a little longer throw -- not a big deal, but something to note. Stereo sounded a little flat, the clarity was good but no bass -- that may just have been a setting I didn't bother to play with. I only had 20 minutes so wanted to spend the majority of that driving. Hope this helps, happy to answer any Qs.

View attachment 9029View attachment 9030View attachment 9031View attachment 9032View attachment 9033

Thanks! Photos, video and narrative.
This ups the anticipation. My turn is coming.
For those inclined, there is a thread called Driving Impressions.
Calling all fans and customers!

 

[Leonard]

Couldn’t hear much roar or burps engine noise

It's going to be a lot more refined inside than equivalent Evora. Probably sound good from the outside...

 

[Shyatic]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing!


Also, random FYI... you marked your vid as "Made for Kids" which in YouTube lingo means it's explicitly child-oriented content and designed for them. Not sure if you meant to do that. See also: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9632097

Fixed, thanks!

 

[Shyatic]

So, are stop signs more of a suggestion down there?

But seriously, thanks for the video, and congrats on your test drive!

Running joke is that if the stop sign has a white border it's optional

In fairness the location is based around office parks so the visibility around was very good. Sorry for the bad angles

 

[p.rob]

how did you like the shifter feel?

 

[Shyatic]

how did you like the shifter feel?

Little longer throw -- I think it's just getting used to it, but not a big deal. I haven't had a manual in 10 years so I don't have a lot to compare it to other than a few cars I've driven as friends etc over the years. Porsche's shifts are closer and quicker, but the gearing ratios are taller so there's not a lot of movement from 2nd or 3rd.

I can imagine as I take up some speed on the car that I'd be rowing the gears more, and that's exactly what I want -- so I'll take a worse shifter feel than a Porsche for shorter gearing ratios.

 

[netsinah]

Very much appreciate you taking the time to video, post your video and provide commentary! Some questions if you don't mind:

What did you think of the Dark Verdant exterior color? You had a sunny day...did it "pop" in the sun?
How was getting in/out?
Was the driver seat comfortable (or restricting with the bolsters) and keep you in place?
Did you have adequate interior room (how tall are you)?
Did you hit any pot holes or bad bumps (none that I could see) and if so, was the ride still OK?
Did they slot you into a pre-arranged test drive time...and was it booked solid for test drives?

 

[Shyatic]

Very much appreciate you taking the time to video, post your video and provide commentary! Some questions if you don't mind:

What did you think of the Dark Verdant exterior color? You had a sunny day...did it "pop" in the sun?
How was getting in/out?
Was the driver seat comfortable (or restricting with the bolsters) and keep you in place?
Did you have adequate interior room (how tall are you)?
Did you hit any pot holes or bad bumps (none that I could see) and if so, was the ride still OK?
Did they slot you into a pre-arranged test drive time...and was it booked solid for test drives?

Good Qs!

I can't say much about the color, I didn't take a lot of notice of it but from a quick glance -- it's a muted color. It doesn't 'pop' in the sun, it seems to be pretty stable and honestly -- pretty much passes for a gray if you're glancing at it. I am getting Magma Red non issue for me

Getting in an out was no problem -- I am used to SUVs after the last 15 years with kids, but other than the initial awkwardness "Oh, the ground is here already?" it was fine. I wasn't contorting myself to get in or out, it was very comfortable. I will say, not as comfortable as my older BMW M3, but that's more of a sedan anyway.

I'm about 5'11", just a bit under 6 feet

Driver seat was comfortable; granted I don't know how much attention I paid to it as those things you really only learn in living with the car. The alcantara was very grippy in sitting, but I'm a guy who likes to shift around a little bit so I might like the flexibility of leather better -- plus being easier to clean/maintain. That, and there are more color choices

Interior room, no issue -- the person who drove before me had the seat WAY further back so there's plenty of room for even taller dudes than me. I had to bring it forward quite a bit.

The roads weren't exactly smooth, but no potholes. I could see it being pretty jarring on the potholes, but given I do want to track the car it makes more sense to have the sports suspension because in the area I'm in, it won't be bad at all. Our roads are well maintained nearby.

The drive times were booked solid, the sales person I drove with told me they would be there until much later getting people through as they only have the car for a few days. The time slot was pre-arranged and actually changed last minute; so I had to juggle around to make it work!

 

[p.rob]

Little longer throw -- I think it's just getting used to it, but not a big deal. I haven't had a manual in 10 years so I don't have a lot to compare it to other than a few cars I've driven as friends etc over the years. Porsche's shifts are closer and quicker, but the gearing ratios are taller so there's not a lot of movement from 2nd or 3rd.

I can imagine as I take up some speed on the car that I'd be rowing the gears more, and that's exactly what I want -- so I'll take a worse shifter feel than a Porsche for shorter gearing ratios.I own

I currently own a manual GT4 and it's brilliant, but the only complain I have is the long gearing (especially for a high revving NA engine which has no gut under 5000rpm), so that's great to hear!

 

[itsagoose]

Can you comment on how the sound and ride quality compares to the Evora GT?

 

[Shyatic]

Can you comment on how the sound and ride quality compares to the Evora GT?

Sorry can't -- haven't ridden inside an Evora GT.

 

[scarzie]

What did you think of the Dark Verdant exterior color? You had a sunny day...did it "pop" in the sun?

Isn't this car shadow grey though?

 

[michael2GRFE]

I just returned home to Canada from Dallas yesterday. Funny, I kept having this niggling thought that I should stop by Lotus Dallas, hoping they would have an Emira so I could finally see it in person. Now I really wish I did!! Oh well, apparently Oakville is getting one this month. Thanks for posting.

 

[Shyatic]

Isn't this car shadow grey though?

Honestly that was my thought on it -- but if somebody takes it as the green then they know more than me