Lotus Exige Cup 430 VS Lotus Evora GT430

[@Drifty325i]

Both amazing cars! such a hard choice, I was strictly in the Exige camp but the more I look and see how the Evora works as an all rounder the more its almost convinced me its the one!

[@DrPittenstein]

Drifty325i Very tough choice, still love the Exige, always will, nothing else like them when you’re in the mood!

[@Basics_of_Gameology]

@Burns me up.The power is nowhere near it and the grip Lotus has is more than the 4C

[@Basics_of_Gameology]

@Burns me up. I know that, but I still prefer the 430

[@hansvaneijck2165]

Excellent video, i was looking forward to this comparison. My choice is the Exige, because of it’s raw and brutal character.

[@gottheball]

I think it comes down to this - the 25 to 35 year old buyer will drive the Exige. The over-40 customer will buy the Evora. Engine noise and bumpy rides do indeed become tiring as one ages and older wives do not like such sensory intrusions one bit. When one is 25 or so, everything is exciting. One can live with the Evora a LOT longer than with an Exige. I note I've owned four Lotus Elans - the very best sport car Lotus has ever produced - beginning at the age of 24. I had my last one, a '72 Elan Sprint, for 28 years. Yes, I became tired of driving it because of been there, done that. There was nothing more I could do with my beloved Elan. So it sat in my garage until I sold it for what was then a record price of $26,000 in 2008. On another front I am sorry Lotus discontinued the Esprit. That was/is a forever car and would still be going strong today if it had the 500 HP the engine was EASILY capable of producing. The fact this gorgeous vehicle was strangled because of a lousy Renault transmission is a crime. Lotus should have built its own tranny for the Esprit that could handle the additional power. Now we have the Emira? Really? What is this? A re-skinned Evora? What does it bring to the table that the Elise, Exige and Evora don't? It appears it won't be any faster, marginally lighter and really should have been presented as the NEW Esprit with 500 horsepower. Lotus needs a supercar that can break sixty in less than three seconds, a car that runs on petrol, doesn't cost 2 million pounds (or more) and doesn't need to be charged every few miles. E-cars are a pain in the ass. I promise you, Lotus, I won't be buying one. Even with 417 HP, the Evora is not an animal. Far too many performance cars can accelerate more rapidly, including a Corvette that costs half as much. It NEEDS to be at least 50 HP faster. That additional power would bring the 0-60 time down considerably.

[@harmonised8353]

Keep hearing Bell and Colville mentioned everywhere. Thanks to them (and to you) for this great vid!

[@DrPittenstein]

Thanks to you for watching! 👍

[@onurrud.6609]

If one car, gt430. If two cars, 410 and cup430. Thanks for these great videos. Definitely the most important videos on the internet for those who are considering them.

[@DrPittenstein]

Thanks Onur much appreciate your long standing support.

[@cduncan5690]

I'm glad that you can feel the difference in downforce. I think the fact that the Exige Cup 430 weighs about 400 pounds less accounts for some of that higher top speed on the straights. Great driving, and I appreciate the detailed comments on your impressions of the cars' handling similarities and differences. Keep the good videos coming!

[@DrPittenstein]

Colis Duncan Lotus claim 220kg @ 180mph for the Exige and 250kg @ 190mph for the GT500. I think you’ll find that nets out at the same amount, if the Exige could reach 190mph it would be making close to 250kg. In percentage terms the Exige is making more downforce for its weight. It feels to me like it doesn’t make the claim but it could just be down to set up which is adjustable on both cars.

[@cduncan5690]

@ DrPittenstien you are absolutely correct about the Lotus' downforce numbers for the cars. I was comparing them side by side on Lotus' website. I suppose I was looking too fast and got the numbers mixed up. Good catch, don't want to be spreading misinformation on the internet. I will correct my first post.

[@BobbyDazzler888]

Heart says exige, brain says evora.

[@SCYorks]

Fully agree with you on that but I am 42 and suffer from a bad back so that's why would always go for Evora.

[@peterhans4263]

Wallet says public transport :(

[@DrPittenstein]

Heart says both, brain says pick one!

[@seambunthayarat4370]

Wallet says Prius

[@gottheball]

If you're over 40 listen to your brain.

