When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I went to the Lotus dealer to check out my current automotive crush—the new Emira—and ended up test driving an Evora GT instead. (They didn’t have an Emira demonstrator on hand.) The Evora is a car I strongly considered buying 3 years ago, so it was great to finally drive one!
Lotus, to me, is a halo brand for talkative steering. For this reason, I expected the Evora GT to have the perfect combination of extraordinary steering feel, mid-engine sports car moves, and evocative styling. Well, two out of three isn’t bad…right?
The styling was a knock-out (especially in vivid green), the brakes saved me from rear ending a bonehead SUV driver, the chassis had grip for days, and the engine had a fantastic roar. But the steering…
Honestly, I was let down by the steering. Yes, it was quick and communicative, but I wanted Lotus Elise or 997 911 GT3 levels of feel and feedback, and the Evora GT didn't have that.
The experience has me questioning my Emira crush, because I’ve heard its steering is even less lively than the Evora’s. Once the dealership has an Emira demonstrator, I’ll try it for myself and see. But in the meantime, I’m full of mixed feelings about the Evora GT and Emira.
Yeah, the F-Type V8 would be a much faster experience, and a completely different kind of giggle. I think that my 2016 AMG GT S fits somewhere between the F-Type and Evora for power, sound and handling balance.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
I just find it disappointing that Lotus is using a Toyota six cylinder engine. Toyota uses an I6 BMW engine in the Supra. If I could just get that engine in the back instead of the front it'd have been perfect.. oh well.. *sigh*
Yeah, the F-Type V8 would be a much faster experience, and a completely different kind of giggle. I think that my 2016 AMG GT S fits somewhere between the F-Type and Evora for power, sound and handling balance.
I just find it disappointing that Lotus is using a Toyota six cylinder engine. Toyota uses an I6 BMW engine in the Supra. If I could just get that engine in the back instead of the front it'd have been perfect.. oh well.. *sigh*
The Toyota engine sounds the part. But I too suspect the I6 BMW engine is a better motor.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
I've pretty much decided to trade my MB EQE 500 SUV in on a Lotus Eletre at this point -- for entirely political reasons which we aren't allowed to express here so I won't -- but my Jag f-Pace SVR is definitely a keeper. It's just so old school. A true blast from the past! I'm still tempted to buy something mid-engine with a 6-speed stick but I really don't drive that much anymore and more that two or three cars would just be too much of a hassle. If only they had made the Jeep Rubicon 392 with a manual. That might have been something special too. *sigh* I'm certainly not going to take my MB or Lotus four wheeling, even if they do come with an "off-road" mode... Like yeah, right! I think NOT! LOL
I lusted for an Evora for a long time too, but thought the ~$73k price tag was a little much for them at the time, and so was the $60k+ used market. I finally got a chance to test drive one years ago, and while yes it definitely felt light and nimble, it didn't feel special at all. It was "good" at many things, but it wasn't "great" at anything (in whatever you can tell in a test drive, of course). That alone was a big turn off. Really fast? Really sharp? Really beautiful? Really insert-your-thing-here? Nothing. Remember that the Evora was their first real try at making a daily driver, and with that means that certain go-kart qualities from the Elise could not be carried over. While I've never driven a 911 GT3, my brother tells me (at least, the older ones) are very rigid to drive - you get a workout alone with the steering wheel. Not exactly what you want to take on your traffic jam to work in the morning.
As for the Emira, that was my next latest lust, since it definitely appears to have that next generation modern styling inside and out. The only thing I was disappointed with though was watching a youtube video from Harry's Garage, where he's in the factory watching them build the Emira's on the assembly line. And watching the video is really disappointing, because the frame of the car looks way too basic to me. It looks like a kit car designed with off-the-shelf metal tubing and sheet. Whereas any other (larger scale) manufacturer has a lot more complexity in their frame designs, whether for better or worse. And while yes, Lotus is small and if it can get the job done, then sure, but when you're in the $90k+ range, I just expect more that's all.
I lusted for an Evora for a long time too, but thought the ~$73k price tag was a little much for them at the time, and so was the $60k+ used market. I finally got a chance to test drive one years ago, and while yes it definitely felt light and nimble, it didn't feel special at all. It was "good" at many things, but it wasn't "great" at anything (in whatever you can tell in a test drive, of course). That alone was a big turn off. Really fast? Really sharp? Really beautiful? Really insert-your-thing-here? Nothing. Remember that the Evora was their first real try at making a daily driver, and with that means that certain go-kart qualities from the Elise could not be carried over. While I've never driven a 911 GT3, my brother tells me (at least, the older ones) are very rigid to drive - you get a workout alone with the steering wheel. Not exactly what you want to take on your traffic jam to work in the morning.
Yeah, in the weeks since my Evora GT test drive, I've lost much of my lust for the Evora. It didn't feel special enough to me, and I've lost some interest. It's kind of spoiling my Emira excitement, too, though I still want to try the Emira.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
I get all these weird lotus names mixed up. I thought you were talking about the Emira all this time. :doh:
First Editions are out by the way. What a fookin' gorgeous car. If I lived in the mountains or down a canyon I'd buy it. Unfortunately where I live now there's no place to drive it like it should be driven. This car just begs for twisty roads!
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
I'm still tempted to buy it. Only thing really stopping me is the ridiculously expensive insurance on my Mercedes electric and Jaguar F-Pace. I know EVs are more expensive in general and Jags get stolen a lot but there's gotta be a cheaper way... *sigh*
Did you get the Emira? Jason Cammisa and DTS (hyphen) didnt love the emira steering... said it felt either like average hydraulic or good EPAS... not great Hydraulic like the even the Evora... I miss my Exige S lol.. or my 987 SPyder
Did you get the Emira? Jason Cammisa and DTS (hyphen) didnt love the emira steering... said it felt either like average hydraulic or good EPAS... not great Hydraulic like the even the Evora... I miss my Exige S lol.. or my 987 SPyder
I've not found time to drive the Emira yet. Why not get another older car with great hydraulic steering? Or a first-gen AMG GT since you work at MB?
I would get a AMG GTS or GTR.. I love the GTS'sslimmer body.. but the GTR is a monster.. I do love them.. love your year.. I was in Germany when they had test mules of the GT around..
I would do another lotus Exige/Elise.. but expensive now for what they are... I don't hate EPAS.. Id do a later Porsche GT4 also or a 997 CS..
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
Lotus Evora GT is not what I expected
Sorry Jeep, I think I just found the off road machine of my dreams:
