The Lotus Evora GT430 Sport - Is Norfolk's 911 GT3 Rival Worth The Money?
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- Опубліковано 27 бер 2018
- Lotus have released a car that might just be the ultimate Evora - the GT430. Along with the "Sport" version (as driven here), these cars are limited to only 120 examples worldwide and cost over £100,000 each. But are they good enough?
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I really appreciate all the Evora content as I'm a 400 owner driving on scenic secondary roads like yours, only in the USA. I also appreciate your recognition that you have an American audience following you.
Your Evora observations are exatctly on the money when it comes to owning a 400. You are the perfect spokesman for the car, meant entirely as a compliment. Except as regards the stock Sparcos. No doubt it's a matter of personal fit. People will need to decide for themselves as regards comfort . The Sparcos fitted here have their own issues but comfort is not one for me.
As a biased 400 owner I'll say what you didn't quite say in this vid but have insinuated previously. The 400 is hands down the best deal in the Evora lineup such that it makes going up market inside the line tough. The high spec cars certainly appeal but the value proposition changes and they start to compete against the reasons you might buy a 400. The 400 delivers the essential goodness of the 410/430 experience at a price competitive with a medium trim CaymanS. As you say, the stock Bilsteins and tires work so well for the way a road driver might use the car, there's no reason to change until you need to. And you can always add the Ohlins or other such trinkets with money left over.
Another excellent review!
Lew Barrett have you ever thought about making car videos? There aren’t a lot of people on UA-cam who own evoras and make videos.
I love the long one-take at the end. What a clear mind/vision/thought process, wonderfully and honestly reviewed. Id be over the freaking moon with a 430! Love it!
Excellent informative well presented review, Lotus's best kept secret indeed
I was a bit hypnotized for a view seconds by your paisley shirt. Great review! You really do have good presentor qualities!
Thanks!
JayEmm on Cars I love this incredible vehicle but I’m also intrigued by your shirt, mind telling me who makes it
Claudio Lugli - if you want one go on their site and enter Jayemm15 for a discount!
loving your videos jay, please never stop taking us to lotus :)
Wow amazing video. Taught me a lot of things I didn't know about the Evora's!
Thanks JayEmm. Good review. I have an Exige S and love it. But in a few years I now know to aim for the Evora GT430. You are right it is not cheap but is a very good car. Thanks mate. Cheers, Michael.
Your videos are getting better and better, really enjoying them!
The Evora is my favourite car but some way, love your example and THAT sound !!
Thanks Dean!
Excellent review, friend--from across the pond!!
I'm glad I Discovery's your Chanel. There're not many youtube'ers showing Lotus on there channel's. I'm in for an Elise and hope to buy one next year.
An excellent and an extremely honest review. Good job.
Keep up the great reviews Jay Emm!
Excellent review mate cheers
Thanks for this review, i hope to see also gt430 and i hope for some performance videos :)
Good Lord that GT430 sounds absolutely wonderful once the exhaust valves open.
I even hooked my phone up to the surround sound system at home to get the best effect...if I had £125k...which I definitely don’t, I’d have gone out and bought that car tomorrow.
Excellent review as ever. How you’re not presenting on TV is staggering.
Thankyou James
Amazing car!! I'm in love with Lotus :))
Id like to completely build a old europa, with a bad ass 2.0 and fiberglass the rear deck with new lines and with the right engine in the right place we could make a low slung trac monster for around 65k.
I like it's smiley face front end. It's probably laughing at the thought of burning off more exotic rivals.
Keep the videos coming! You do excellent job in your videos, and it nice to always listen to a lotus enthusiast and lotus fan talk about their cars good or bad. In my opinion I don't really thing it is worth the money for the Evora GT430 Sport. They shouldn't charge that much for that car, where they have room for improvement. It is almost like the new Exige Cup 430, as amazing as that is, for half the price you can get a pretty damn good Exige as well. At around 100k my options open up else where, if I was to spend that money on a new car lol I am a Die Hard Lotus Fan, but mannnnnnn. 2 Fun Lotus for 100k? or just 1? Or 1 Nice Lotus Exige Cup 380 or Evora 400 pay for driving lessons and track time and save alot money. But 100k for this the GT430 Sport....Can't Do...maybe the GT430, just maybe
Love that green on the GT430 - what a noise!