[@BPLeroyLotusEvora]

Another fantastic video. As much as I like the Exige, I love the Evora. Stunning race car, which you’d easily drive to Italy for the summer holidays and not get knackered like you would in the Exige. Keep promoting Lotus, better than Lotus Cars itself! They should take a page out of your and JayEm’s book!

[@johndavis9703]

BPLeroyLotusEvora l

[@crudehopeii]

I am in the market for a British sports car or two: Lotus & Caterham are my current favourites but for further extreme sport the latest Ariel Atom 4 takes some beating. I will buy something next year & based on your excellent video the Exige (but a 410) seems on the cards...Caterham 620 to follow, followed by a Merc C63 AMG cab...just so I can take my friends for a summer spin!

[@fragu123]

Kirk Dickenson ...strange shortlist imo... what did you decide for?

[@zarbon700]

Another great video. Excellent work. You and JayEmm do a way better job of promoting Lotus than Lotus itself does. I wish in the USA we got both of these amazing cars. Here we only get the Evora 400 and the Evora 410 Sport. Is there any chance we could one day see your GT430 vs a GT3?

[@DrPittenstein]

zarbon700 GT3 comparison is irresistible, hope to find a way to get it made but it’s rare to find one driven properly on track days. Rarer still to find an owner willing to let me drive his car. My view is that the GT3 will be faster but only because of the bhp. GT430 has over twice the downforce, the chassis is exceptionally good.

[@GunsNBudder]

What about power/weight ratio between the two?

[@zarbon700]

GunsNBudder on paper they have similar performance stats, however, Porsche is known for understating the true of their cars. That's why a real world challenge between the two would be very interesting.

[@DrPittenstein]

zarbon700 i believe that’s a myth personally, I’ve never been in a Porsche and that felt suspiciously overpowered, maybe that’s only their press cars? Most manufacturers uprate their press cars, I know this to be true as I was asked by one to enter my uprated car into group test! Top Lotus people I know tell me that they insist on keeping the press cars to customer spec. Maybe they’re stupid when most others are playing the game but they believe that’s ‘doing the right thing’ old fashioned I know. I think the Porsche power myth came from the days when the Italians were exaggerating horsepower, no way a Ferrari Boxer or Lambo Countach had 380bhp in the 70’s, 911 Turbo was just as fast with 300bhp, Porsche were always more accurate with their power figures.

[@swansmeister]

Also, what a great comparisson, just perfect.

[@DrPittenstein]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@getmeouttahere7638]

I can't help loving Lotus. For me, the dream is a TVR (or very loud coffin as I like to call them). I'll have an interesting time trying to get one to the US though.

[@paulclark3]

Great video Dr P. Love them both, but the Exige would be my pick as I love the rawness and drama - there’s a 430 Cup in Daytona blue on its way to Western Australia 🇦🇺- Just waiting on my lotto win and she’s all mine 😉 thanks for sharing great content - look forward to your next installments re the GT430 - hope you can get a ride in the ultimate 3 Eleven and give us your insights in future.

[@DrPittenstein]

Thanks Paul, I have a feeling the updated 3 Eleven will work very well with the 430 motor. It will be super rare though, very unlikely I will ever get to drive one.

[@rdrg7362]

Congratulations on this great review! I think you made the right choice. More expensive, but the right choice.

[@DrPittenstein]

Many thanks. With the Exige 430 Type 25 version coming in at £110k the difference in price is not that great. With the options and weight kept to a minimum the GT430 makes more sense to me plus it is limited to 60 cars only. But I wouldn't spend nearly £130k on a fully loaded GT430, I think I'd look at a lightly specc'd Exige 430 at that point.

[@donphobos]

I have to borrow a sentence from your Evora 410 review and alter it slightly. There are amazing guys, there are legends and there is Dr. Pittenstein.... You do an amazing work at reviewing and analysing Lotus cars in racing environment. And also on yearly owning basis. Simply amazing work, not mentioning the driving skills.

[@DrPittenstein]

Much appreciate your continued support Don, more proof that it's a clear case of quality over quantity when it comes to subscribers here!

