Thanks so much for watching and requesting this episode. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Lotus' new Emira so leave your comments below. If you want to buy the t-shirt I'm wearing in the video you can find it at www.frankstephenson.com/lost-merch/ Enjoy! Frank
Hi Frank! I think you should include some older cars from 80s onward as the boxy/angular design language of those cars is something really special that not enough people recognise, talk about and appreciate! As always thank you for the great content and I will make sure to check out those limited edition T-shirts!
I mainly agree with your comments about the Emira. Your lower body solution would need further development, though. Your side air intake solutions lacks some tension (very in vogue, these days...) and looks a little bit too much Italian! The connection from this air intake to the upper wheel arch is the right way to do it, Lotus solutions looking confusing. The side "first edition" emblem looking like a cheap piece of plastic out of place and is just naff. A Lotus one, as you proposed, would be the right call. I also concur withe your opinion on the rear lights: by abandoning the usual round lights solution, Lotus Emira is looking like a Alpine-meets-Boxster on the cheap. Full support on your opinion about both air exhausts - side engine and rear. Less is more! ...About affordability: The 4 cylinder version will cost the same as an entry level C8 Corvette NA V8...
Dear Frank, let me disagree with some of your tweaks. Variant with your sideline resembles Lamborghini Cala. On the one hand, adding volume to the front and rear fenders, and on the other, stretching the center of the car. The original lines add the car more swiftness. As for the taillights, yes, it might not be worth interrupting the brake light line. However, Lotus tried to form two ellipses, thus making references to our beloved round taillights. Additional light-line destroys this image. I consider the Lotus Emira to be a car with an excellent design. Its original lines form a distinctive look and evoke enthusiastic emotions.
Frank I know this may be odd sounding but maybe since the design is influenced by evija why not modify those rear vents and give it the same taillight treatment that's on the evija?
The tweak you made to the side profile was perfect. Whenever I see this car now, I'll think of how much of an improvement that would've been. Great analysis
They truly are. All the British automakers are kicking ass. I wish the US could make more cool cars (with less plastic & cheap materials). I'd take this Emira over a C8 Corvette hands down, just on design alone.
I think that they have to be at this point, the Emira is the last ICE car for the company. Lotus decided to go out with a bang, and intends to MOVE this vehicle. It's VERY attractive and, for lotus, "affordable". The best of luck to them on this one because for a while, this will be it.
@@DuvJones - I think they will. I'm not positive about this (a British auto enthusiast might be able to clarify) but I've heard Lotus hasn't really had their own finance company in the past? I might be wrong but I think with this Emira, Evija & other vehicles (past & future) will now be available through Lotus financing. The Emira is a stunning car & I'm hoping it won't be too expensive w/ my M2Comp trade in. $85k is about as high as I'd like to go w/ a well equipped Emira. The GTS & GT4 have always been a touch out of my price range (w/ the rediculous Porsche options that keep draining the wallet)
@@scottiecopasetic8315 well that's the thing isn't it. After this they're going to put their focus entirely on the electric powertrain, when I say "this is it"... Outside of an order from Geely, which had ownership of Lotus, Volvo, Pulstar and other, there will be nothing else for Lotus. While their focus is on the electric powertrain, their test mule right now is more suited to go against the Nevera than anything else and that is a legitimate supercar BEV. I'm only wonder how quick Lotus is going to be to scale down that type of technology for something more like the Emira, if I'm to make a guess it might be a 5-year stretch. So until then it's the Emira or nothing.
Ahhhhh that's why I liked it. I liked all of his other changes, except I liked the slats in the rear....holes. Bumper holes. But the tail light change he made instead of nodding I just went ooooooooh out loud, and I thought the original lights looked great, so kudos to him
I think he improved it much more on the side angle. His lines and surfaces were much smoother and easy to look at. I wouldn’t say the original design is odd and non-characterful though...
Man I LOVE the rerdesign, its pushed it into something incredible. Love the redesigned tail lights. That was a missed opportunity from Lotus. Also agree with the side view, such small things changed but increases the beauty dramatically.
