Lotus Emira

[2slow2speed]

Wasn't aware that Jenson Button was a spokesperson for Lotus.

Quick take by TopGear.com.

 

[furinax]

Fantastic looks. They're offering the AMG engine and keeping the stick option with the Toyota V6. If it really comes in at $60k they have a real competitor to the Cayman.

The Lotus philosophy is great. Let's see if they live long enough to actually launch this thing before ICEs die out.

 

[vf2ss]

Interesting that the nose on it seems lower than it's 25yr predecessor Elise S1.

Nice looking car, I bet it'll look great in white.

Also glad to see they finally parted with that seemingly antiquated signature split hood vent from one of their concepts below ... airflow-wise it looks like they took what they already had going on near the headlights, expanded it inwards and back, ditched the split duct = cleaned up nice

And the sister car Evija kinda has an HSC vibe going on...

 

[RYU]

Pulled up some numbers to compare to the NA1/2........... Talk about an NA1/2 successor! Those numbers look tasty especially with a MT

EMIRA
Wheelbase 101.3 in (2,573 mm)[2]
Length 173.7 in (4,412 mm)
Width 74.6 in (1,895 mm)
Height 48.2 in (1,224 mm)
Kerb weight 3,097 lb (1,405 kg)

1st Gen NSX
Wheelbase 2,530 mm (99.6 in)
Length
4,405 mm (173.4 in) (1991–1993)
4,425 mm (174.2 in) (1994–2005)
Width 1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height
1,170 mm (46.1 in)
1,160 mm (45.7 in) (1997 onwards)
Curb weight
(1991–1992): 3,010 lb (1,370 kg)
(1993–1994): 3,020 lb (1,370 kg)
(1992–1995 NSX-R): 2,712 lb (1,230 kg)
(1995–1996): 3,142 lb (1,425 kg)
(1997–2001): 3,164 lb (1,435 kg)
(1997–2001 Type S): 2,910 lb (1,320 kg)
(1997–2001 Type S-Zero): 2,799 lb (1,270 kg)
(2002–2005): 3,153 lb (1,430 kg)
(2002–2005 NSX-R): 2,799 lb (1,270 kg)

 

[NZNick]

Is the Emira just a re-badge of the Evora, or is it a whole new car?

 

[2slow2speed]

Is the Emira just a re-badge of the Evora, or is it a whole new car?

https://www.motortrend.com/news/lotus-emira-first-look-review/

The Emira, which goes into production next April, is built on the new Sports Car Architecture (SCA) developed in-house at Lotus. Constructed using the same bonded aluminum extrusion technology developed in the mid-1990s for the Elise chassis, SCA differs in every dimension from any previous Lotus platform, including that of the almost identically sized Evora. The biggest benefit of SCA is that it endows the Emira with a roomier interior than the Evora.

 

[docjohn]

that's a lot of glue!!!!:tongue:

 

[2slow2speed]

that's a lot of glue!!!!:tongue:

Just because Honda chose to use welding 30+ years ago doesn't mean that it is the best current manufacturing technique when working with aluminum.

Adhesives and bonding have been used for a very long time in the manufacturing of aluminum bodied aircrafts.

Sometimes it is better to bond and secure via rivets rather than to just weld, since the area of the welds is limited and they become the weak point when successive mechanical stresses are presented.

https://www.european-aluminium.eu/media/1543/1_aam_body-structures.pdf

Ferrari has been using adhesives on some aluminum components ever since the F430, F458, F488 and the F8 Tributo.

 

[NZNick]

^^^ - so reading between the lines, the Emira is very similar to the Evora, but not the same, perhaps because the new car is a strict 2-seater, rather than having been designed as a 2+2.

 

[whiteNSXs]

The Emira should have been the Gen 2 NSX in 2002.
Steve

 

[vf2ss]

On their website [LINK] configurator recently launched [LINK]

hey look ... cupholders!!

 

[furinax]

That shifter looks exactly like the one in the Evora. I would bet they're using the same transmission (an Aisin) to mate with the Toyota V6. Updated interior looks real nice. In my opinion it'll be an Evora with updated interior and exterior minus the rear seats. I am excited for this car to come out!

