Lotus Emira V6 vs Lotus Evora GT430 - Back to Back

Part 2 of the Emira driven review - a back-to-back comparison between the Emira V6 and the ultimate Evora. It's old school vs new school. Lotus 1.0 vs Lotus 2.0. Big development budget vs a shoestring!
Thanks for watching.

[@Hysteria135]

Great video as always Doc. The smirk on your face going through the tunnel said it all really. 😁

[@DrPittenstein]

Thanks. The shriek that car makes in a tunnel never gets old!

[@pwolsey42]

This makes me want an Evora again - a 430 especially. But I would still keep my Emira as it fills a very different role.

[@DrPittenstein]

There must be some who have both but they are too similar for me. I went for Elise over Exige as a sidekick to the Evora for more contrast. Maybe manual Evora weekender alongside Emira 4cyl turbo auto daily could work better.

[@pwolsey42]

@@DrPittenstein Yep - I had Exige track cars and daily drove Evoras for nearly 10 years. Great combo. If I could justify now it I’d have a GT430 just for track days and daily the Emira. I think the rarity of Evoras make them very special.

[@basilhoult1845]

Really good video enjoyed it a lot well done man

[@DrPittenstein]

Many thanks much appreciated 🫡

[@TheOrangeEliseCup250]

Great review for me as a Lotus fan. The Evora ages very well & sounds like a race car. Love it.

[@DrPittenstein]

Very special car and huge (if still unappreciated) achievement by Lotus, conceived by a who’s who of Lotus legends under the watch of the great Mike Kimberley and developed by Roger Becker. Then later refined by Matt Becker and Gavan Kershaw who also raced it with great success. Unrepeatable event in Lotus history.

[@fzr1000981]

Another great review

[@DrPittenstein]

Much appreciated 👍

[@EvoraGT430]

To be fair, GT430 is special compared to other Evora models, but the 410s are WAY quicker than the Emira, too.

[@MrMightyytau]

They started with the 410 to develop the Emira

[@DrPittenstein]

Evora 410 would be my choice, I wouldn’t say it’s way quicker but definitely quicker than 10bhp might suggest.

[@GTC4cam]

To me Evora vs anything new comes down to one thing - is a more corporate, refined, higher budget digital product a good thing? Or a bad thing. To me, corporate big budget cars are just not that interesting. Are they better? Sure, if refinement, usability, automation, electronic assistance and all that other stuff is what matters to you. But to me, those are qualities I look for in a mobile phone or refrigerator. In a sports car, I want emotion, excitement, connection, and marriage of human and machine, with minimal computers. I don’t want screens, I don’t want computerized training wheels. Me and a machine, going as fast as my skills will allow. That’s what I want. I chose the GT (US version) knowing Emira was coming, and I’m glad I did.

[@DrPittenstein]

👏

[@Snarge22]

Parts bin switch gear: If they work reliably and feel good to the hands, that's all that is needed! I've watched a bunch of videos on the Evora and it's always one of those nit picks. To me it's a lame complaint. I would want the switch gear to still be working fantastic 40 years from now. That's the true criteria in my view.

[@DrPittenstein]

Very much agree 👍

[@jazzragu]

Do you prefer your Evora or the Emira?

[@Snarge22]

I love your extensive review Dr.P! Thanks for putting in the effort. My vote? The Evora as well. Including the analog dashboard gauges. (I don't need the display telling me what gear I'm in.) I'll be visiting the Seattle area next month and will see about sitting in an Evora for a fit check.

[@DrPittenstein]

Thanks for watching and for the encouragement. Hope you get on well with the Evora.

[@craigyirush3492]

Yes, and I hate that tablet stuck on the dash look (even if it’s more functional).

[@DrPittenstein]

@@craigyirush3492 yes already dated for me, much prefer integrated screens or better still screens that can disappear. The Bentley revolving dash is great as you can choose between a screen or 3 analogue guages.

[@craigyirush3492]

@@DrPittenstein I’d even prefer a smaller screen integrated into the dash, like the Giulia Ti Sport I had, or the one in my current car, a Hemi Challenger. They’re a bit smaller, but look good, and do everything you need (CarPlay, Nav, Vehicle info). The Challenger even has line lock and other drag racing stuff in the center screen!

[@ak_zombie]

Evora for the win. Much more analog and less electronic nonsense to fail as years go by.

[@DrPittenstein]

Yes as with watches appeal of digital will fade and industry will turn back to analog dials and physical buttons. In ten years the Emira dash will look more dated than Evora one.

[@DLNix]

Fantastic video DrP true comparison been waiting for. From my local discussions Evora owners no interest in Emira. Elise and Exige owners bit more interested. Majority of Emira owners 1st time Lotus owners and that was the goal. I own 2 Evora 400s and zero interest in Emira until they offered a much hotter I4 version. Though will be keeping at least one Evora as be more rare car.

[@DrPittenstein]

Thanks, the plan is to produce as many Emiras in one year as the total number of Evoras produced in 15 years (around 6000). Still not sure how Lotus attracted so many new buyers especially given that the Emira isn’t really any more practical or useable (less so if you have kids), biggest difference is styling and interior tech so I guess that must be it? Still, for Evora owners it offers no gain in performance over where Lotus were in 2015 so not much point in trading in at great expense. Evora was an unrepeatable generational event produced and developed by a who’s-who of Lotus legends. What they achieved with a modest development budget remains extraordinary but also got my hopes up for what Lotus could achieve with a much larger budget. But different people this time round with different targets and priorities for the car. Great for lotus that it’s a commercial success but they haven’t surpassed the Evora as a driver’s car yet and possibly never will.

[@Hapkin]

For me I am super happy with the chassis on the Emira which has more mechanical front end grip and a more sophisticated ESC than Evora GT (US) having driven them back to back. Also, i appreciate how much nicer the Emira is interior wise and build quality vs Evora GT. Evora is instantly kit car feeling. Alpine double DIN hobby audio vs KEF is dramatic. We didn't get the 430 here. That said, I plan on a Syvecs ECU to get to 440/460hp and Tillet Carbon fibet buckets as well as Ohlins Road and Track or Nitron. Lastly Emira styling is far more resolved than Evora. I do like the back end of the Evora but Emira is just stunning. So its a great baseline car for me. 700miles in my first week of ownership. No regrets!

[@DrPittenstein]

Judging by the order books and production numbers it’s clear that many others share your view. As a long term Lotus owner I was expecting a step forward in driving dynamics but we got a step forward in interior tech and infotainment, seems to be exactly what many people wanted.

[@pgill8104]

I may have missed it, but did you go into all the driving modes of the Emira? i only saw the tour mode on the Emira dash screen.

[@DrPittenstein]

Yes definitely tried all the modes, it’s clearer in the other Emira video as I edited the footage down for the Evora comparison.

[@MrMightyytau]

The Emira, has a Enton supercharger hence the noise. The 400/410 don’t have your designated switch for slip adjustment that’s in the sport button

[@DrPittenstein]

400/410/430/Emira all use the same Edelbrock 1720cc chargecooled blower. Emira is just more whiney in a good way. We’d notice the lower redline more without it. Sport and Race in 400/410 uses different ESP system which GT430 also has. GT430 is extra system is pure TC, doesn’t use brakes, retards ignition to control rear wheel overspeed to 5 settings between 1% and 12%. Level 5 is fully sideways. Exige Cup 380 and 430 have the same system but use rotary knob not + and - buttons.

[@richslaney]

You definitely need to compare with the sports chassis

[@DrPittenstein]

Yes I think I would prefer it, should transfer weight more smoothly but won’t deal with rough roads as well. Really reinforces my view that Emira should have come with adaptive or at least adjustable dampers.

[@Justthreepedals]

I feel the Emira is a great car but not a special car like yours is.. maybe in time they will make an S and hopefully an R or Cup ? That should be Something Special and maybe get me out of my 420 FE for one ? But what’s the price point of that going to be £120K + ?

[@DrPittenstein]

Yes that’s the issue, the headline ‘£59k’ Emira Turbo that attracted so many orders is already past £80k, hard to see an S much under £100K and an R more like £120k.

[@Scottsideways]

Evora is so much more special, the emiras are already over the place and lost that rare cool factor

[@DrPittenstein]

Few Evoras were alike, many had bespoke touches which all came to an end with the Emira, Lotus had to take a more automated, cookie cutter approach to reduce production costs.

[@K1llerMed1a]

A 4 year old GT410 Sport is the same price as a 1 year old Emira (with remaining Lotus warranty) > which would people buy as a weekend car ?

[@jcelliott7377]

Depends, if you want a more analog feel in a lighter, faster car, go with the Evora. If you want something more refined, like a 911, go with the Emira

[@autodigitvlogs]

Lotus fans saying Evora better car but Emira better daily.

[@DrPittenstein]

Evora 410 definitely for me as a weekend car but if you love the looks of the Emira as most do and find the Evora interior too old school then Emira is close enough as a driver’s car to be the right choice for you.

[@fredericberthou]

FINALEMENT LA MEILLEUR LOTUS DE CES DERNIÈRES ANNÉES AU POINT DE VUE ÉMOTION RT VISCERZL RESTERA À JAMAIS LA LOTUS EXIGE 430 que j’ai possédé, CERTAINS LA COMPARE AUJOURDHUI A LA FERRARI F40 🥰🥰🥰🥰👌

[@DrPittenstein]

Merci! Oui Exige 430 est la vérité!

[@computerhelpcc]

? Which has less supercharger whine? Had an XKR 2002, never liked sc noise akin to power-drill. 911, Boxster and Lexus GSF ever since. Ah, Lotus steering, and Evora back seat practicality appeal to me.

[@DrPittenstein]

I believe the Emira has much more pronounced supercharger whine than any Evora I’ve driven.