In this case I find the original design to be more distinct. Frank's tweaks are flowier, rounder and very aesthetical. But they also make it look older, like a few years old Ferrari. I like the original design, to the side panel more. Its more aggressive and more modern. His improvement of the back is an improvement. :)
@Frank Stephenson I came across your channel and loving it! For years I play with stream lines in industrial design myself (aerospace). Those little lines and shapes touched my heart, because that's what I concentrating at myself! My colleagues call me Mr.Fussy and I am! And my design philosophy is exact: don't hide your identity, embrace it! Stand out or be forgotten!
10:24 I think they kept these 3 vents because some of their old designs have that, so they kept it to resemble the old cars. I think its nice. I'll stick to the three open vents.
@@QuickQuips I don't hate nor love the refreshed front end. I think by moving the headlights down, the design loses some character, but it also has the effect of the making the face of the car look lower and sportier. So it's a trade off.
10:35 that "mesh" part is legendary. Overall, quite an improvement in the looks of the car, the side lines and the tail light make it look so much better. Thanks for another wonderful video!
IMO you've made the car look like an older design. I'll give me opinion for why the body lines cross where they do. The design connects the two performance parts of the car, the engine and steering. The lines from those two parts converge and intersect where they receive direction i.e. the drivers position in the car.
As a fan of Frank and Lotus and someone who has a deposit down on an Emira, I'm so happy to hear your positive take on the car overall. Now I just have to unsee your improvements between now and next summer when I get the car! Couldn't agree more on the side badge and I picked up on that immediately. Hopefully they haven't finished hard tooling and car at least change the lines on the badge or the inset in the panel. Lotus should hire you to design the spyder!
Always enjoy your take on various design cues used on cars, especially new models. I live in Canada and have placed a deposit on an Emira because it’s the first Lotus I can really see myself driving. I also agree with your personal preference on some design tweaks you noted. The car looks great and I’m sure Lotus listens to comments such as yours as food for thought on future fine tuning of their new classic, the Lotus Emira. Thank you for your insight Frank.
As a visual artist myself, I really appreciate your explanation of your design choices. I am primarily a sculptor and ceramic artist, so I especially appreciate how you discuss linear flow. I personally have some difficulties in moving my own sculptural art away from strict naturalism to greater abstraction, but one of the many ways I am learning how to make my art better is by watching your incorporations of that linear flow into functional design. Thanks for that. Also, in this case, as much as I LOVE Lotus design, I think your design tweaks are masterful. I think Lotus would be well-advised to consider your design suggestions in future versions of this beautiful car. Thanks so much!
The clean up to the front end of the door and gracefully leading into the air intake is sublime, Frank, and that little Lotus badge in place of the weird triangle, are the touches of a maestro!
Frank, it is so impressive to see how your small and elegant changes improve on an already outstanding design by Lotus. You addressed the three main issues I got with this beautiful car: the weird alignment of the commemorative badge, the taillight and smoothing the curve on the line below the doors. Wonderful work. Hopefully Lotus sees your suggestions. I am seriously considering it for its second year.
Looks amazing. Personally I prefer the original rear light, albeit with the three sections connected into a single bar. Think yours looks more elegant with a softer design overall. Just seem to flow and connect better.
These videos are always such a bloody great delight to watch. Tickles the auto-engineering AND design nerd in me. Plus those re-designs are always so awesome.
I suspect the break in the tail lights is to meet EU law where cars have to have a central brake light. I prefer your design of the lights & badge but prefer the original elsewhere.
Where Frank softened the side intake, it loses the "echo" of the "boomerang" element on either side of the hood. I think they left it sharp to echo that detail of the "bonnet" venting. Frank is 100% correct about the side badge though as it looks like they just missed when gluing the badge on the car - LOL
I'm really curious what sparked your interest in starting your youtube channel? I think its really amazing that you share your design knowledge with all these people in the world, and I dont even design cars or anything lol. Have you ever designed a motorcycle or any other things not even related to the auto industry? I would like to see how your brain works on something totally different from your normal stuff... Maybe you can make a video series where you try to design something random like bicycles/motorcycles, racing boats, yachts, a futuristic house, a computer case, or whatever else you can think of? Let me know what you think.
It looks a little stubby from some angles, but overall, I love the design. I think Lotus is one of the best brands at doing "quirky" designs that still look appealing and attractive.
Ive been wanting car companies to make these well designed and performing cars that dont cost 250k+. The tech has become less expensive now. I think this will sell like crazy and redefine a pricepoint. And thats how you know you can trust Frank's objectivity. He gives credit when credit is due.
@@575forza Built in England? Since when? You mean assembled in England? Toyota assembled a lot of cars in the US too, does that make it an American car company? Lotus has historically been a car company that uses parts from other car companies. Hell the engine options are either a German engine or a Japanese engine. Now it's a Chinese car company, assembling cars using spare parts from other companies.
Great job on that side intake line, I always thought the car looked alright but the weird crossing lines they made always bugged me and grabbed my attention.
The new Emira looks gorgeous, and captures the true modern supercar look. I have to mention the tail light design. I agree about the the light bar gaps, always wondered if this was cost related rather than pure design. But the pure genius of doing a complete graphic is gorgeous = expensive! Love the cut lines and totally agree about the lotus badge on the C pillar. I'd make it even bigger than your design suggests, make it more Scuderia shield size. Proudly Lotus, proudly British. My comments differ on your critique on the side skirts. Leave them be. The angles are impeccable, like a perfect cut British suit. No need to make it swoopy on the lower black skirt. Upper intake lines are great as you suggest. . Thanks again for your insightful video and prompting great debate.
I'm very interested of what you think about Gordon Murray's Motiv autonomous pod car thingy, for me it's a NO! I understand that is a pod like transportation but anything that resembles an egg with 4 wheels I found very appalling, that said I hope we get your thoughts on it or maybe could appear in a future poll perhaps. Take care Frank! I love your videos!
Absolutely love your channel @frankstephenson! From a young age I wanted to be a car designer but had no idea how to even get started. I wish I had this channel when I was 10 YO. Kids have no idea how lucky they are today. :-) Thanks for making the content. Cheers from the US.
I studied the Emira for ages at Goodwood, you really can't pick out anything wrong with it, it's very pleasing. Your rear light changes did look good though. The view you can't see in pics is from the from, stood slightly wide of the car looking down the sides, it looks epic.
Your change in the rear quarter window was perfect, lowering the line where the body sweeps up to meet the rear window. I think it lengthens and lowers the profile of the car from the side. I prefer your taillights as well I think they are incredible. I do think their front fender solution is more forward thinking though, and it also is slimmer and lowers the visual height of that portion of the car.
Your rear light redesign feels really refreshing and has the same spirit as the Maserati boomerangs. Someone should make a car with them and make it a full design statment
Interesting to see someone with your experience tweak an already nice design. It took a few looks on my part to notice and understand your rationale for the changes but I thought the changes did improve the look in a very subtle way. The shape became a bit softer without loosing the basic lines and aggresive look. Thanks for sharing!
We need Syntho fuel, even being a small brother of the Evija i would take this one over the EV at any day, just because the looks , and the great noise we know it´s gone make ^^
I find his design lacking oomph, too fluid and less aggressive and sharp. Original design = more visceral, bold, contemporary. Unfortunately his design lines though good, are at least 10-15 years old, for another age. OUTDATED
Loved the review, Frank! It's so refreshing to see someone so insightful analyze and explain things for us fans of car design. I always learn by watching you. Keep it up! Love your channel!
Yet another fantastic design review; you know it's brilliant when Frank's changes are so minimal. A video on the models in your background, please - the classic cars, Spitfires, etc.!
Yeah absolutely. It's fine but fairly conservative, & actually a bit indestinct looking. The front and headlights are just too soft. Not a patch on the McLaren F1 (specially longtail) for looks. Cool rear fan though. And you know it'd be great to drive.
FRANK, YOU'RE STILL THE KING. YOU'RE STILL THE KING. YOUR MODIFICATIONS HAD ME SCREAMING AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SMALL CHANGES, YET THEY HAD A BIG OVERALL IMPACT. WOW! JUST WOW!
YOUR VERSION IS FANTASTIC!!! That change to the side air intakes COMPLETELY changes and IMPROVES the looks of the entire car. I couldn't believe my eyes! I don't like the original design anymore. Also I just wanted to mention, I think the rear roofline of this car is not as attractive as a mid engined supercar should be. I think it has too much of a hunch to it. That line at the back of the roof should relax or "bow" down a little bit into the rear fenders to give the whole car a more athletic look. The Elise S2 was a great example of what I'm talking about.
Thanks, Frank! I had also thought that the side vent body lines should've hard connected to the front lines. But seeing it in practice, I think I actually agree with Lotus' original approach. The intersection of the vent lines brings the side focal point below the side mirror, vs the strong bottom vent line bringing the focal point to where it meets the A pillar and also connecting/tightening the side and the front. As a result, I think the former approach gives a longer look to the front of the car that balances well with the emphasized rear of the car. Just my opinion!
Thank you Frank for this great design review - I already love this thing - much better than the Evora. However, the Emira would look so much better with Ferrari-like, round taillights... as the Evora has...
My favourite design element of this car is the curvature of the roof. It's good that there are two engine choices as well. Only thing I'm not too keen on are the wheels, the rest of it looks spot on imo. Btw appreciate you using the word bonnet instead of 'hood'
I like what you did with it. The light makes it much more distinctive, and changes to the side lines give it a clearer muscular front. Already a great car to look at, made a little more distinctive.
Great changes. I definitely agree with the changes on the back end and especially with putting the Lotus badge on the side. Its mad a see a car and look at the design and love it then 2mins into your vids I start seeing things in a whole new light. Great stuff as usual Frank!
Like many of Geely acquired european OEMs you see a lot of throwback to earlier concept cars. That is especially true for the polestar 1 and 2, but you also see it here. Some of the aspects go back to the Geneva 2011 Esprit concept that was supposed to start the reinvention of the Lotus brand. Ten years later the money is finally there to see it through. Happy to see it.
i understand why they did that door line between the door and front fender. It has to do with the mechanisms of the door, if we where to change it to your design it would require a recess pocket within the front wheel well for that extra bit of front panel of the door to go into based on where it hinges from, which could be mechanically done but it would probably require a bit extra complexity vs the simpler line they went with that goes a little after the door hinge. you would essentially have a bit of extra bodywork hanging out before the door hinge. Which ironically would ad a little to the coolness when opening the door as part of it would slightly go inward but from a mechanical viewpoint could be potentially damaged or bent if anything where to get in there since there is more force added on the other side of the fulcrum.
your changes bring it from a 9/10 to 10/10. I especially like the changes to the lines on the side profile. You're right though, it won't change anyone's opinion of the styling
I particularly like the small change you made to the shape of the rear side window. It's such a little thing, but it lightens up the rear of the car nicely, while leaving the muscularity of the haunches. I suspect that line will work better when they announce a soft top version a little later - the C pillar shape just feels too heavy in the factory offering, and removing the roof may make it feel even heavier without massaging that area a little.
Great analysis! I think we're seeing the kind of excitement for lotus similar to when the original Elise was unveiled, and that's a great thing! They couldn't have timed with better with the surge in interest in sports cars this year.
Great design tweaks Frank. Love every change you have made. Now shrink the thing (proportionally narrower) to make it real-world faster! - You can't make proper progress on most British roads driving WIDE sports cars like this because you are forever stopping to let the fatrace (SUVs) go by and, for the same reason, nobody dares to overtake even slow-moving tractors regardless of power-to weight advantage for the most basic of modern cars. It seems the fastest car is always at the back of the queue these days...
Very impressive Frank; you have succeeded in improving a fantastic design, particularly to my favourite part of a sports car, the rear. Sweeping the tail light around the LOTUS is bold and distinctive. And the quad pipes also 👍
I think its part of a great new Lotus design language that tips its hat to its back catalogue pretty well. Only thing I’d want changing isn’t legal anymore and something I miss from all modern car design: pop-up headlights.
Your side treatment smooths it out and makes it more pebble like. The rear end treatment in your design is definitely superior. Totally agree on the side badge issue. Just looks like an after thought to me. But overall I think the standard design works very well indeed. I just hope the build quality has taken a massive leap forward..👍👍
I love this video because I feel like my design literacy went up a few levels. I love the emira design but didn't know what was a little off and keeping it from being "I LOVE the emira". Your analysis connected those dots for me!
