Lotus Emira

[hud 91gt]

I swear my wife gets off on the torque of my RAV4 compared to her CRV haha.

[Gerbs]

Curious if a GTS Cayman 4.0 would be funner than the Emira, I booked a test drive just for fun on the emira

[sonick]

Originally Posted by hud 91gt

I swear my wife gets off on the torque of my RAV4 compared to her CRV haha.

Lol same with my wife and the same car.

[westopher]

Originally Posted by Hondaracer

I think at some point you expect a min HP for a cost, or even a badge

Who would buy an M3 with 250HP

Or one with 197hp. What kind of idiot....
I still think 300hp ish is the sweet spot for street cars, but I don't really care about beating the dickhead in the Tesla off the line. I want to be able to hit 7k RPMs fairly regularly without feeling like I'm going to kill the nearest family. That's where the fun comes from.

[teggy604]

NA1/2 NSX is a good example. Has less HP than an E46 M3 and way less than a supercar. Yet when you drive one you will understand Hondas Philosophy in the 90s.

[Gumby]

That's why my realistic dream car would be a DC2...

[dark0821]

Originally Posted by teggy604

NA1/2 NSX is a good example. Has less HP than an E46 M3 and way less than a supercar. Yet when you drive one you will understand Hondas Philosophy in the 90s.

Man, maybe I just had a crappy example, early gen NA1, maybe it was just worn out, but had a chance to drive one and was honestly a bit underwhelmed...

The engine was the best part of it and it was "good enough", not "WOOOOO VTEECCCCCC"

The suspension was soft, pitch and dive under hard braking (on a street... not even on track)

The brakes were... yea... brakes....

Don't know how to describe it.... The car didn't feel "tight and responsive", like it was a good car don't get me wrong, but it wasn't a "god" car....

I think a huge problem was my self, I had unrealistic expectations.... it was one of those never meet your heros moments... was not jaw dropped amazed, and I think anything below that was not acceptable to me loool

I thought it was gonna be on par with the F355/F360 (I never had a chance to drive those loool), but I did had a chance to rev a F355... my god....

But back on topic, as mentioned above and in my previous post... 400HP is plenty, 400HP will be too much for my miata lol... I think 160whp will be too much for my miata loooolll (160 is double of my whp right now XD)

[tofu1413]

not as sharp as modern standards, but keep in mind the standard car was meant to be a "daily driver super car"

I think what we are seeking will be more akin to the Type R version (or even Type S Zero), the harder core, stiffer, sharper NA1/ NA2

But those will be in the realm of Half a mil CAD nowadays....


Which.............. I'd pick up a 600LT Coupe and still have change !

[Hondaracer]

I’ve never driven an NSX but I feel like in the modern day it would just be a disappointing fan boy car like the Type R and S2000 are.

S2000 at least had the sweet vtec sound with the top down. Type R completely underwhelming as a street car imo.

[dark0821]

^ lol... tell me about it... super scared to drive a R34 now (not that I will ever get a chance) hahaha...

[tofu1413]

^ sorry to disappoint son. stock R34 GTR feels like a G35 with sport suspension of some sort.

[teggy604]

Originally Posted by dark0821

Man, maybe I just had a crappy example, early gen NA1, maybe it was just worn out, but had a chance to drive one and was honestly a bit underwhelmed...

The engine was the best part of it and it was "good enough", not "WOOOOO VTEECCCCCC"

The suspension was soft, pitch and dive under hard braking (on a street... not even on track)

The brakes were... yea... brakes....

Don't know how to describe it.... The car didn't feel "tight and responsive", like it was a good car don't get me wrong, but it wasn't a "god" car....

I think a huge problem was my self, I had unrealistic expectations.... it was one of those never meet your heros moments... was not jaw dropped amazed, and I think anything below that was not acceptable to me loool

I thought it was gonna be on par with the F355/F360 (I never had a chance to drive those loool), but I did had a chance to rev a F355... my god....

If you get a chance to drive a F355 then you might be more disappointed, because the NSX is a better car according to car magazines and car reviewers back then. I never got a chance to drive an F355 so I personally can't say anything about it.

[Badhobz]

I think we all look back at these old cars with rosy tinted glasses but in reality most of these are pretty crap compared to the new stuff. They were just really good for it’s time.

[Hondaracer]

One car I will say still feels amazing decades later is the 993 911

My dad has a cab and that thing still feels like a good old sports car, very fun

[teggy604]

Originally Posted by Badhobz

I think we all look back at these old cars with rosy tinted glasses but in reality most of these are pretty crap compared to the new stuff. They were just really good for it’s time.

True. New cars I feel like I am a skilled driver, then the old cars humble me back to earth lol.

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by Gerbs

The G37x was fast af back in the day and still fast imo now lol. I think once people drive the GT3 / Z06, everything else becomes back to slow. Note to self, never drive them or sit in them.

