Finally got around to driving a LHD model on public roads.
I few thoughts still lingering:
Over the past two weeks I’ve been driving an Elise and Exige around Exclusivity, and I spent some time on track (as a passenger) in Exige and Evora. It left me kind of wanting something in the middle, and I think that’s where Emira sits.
Loves:
Neutral observations:
- The way it looks, obviously. Especially Nimbus with red.
- Visibility, it feels easy to toss around because you can see places you’re tossing it so well.
- The way the car melts around you, and gets smaller.
- Steering, obviously
- Ride on touring suspension just swallowed the road surface. It was lovely but I’ll be glad to have sport and a little more feel.
- Pedal box. Perfect for heel-toe although I did have to switch shoes. It’s tight but it’s the same way on Elige and I love it.
- UX. And I say this as a UX designer. It is very good. Hardware isn’t amazing (a little laggy) but acceptable and the software made everything not more than 2 taps away.
- Really comes alive at higher RPM. Unfortunately I only got a couple of short Bursts.
- Love the light signatures and color-switching tail-lamps and DRLs. Looks premium.
- Red leather was not as bright as photos suggest. It looks fantastic.
(Very minor!) Things I don’t love:
- KEF system didn’t wow, but it was perfectly good.
- No buffeting with windows down, nice!
- Trunk closed fine
- Gearbox expects you to be precise, many won’t like that but I do. It does take some adjustment. Throws were shorter than Elige which made me think it wasn’t going into gear, so I was a bit clumsy with it on my drive.
- Gear knob engraving was not injuring me
Overall it feels like a grown up Exige. It feels like a car I could drive as my only car for the rest of my life and be thrilled about it. No regrets, all in, as excited as ever.
- Wish it had a little bit more torque from 0. You definitely need to give it a handshake to get it rolling. I remember Evora was strong at 0 and felt like giving it gas was optional. Made it easier to roll around town.
- Clutch is a little light for my tastes but after a while I wasn’t really noticing. I’m sure this was a design decision as a more livable car.
- Maybe a sharper alignment or faster steering rack as a future upgrade. Might be that I’ve been driving a direct unassisted car but felt like I had to give more steering input than Elige. Honestly could just be the larger radius wheel giving that sensation.
- Don’t love the head rests on the seats. Not actually good for resting.
- Could use a little more noise under 4k rpm. It sounds lovely but might need that 3rd cat delete to be exciting. Sounds fantastic at higher RPMs
- Cup holders are… not ideal but atleast they exist! Might look for an aftermarket solution.
I was waiting for your review! Glad you still loved it for the most part.