Always hated the Evora front end and the 430 has fixed that, so definitely the holigan 430 instead of the 430 sport for me.
i'm still not a fan. ill stick with the elise ;)
Great car great review and a lovely sound.
It was you guys that inspired me to create my own channel, I just ticked over 100 subscribers and now have a sponsor 😊
Welcome to the party Will. Gave you an extra sub.
Thank you very much!! Doing a giveaway btw!!! :)
That's basically the type of cars I really like!😎 Around 400-450hp and 1300KG wet weight! I wish there was a new Ferrari Dino too! With similiar Spec's!👍
Nice one Mr. Pajama Shirt - The front is WAAAAY nicer than the 400 - as is the grill on the front and top - looks way better - as is the lip at the back is way nicer - one continues spoiler not split like the 400 - the one for me is the new 410 GT Sport - the best compromise in the middle with all the styling of the big brother and a bit more then it's little brother - the 400.....see if you can find the new GT410 Sport to take a look at !
There was one in the showroom
JayEmm on Cars ok well would love for you to look around that with your camera and take it for a drive. I think its the new 400. Its not a limited production & they are supposed to come to N America this summer. I’m in Vancouver Canada. 👍🏻🇬🇧👊🏻
Fantastic video. But might I add, the 430s ports (holes) at its rear tyres, while great for aerodynamics - looked like a nightmare to keep clean.
That was an excellent review,
Thankyou
I really like the 430. It's looks great, sounds great drives great.
Love it!! Thank you for the review. So basically, if you upgrade to the Ohlins on your car you're just as happy?
Good to see a 430 review I can trust... brilliant as usual... love for you to test an Alpha 4c now....
If I can I will!
Alpha? Get out
Excuse me. I beg your forgiveness..... Alfa.
So due to the whole gearbox problem and Lotus not being able to up the power, it has to be the Exige every time because of the power to weight ratio.
Driven the Kawasaki green 380 at Bell and Covill and absolutely loved it. The Evora 400 felt very linear power wise after that and not as exhilarating at all. Busy dash too but was a good car.
Good vid as always Jay. BestAnthony
Thanks Anthony
great review, now waiting for your review on the GT410 :)
Watch my review of the Sport 410. It still applies
Watched that already. i know its similar but would love to hear your review on the little differences like aerodynamics, weight, interior and i heard the engine tuning is different from 410 sport (not sure about this though)
Engine should be the same, you won't notice the aero at road speed
Another excellent, real world evaluation.
I've wanted an Evora for a while now unfortunately all the models I set my heart on are only available in 2 seater guise. Quite why Lotus can't offer 4 seats in a hand built GT Car as an option is beyond me! I have limited free time and not being able to take the boys out on a weekend means I would struggle to find the time to make use of the car. I appreciate they are building performance oriented versions of the car (I love doing trackdays, I get it), but why not offer rear seats if you want them...it can't be just me.
Sorry for the rant...thanks for the insight into the 430!
What a sight to see this thing ripping through the English countryside. I have to hit the like button just for that alone. Your review was great, but many of the downsides you talked about only made me want the car more!
Thanks Jeffrey
Very good appraisal, James. As an Evora 400 owner, I considered upgrading to the GT430 but concluded that, whilst it is undoubtedly a better car than the 400, it isn’t worth the price difference. It would be faster on track but not that many Evoras get out on track (as Lotus obviously knows, as it puts an exhaust which is not track legal in the car). The difference in cost is buying a load of carbon fibre which is nice but ultimately more style over substance. Does anyone really get any value from being able to set five difference levels of slip angle in a road car? Most telling comment from the review? “Over a typical B road the 400 would be better”......
It would actually be better, if the dampers are set up for a bumpy road.