[@computerhelpcc]

@@DrPittenstein Some superchargers make acceptable noises. Jaguar F Type v8 does not make powerdrill sound.

[@thedoctormma9433]

This platform will be easy to tune moderately. You can make it how ever you want it to be

[@DrPittenstein]

Only if you are prepared to lose your warranty and spend a a lot to make it worth less than a standard car. Much better to start with a cheaper car that is out of warranty.

[@DrPittenstein]

Only if you are prepared to lose your warranty and spend a a lot to make it worth less than a standard car. Much better to start with a cheaper car that is out of warranty.

[@Docinaplane]

I recently saw a video by Komo-Tek where they did all kinds of bodywork and tuning the engine of an Emira to make it as close as they could to look like the Evora with 475bhp. It still wasn't as good a performer as my Evora GT.

[@davidsparavec8996]

BS. I guess you have both cars…right. I do. And I can tell you that both of these are better than each other in quite a few areas.

[@Docinaplane]

@@davidsparavec8996 Excuse me? I have no idea what you are saying.

[@DrPittenstein]

⁠@@davidsparavec8996check out @Docinaplane’s channel, let’s just say his is no ordinary Evora GT!

[@Docinaplane]

@@DrPittenstein Appreciate you, Sir!

[@Snarge22]

Indeed, race seats with their high side bolsters are a true pain in the a** to get in and out of for everyday use. I have one in my 82 Alfa Romeo GTV6 so I can fit in the car. One finds they always have something in their hands when getting in and out which they have to set somewhere. Rather annoying.

[@DrPittenstein]

Mine aren’t too bad, I definitely wouldn’t swap them for the easier Sparco seats they feel too high for me now I’m used to sitting down much lower, must be 2” lower at least.

[@autodigitvlogs]

Shocked Emira is smaller lower and appears wider. Evora in real life is already compact 😂. Road presence is dimimished on the Emira

[@DrPittenstein]

It’s definitely wider but not lower. Evora GTE is a wide body Evora and at least as wide as Emira, maybe a bit more but GT430 kept the 400/410 standard width body

[@Hapkin]

Sport is way better than tour for enthusiastic driving. Steering is better on Sport Emira vs Tour. Alignment is different. Sport steering is much more accurate than Tour. No lurch on the Sport. You probably should have said it was Tour up front. Better apples to apples comparo would have been Evora 400 to Emira tour.

[@DrPittenstein]

Mentioned Tour spec repeatedly including in the written description. I think I would prefer Sport chassis but accept it comes at the cost of the ride quality that Lotus were renouned for. Shame really when adjustable suspension (even if it was a cost option) could have offered both. Yes Evora 400 is very close to Emira V6 Tour but that is a criticism for me, Emira doesn’t offer more than 2015 Lotus performance.

[@rccarloverluxembourg718]

After very long internal reflections and considering inner conflicts and consequences this exclamation could involve, I have to say: I do not like the Emira. So glad it's done now.

[@DrPittenstein]

I like it more having driven it but it does not yet represent the best Lotus can do, it’s what they felt they needed to do to sell more cars - forget about lightweight, go for luxury, interior tech and cup holders. In that respect it has already been successful. Fair play to them but that doesn’t mean everyone has to like the direction they have gone. I never knew so many people wanted a Lotus with electric seats!

[@rccarloverluxembourg718]

@@DrPittenstein I suffered when the new Elise/Exige became heavier, I liked the interior of the 1st Evora (cockpit & display) but it was also so heavy, then I liked the 1st Tesla Roadster, nowadays I accept the GT 430 as a great car, and I laughed hearing that Emira is consideresd as a Supercar. I put it in the Europa drawer :-) Lotus Suv, an amazing paradox, should I laugh or cry!

[@craigyirush3492]

@@DrPittensteinIf only the Evora and Emira could’ve been, say, 2700lbs.

[@DrPittenstein]

@@craigyirush3492 Emira could have been lighter than an Evora but unless a lot more buyers start caring about weight it wouldn't have sold them any more cars. 12 way electric seats doesn't appear to have put anyone off except me! BMW M cars have never been heavier, new M2 is nearly 1800kg but they've also never sold so well. Madness for a 'sports car' but shows where the wider market is at. This should have been a golden age of lightweight engineering in the search for better efficiency but instead it's gone in the opposite direction.

[@craigyirush3492]

@@DrPittenstein Agree, customers don’t care about weight. I guess I’ve been puzzled why, starting with that lightweight aluminum chassis/platform, they couldn’t make a car that weighed ~2700-2800lbs and still have creature comforts (the Exige uses the same chassis and is, what, 700lbs lighter). Imagine the improvement in handling and overall performance! Think it might have been a selling point too.

[@andygtv]

The Evora looks exciting the Emira does not

[@DrPittenstein]

A 430 Evora is definitely more exciting so is a 410 but Emira is exciting enough for most, those looking for excitement tend to go for Exige.

[@Eulenmann98]

Both have one in common. They are completely overpriced.