Bye bye Toyota V6 AND AMG 4 cylinder engines!

[seriously]

Looks like we may have an option to get the manual v6 close to 500hp +/-with a tune. While not warranted that would be a lot less than $165k and have a manual.

 

[Esprit_V8]

Oddly, I think the car would have to grow in size by 10-15% to compete against 911s, Z06s, and the ilk.

That's an excellent point. One small issue that I have with the Evora/Emira is the lack of a frunk. This is likely due to the Elise root. We went form Elise to V6 Exige then Exige to Evora and Emira. The chassis kept on getting stretched but never really a comphresive redesign. Which is reasonable, since the front suspension is excellent to begin with, why risk ruining a wonderful setup.

Havind said that, the behind the seat storage of the Emira is probably no smaller than the Alpine A110 frunk, but loose items are harder to manage. Interestingly, that space allows the Evora/Emira front seat to recline to a much larger angle than typical mid-engine sportscar.

Also related to the Elise lineage, I believe that the Evora/Emira chassis is still based off a roadster design, namely a bonded extruded aluminum chassis with rollbar. So, a more comprehensive redesign could yield significant torsonal regidity improvements.

Lotus needs to bring their A game to their SUV lineup, sell the SUV profitably to fund the sportscar developemnt. I think a 1400ps Eletre PHEV will do well in the export markets or at least it will be a good start. It's a parts bin car, shouldn't be diffcult to put together.

 

[EmiraDude]

Here’s their take on it. Also expressed their thoughts that V6 manuals will continue to retain their value since we’re saying goodbye to manual Emiras.

 

[cyanmauve]

Havind said that, the behind the seat storage of the Emira is probably no smaller than the Alpine A110 frunk, but loose items are harder to manage. Interestingly, that space allows the Evora/Emira front seat to recline to a much larger angle than typical mid-engine sportscar.

I actually prefer in cabin storage space to a second exterior compartment. Also, the seat space as you mentioned. I think it makes the car much more functional. There's room for luggage in the trunk, and plenty in the cabin. It's nice to have access to some of your stuff during a trip.

The press's praise for the Boxter/Cayman's front and rear trunks, and ignoring the interior storage space of the Emira, never made that much sense to me.

 

[lynchy73]

It is funny because he was trying hard to gaslight his audience, which are generally the more enthusiastic and knowledgeable bunch.

1. If 1000ps is too much for people to control, then why is Zeekr selling the 8X/9X based on the same platform with 1400ps?

2. If Lotus is all about handling, then why not equip the car with 275mm Front and 315mm rear tires like the Zeekr 8X/9X.

3. If Lotus is all about handling, the 1400ps variant has dual rear motor, which can be used for torque vectoring to further aid handling, so why not?

4. If Lotus is all about add lightness, there is a 55kWh battery pack that’s used on the 8X and 9X. Why not use the lighter battery pack for the Lotus ForMe / Eletre X PHEV?

His gaslighting and overconfidence was not well received.

I own a Zeekr 9X. It has 285 front and rear tyres, not 315 rears. Don’t know about the 8X, I haven’t checked. Other than that, your comments are valid.

 

[Frimley111R]

That's an excellent point. One small issue that I have with the Evora/Emira is the lack of a frunk. This is likely due to the Elise root. We went form Elise to V6 Exige then Exige to Evora and Emira. The chassis kept on getting stretched but never really a comphresive redesign. Which is reasonable, since the front suspension is excellent to begin with, why risk ruining a wonderful setup.

Havind said that, the behind the seat storage of the Emira is probably no smaller than the Alpine A110 frunk, but loose items are harder to manage. Interestingly, that space allows the Evora/Emira front seat to recline to a much larger angle than typical mid-engine sportscar.

Also related to the Elise lineage, I believe that the Evora/Emira chassis is still based off a roadster design, namely a bonded extruded aluminum chassis with rollbar. So, a more comprehensive redesign could yield significant torsonal regidity improvements.

Lotus needs to bring their A game to their SUV lineup, sell the SUV profitably to fund the sportscar developemnt. I think a 1400ps Eletre PHEV will do well in the export markets or at least it will be a good start. It's a parts bin car, shouldn't be diffcult to put together.

The Evora (and now Emira) chassis was considerably different to the Elise, larger and more complex and stronger. It is the same in the way that it uses bonded and extruded aluminium but it is very much a (big) step on from the Elise.

I'm not convinced a frunk is that commonly used. We had a Boxster and barely used it in 3 yrs. It's good in theory though.

I do know what you mean about seat reclining though. We have a TT and the seat is constantly rubbing on the rear bulkhead.

 

[Ralph2025]

Half French, half Chinese. I'm hoping it has a wet belt and 20k service intervals.

 

[Rcktmn]

I actually prefer in cabin storage space to a second exterior compartment. Also, the seat space as you mentioned. I think it makes the car much more functional. There's room for luggage in the trunk, and plenty in the cabin. It's nice to have access to some of your stuff during a trip.

The press's praise for the Boxter/Cayman's front and rear trunks, and ignoring the interior storage space of the Emira, never made that much sense to me.