Nice review JayEmm... very honest & well thought-out conclusion, which I agree with. For 430 money, I'd take the GT3 everytime, but as an used Evora S owner, its a knock-out car compared to the alternatives.
Not for everyone but thats why they stay popular
Great review as ever, still single handedly marketing Lotus cars too.
Someone has to do it! Thankyou
I wonder in the UK we are too modest about our products. Germans market their cars very well with a lot of money spent.
Andrew Norris I would agree with that, McLaren have done brilliantly to be fair but I read a lot of negativity to JLR reviews by the armchair experts and sometimes lotus too. Porsche make some great cars, esp as GT3 as Jay says but not everyone wants the same. Great news is all the recent Lotus launches seem to sell out, so they are doing something right. Jean-Marc Gales should be knighted after the Bahar omnishambles.
the green car looks like a happy frog. very nice.
I love this car
Great review James... For a minute I thought you were gonna turn into Clarkson, but you just about avoided it :-)
I think the problem lotus have is a confusing (Evora) range if you're an outsider and not a die hard fan. Yes there are some (performance aside) cosmetic differences, but some you wouldn't notice unless they were all parked together.
I agree it is a problem.
But cut and paste Porsche and 911 in the relevant place in your comment Mikey and it still remains true.
Yes I completely agree Peter... The big difference though is that Porsche have a much larger market share through a huge fan base and world wide appeal. Whilst I love the exclusivity of Lotus, they do need to sell some cars to survive and afford the R&D to develop future models.
The price tag is eye-watering. I would seriously consider this car against the Carrera T if it were half the price but, 124 grand for a Lotus, surely some people will appreciate the exclusivity and the rarity of the offering, I just can't justify that personally.
Great review. Btw Latest Evo magazine has a Cayman GTS press car specced up to £73k, makes a regular Evora 400 look ok value.
I like the red lotus that is behind you. the color made it look like mean Ferrari.
Good video! Lovely car. Did you get chance to look at the Aeromax Morgan at Bell and Colvill?
Watch this space
JayEmm on Cars no way!!!
its nice but have never seen one here on this side of the pond, was it released in a US. trim ?
Sleeping on a final conclusion is a good addition.
God that looks good in light Blue. :)
Have you done a review of the GT 350 / GTE, yet ? There are a couple of them for sale in the UK right in the moment. They were limited to 20 examples and I got hold of the only one sold in Germany. Were just wondering, what you think of it, especially in comparison to the latest limited 430 editions ?!
Sadly I have not driven one and it seems unlikely unless an owner offers me theirs
Want!!!!
side note follow your channel too and am in Boston too and you should do a collaboration with Jayemm
The more I see the evora the more I want one. I think I'll be stuck with a 400 though due to funds. I found the exige too hard to get into so hoping an evora is easier. Its absolutely stunning and one of the best sounding v6s since an alfa but obviously this is far more special and will be a lot better than my V8, on fuel. Mmm drool. Shame about the weak g'box though, so no options to tune it!?
G A it’s night and day getting into the evora - very easy
What I'd like to see from Lotus is their version of a CRX - Inexpensive, front or rear wheel drive, no turbo, no 4wd, no fake vents/slats/grills. Don't forget to add some lightness, too. Make it pretty enough to go out to the garage, sip some single-malt & study the lines. Anything from Lotus handles. Don't overengineer it for its job. Yeah - I know about the 7 (& love it!), but it's a little pricey these days.
Hi James. What do you think will happen with the base 400 model? Do you think the front end will have a facelift like the 410 or will they just stop making it altogether (the 410 just takes its place)?
Lotus are producing some amazing cars but I think they may lose sight of their main models over all these exclusive versions. The prices are creeping higher each time. The evora was their ordinary every day car to compete with the cayman or 911. It feels like they want to move into ultra exclusive territory with all these different versions coming out. Why not just invest in making the base model better (better materials for the 400 model)?
Interesting to hear your views and direction the base 400 version will take...
