‘24 vs. ‘26

[Beachbum]

It can't be back-dated, It's related to the additional hardware/safety features that only came with '26 cars. Earlier cars didn't have this. It's easy to check, you would have a small rectangular shaped box dead center of the radiator intake area. You can see it in the video. Can't miss it. Said another way, you can't get software updates for hardware that doesn't exist (on earlier cars).

Appreciate that the switching to Track is currently specific to 2026 models and it has the added benefit of disabling all the Nanny assists(watch people start car and select Track from now on), but assuming this is a Software change, what is to stop Lotus applying the same/similar software to pre-2026 models. OK it wont disable the nanny assists as they arent there, but it could still be added as a "Safety feature"

 

[jamesgareth]

Appreciate that the switching to Track is currently specific to 2026 models and it has the added benefit of disabling all the Nanny assists(watch people start car and select Track from now on), but assuming this is a Software change, what is to stop Lotus applying the same/similar software to pre-2026 models. OK it wont disable the nanny assists as they arent there, but it could still be added as a "Safety feature"

Yes I was wondering that very same thing.

 

[Last ICE]

Drove my ‘24 back to back with a ‘26, yesterday, both manual / touring. A few quick observations:

Marginal but perceptible improvements in shift smoothness, particularly into 1st (but maybe that’s more as to my particular car by comparison), and steering / suspension feel - I’d describe it as less “abrupt; more “compliant” doesn’t really capture what I’m trying to convey, but maybe more “planted” does.

Now as to the nannies “, my big pet peeve: it’s a 7-button routine on every start-up: one to the quick panel, and two for each of three of them to first disable and then confirm. As a side note, the speed limit sign icon that pops on the display was often wrong.

Now the big one (for me): the new protuberance on the front that houses the sensors. The Emira’s front is truly a thing of beauty, and you simply can’t ignore this wart. By the way, the attached photos are of Autumn Bronze, not my particular taste, but awesome in person.

Which brings me to my great conundrum: I have the opportunity to lock down a Racing Green in my exact spec. For me, BRG has been my lust since high school. Is the nanny / aesthetic compromise worth it? I don’t know whether I can get past it.

Postscript:
So I had all the arrangements in place for a ‘26 RG speced exactly as I wanted, but pulled the plug yesterday. After wrestling with it for several days, just couldn’t get past the mannies and housing. Pretty bummed, but still in love with my ‘24.

 

[jamesgareth]

Postscript:
So I had all the arrangements in place for a ‘26 RG speced exactly as I wanted, but pulled the plug yesterday. After wrestling with it for several days, just couldn’t get past the mannies and housing. Pretty bummed, but still in love with my ‘24.

That's sad.

Are you at all concerned they could update your 2024 car's software so that you had to stop in order to engage track mode?

 

[allenyao09]

That's sad.

Are you at all concerned they could update your 2024 car's software so that you had to stop in order to engage track mode?

You always had the option NOT to upgrade the software

 

[Bimmernate]

Got my new 26 coming from a 24. Only have 100 miles so far but here are my initial thoughts. First off, you have to turn off the speed change alerts, otherwise, every time the speed limit changes you get a beep. I think this setting saves even when car is turned off. The only nannie that really 100% needs to be turned off for me every time is the traffic sign recognition (speed warnings) and turn into visual only. It’s easy to switch, two taps. Lane departure warning is another to consider turning off as when you get close to the line, it’ll stop playing your music for a sec… if you track in the middle it’s obviously not an issue. This will require an extra confirmation screen. I really hope that there’s a work around later that permanently turns this shit off but it isn’t a big deal.

Other things I noticed is the shifter just feels better overall, especially first to second, and reverse. The steering also feels different, can’t put my finger on what it is exactly but supposedly the camber settings are different so that might be it. It’s otherwise identical to my 24.

 

[Osmiumira]

yeah I test drove a 26 and had similar thoughts, ended up doing with a 25. In just a quick trip around the block i got chimed at quite a few times, I think because I would technically depart from my lane when turning at intersections etc... When I got the 26 on the highway It beeped for a few seconds when I went over the limit, then it changed to say the limit was 105mph, which I found odd... Decided Id rather not deal with it all. My 6 year old tacoma has lane departure warning and pre-collision warning which almost never makes a noise.

 

[Last ICE]

That's sad.

Are you at all concerned they could update your 2024 car's software so that you had to stop in order to engage track mode?

Yeah, I know.
For better or worse, we all have our peeves - for me, in addition to the nannies factor, the configuration of my driveway and garage has me backing the Emira into its preferred spot, which means every time I pull my daily in next to it, with the garage floor being a bit higher than the drive approach, I’d have a virtually level line of sight directly at the non-recessed nanny housing that unfortunately protrudes to the leading edge of the stunning front. The way I’m wired, my eyes couldn’t help but rivet on it. Ugh.

Not too concerned about stopping to engage track.

 

[Bimmernate]

yeah I test drove a 26 and had similar thoughts, ended up doing with a 25. In just a quick trip around the block i got chimed at quite a few times, I think because I would technically depart from my lane when turning at intersections etc... When I got the 26 on the highway It beeped for a few seconds when I went over the limit, then it changed to say the limit was 105mph, which I found odd... Decided Id rather not deal with it all. My 6 year old tacoma has lane departure warning and pre-collision warning which almost never makes a noise.

Yeah, if you are driving a 26, you definitely need to be aware of the nannies prior to the drive and just shut them off to start. I do find it oddly intrusive and distracting if you are not aware of it. Like, if you just were to hop in the car for a test drive, you'd be wondering why all this shit is beeping at you and what you are doing wrong. Again, its not a big deal to shut off, but i can see why it would be a huge turn off to someone who is new to the car and doesn't know which menu to navigate to to silence that junk.

 

[CarGuy11]

Saw a 26 in person. Sensor is not that bad since the front end is so low and it is gloss black to match other black bits.

 

[Bimmernate]

yeah the sensor is hardly noticeable, especially in person. Unless you are laying down on the floor trying to look at it....really not a big deal at all. Now what the sensor provides is another story haha