Race to the first i4

[JimH]

I’d heard both UK demo cars and first customer cars were delayed (at quite short notice - like 1-2 weeks) to Oct.

Maybe they are doing some software tweaks to address the feedback from the press reviews about gear change and tune?

That makes a lot of sense as I went from a verbally confirmed with CS Sept build to an Oct build email in around a week

Likewise…..

 

[0pirates0]

I’d heard both UK demo cars and first customer cars were delayed (at quite short notice - like 1-2 weeks) to Oct.

Maybe they are doing some software tweaks to address the feedback from the press reviews about gear change and tune?

i kinda doubt that if they figured something out from the first patch of data collected from the delivered i4s in China. If so, it is good news for future productions.

 

[Tokion]

i kinda doubt that if they figured something out from the first patch of data collected from the delivered i4s in China. If so, it is good news for future productions.

I was actually hoping for the opposite: namely that the data collected from the delivery of i4 to China made Lotus Hethel figure out the root cause for several issues, and that this is what will provide “good news for upcoming production. (No time to wait too long into the future at this point).

Any further news regarding China I4 cars? Have most problems been sorted out? One would assume that majority owner (Geely) and the shiny new Wuhan factory, that there would be enough people with skills and know-how to communicate with Hethel and sort the problems out

 

[simonb]

I was actually hoping for the opposite: namely that the data collected from the delivery of i4 to China made Lotus Hethel figure out the root cause for several issues, and that this is what will provide “good news for upcoming production. (No time to wait too long into the future at this point).

Any further news regarding China I4 cars? Have most problems been sorted out? One would assume that majority owner (Geely) and the shiny new Wuhan factory, that there would be enough people with skills and know-how to communicate with Hethel and sort the problems out

it would be interesting to know whether the 400bhp China cars are running a different map to the 360BHP British cars, or whether different fuel etc makes up the change.

Would be a real shame if it is not tuneable, and the likes of Litchfield would only light up the dash like a christmas tree

All looks rather embarrassing for a company that makes fault free products from a new factory in Wuhan, but lemons in Norfolk. That scenario will not leave Hethel with BEV production in future

 

[Andy H]

I wish they would hurry up and formally announce what is happening about the I4 demo's, especially as they have recently dropped a load of emails advising of October build slots for the I4 (me included). I am currently very anxious to experience how this transmission feels in reality, given the amount of negative press around. Beginning to worry if I have made the right decision going i4 and if I should be changing to V6!
I also chose the sport chassis option, as I was happy with this in the V6 and have always preferred driving my previous cars with active suspension, in the firmer sport mode. Now there are reports that the sport chassis on the i4 is much firmer and more fidgety than the V6. This is one stressful car buying journey!
Surely Lotus are not thinking that people are going to make the final commitment before actually driving the i4!!!

I'm of the same mind. Everyone was expecting the main issue with the I4 to be with the sound. The DCT feedback was really leftfield given it comes from the A45s which gets no such negative reviews. It feels like this is going to be a race between the first batch of customer cars vs the demo cars. My email said November so I'm hoping that the timing might be in my favor. In any case, I won't be committing to my order until I've driven it myself. Even if that means having a difficult conversation with Lotus CC (assuming I can get through!)

 

[JClem]

Why is the engine cover not louvred in the i4?

It seems like an obvious thing to do given the lengths Lotus have had to go to to keep it cool. Plus, IMO it would look far better than the current engine cover.

 

[Andy H]

Why is the engine cover not louvred in the i4?

It seems like an obvious thing to do given the lengths Lotus have had to go to to keep it cool. Plus, IMO it would look far better than the current engine cover.

Hopefully there are aftermarket manufacturers already working on carbon fiber replacements with better ventilation

 

[JimH]

Why is the engine cover not louvred in the i4?

It seems like an obvious thing to do given the lengths Lotus have had to go to to keep it cool. Plus, IMO it would look far better than the current engine cover.

I suspect that some of the cooling air path is built into the underside - see Harry Metcalfe's i4 video for the fan duct location against the bulkhead and the underside exit path - even in the front-engine configuration in the A45S the Mercedes engine cover performs a similar function in ducting air to the turbo....

 

[0pirates0]

I was actually hoping for the opposite: namely that the data collected from the delivery of i4 to China made Lotus Hethel figure out the root cause for several issues, and that this is what will provide “good news for upcoming production. (No time to wait too long into the future at this point).

Any further news regarding China I4 cars? Have most problems been sorted out? One would assume that majority owner (Geely) and the shiny new Wuhan factory, that there would be enough people with skills and know-how to communicate with Hethel and sort the problems out

nothing is really going on. BTW, the specialists in Wuhan factory is only aiming for the production of electrical vehicles. Last time i talked with mechanics in local Lotus dealer, i was told Lotus UK had to send people to China to educate them regards repairing of emira model.