The sensation of speed is such an interesting thing.

458 Challenge & Aventador felt like everything was happening faster than I could comprehend.

Not so different in speed: 911 Cup/Performante felt like I was in complete control of what was gonna happen next.

Coming back to reality.... S550 Mustangs feel way slower than they actually are (is it the lack of feedback? suspension?); whereas going 50 in s2k feels like 90 in a normal car

[tofu1413]

Originally Posted by Hondaracer

One car I will say still feels amazing decades later is the 993 911

My dad has a cab and that thing still feels like a good old sports car, very fun

993 TT. MY god that thing is fast (even for today’s standards)

Plus the smaller footprint adds to the crazier sensation than the water cooled cars

[The Producer]

Great written update from the always eloquent Harry Metcalfe

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn87ziot9-N/

Fast approaching 4000miles in the Emira and added 400 of those yesterday with a drive up to Tyrrell Classic cars to see the progress being made on the Countach and Espada (video coming soon..).

Things I’ve learnt about the Emira so far include it’s a very enjoyable companion, that I’m using almost as a daily. It uses a bit more fuel than I expected, 29mpg is possible on motorway runs but generally it’s 23-25mpg.

The upside is it comes alive on the N.Wales roads I was on yesterday, thanks to having more than ample power (today’s power wars often means driving becomes a battle of willpower to not go too crazy), a great gear change, strong brakes, with a solid pedal that’s perfect for heel & toe blipping and a general feeling of lightness despite what the scales might say.

Key to how it feels is the steering that’s just a delight and overflows with information. It reminds me of the GT3 Touring on roads like this, with the rim constantly writhing in your hands as the Emira flows over the rumpled tarmac so typical of roads up here. One grumble was the wipers struggle to keep the windscreen clean in mucky conditions, especially on the passenger side but maybe the washers need adjusting, let’s see.

Another interesting discovery is the Emira handles much like a GT3 too because it has near identical front/rear weight balance at approx 62R/38F. Once you’re aware of this rear bias and adjust the way you drive accordingly, it becomes a joy to punt on the roads I was on yesterday.

I also like the way Lotus flies under the supercar radar and doesn’t shout ‘flash car’ when out and about. That’s a huge plus in my book, yet everyone comments on how good this car looks and are amazed when I say it lists at £77k.

I should do another Emira video update with more info but that’s one for another day..

[Traum]

Can't agree with how the Emira doesn't should "flash car" when it is out and about. Yes, it isn't as flamboyant as a Lambo or Ferrari because it has simpler and softer lines, but it is still a very pretty, and very eye-catching car.

I'm surprised by the 38F/62R weight distribution though. It is supposed to be an MR!

[tofu1413]

Sounds like a good drivers car. Last of the non bs, non hybrid / paper spec car.

Just good driving and adequate performance. It’s a nice companion to have in the garage!

Can’t wait to drive one if we ever get one on trade!

@teggy- I finally had some seat time in a 355 spider with the gated six speed the other day.

My god. It has no torque. The NSX has way more torque with its smaller V6.

Having said that, the power band is very peaky yet makes the 355 a bit more involving and rewarding to drive. That thing screams and only a 5 valve per cylinder design can make that howl…. Was one cool experience.

As for interior besides the cool shifter and nice grain of Italian leathers…. Is complete shit to the build quality of the NSX interior….

Both are handsome Italian design wedges but the NSX is the one you want to live with, the 355…. Is like that side girl friend you fool around with once in a while.

[AzNightmare]

Originally Posted by Traum

Can't agree with how the Emira doesn't should "flash car" when it is out and about. Yes, it isn't as flamboyant as a Lambo or Ferrari because it has simpler and softer lines, but it is still a very pretty, and very eye-catching car.

I'm surprised by the 38F/62R weight distribution though. It is supposed to be an MR!

It depends which Ferrari too, but I would say the Emira looks flashier than some Ferrari's too. The Emira definitely has supercar design vibes.

Which is why in previous pages, while not being a slow car, people were saying it's kind of slow relative to how it looks. Straight line isn't everything, but it is slower than a GR Supra in the 1/4 mile. I'm fine with that though.. The price reflects that, as this doesn't cost anywhere close to a 10 second Lambo or Ferrari.

[mb_]

I got a chance to attend a launch event in 2021 for the Emira. While they didn't let us drive it and it was a prototype so some of the things weren't finalized yet, the interior is very Volvo like which isn't surprising since they're both owned by Geely. Probably done as cost cutting procedure but it's not a bad thing since Volvo interiors are very high quality imo. Just sitting in it definitely feels like a more livable and daily-able interior than an Evora, let alone the Elise and Exige.

[Dbone]

Throttle House has done a review

[Bender Unit]

Beautiful Lotus

I wasn't sold on the Evora
but this one DID it exterior wise.

from a previous Lotus Exige S owner.