No side intake grilles?!

[MiamiBlue]

I notice there aren't any grilles on the side intakes. The engine intake seems quite large and open.

Anyone concerned that leaves and debris will get sucked in over time?

On my Porsche 718 there was a recall to add grilles to the side intakes to stop this (the particular reason came from a lawsuit where a lit cigarette was sucked in and caused a car fire).

 

[Rudi]

V6 is without protective grille, i4 have these....I will exchange it in 4 weeks

 

[Eagle7]

I notice there aren't any grilles on the side intakes. The engine intake seems quite large and open.

Anyone concerned that leaves and debris will get sucked in over time?

On my Porsche 718 there was a recall to add grilles to the side intakes to stop this (the particular reason came from a lawsuit where a lit cigarette was sucked in and caused a car fire).

Having just cleaned my Eventuri filter after a year, there was one feather and a piece of hay straw in it. No bugs which was interesting, because I regularly have to clean bugs off the front of the car and the windshield.

Depending on how it's designed, a mesh grille would possibly cut down on airflow, not to mention being noisier.

 

[RoryBellows]

The 2025s have grilles on the side intakes.

 

[Eagle7]

The 2025s have grilles on the side intakes.

Interesting! I wonder if that could be considered a service bulletin item?

 

[MiamiBlue]

The 2025s have grilles on the side intakes.

V6 and I4?

 

[MAX FPS]

The 2025s have grilles on the side intakes.

You made me go look at my '25 (v6 manual)... correct! The large opening has excellent formed grills. The 3 smaller outer openings do not have a grill, so I'm guessing my cold air intake filter has at least some % of the massive bug population my front grills have mutilated. Since it's a standard part, Lotus should be able to order them. Maybe @GRP could do a bulk buy? I can't imagine NOT having these and assume everyone would want them! Nice to see them pre-installed, since I spent a couple hundred $ and hours of my life installing aftermarket grills on my 911, as they're about the only option Porsche won't sell you.

 

[Bulls-Vivid-Red]

You made me go look at my '25... correct! The large opening has excellent formed grills. The 3 smaller outer openings do not have a grill, so I'm guessing my cold air intake filter has at least some % of the massive bug population my front grills have mutilated. Since it's a standard part, Lotus should be able to order them. Maybe @GRP could do a bulk buy? I can't imagine NOT having these and assume everyone would want them! Nice to see them pre-installed, since I spent a couple hundred $ and hours of my life installing aftermarket grills on my 911, as they're about the only option Porsche won't sell you.

To be 100% clear here both of the 2025 options, V6 and I4, now have the grills?

 

[RoryBellows]

To be 100% clear here both of the 2025 options, V6 and I4, now have the grills?

There aren't any 2025 i4s delivered yet so we don't know for certain. The v6 models for sure come with grilles now that multiple people have confirmed. Of note another 2025 fix seems to be a little rubber lip where the rear hatch would drain into the boot. I have one but have heard that wasnt present on the 2024s.

 

[wuster]

whao!!! WTF!! i was about to install my own! that's crazy! need to buy! i doubt it's in a service bulletin... unless something with or mandated fix, i doubt they will automatically issue.

Yes please let us know if both on I4 and V6? both sides?

Thank you!!

 

[kitkat]

I'm fine without extra grills, after almost a year of ownership my filter wasn't that bad, certainly no large bug pieces or even any leaves. Not sure if this grill thing is really that necessary.

 

[RoryBellows]

whao!!! WTF!! i was about to install my own! that's crazy! need to buy! i doubt it's in a service bulletin... unless something with or mandated fix, i doubt they will automatically issue.

Yes please let us know if both on I4 and V6? both sides?

Thank you!!

Its both sides for V6 but again no 2025 i4s exist to check yet.

 

[chirowolf]

I check my filter on each oil change. I'm not sure the grills would stop anything the filter would not stop. Maybe just the perfect size rock might perforate the filter if it hit a just the right angle. I would assume the grill is a belt and suspender type of thing.

 

[Jbrock]

My I4 2024 has the grills.

 

[luciddaydream]

I always thought grills would look cool here. Would be cool aftermarket idea.

 

[MAX FPS]

Just to confirm my 2025 with the grills is a V6 manual, manufactured in October 2024.
I haven't had it long enough to change the intake filter, but if KitKat isn't seeing much debris in his, that there isn't constant intake to the supercharger? You can see the actuator for its thottle/opening in your rear view mirror, and I only see it open when you floor it. So if that's the case it's only actively sucking in when you're pressing the pedal harder, right? Would explain while it's not packed full of rocks.
That said, my evening spring drives here smash a comical # of bugs on the front grills. The big cranefly types especially. I clean these off near daily, and wash the car weekly. I can imagine bugs fairly easily packing the intake filter to the point where it reduces performance.
If the grills weren't already there, I'd absolutely want an aftermarket solution.

 

[RoryBellows]

Its probably equal parts overkill protection and also matching the other intake areas.

 

[seriously]

Just to confirm my 2025 with the grills is a V6 manual, manufactured in October 2024.
I haven't had it long enough to change the intake filter, but if KitKat isn't seeing much debris in his, that there isn't constant intake to the supercharger? You can see the actuator for its thottle/opening in your rear view mirror, and I only see it open when you floor it. So if that's the case it's only actively sucking in when you're pressing the pedal harder, right? Would explain while it's not packed full of rocks.
That said, my evening spring drives here smash a comical # of bugs on the front grills. The big cranefly types especially. I clean these off near daily, and wash the car weekly. I can imagine bugs fairly easily packing the intake filter to the point where it reduces performance.
If the grills weren't already there, I'd absolutely want an aftermarket solution.

Thanks for confirming. I have also slaughtered many bugs in the canyons.

I don't think the side intakes have the same exposure, but it would be nice to have some grills there anyways! Will have to look for the part now...

 

[Eagle7]

The way the aero is with the Emira, I honestly don't see how a bug is going to make it into the side vents. Maybe those who park their car outside might have possible issues with critters, or birds wanting to get in there?

For me, the grill I would be most interested in is one for the exit vents behind the rear tires. There's more crud that comes through there than what I saw in the intake filter.

 

[Jbrock]

The way the aero is with the Emira, I honestly don't see how a bug is going to make it into the side vents. Maybe those who park their car outside might have possible issues with critters, or birds wanting to get in there?

For me, the grill I would be most interested in is one for the exit vents behind the rear tires. There's more crud that comes through there than what I saw in the intake filter.

I'd like to block the vents behind the rear tires. Has anyone done that?