I dont know. I would like it to stay but it does make the others look embarrassingly expensive
JayEmm on Cars - it’s great to see lotus exploring and making these but you can’t help but wonder are they ultimately moving away from the evoras original purpose. It seems they are drifting back towards being a track car, which is what Lotus do very well. If they make the 400 front end the same as the 410, you now make the 410 this awkward “extra carbon bits” version that could have been specced on the base model. Their line up is confused...
Why would Lotus drop the base 400? With or without the new bumper, IMO it serves as the baseline for the rest of the range in the same way the Carrera does for the 911. The Carrera S is a slighter faster, harder version of the Carrera. The GTS is a slighter harder, faster version of the S. The T is a slightly lighter "stripped out" version of the Carrera and so on. What would these cars be without the base Carrera? Similarly then, the base 400 is the Evora entry point, the GT410 Sport is the stripped out, lightened version for buyers (probably already 400 owners but not necessarily) wanting something new and more special. The price difference between these two cars, especially once you add all the deleted equipment back in, which most people will surely do, is quite large. The GT430 is closer to the 911 GT3 in nature. So - something for everyone. The 400 most certainly has a place in the range and I imagine many people questioning its point are existing owners and that is Lotus' biggest problem - not enough first time buyers from outside the fold.
Dont apply logic to what Lotus does
Great Review James, I am in exactly the same scenario as you and actually I recon the 400, over the rest of the EVORA 4XX series, is the best performance for the money, and I love it. Definitely from reactions I get LOTUS best kept secret, of which they wish it wasn't, more great reviews please
Thanks Graeme
That must be the same blue color that i got in my 2011 Evora S. Liquid blue i think it's called.
I so wish that the next generation of Lotus cars aren’t limited by their gearbox. The S2 cars always had the weak 3rd gear problem and now these 430 models are deliberately restricted to 320 ish lbft to preserve the gearbox. This is why the 400 and 430 don’t feel dissimilar in performance. Imagine one of these with an SSC TVS1900 conversion and hope the gearbox holds!
I would have 430 sport with softest setting dampers and ps4s tyres
I do, and it's a fabulous road car.
Why didn't they release the 20-21 Evora GT in the US with the 430 tuned engine?
Is it faster than a GT3 on track? Are there results to look at somewhere?
I doubt it, but on some tracks it would be close. Very good downforce figures.
Send me the vinwiki page of the olive green 430 please 🙏 🙂. I'll buy it and convert it to left hand drive. I have a guitar the same color.
Nailed it at 21:40
Lotus was making its own carbon fibre in the late 70s for use in its formula 1 cars.
Will this car be sold in the states? My Lotus dealer only has the 400.
It seems unlikely
Well, I drove the Evora 400 in New Jersey, and it seems to be a bit modest in power for the price tag to me. The Exige looks a bit more exotic.
They don't sell the V6 Exige in the states either.
I know that because the Exige doesn't meet the safety requirements. Lotus should incorporate the side mirrors and side scoops onto the Evora from the Exige.
THE EYE OF GOD the Evora 400 is NOT modest in power for the price tag. It has the same performance as it's 911 competitor that's priced the same. People like you who constantly misrepresent Lotus cars is why they are so underrated.
It seems like too much of a niche car to me definatly overpriced sounds great though another great vid jay👍👍👍👍👍
So how would this compare to us 🇺🇸 spec gt. Too bad you can't review that. Good work mate. Cheers
would you feel safer at 190+ mph in that evora or a gt3?
Be happy in both
If you have that budget Jay would it be your first choice to buy ?
Genuinely I don't know. For that money I can get a second hand McLaren spider, which is next league
JayEmm on Cars I have to say that I do love the lotus Brand an old neighbour and friend has had nearly all the models from the esprit to the Elan 1995 .. I wasn’t as jealous about his Elise or It’s big sister and onto the Evora which I do really appreciate. But that’s to much money for a lotus ( Petrol head doing well) it’s super Car money 💴 and it wouldn’t be an option for me if I was ever lucky enough to be in that market.
