i4 Software Update/transmission

Just got the email from Lotus that there is a significant software update for the i4 that should improve the transmission. Paddle shifting is so delayed that using the paddles on track is not an option, and I remember this (correctly) being the major criticism in some of the initial reviews of the i4. Hopefully, this will be a meaningful upgrade:

Faster and smoother gear shifts

· Enhanced overall drivability and refinement

· Optimised performance characteristics

· Potential improvements in fuel efficiency

 

[Milk242]

The only fault I am getting in the 2024 i4 is something about tail light. It then vanishes spontaneously. It must be erroneous. However, the biggest issue is the clutch shifting in low gears or when excelerating from a stop. This is hope there is a true fix for because its quite embarrassing when trying to impress a passenger or a guest test driving it. I will check with the dealership soon. Somehow I feel each will have a different answer.

There is a replacement harness update that dealerships will install for free for the taillight issue. Go get it.

 

[Russc]

Did that jerkynes in low gear acceleration resolve after your update? This is quite annoying even though I got somewhat accustomed to learning the acceleration to minimize it. But for a guest test driving it, it is sure to come up.

It has for me following a recent update, UK based I4 (still can`t get the dealer to confirm what was updated) The overall box feels a lot smoother and more comfortable to drive

 

[Kaz]

There is a replacement harness update that dealerships will install for free for the taillight issue. Go get it.

To make this more confusing there is an update to this update with a new harness/resistor, dealer is awaiting new hardware to install

 

[docron]

It has for me following a recent update, UK based I4 (still can`t get the dealer to confirm what was updated) The overall box feels a lot smoother and more comfortable to drive

The Service Dept should have provided an itemized invoice print out of what updates were applied to your car.

 

[Yukoncole]

To help address some of the questions about when updates may have been released, I bought my car in Feb of this year...it is a 2026 i4, and I just picked it up from the dealer. They installed the aforementioned CEM (Central Electronic Module) and DIM (Driver Information Module) updates. So it is safe to say these were released in the past 6 months.

I came straight home via the highway, so I haven't had time to dive into the changes… maybe someone else has with these two updates.

 

[Yukoncole]

 

[Yukoncole]

 

[Beachbum]

That last one, is the one we have all been waiting for.
Apart from the DCT update that is
Oh and, and, and

 

[Kaz]

I'm fully updated but still get one disconnect on Android auto per drive, it's consistent and happens in the first 2 minutes of driving then never disconnects after. It does reconnect immediately by itself so it's a bug but has no impact. Still waiting on the new revision to the rear light warning - again it's a new harness/resistor to the previous new harness/resistor (lol)

 

[Yukoncole]

I'm fully updated but still get one disconnect on Android auto per drive, it's consistent and happens in the first 2 minutes of driving then never disconnects after. It does reconnect immediately by itself so it's a bug but has no impact. Still waiting on the new revision to the rear light warning - again it's a new harness/resistor to the previous new harness/resistor (lol)

2026 model does not have any recalls for membrane or rear harness, FYI for those owners.

 

[NE12SD8]

Just got the email from Lotus that there is a significant software update for the i4 that should improve the transmission. Paddle shifting is so delayed that using the paddles on track is not an option, and I remember this (correctly) being the major criticism in some of the initial reviews of the i4. Hopefully, this will be a meaningful upgrade:

Faster and smoother gear shifts

· Enhanced overall drivability and refinement

· Optimised performance characteristics

· Potential improvements in fuel efficiency

I just had this update done 2 days ago. The improvement is notable. It now drives as it should. The gears change very smoothly and mostly don't even feel when it shifts. No more jerkiness in low gears. Before, if anyone drives the car, it occasionally gave a hesitation upon acceleration from stationary. Now it has been resolved.

 

[BruceN]

I just had this update done 2 days ago. The improvement is notable. It now drives as it should. The gears change very smoothly and mostly don't even feel when it shifts. No more jerkiness in low gears. Before, if anyone drives the car, it occasionally gave a hesitation upon acceleration from stationary. Now it has been resolved.

That’s great , thanks for the update

 

[Luminated67]

I haven’t heard of any further updates so I emailed Lotus Customer Support to hear from them though will probably take a few days to hear back.

 

[F1 SML8R]

The latest updates have been available in the US for a little bit over 30 days now. I got mine about 10 days ago and it absolutely made a difference in all modes in auto (much smoother, no awkward shifts, lags, lurching, etc.).

In Manual, there's some improvement but it's a bit more subtle. Also, getting into 1st and reverse now happens much quicker with just two quick taps forward or backwards of the center shifter to get into gear (before the two taps had to be delayed a half a second or so in between for the TCU to recognize it).

Now the things that didn't change that are still annoying (to me), getting into neutral by holding both paddles, still takes about 1.5 seconds of holding simultaneously (as opposed to an instantaneous tap in my Porsche PDK). Also, getting back into 1st (or the speed correct gear) from neutral by hitting the + paddle still takes about a 1.5 seconds (of holding the + paddle down) as well (vs an instantaneous tap in PDK). With all of that said, you definitely want to get this last update and from what I understand puts the car on par with all new '26 and '27 AMG models.

Best part, they will do this for free vs. apparently a charge for the ADAS disable update.

 

[Luminated67]

Have anyone in the UK been contacted by your dealer to get a software update for the transmission on the Emira, I just got an email back from Lotus CS to say there is no current updates for the i4 transmission so someone is telling lies or UK have had this update for a while which might be the case as I did say when I collected mine after being in the dealers in August for the rattle that they did some updates that were pending and my car drove smoother.

 

[Slci4]

I'm fully updated but still get one disconnect on Android auto per drive, it's consistent and happens in the first 2 minutes of driving then never disconnects after. It does reconnect immediately by itself so it's a bug but has no impact. Still waiting on the new revision to the rear light warning - again it's a new harness/resistor to the previous new harness/resistor (lol)

This happens every single day when I drive past a building that my phone has the wifi password for. I believe it has something to do with the wifi catching a connection and them promptly losing it 3 seconds later