I had a Model 3 Performance for a couple years and I used the front trunk all the time. Basically anything smelly like food/shoes/outdoor gear. And it would really help with groceries since the Emira trunk is super hot.

 

[Esprit_V8]

I own a Zeekr 9X. It has 285 front and rear tyres, not 315 rears. Don’t know about the 8X, I haven’t checked. Other than that, your comments are valid.

Thank you, I stand corrected on the tire size of the 9X. Just double checked, the 8X with 897ps comes with 255mm square and 1400ps trim runs 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22.

Unfortunately the Zeekr is not available where I am.

 

[Esprit_V8]

The Evora (and now Emira) chassis was considerably different to the Elise, larger and more complex and stronger. It is the same in the way that it uses bonded and extruded aluminium but it is very much a (big) step on from the Elise.

I'm not convinced a frunk is that commonly used. We had a Boxster and barely used it in 3 yrs. It's good in theory though.

I do know what you mean about seat reclining though. We have a TT and the seat is constantly rubbing on the rear bulkhead.

The frunk space is an interesting one. While I personally prefer a frunk, we are also seeing cars originally designed with a frunk losing the frunk in performance focused variant, namely the C8 ZR1/ ZR1X and the 992.1 GT3 RS.

To elaborate my point about the Elise root, since the Lotus engineers never designed a frunk on the Elise, that I am aware of. Instead of dealing with hinge & latch design, seal, testing, make sure it doesn't fail at high speed, redesign radiator position, more testing in extreme climates and all that, Lotus opted to evolve the design along the way. Which was the right thing to do.

Certainly lots have changed over the years forward of the front firewall. For one we gone from no steering assist to two different steering assist between the the Toyota 3.5 V6 and AMG 2.0 I4. But it's evoluation rather than revolutionary.

 

[lynchy73]

Thank you, I stand corrected on the tire size of the 9X. Just double checked, the 8X with 897ps comes with 255mm square and 1400ps trim runs 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22.

Unfortunately the Zeekr is not available where I am.

Will have to check out the 8X. Personalty, I think the 9X looks better than the 8X and I wanted a big 6 seater. My 9X isn’t the highest power version, it was gonna delay delivery if I wanted the top spec 1400hp model.

Honestly, it’s still effortlessly fast and it’s more of a cruiser, than something you want to be blasting around everywhere.

I don’t disagree, that the 1400hp version would’ve been good in the Eletre. Maybe that will come in the future.

 

[LotusB]

A 4-speed automatic gearbox makes perfect sense if it's paired with a hybrid power train with a flat power curve, it would also be more efficient. I'm sure the engineers and management at Lotus see that.

Unfortunately, what makes good efficient sense isn't why people buy a Lotus. If we wanted something efficient with a bunch of power, we'd all be driving a Tesla.

The disconnect is well illustrated with this very recent quote.
“Lotus made the decision to focus on the six-cylinder partly due to reaction from the US market, which has driven demand for the Toyota-supplied V6. “They told us that they love the V6 engine, and actually the V6 version is our best-seller in the US market,” said Feng.”

... Feng (Lotus) thinks Americans like a V6 engine. I think that's not true. I think the reason the V6 sells well here is because it's the only way to get a manual transmission.

I disagree... I'd love the V6 with DCT. Not sure about this hybrid powertrain though. Also if the automatic is like the ZF, then it may actually be a nice combo. It seems most in this thread think it'll be an oldschool slushbox automatic w/electric assist. Is this power-train used in any other vehicle? How much do we know about it?

 

[Tteape0]

I disagree... I'd love the V6 with DCT. Not sure about this hybrid powertrain though. Also if the automatic is like the ZF, then it may actually be a nice combo. It seems most in this thread think it'll be an oldschool slushbox automatic w/electric assist. Is this power-train used in any other vehicle? How much do we know about it?

You can have the V6 with a DCT, there’s a warrantied conversion kit available. It’s only $22k before labor!

 

[chrisday1990]

Lotus "We thought EV only was the path, now we're pivoting."
Lotus has also just replace my doors outside the 3 year warranty so maybe they want to build up brand trust fingers crossed

Porsche: "We'll sell whatever produces the best Porsche and whatever customers actually buy

 

[NCThirteen]

Our cars will just become more valuable. What are they thinking.

 

[geoffbland]

Porsche: "We'll sell whatever produces the best Porsche and whatever customers actually buy

Fixed that for you.

 

[3pedal]

I heard it might be 3 on the tree.

Mr. Wolfe

Love it! That would make it easier to see the shift linkage in action while driving

 

[MTV]

Looks like we may have an option to get the manual v6 close to 500hp +/-with a tune. While not warranted that would be a lot less than $165k and have a manual.

But worst case really and if I keep this car I can still do all the work and even get local work done easily anyway. I already have the 500HP tune and it transforms the car to what it should of been, now I just need suspension.

 

[FlashingBlade]

Its a shame its a hot v. I had hopes for an aftermarket carbon plenum and a roof scoop.