Thanks so much for watching and requesting this episode. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Lotus' new Emira so leave your comments below. If you want to buy the t-shirt I'm wearing in the video you can find it at www.frankstephenson.com/lost-merch/
Enjoy!
Frank
Still waiting patiently for the C8 review, Frank. Thanks
Hi Frank! I think you should include some older cars from 80s onward as the boxy/angular design language of those cars is something really special that not enough people recognise, talk about and appreciate! As always thank you for the great content and I will make sure to check out those limited edition T-shirts!
I mainly agree with your comments about the Emira. Your lower body solution would need further development, though. Your side air intake solutions lacks some tension (very in vogue, these days...) and looks a little bit too much Italian! The connection from this air intake to the upper wheel arch is the right way to do it, Lotus solutions looking confusing. The side "first edition" emblem looking like a cheap piece of plastic out of place and is just naff. A Lotus one, as you proposed, would be the right call. I also concur withe your opinion on the rear lights: by abandoning the usual round lights solution, Lotus Emira is looking like a Alpine-meets-Boxster on the cheap. Full support on your opinion about both air exhausts - side engine and rear. Less is more!
...About affordability: The 4 cylinder version will cost the same as an entry level C8 Corvette NA V8...
Dear Frank, let me disagree with some of your tweaks. Variant with your sideline resembles Lamborghini Cala. On the one hand, adding volume to the front and rear fenders, and on the other, stretching the center of the car. The original lines add the car more swiftness. As for the taillights, yes, it might not be worth interrupting the brake light line. However, Lotus tried to form two ellipses, thus making references to our beloved round taillights. Additional light-line destroys this image. I consider the Lotus Emira to be a car with an excellent design. Its original lines form a distinctive look and evoke enthusiastic emotions.
Frank I know this may be odd sounding but maybe since the design is influenced by evija why not modify those rear vents and give it the same taillight treatment that's on the evija?
It would be nice to see you make a video like this on one of your old cardesigns. To see what you want to change on it after a while of creating it!
That's a great idea!
He probaby had designed them just how he wold like but for production I am sure for production a lot has been toned down or changed
@@gjorgjistevkovski9590 taste changes and matures over the years tho, im sure he would change some stuff
I would be courious about a Mini or BMW re-design.. The Maserati is still perfect.
Great idea
The tweak you made to the side profile was perfect. Whenever I see this car now, I'll think of how much of an improvement that would've been. Great analysis
Perhaps have the black painted to match the main body colour
Rounded edges are more pleasing to me as well
A first impression of "YEAH BABY" must be a good thing for Lotus designers. They are on the top of their game right now.
They truly are. All the British automakers are kicking ass. I wish the US could make more cool cars (with less plastic & cheap materials). I'd take this Emira over a C8 Corvette hands down, just on design alone.
I think that they have to be at this point, the Emira is the last ICE car for the company. Lotus decided to go out with a bang, and intends to MOVE this vehicle.
It's VERY attractive and, for lotus, "affordable". The best of luck to them on this one because for a while, this will be it.
@@DuvJones - I think they will. I'm not positive about this (a British auto enthusiast might be able to clarify) but I've heard Lotus hasn't really had their own finance company in the past? I might be wrong but I think with this Emira, Evija & other vehicles (past & future) will now be available through Lotus financing. The Emira is a stunning car & I'm hoping it won't be too expensive w/ my M2Comp trade in. $85k is about as high as I'd like to go w/ a well equipped Emira. The GTS & GT4 have always been a touch out of my price range (w/ the rediculous Porsche options that keep draining the wallet)
@@scottiecopasetic8315 well that's the thing isn't it. After this they're going to put their focus entirely on the electric powertrain, when I say "this is it"... Outside of an order from Geely, which had ownership of Lotus, Volvo, Pulstar and other, there will be nothing else for Lotus.
While their focus is on the electric powertrain, their test mule right now is more suited to go against the Nevera than anything else and that is a legitimate supercar BEV.
I'm only wonder how quick Lotus is going to be to scale down that type of technology for something more like the Emira, if I'm to make a guess it might be a 5-year stretch. So until then it's the Emira or nothing.
These little design tweaks are genius. I want the Stephenson Emira! It looks absolutely stunning and unique.
