Who wants a spot for an i-4?

[NicolasB]

I just received this email today:

 

[Lotustoronto]

Bear Dalton - That is a badass name. On another note, I am surprised that the first i4's weren't all sold out. The car market is softening really quickly over here tho, perhaps not that surprising.

 

[Nova]

The issue is with the power rating. Especially with the new price increase. No doubt some people want one, but there is a lot of compromising with this choice.

 

[DerTheDer]

The demand for these cars are really only in our small little circle, other people could care less. I do find it funny they dont have a list of 1k+ deposits that some dealers were touting.

 

[Porter]

The demand for these cars are really only in our small little circle, other people could care less. I do find it funny they dont have a list of 1k+ deposits that some dealers were touting.

Haha wait, there was a dealer claiming to have over 1000 deposits?

 

[Pegasi]

Well spec is very important to me so I am not jumping line to get a car I really don't want. I am keeping the car forever so I would rather wait two more years. If I was rich, well then I would snap it up. Oddly enough I thought about the I4 today instead of the V6...

 

[Lowtush]

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if the AMG motor is full strength and the published power is just underrated by Lotus so the V6 guys can feel better about the 0-60 time (again, that they publish) being basically identical. That AMG motor is a friggin rocket.

 

[NicolasB]

With a tune it would outrun the V6, probably fun, too, but many will want the manual transmission and nicer sound.

 

[Green]

With a tune it would outrun the V6, probably fun, too, but many will want the manual transmission and nicer sound.

Wait, are you saying a tuned car will out run a stock car?

 

[NicolasB]

Wait, are you saying a tuned car will out run a stock car?

Just saying that bringing it from 360 horsepower up to over 400 will put it ahead of the V6 with no trouble due to the characteristics of that particular engine and the DCT transmission

 

[Lowtush]

I reckon the I4 will be faster than the V6 the day it rolls off the factory floor.

 

[Green]

I reckon the I4 will be faster than the V6 the day it rolls off the factory floor.

Not according to LOTUS. Top speed 10 miles per hr lower so slower.

 

[Lowtush]

Not according to LOTUS. Top speed 10 miles per hr lower so slower.

I guess you're correct on a technicality...

Allow me to rephrase: I believe the I4 will accelerate from 0-60 more quickly than the V6.

I understand Lotus claim that this is not the case. I don't believe it. I've driven number of these AMG I4 vehicles and they're very strong motors.

And for all we know, Lotus claiming the top speed is 10 MPH less could be a fib too. Are any of us plebs ever going to go on top speed runs in our Emiras?

I guess we'll find out for sure when actual I4s are in consumers' hands and on dynos.

Under-reporting power to avoid upsetting customers who bought more expensive versions is nothing new... See the Supra vs Z4.

 

[Nova]

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if the AMG motor is full strength and the published power is just underrated by Lotus so the V6 guys can feel better about the 0-60 time (again, that they publish) being basically identical. That AMG motor is a friggin rocket.

That's entirely possible. But we would have to wait until they show up in the wild to know for sure. There would be some angry V6 buyers who would feel that they were lied to. Even for me, who really want a manual, if the I4 was 400HP, I would have serious second thoughts. Serious.

 

[Nova]

I guess you're correct on a technicality...

Allow me to rephrase: I believe the I4 will accelerate from 0-60 more quickly than the V6.

I understand Lotus claim that this is not the case. I don't believe it. I've driven number of these AMG I4 vehicles and they're very strong motors.

And for all we know, Lotus claiming the top speed is 10 MPH less could be a fib too. Are any of us plebs ever going to go on top speed runs in our Emiras?

I guess we'll find out for sure when actual I4s are in consumers' hands and on dynos.

Under-reporting power to avoid upsetting customers who bought more expensive versions is nothing new... See the Supra vs Z4.

But has Lotus done this one the past? If not, why would they start now? It makes no sense to lie to customers because *someone* will be upset about the lie.

 

[M100man]

That's entirely possible. But we would have to wait until they show up in the wild to know for sure. There would be some angry V6 buyers who would feel that they were lied to. Even for me, who really want a manual, if the I4 was 400HP, I would have serious second thoughts. Serious.

In the real world there I was driving my recently run in V6 manual today . Anyway I spent 60 minutes in south Herts trying to find a piece of road where I could run it properly fast in sports mode . Michelin pilot tyres nicely warmed up and went to 4000 revs in each of the first 4 gears before running out of space . I defy any car on a country road to keep up with it just on this part use of performance. It handles I should imagine like an out and out racer and all this angry at I4 is utter nonsense. This car is so involving to drive so thoroughly thrilling you’d want for nothing else . In the real world that is .

 

[M100man]

In the real world there I was driving my recently run in V6 manual today . Anyway I spent 60 minutes in south Herts trying to find a piece of road where I could run it properly fast in sports mode . Michelin pilot tyres nicely warmed up and went to 4000 revs in each of the first 4 gears before running out of space . I defy any car on a country road to keep up with it just on this part use of performance. It handles I should imagine like an out and out racer and all this angry at I4 is utter nonsense. This car is so involving to drive so thoroughly thrilling you’d want for nothing else . In the real world that is .

Oh yes and forget the stereo that sounds great anyway streaming Spotify. Just listen to the supercharger and the bawbling of the exhaust and the whooshing sounds . My goodness I love this car !

 

[Lowtush]

That's entirely possible. But we would have to wait until they show up in the wild to know for sure. There would be some angry V6 buyers who would feel that they were lied to. Even for me, who really want a manual, if the I4 was 400HP, I would have serious second thoughts. Serious.

I own AMG vehicles and am a huge Benz guy. It was a VERY hard choice not to reserve an I4 with the fantastic DCT trans.

At the end of the day, it was that 3rd pedal that won me over.

I don't think anyone opting for the AMG powertrain will be disappointed.

 

[Lowtush]

But has Lotus done this one the past? If not, why would they start now? It makes no sense to lie to customers because *someone* will be upset about the lie.

Has Lotus offered two distinct powertrains simultaneously in the same platform before?

I have a V6 on order and wouldn't be the least bit mad if the I4 made more power than they have claimed. Neutering what that motor is easily capable of just to cowtow to V6 buyers who paid more is dumb.

It doesn't have to be a "measuring contest"... The V6 has one crucial element to maintain bragging rights and that is a third pedal.

Even if Lotus does de-tune the AMG motor, the DCT will be a faster car regardless when in the hands of 95% of drivers. I'm not trying trying to besmirch anyone, that's just a fact. The DCT will outperform a human shifting.

 

[Concept24]

Well hey, the Toyota Supra with auto transmission and B58 engine does 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, whereas the same engine with manual transmission does the 0-60 MPH in 3.9 seconds. Is the Supra auto transmission not fast or is the manual transmission, exceptional?