Would you change from V6 to I4 if I4 had 400HP?

[Pegasi]

I keep hearing this statement, "Lotus held the I4 to 360HP as to not upstage the V6 in markets where they are both present." I guess I don't really understand why two different engines with the same HP but two different transmissions would be a problem or an "upstaging".

Recently @digilotus posted this about China I4 having 400HP. This is what prompted me to see what people think and how many would switch.

Emira event in Melbourne

Start button cover The painted red metal cover on top of the start button has a nice little spring action whereby if you let it go, it doesn't drop down but gently lowers until it is in the closed position. Very cool and works really well. At night it is lit up white with an ambient border...

www.emiraforum.com

EDIT: I guess the 400HP I4 would be somewhat quicker.

 

[GetawayDriving]

I keep hearing this statement, "Lotus held the I4 to 360HP as to not upstage the V6 in markets where they are both present." I guess I don't really understand why two different engines with the same HP but two different transmissions would be a problem or an "upstaging".

Recently @digilotus posted this about China I4 having 400HP. This is what prompted me to see what people think and how many would switch.

Emira event in Melbourne

Start button cover The painted red metal cover on top of the start button has a nice little spring action whereby if you let it go, it doesn't drop down but gently lowers until it is in the closed position. Very cool and works really well. At night it is lit up white with an ambient border...

www.emiraforum.com

It’s all about the manual for me. I would only consider the I4 if there was a manual option.

 

[digilotus]

Definite no for me!

Even if the V6 ends up being slower than the I4 (which it will in future), the I4 has a particulate filter AND turbo charger in the exhaust path, both of which mute the sound. It will therefore never have the trumpet-like sounds and raw excitement of the V6.

Plus I like the idea of going to my local Toyota dealer and getting parts for my "Camry V6". Service costs, ability to service it myself (just get a Camry Haynes manual if you're desperate!) and long term reliability are important for me. As technically modern and impressive the I4 is, once things start going wrong things could get fun! I'm buying the Emira to be a long term keeper.

 

[xen]

I’d switch (from a V6 Auto). The way the car performs is just as important as the way the it looks to me.

 

[kitkat]

Nope, this for me is all about how it makes me feel. And the sound of the m139 makes me feel sick

 

[~el~jefe~]

30 lbs of boost in a multi thousand dollar engine from one of, if not the worst ever, customer service organizations = no thanks
mercedes is a terrible company. someone will white-knight them after my comment and deny reality.

Vs toyota = most reliable vehicles made.

 

[MCS]

As much as the child in me wants the most power realistically for public roads you can’t use it all anyway so it has to be about the experience for me. V6 all the way.

I have loads of fun in my wife’s mini because I can put the roof down and it feels faster than it is. It’s not all about the BHP

 

[freefall_junkie]

I challenge anyone to go and listen to the Emira exhaust vid from Melbourne just posted and tell me they don't hanker for the V6 noise and soul

 

[ADC]

Funnily enough, I have been all about the i4 from the very first announcements (AMG reputation with engines, modern marvel of technology getting these figures from a 2 litre road-going 4-pot, potential for easy power bump later on, truer to Lotus' roots with a smaller/lighter engine, etc etc... you know the excuses reasoning ) ... but the longer I have to wait, the more doubt is creeping in

I do have to agree that the exhaust note is the lingering doubt that gnaws at my brain.

 

[SweptVolume]

Funnily enough, I have been all about the i4 from the very first announcements (AMG reputation with engines, modern marvel of technology getting these figures from a 2 litre road-going 4-pot, potential for easy power bump later on, truer to Lotus' roots with a smaller/lighter engine, etc etc... you know the excuses reasoning ) ... but the longer I have to wait, the more doubt is creeping in

I do have to agree that the exhaust note is the lingering doubt that gnaws at my brain.

This is me completely..... but I do remember it is going to be cheaper to run - tax, mpg etc which means more road trips and use for me. Also, when I am in a traffic jam, I will be reminding myself why a DCT is a good thing

 

[RapidLotus]

I4 DCT from the beginning. Period.

 

[Cutting42]

Another i4 from day one as well. Lighter, lower emissions, modern, and the DCT

 

[Pegasi]

Back to my original post, it was said in China that the I4 is tuned to 360HP so it won't upend the V6 in markets where they both exist. Based on the poll so far this is no where near the case. AND they are providing the I4 at 400HP which will all know can easily be done. This isn't like the 450HP V6 debate which is theoretical. They will be selling 400HP I4s.

So this is the dead horse that I will beat again. I4 people should be mystified as to why Lotus won't just offer them worldwide with 400HP. The I4 and the V6 aren't really competing. Unless it's that emissions thing that is keeping it at 360HP.

I usually try and find logic with a decision by looking at all angles. I see no logic here.

 

[TomE]

My understanding is the emissions taxes in China are based on engine capacity not measured emissions or power or anything else. So they can offer it in any tune they like, the tax is based on 2.0 litres.

In Europe and elsewhere, the emissions taxes are based on measured emissions. My guess is the 360hp and 400hp tunes may be just different enough on emissions to tip it over into the next emissions tax bracket. Lotus may want to avoid that for several reasons.

 

[eclat2emira]

I was i4 at day one:
Price, newer tech and running costs.

Then I flipped to V6:
Impatience, manual 'box, aural experience.

I guess heart kicked head's ass there!

 

[MCS]

I was i4 at day one:
Price, newer tech and running costs.

Then I flipped to V6:
Impatience, manual 'box, aural experience.

I guess heart kicked head's ass there!

It should always be about what the heart wants when it comes to a sports car

 

[Pegasi]

My understanding is the emissions taxes in China are based on engine capacity not measured emissions or power or anything else. So they can offer it in any tune they like, the tax is based on 2.0 litres.

In Europe and elsewhere, the emissions taxes are based on measured emissions. My guess is the 360hp and 400hp tunes may be just different enough on emissions to tip it over into the next emissions tax bracket. Lotus may want to avoid that for several reasons.

I hate when Facts kill Fantasy.

 

[eclat2emira]

It should always be about what the heart wants when it comes to a sports car

Dead right, why kid ourselves on that these are rational purchases?!!!

 

[FlyNavy01]

No manual = no purchase for me.

I'm buying this car purely for the analog and engaging driving experience. As childish as it sounds, spending near $100k on a car with 4-cylinders would just feel disappointing to me, regardless of the performance.

 

[Eagle7]

My understanding is the emissions taxes in China are based on engine capacity not measured emissions or power or anything else. So they can offer it in any tune they like, the tax is based on 2.0 litres.

In Europe and elsewhere, the emissions taxes are based on measured emissions. My guess is the 360hp and 400hp tunes may be just different enough on emissions to tip it over into the next emissions tax bracket. Lotus may want to avoid that for several reasons.

This could also be part of the reason behind the big push to get electric vehicles into production. They will help lower the requirements for the last few ICE cars because of their impact on the fleet average.