 

[Tokion]

nothing is really going on. BTW, the specialists in Wuhan factory is only aiming for the production of electrical vehicles. Last time i talked with mechanics in local Lotus dealer, i was told Lotus UK had to send people to China to educate them regards repairing of emira

Thanks for your feedback. I am simply trying to get any relevant information about what is going on regarding i4 cars delivered to China and sold to Chinese customers.

Next I am interested in hearing about improvements to QC of i4 at Hethel, and also possibly updates and improvements as result of reported criticism by the press of issues in this model (which I am also in line to receive).

And finally; I am interested in hearing about when deliveries of the i4 FE to customers in the UK and other non-China markets will start; including reactions to the cars delivered.

 

[lynchy73]

I had a short passenger ride in a Chinese market I4 today. I was supposed to get a test drive but someone crashed the demo car…..

The engine has a lot of turbo sounds going on and felt quick. It’s different to the V6 sound but it still sounds descent.

 

[virtualmacho]

I had a short passenger ride in a Chinese market I4 today. I was supposed to get a test drive but someone crashed the demo car…..

Wait a sec... How many crashed Emiras are there in China?!

 

[EMIRADILEMMA]

Wait a sec... How many crashed Emiras are there in China?!

I was just about to ask the same thing. It seems that being a demo car in China doesn't come with a long life expectancy.

 

[lynchy73]

I was just about to ask the same thing. It seems that being a demo car in China doesn't come with a long life expectancy.

I know

Nobody seems to consider cup 2’s on a demo is a bad idea. Or that allowing demo drives in the wet on Cup 2’s is an even worse idea.

 

[lynchy73]

Wait a sec... How many crashed Emiras are there in China?!

2 I know of, could be more. A bit unfortunate, was looking forward to a drive in it

 

[Tokion]

I had a short passenger ride in a Chinese market I4 today. I was supposed to get a test drive but someone crashed the demo car…..

The engine has a lot of turbo sounds going on and felt quick. It’s different to the V6 sound but it still sounds

I know

Nobody seems to consider cup 2’s on a demo is a bad idea. Or that allowing demo drives in the wet on Cup 2’s is an even worse idea.

Could it also have to do with some inexperienced drivers not able to handle the power and response of the Emira, and also the very high traffic volume in Chinese cities. I have seen other videos that experienced drivers tend to weave left and right, to avoid slower cars, crossing lanes to get ahead. I am not suggesting that Chinese drivers in general are worse drivers than in other countries. Just that a few inexperienced ones find the relatively acessable Emira (i4/2.0T) tempting, but do not yet have the skills? (I agree with you that the Cup-2 can also be a contributing factor).

But it could of course be that neither crash was the fault of the Emira driver; but rather that other drivers in other cars get so surprised by seeing the sexy Emira “supercar” popping up in front of them, so they mess up and crash straight into it

 

[valentinewang]

I had a short passenger ride in a Chinese market I4 today. I was supposed to get a test drive but someone crashed the demo car…..

The engine has a lot of turbo sounds going on and felt quick. It’s different to the V6 sound but it still sounds descent.

Which City？ haha.

 

[lynchy73]

Could it also have to do with some inexperienced drivers not able to handle the power and response of the Emira, and also the very high traffic volume in Chinese cities. I have seen other videos that experienced drivers tend to weave left and right, to avoid slower cars, crossing lanes to get ahead. I am not suggesting that Chinese drivers in general are worse drivers than in other countries. Just that a few inexperienced ones find the relatively acessable Emira (i4/2.0T) tempting, but do not yet have the skills? (I agree with you that the Cup-2 can also be a contributing factor).

But it could of course be that neither crash was the fault of the Emira driver; but rather that other drivers in other cars get so surprised by seeing the sexy Emira “supercar” popping up in front of them, so they mess up and crash straight into it

Yes for sure bad driving was involved, just making the point that someone should know better than to fit cup 2s to a demo car then let then let people drive it in the rain.

 

[lynchy73]

Which City？ haha.

Changzhou

 

[Lazaruos]

Thanks for your feedback. I am simply trying to get any relevant information about what is going on regarding i4 cars delivered to China and sold to Chinese customers.

Next I am interested in hearing about improvements to QC of i4 at Hethel, and also possibly updates and improvements as result of reported criticism by the press of issues in this model (which I am also in line to receive).

And finally; I am interested in hearing about when deliveries of the i4 FE to customers in the UK and other non-China markets will start; including reactions to the cars delivered.

unfortunately i have been told 2 days ago that they shifted i4 production from oct to nov i suppose to collect mine last of nov / early of dec now that shifted too