 

[vf2ss]

Let's shmee what he had to say...
https://youtu.be/D9pfPLAxI3A

 

[Hass]

Pulled up some numbers to compare to the NA1/2........... Talk about an NA1/2 successor! Those numbers look tasty especially with a MT

EMIRA
Wheelbase 101.3 in (2,573 mm)[2]
Length 173.7 in (4,412 mm)
Width 74.6 in (1,895 mm)
Height 48.2 in (1,224 mm)
Kerb weight 3,097 lb (1,405 kg)

1st Gen NSX
Wheelbase 2,530 mm (99.6 in)
Length
4,405 mm (173.4 in) (1991–1993)
4,425 mm (174.2 in) (1994–2005)
Width 1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height
1,170 mm (46.1 in)
1,160 mm (45.7 in) (1997 onwards)
Curb weight
(1991–1992): 3,010 lb (1,370 kg)
(1993–1994): 3,020 lb (1,370 kg)
(1992–1995 NSX-R): 2,712 lb (1,230 kg)
(1995–1996): 3,142 lb (1,425 kg)
(1997–2001): 3,164 lb (1,435 kg)
(1997–2001 Type S): 2,910 lb (1,320 kg)
(1997–2001 Type S-Zero): 2,799 lb (1,270 kg)
(2002–2005): 3,153 lb (1,430 kg)
(2002–2005 NSX-R): 2,799 lb (1,270 kg)

Great minds think alike! I pulled up the same numbers yesterday.

I just found out about the Emira yesterday. I’ve only sat in a Lotus once before which was the exige, too wild for my liking. I like the direct Lotus has gone with the Emira, I really like the numbers above. I know the prices are to start at $80k but I wouldn’t be surprised to get to $90k with couple of options. It’ll be interesting to see it in person.

 

[RYU]

Great minds think alike! I pulled up the same numbers yesterday.

I just found out about the Emira yesterday. I’ve only sat in a Lotus once before which was the exige, too wild for my liking. I like the direct Lotus has gone with the Emira, I really like the numbers above. I know the prices are to start at $80k but I wouldn’t be surprised to get to $90k with couple of options. It’ll be interesting to see it in person.

My wife would like one but it's not something we're willing to pay a steep premium on. At the moment we're looking at used BMW M2 Competition for her and slightly used models are going for more than they were new. It's crazy right now.

 

[docjohn]

Sometimes having a good dealer/customer relationship can soften the ADM blow...

 

[Hass]

ADM? Lol I’m guessing it’s not something I can simply google

I received a call back message from the authorized Lotus dealer in the area, unfortunately missed their call. I’m looking forward to learning more about this car. I haven’t been this excited about a car in my budget in a long time.

 

[docjohn]

ADM =additional dealer markup..

 

[RYU]

ADM? Lol I’m guessing it’s not something I can simply google

I received a call back message from the authorized Lotus dealer in the area, unfortunately missed their call. I’m looking forward to learning more about this car. I haven’t been this excited about a car in my budget in a long time.

Several weeks ago, when this car was released, the hype was strong. Social Media was filled with "car dudes" posting about having made deposits. I'd be very surprised if there wasn't a significant markup on the first year units. Please report back about your experience! I'd be super curious.

My local Lotus dealer has a bunch of Evoras on the lot they can't sell.

 

[RobM]

I called my local dealer and they wanted $5k deposit to get on the list to order one and he said the first ones won't be here for about a year. He said he heard about 600 total in the US in the first year.

 

[91 X]

never was a big Lotus fan, but as a huge fan of the 458 ....that thing is pretty sick.

a poor man's 488.......

edit- after building this on the configurator, I'm sold

 

[docjohn]

Maybe looking a little new Mazer in those photos but different price point altogether..

 

[Hass]

I called my local dealer and they wanted $5k deposit to get on the list to order one and he said the first ones won't be here for about a year. He said he heard about 600 total in the US in the first year.

Hey Ron,

I called Auto Europe on Woodward, anyone else you’d recommend?

 

[RobM]

Hey Ron,

I called Auto Europe on Woodward, anyone else you’d recommend?

That's who I called, did they tell you the same thing they told me?

 

[Hass]

That's who I called, did they tell you the same thing they told me?

I spoke with Eric from Auto Europe this morning, he said the same thing. They have 23 paid deposits so far, he anticipates 600 units for all of North America. He does not have any more information than what is listed on lotus website. Sounds like it’ll be difficult to get in on the first 600 units.