Reduced Acceleration

[ALI5T4IR]

Have a 74 plate Emira i4. 5000 miles on the clock. A couple of months ago I had a reduced acceleration issue and the car went into limp mode, managed to get the car into a lay-by and shut it off. After a restart it was ok until about 2 weeks later when it happened again and this time the engine management light came on and a message stating recovery was needed. The car was revving up and down whilst idling. Again, a restart made it driveable but the CEL stayed on. I got the car home and it was recovered and taken to Lotus. Got the car back last week, supposedly was a battery issue and the car is now fine. Except after a few days of use it happened again but in the outside lane of the motor in rush hour. Scary isn’t the word. Trying to cross 3 lanes of busy traffic when the car won’t accelerate or do anything at all aside for steer is not a nice feeling. Car recovered again. Lotus saying they can’t see an issue and no fault code has been stored. I’m at the point where I don’t want the car anymore. 10 months in a critical issues like this along with other niggles. It’s been to lotus 4 times since I got it. I simply don’t trust the car anymore because even if they claim they’ve fixed it how can I know?
Has anybody experienced the same issue?
Is it possible to hand the car back to lotus at this point?
TIA

 

[Tracked Emira]

Is the car in limp mode today?
The car is most likely over heating. Lotus improved the cooling for the cars being ordered now. If you search over heating and limp mode you may find some answers that relate to your situation.
Where do you live and what was the temperature outside when you were in rush hour? Until you figure things out put heaters on high and have hot air direction pointed to go out of the car. Surprised it hasn't happened until now unless you have a CT carbon diffuser, or another after market diffuser, which doesn't have a duct opening to cool down the valve controller like the stock diffuser has. This happened to me because I have this diffuser and when the valve controller got too hot the car would go into limp mode. Once it cools down the car goes back to normal. Have them check your fault codes because the valve controller may be damaged if it doesn't come out of limp mode like mine did. Mach 5 performance & Boomgear use a wrapped stainless steel exhaust with a valve controller relocation kit if you are looking to upgrade your exhaust. TA titanium exhaust will make matters worse so anyone in a hot climate should not get one.
Do you have an after market diffuser, exhaust or a Milltek valve controller?

 

[ALI5T4IR]

No the car was fine after a restart but it’s gone back to Lotus 2 days ago. They claim no fault codes. I live in the U.K. and it was a coldish day, wasn’t in much traffic and the car was at a normal temp. I’ve got nothing aftermarket fitted to the car.

 

[MiamiBlue]

The OP is from the North of England in October and driving in traffic. No way it's an overheating issue unless there's a serious fault causing that which should be evident.

I would check you have the latest software updates and try another Lotus dealer (I'm guessing it's Leeds? They have a mixed reputation online if you search).

 

[ALI5T4IR]

Yeh it went in a week ago for repair of this issue and they applied all latest updates. It’s Bradford Lotus and they’re as much use as a chocolate fire guard. Next closest is Stockport which is a decent trek away.

 

[geoffbland]

Yeh it went in a week ago for repair of this issue and they applied all latest updates. It’s Bradford Lotus and they’re as much use as a chocolate fire guard. Next closest is Stockport which is a decent trek away.

You could try Jon Seal Sports Cars - they have a good reputation with Lotus owners and are in Yorkshire.

 

[ALI5T4IR]

Yeh it went in a week ago for repair of this issue and they applied all latest updates. It’s Bradford Lotus and they’re as much use as a chocolate fire guard. Next closest is Stockport which is a decent trek

You could try Jon Seal Sports Cars - they have a good reputation with Lotus owners and are in Yorkshire.

Thing is I don’t want to have to pay because it’s only 10 months old. I don’t feel I should have to just because they’ve produced a car that’s not fit for purpose.