New Breif (Non Lotus)
Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 7:39 pm
So got the new toy yesterday... I must admit having only driven it in the wet and at 3/10ths on the test drive I was a bit apprehensive that it might be a little bit of a let down when giving it a seeing to. As you do, I'd been reading a lot about the car, spiky, no rear traction, terrible damping, awful ride etc etc.
Im pleased to report that none of that seems to be the case, the car is absolutely fantastic with everything turned up to 11, tyres warm and in MDM mode, you really can feel the locking diff working to dig in and help with the rotation exiting bends. Yes its heavy 1585kg with fluids I believe but it hides it well, the brakes are very strong, it surprised me how strong actually. I expect they will fade quickly unless decent pads fitted as the OEM pads are clearly noted as such in the manual, not for track use.
My only two complaints are that the throttle response to a light application can be a little inconsistent, i think its when the car is trying to keep boost up (I understand there is a form of anti lag at play when in sport+ throttle map). If you went from WOT to braking then light throttle you get a sh*t load of power but if you do the same but without coming off WOT and a lot of boost then it doesn't respond the same, its softer. Problem is easily resolved, stay higher up the revs or knock the throttle map back a bit with the engine mode. The second complaint is, and this should be obvious coming from a Lotus, is the steering feel. There is something there but its so damped and muted it might as well not be. That said the steering is ultra precise, the rack speed is perfect and there is NO understeer, you can just pile lock on entering a bend and it just won't let go on the front.
MDM is also very good allowing enough slip to keep it interesting but ready to reel it in if it gets too hairy, it allows enough slip for fast neat driving but not for full on drift hooning. Too scared to turn everything off just now, but I'm told thats how the the car really comes alive, and in MDM mode if feels like it would be utterly manageable....in the dry. I expect in the wet unless on wet orientated tyres it'll be a handful. 450hp through the rears at 285 width with CUP2 tyres and basically all the torque available from not a lot more than idle.
I was seriously worried I wasn't gonna get on with it but it passed the Dukes pass virgin spanking test with flying colours.
Im pleased to report that none of that seems to be the case, the car is absolutely fantastic with everything turned up to 11, tyres warm and in MDM mode, you really can feel the locking diff working to dig in and help with the rotation exiting bends. Yes its heavy 1585kg with fluids I believe but it hides it well, the brakes are very strong, it surprised me how strong actually. I expect they will fade quickly unless decent pads fitted as the OEM pads are clearly noted as such in the manual, not for track use.
My only two complaints are that the throttle response to a light application can be a little inconsistent, i think its when the car is trying to keep boost up (I understand there is a form of anti lag at play when in sport+ throttle map). If you went from WOT to braking then light throttle you get a sh*t load of power but if you do the same but without coming off WOT and a lot of boost then it doesn't respond the same, its softer. Problem is easily resolved, stay higher up the revs or knock the throttle map back a bit with the engine mode. The second complaint is, and this should be obvious coming from a Lotus, is the steering feel. There is something there but its so damped and muted it might as well not be. That said the steering is ultra precise, the rack speed is perfect and there is NO understeer, you can just pile lock on entering a bend and it just won't let go on the front.
MDM is also very good allowing enough slip to keep it interesting but ready to reel it in if it gets too hairy, it allows enough slip for fast neat driving but not for full on drift hooning. Too scared to turn everything off just now, but I'm told thats how the the car really comes alive, and in MDM mode if feels like it would be utterly manageable....in the dry. I expect in the wet unless on wet orientated tyres it'll be a handful. 450hp through the rears at 285 width with CUP2 tyres and basically all the torque available from not a lot more than idle.
I was seriously worried I wasn't gonna get on with it but it passed the Dukes pass virgin spanking test with flying colours.