Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Cheapest Open Top Sports Car Fun?

Well today I had quite a long drive in a Lotus Evora and I must say I was impressed. Firstly, the standard of fit and finish was excellent and there was no smell of epoxy or any other chemical. The driving position was excellent and getting both in and out was no issue.

The performance was excellent and the car drove very much like a grown-up Elise. To say I was impressed really understates it, and if I didn't have some new car commitments I could be sorely tempted. Even the engine note was good, and it sound much more thoroughbred than the Toyota Camry engine I believe it is!

I don't think it has the ultimate performance of the 911 that we had, I may be wrong and have not checked 0-62 mph figures, etc, but it certainly felt very very competent.

It could fit the bill for you Dave whenever you are ready...

P.S. I wasn't keen on the colour of the interior leather which was Pimento, or pink to the rest of us!

Brian,
This is the Evora in the JetAlliance Le Mans colours for this weeks' race Any thoughts?
G

Love that Gerwyn, especially with the orange mirrors. Where have we seen that combination before, doesn't it come close to passing off?

Seriously, I do like it and looking in either rear view mirror and seeing the coke bottle rear wings it looked the dog's whatnot's. Let's hope it does well, as Lotus need to raise their motorsport image if their long-term plans are going to come to fruition.

P.S. I know it's owned by the Malaysians, just in case RosscoP is reading this!

As, of course, is that other British brand Caterham!!

G

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Now even London taxi's are made in China and shipped CKD to the UK. Whatever next?

P.S. From the Net:
During 2010 the LTI taxi board asked Geely to buy-out the remaining LTI shares but the Chinese company has thus far declined.

In 2009 LTI announded that it was closing its network of independent taxi dealers. Then in November 2010 LTI taxis announced its re-branding as the 'London Taxi Company'. The firm's new logo incorporates red, white and blue colours, representing Britain, together with gold and silver, representing China.

Certainly a consideration Aeroman. The pluses are as you've already described. Minuses? maybe a bit wide for my access, but a tape measure will decide that. Not convertible though, and not that pleasing on the eye IMO. The new face of Lotus is bland.
I really like more rawness in my cars, so the Europa would better fit the fixed head and Elise the convertible aspirations which I have. On one of the Lotus forums, it is said that there may be lay offs at the factory due to low sales and on Pistonheads there are loads of new Evoras. On fifth gear, VBH tested one against a 911 at Essen. Low spec 911 with 360bhp. Evora supercharged with 365bhp. VBH praised the 911, and was rather critical of the Evora, but you could almost sense the surprise when the Evora proved to be 4/10ths quicker on the lap.

I don't know if the younger generation truly realise how cutting edge Lotus once were, both in F1 and road cars. They had more track success than Ferrari at one time (except in sports cars), but failed to capitalise. They've never managed to become mass sellers, although the Elise has done really well. I do hope that they don't misjudge the market yet again. The factory tour and academy days look excellent, but it's a long haul getting to Norwich for 0800 for the full day without staying over. Factory tours are 1400hrs though, but it's a long way home, so either way a couple of nights stay looks to be the best way (for me). Maybe next year.

But at the risk of droning on - a 4/4 with spare wheel, easy up hood and 2 litre engine would be massively tempting. Isn't that what bespoke hand built should mean?

Not a rag top, but how about Ford's Puma, if you don't want new?

Graham - go wash your mouth out.............

(That's a no thanks) It's a Fiesta in a posh frock.

It's spending a week in RTA doing an end to end run that does it...
Besides, I got wet enough on BH Monday to last for a while...

Did a guy from Australia join you on the end to end Graham? Met him at a Midmog evening and he was waiting for his Plus8 to be finished by Mike Duncan.