At 75-80k I think the Evora is an excellent buy. The GT430 is very special but I am not convinced it is another 40k of car - probably because i don't do much track work
JayEmm on Cars I’m on the same page to be honest that’s probably why I never really appreciated The Elise and Exige for how good they are . Probably because lotus didn’t design them with me in mind 😂
Does it compare well with 540c? Definitely prettier.
Must check the back of the sofa to see if I've any spare cash.... Aw well.
Everyone should stop comparing the GT3 including EVO mag. Facts are in the US at least you cannot buy a GT3 for list and in reality will end up with an over specced flipped one at 50 k over list. I would way rather have a GT430 and 50k in the bank for what is going to be a second car anyway.
Hello JayEmm. IMO, here is how to improve this car's performance. Make it 250 pounds lighter. That is from 2900 to 2650 pounds. Titanium is 57% the mass of steel. Aluminum is 33% the mass of steel. Magnesium is 22% the mass of steel. Use Carbon brakes, and lose 100 pounds. Use a complete titanium exhaust. Use more Aluminum & Magnesium parts in the suspension and engine. Stiffen the frame. Widen the wheel wells by 2.5 cm and adding actual inlet and outlet vents. Use 285 front - 315 rear 18" with 40/45 aspect ratio tires mounted on Magnesium wheels. If Formula-1 cars use 13" wheels, why do high performance car manufacturers, force us to accept overweight, stiffened riding, 20" wheels. Get rid of the rear seats and save 40 pounds. That steering wheel is too voluminous, North/South. Get rid of the overpriced, overhyped el-cantara that deteriorates before your eyes. My 6'-7", 275 pound (125 kilo) neighbour sits in it comfortably. Advertise more to the larger American consumer. Add fog lights. Have 4 rear red lights instead of 2. Redesign the existing old fashioned front and rear fascias.
The car you'd end up with would cost way too much money, and would not save the weight you think it does.
The rear seats, for example, are two pieces of foam - maybe 8lbs tops
@@JayEmmOnCars Maye my ideas for weight reduction should be applied to the new but not yet developed 2022 Lotus Esprit.
Definitely
Another Lotus whose performance limited by its gearbox? Unreal.
O.K., let's start with the vitally important issue. And that is, the Evora GT430 Sport is a lot better match for your shirt than the Evora GT430. That said, is either car a practical improvement on more mundane Evoras ? I think not. Every Evora made is insanely fast, far too rapid to be exploited on the road, and all models grip and handle sublimely at attainable speeds. In fact, it could be argued, the more extreme the model, the less good it becomes, because the ride becomes harsher.
This, however, has never hindered Porsche, Ferrari etc. They play the numbers game, inasmuch as, "Our new car has 100+more horsepower than the previous model.". The fact the extra power will never be used is irrelevant, it makes for good bragging rights, and, in my opinion, this is the market Lotus are chasing. And, bloody good luck to them!
Could they get the Ford 3.5l twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 making 647 hp in the GT?
No, its a totally different setup. Longitudinal vs transverse
JayEmm on Cars What about the LC500 V8?
Same problem. I've asked Lexus if I can try an LC500 but the queue is long
JayEmm on Cars Now that I finished the Video the 398 lbs\foot of torque from the Lexus V8 would be too much for the Gear box.
Wait so ~430HP and ~1290KG ?!!
There is no valve (I call it with all love “the poser button”) button anymore?! I’m never ever gonna sell my 400... and if so, for twice the original price 👍🏻😁
love this car soooooooooooo much, but really think if they upgraded the gearbox it would be better
It doesn't need more power, honestly.
No way I would get that car with no Open/Close valve button. Perhaps the ones bound to America come with the button?
I don't believe so, WLTP is a global thing. However the USA only gets the 400 and 410 at present which kept them
Does this car come in 2+2?
Yes
It looks rather tall?
Great cars but they just get more and more expensive. Wonder how the pricing stands up compared to the Porsche after 5-10 years? Depreciation could be the other kick in the nuts with the Lotus.