[@andreaswiesendanger]

I have both, such amazing vehicles. Totally love them

[@DrPittenstein]

Wow, nicely done! I always planned to get the last Exige Cup which turned out to be the Cup 430 Final Edition but the Evora GT430 changed those plans so I decided to keep it and get an Elise Cup 250 Final Edition instead. For me they complement each other better as the powertrains are different. Exige 430 is still one of the most awesome driving experiences ever and if I could I'd have one in addition to my to for my own Lotus 'holy trinity'!

[@DrPittenstein]

I hope you will share some videos of your cars too one day!

[@andreaswiesendanger]

@@DrPittenstein wow, Elise Cup 250 is a mean machine. Thought about getting one to have all 3 but are rare to find.

[@andreaswiesendanger]

@@DrPittenstein No, don't do youtube, I only drive and enjoy...😁

[@jesusdominguez7229]

Great video, congrats, I think it shows many interesting things. I had never considered the Evora and always thought the Elise was the one. However I've been seeing many good opinions from the Evora. Watching the behaviour of both cars from your video, don't you think that the chassis of the Evora is way superior? I agree that the sensations are very different and the exige is more pure. However, I think that if we had a light Evora with a naked Exige type interior, the result could be more favourable for the Evora. In the video it seems that you are fighting with the Exige and dancing with the Evora. Thanks for the video!

[@DrPittenstein]

I think to be fair the Exige would have benefitted from some set-up work. My Exige V6 Cup handled better. Since the video was taken I have had the Evora geo optimised and it handles even better than it did in the video, so yes it has a great chassis. The tub is definitely more torsionally rigid with something 27,000kg required to twist it 1 degree. Elise tub is more like 15,000kg per degree. Exige V6 have a combination of Elise tub plus Evora rear subframe so will be somewhere in between and is of course lighter. New Lotus Emira will demonstrate the quality of the Evora chassis, it is exceptional, particularly with GT430 Ohlins dampers and GT4 race car suspension mounts. Exige is more exciting overall, Evora more impressive in some ways but also more expensive to track hard it will get through tyres and brakes faster. Compared to most of the alternatives Evora is very reasonable!

[@all1nz]

Superb stuff. Now I miss my Exige. Will try to film some laps at Spa

[@DrPittenstein]

Please do Mark, nowhere near enough Lotus content on KZbin currently!

[@peterjhartvideo]

"Exige noise levels require subtitles" Exige it is, then 🏆

[@DrPittenstein]

😆 I don’t think that car had sound deadening it was loud with a helmet on.

[@jeffiles7953]

Well I think its time the the Evora GT500 then. What a slayer of almost anything that would be.

[@DrPittenstein]

Komotec offer 490bhp so not far off. I'd like to try one!

[@swansmeister]

Both such great cars but the Evora you can use as an everyday car and it's as good on the track as the exige, Evora should be the clear winner.

[@adamkelsall3942]

Another great video. Thank you mate.

[@DrPittenstein]

Adam Kelsall Thanks for your support Adam, much appreciated.

[@adamkelsall3942]

DrPittenstein the Exige looks a very exciting car. A proper event.

[@DrPittenstein]

It is certainly that but would lose some of the drama with a more track friendly exhaust. Would still have more plenty than most other sports cars though!

[@EvoraGT430]

Evora seems noticably better in the high-speed turns, the Elise in the twists. Both lovely and fantastic cars, but the Evora's my favourite because it's also a fantastic road car.

[@DrPittenstein]

Very much my view but I'd love another go in that Exige on track it's intense!

[@rdrg7362]

Better balance F/R in the Evora?

[@DrPittenstein]

As tested I'd say the Evora is more benign although both cars could have been set up better for each track. I'd still like to dial out some understeer in the Evora. I'm expecting truly great things when I find the sweet spot!

[@fuchsroehre]

Excellent video!

[@dougmaverick3287]

I really wish we could buy these cars in North America I would much rather have this car then the GT4 I have on order so much more raw and engaging

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

The Exige is quicker than the GT4 too :D

[@DrPittenstein]

You can get the Evora GT of course, great car. One guy stateside has done a re-creation of the Euro GT430 using all factory parts. Crazy expensive way to do it but looks amazing.

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

"The Battle of Beauty"

[@Eman02kG]

Evora all the way in my book

[@photosphotos]

Great video thanks 👍🏎

[@DrPittenstein]

Thanks for watching.