Lotus depreciation is excellent
20k too much..... but good grief it's stunning....
The fact of the matter you have to say "what could be..." says plenty I'm afraid.
Emira enters the world ..July 2021
Fatter, heavier, slower.
Reference the exhaust, I'd bet you can pull a fuse that will open the exhaust valve permanently, like on the old Vantage and XKRs 😉
As far as I know, there is not one of those. I haven't heard of it in the last couple of years. I think the issue is even if a fuse exhaust the thing defaults shut
Needs a lightweight NA 4 litre DOHC V8 with decent gearbox to better the Porsche GT3 - if they did and busted the GT3 that would be brilliant.
Those chinese sure can make cars , the last time i was in peking there were hardly any cars and now they are selling £ 124,000 cars !! from Norfolk
cant really compare the build quality of a gt3 with an evora
Yeah the engines on Porsches are far less reliable.
Simpyfy and add lightness....
Let Komo-Tec take it to their workshop, and you will get closer to 500hp
Then the gearbox dies.
I’m sorry, pls forgive me 😁 Those front vents look like someone’s raided a Tupperware party - they protrude too much imo and from the angle I saw look stuck on
Race car, dude.
If in 10 years they have put a stronger gearbox in and Evoras get lots more than 430 BHP......these will be plummet in value. Rest was ace as usual, though.
I doubt the Evora will be around for another five years
Interesting; I thought Lotus do long model lines (like 25 years+), but you're most likely right.
i'd rather get a Superformance Mk III, no gearbox constraints, and u can choose a 7.0 liter engine eg. Roush 427 or a big block 429; power: 'sky is the limit'
Cool cars, different experience altogether
The problem is...this car isn't even competition for a GT3 and mainly due to the engine. In fact the biggest problem is you can buy a 991.1 GTS with near enough the exact power and performance figures for £10-15k less than this.
This is limited edition. And that is a 2nd hand GT3. It does not need to be high value to meet a niche market. The 400 is their "mass market" (by Lotus standards) proposition and is much better value. Agreed perhaps this could take on the GT3 with more power made poss. with better gear box. But sell it at the 430 price and that would involve upping production and that is not easy to do right away. So if they do introduce an even more powerful version to make the most of the chassis, it will have to cost even more. Until they eventually scale up production. But taking on the Germans directly will not be easy, they have far more funds, and will fight back.
The Evora is on a higher level in terms of its superior chassis, balance, building materials, steering feel and much more. Porsche 911 is more cheaply made car that will not last as long before it needs repair compared to a Evora because it will wear out internal parts and tires faster. Lotus cars are built take beatings on the track because they are designed to put very low wear and tear on internal parts and tire. As a result, the Porsche is way more expensive to own.
Agreed Andrew - most buyers of this will be enthusiasts looking for something different to the obvious choice. 99% of the time 430hp is going to be more than enough for the road but it wouldn't hurt the cars image if they could inch closer to the 500 mark. They'll never properly take on Porsche but they could certainly take a bigger chunk of the market than they're taking now. Would help residual values immensely if there was a larger 2nd hand market for Lotus.
Zarbon...that is just utter tosh.
Have you looked at Evora 2nd hand values? They are very good
Now they are in bed with volvo, I just can't understand why they don't fit a Getrag DCT gearbox which will take 500NM. Ok its not a manual but a duel clutch gearbox that can take 368ft-lb and a unit price that should be reasonable (through Volvo). Just make a god damn bell housing lotus!
You already answered why they aren't. A dual clutch, while good, does not give you the purest driving experience that a manual does.
They already offer an auto
Why would u buy any Porsche when u can get a lotus ? :p
Can i watch a lotus video without it been you?
4:15 At which speed is that?
6:50 gonna disagree here, obnoxious exhausts should not be street legal, very glad this has been legislated.
YensR 190
Sadly, gearboxes have always been an issue with lotus.
The thing that is always under played is the fact that the Evora looks like a supercar. The Porsche is as common as chips and every one is the same. Boring!!!!!!