[@photosphotos]

DrPittenstein do you still have your Exige?

[@DrPittenstein]

photosphotos No, sold it to buy the Evora. Great car that, would love another Exige one day but very happy with the Evora at the moment. 👍

[@photosphotos]

DrPittenstein the Evora definitely shouts and roars when it drives down the street. I have the Exige 350, I’m very happy it. I know you were happy with your V6 cup

[@photosphotos]

DrPittenstein what area of the uk are you in?

[@DrPittenstein]

I did drive the Exige at Castle Combe but didn't film the laps unfortunately. Had a great passenger on board that was absolutely blown away by the Exige. Would have made a great video.

[@craigyirush3492]

Wonderful video yet again. Hard choice but I’d choose the Exige as it’s more raw and visceral. I’ve been posting these on Lotus Talk. Do you not post or comment there?

[@DrPittenstein]

Craig Yirush Hi Craig, much appreciate your support. Yes have posted on LT a few times, will look out for you over there.

[@craigyirush3492]

DrPittenstein posted this under Lotus in the Media on LT. Lots of US owners eager for info on these cars.

[@DrPittenstein]

Thanks again, really helps out a lot.

[@GohardGTRSCars]

Great video and comparison, thanks for it! Where can I find the Type 25 sweat-shirt that you wear on the video? As a Type 25 owner, I would love to have it ;-)

[@DrPittenstein]

GoHardGT3RS thanks, the shirts are no longer available (except perhaps on eBay?) they are Bahar era.

[@stevekoffeld9071]

Exige because of the weight. Needs more wing for high speed stability without sacrificing low speed rotation. Probably change out the wing for a taller one with over the top attachment for better efficiency.

[@DrPittenstein]

Yes needs more aero. Lotus initial claim was for 220kg of downforce at vmax, that has since been revised to a more honest 171kg. Evora GT430 makes 256kg at vmax.

[@SCYorks]

Very tough decision but as an all rounder the Evora but I would go for the Evora GT410 Sport simply because I can kind of control the exhaust were as on the 430,s you cannot.

[@DrPittenstein]

Only difference is you can make the 400 and 410 cars louder below 4,500rpm. You can't make them quieter if that's what you were thinking. All Evoras since the 400 will open the exhaust valve at 4500rpm regardless of what you do with the exhaust button. Would be nice if Lotus offered the cars with a choice of loud or quiet for the stricter tracks but they don't currently. I definitely wouldn't rule out the 430 for the sake of a bit more noise below 4,500 rpm as you can get them to do it if you really want post registration.

[@grahamcrane83]

"look at the gain through there". It's the driver, not the car which dictates the speed round there.

[@DrPittenstein]

Car definitely has something to do with it when one can take it flat where most cars have a lift or brake.

[@matteoveneziani700]

nice video :) did you had the AC turned on in the exige?

[@DrPittenstein]

Yes it looks like it. Here's the comparison video of the two cars at Silverstone, both have AC on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHK0hWdnebyqg5Y

[@matteoveneziani700]

​@@DrPittenstein thanks

[@Keroppikun]

What’s with changing helmet with each car? Perhaps you ride bikes around tracks too? The 46 is certainly a cool choice.

[@DrPittenstein]

Yes it's an AGV bike helmet in Rossi's Winter Test graphics. It was only a trackday so bike helmets are allowed.

[@lorenanieva8888]

I like the exige

[@hiteshghai4783]

Cup 430 vs exige 410 what r the difference in driving

[@DrPittenstein]

hitesh ghai 430 is more angry! And even more special.

[@deletc4198]

Exige any day

[@mikev6046]

Dr. Pitt, have you driven a Mclaren 540c or 570s at all? What's your opinion in comparison to the GT430?

[@DrPittenstein]

Mike V Hi Mike, I have driven a 540C which I enjoyed, most people go that way given the choice, personally I think straight line speed is the only real advantage for me but that is because I prefer manual gearboxes to autos. Running costs are in a different league too. Hope to drive and film some more McLarens soon. Cheers.

[@thenkindler001]

On Johannesburg roads, the Evora without a doubt. Sport version would be even better.

[@kenstephens2955]

@DrPittenstein the choice may be made for me. Is there any chance I'd fit in the Exige at 6'3" and built like a fat rugby front rower? Typical issues for me are knees under dash, knees trapped between wheel and dash and headroom, even more so with helmet. Your advice will be much appreciated.

[@DrPittenstein]

Ken Stephens Hi Ken I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable in an Evora but where there’s a will, there’s a way!

[@kenstephens2955]

@@DrPittenstein Thanks heaps!

[@DrPittenstein]

@@kenstephens2955 I can't speak for anyone else but I get on fine with Exiges at 6'2". Evora is definitely better for bigger drivers as you have more head room plus an adjustable steering column which gets the wheel clear of your knees. Exige wheel is fixed. Getting in and out is much easier with the roof off so perhaps you could consider that if you still want an Exige.

[@kenstephens2955]

DrPittenstein Thanks again. My other option is a Ducati so a little messing about getting in and out of an Exige isn’t a big deal. That said, I’ll of course try both. Perhaps the Evora will suit better. Cheers

[@50pence59]

Seems to go hard straight away on cold tyres. Is he?

[@DrPittenstein]

No he didn't!

[@흙수저진그리]

노랑 장난아니다 ㄷㄷ

[@davekennedy6315]

Why do they give you downforce figures at speeds that the cars can't even reach?

[@DrPittenstein]

I guess to arrive at a headline figure which is strange in itself as so few care about downforce or consider it relevant. Then I suppose they don't want to publish the reduction in top speed that the comes with downforce, top speed is probably still something that fast car buyers pay attention to. At least from the theoretical downforce at V-max you can work out the downforce at 100mph which is the point at which it starts to become noticeable, in the GT430 at least. Most fast road cars produce lift without some aero parts added or designed in and that you can feel at high speed and wings and spoilers primary job on a road car is to reduce lift.

[@davekennedy6315]

@@DrPittenstein thank you for that, I get what you're saying. I didn't realise you could use their max figures to work it out at realistic speeds. Thanks!

[@DrPittenstein]

@@davekennedy6315 yes but the numbers at 100mph are so small in most cases that you can see why car makers quote the ‘up to’ number at vmax! Evora GT 430 is one of the better ones and makes around 70kg of downforce at 100mph. The Exige Cup 430 makes slightly less at 67kg @ 100mph.

[@ahmadbodayr7203]

Maybe the wing on the exige wasnt on its most aggressive setup?!

[@DrPittenstein]

Ahmdashrfbed A the wing is fixed but dampers are 3 way adjustable so can be set up to make the car drive however anyone wants. I wouldn’t want to dial out the oversteer, I like the way the car rotates. Massive fun like this but sure, could have been set up to go faster at Silverstone, same goes for Evora too.

[@ahmadbodayr7203]

DrPittenstein ya thanks man the point is that i am shocked how the exige was unstable throgh the high speed corners but u the one who drove it i dont know iam little sad another 30kg more of downforce could have just made a big difference and it is not hard they could have put a slightly bigger adjustable wing cause with this setup "down force wise" on bigger tracks like the norchleife the car will suffer the evora thou was a Queen what do u think u got to drive both? !

[@DrPittenstein]

Ahmdashrfbed A 30kg more downforce wouldn’t make much difference, a proper downforce car like a Radical makes something like 800kg of downforce. The Exige’s cornering balance can be adjusted by the dampers so easily adjusted. I could have driven slower and made the car look locked down but wanted to explore the limits. Evora Sport 410 handles more like the Exige 430, great fun there’s nothing ‘wrong’ with them its more that the GT430 is unusually composed and stable.

[@realasscracka]

Steel underpowered they need to get this shit over 500 with a dual-clutch

[@DrPittenstein]

27 PayBack the stick shift in this car is fantastic no way I would want a dct instead but 500 bhp would be amusing to say the least. It’s an amazing driving experience already you should try one for yourself.

[@GTFour]

Exige doesn’t have a LSD as standard?! 😮

[@DrPittenstein]

nope not a mechanical one but it does have advanced electronics that operate like an e-diff, it can use all four brakes individually so can trim a spinning up inside rear wheel, works well actually, similar to what most McLarens do.

[@suslinmew4358]

if already lotus, then exige