Frank should start making body kits based on his videos. I would buy Emira and immediately buy body kit from him to apply immediately. It's that good
The changes are so subtle, yet the overall improvement is great...
@@jeandearme32 if only the taillight conversion could be bought then I'm already commited!
Except for the changes to the tail light, i totally agree that the car looks so much more refined with the changes that Frank proposes.
@@jeandearme32 The door design he proposed is literally impossible to retrofit. Cool idea nonetheless.
I love the edited pictures of the car that showcase your design changes, really nice
Agreed. I hope this becomes a staple feature of these videos 👍
Closed taillights actually reminded me of the Elise with the black painted area.
Ahhhhh that's why I liked it. I liked all of his other changes, except I liked the slats in the rear....holes. Bumper holes. But the tail light change he made instead of nodding I just went ooooooooh out loud, and I thought the original lights looked great, so kudos to him
Your suggestions make so much sense, Lotus should hire you for the Emira Spyder / Targa. (They gonna build one for sure!)
You bet they are watching this video and taking notes
@@BasedMan little tears in eyes
@@BasedMan lol more like hurt he would try to change it. I'm sure their designers have a lot of pride in their work.
The tailight treatment is spot on 👌🏼 I also found the original design odd and non-characterful, thanks for sharing such valuable lessons
Absolutely, that tail light modification looks so good
Yes. Frank’s tail design looks better.
I disagree. I dont mind the top part connecting as one, but extending it on the bottom and making it one big loop looked weird to me
I think he improved it much more on the side angle. His lines and surfaces were much smoother and easy to look at. I wouldn’t say the original design is odd and non-characterful though...
Exactly. I look at it and think, right, a sportier KIA. Making it a loop makes it much mote characteristic and perfect for Lotus.
Man I LOVE the rerdesign, its pushed it into something incredible. Love the redesigned tail lights. That was a missed opportunity from Lotus. Also agree with the side view, such small things changed but increases the beauty dramatically.
Basically: "Yeah the Emira is cool and all, but i could've done better" and i just got to agree, the little changes really give character to it
Franks design just look more fluid and natural, less of a product design.
In this case I find the original design to be more distinct. Frank's tweaks are flowier, rounder and very aesthetical. But they also make it look older, like a few years old Ferrari. I like the original design, to the side panel more. Its more aggressive and more modern. His improvement of the back is an improvement. :)
@@saftpackerl agreed the original is more aggressive on the sides.
The changes you applied really shoot the design of the emira on top 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Frank - one of the greatest automotive designers ever
Also Frank - default PowerPoint word art merch logos
There is a reason things are default. You don't pick a bad-looking thing to be default.
@Frank Stephenson I came across your channel and loving it!
For years I play with stream lines in industrial design myself (aerospace).
Those little lines and shapes touched my heart, because that's what I concentrating at myself!
My colleagues call me Mr.Fussy and I am! And my design philosophy is exact: don't hide your identity, embrace it!
Stand out or be forgotten!
10:24 I think they kept these 3 vents because some of their old designs have that, so they kept it to resemble the old cars. I think its nice. I'll stick to the three open vents.
I would like to se the analys of Jaguar F-Type from 2013-2019 from Frank perspective
That car is timeless. I don't know why they ruined the gorgeous headlights for the later models.
@@QuickQuips its just to look more “AggreSsIVe”” 🤮
@@QuickQuips I don't hate nor love the refreshed front end. I think by moving the headlights down, the design loses some character, but it also has the effect of the making the face of the car look lower and sportier. So it's a trade off.
@@QuickQuips true. the older design looks SO much better
10:35 that "mesh" part is legendary.
Overall, quite an improvement in the looks of the car, the side lines and the tail light make it look so much better. Thanks for another wonderful video!
It's quite crazy to see how talented Frank is and how keen his eye for detail truly is.
IMO you've made the car look like an older design.
I'll give me opinion for why the body lines cross where they do. The design connects the two performance parts of the car, the engine and steering. The lines from those two parts converge and intersect where they receive direction i.e. the drivers position in the car.
As a fan of Frank and Lotus and someone who has a deposit down on an Emira, I'm so happy to hear your positive take on the car overall. Now I just have to unsee your improvements between now and next summer when I get the car! Couldn't agree more on the side badge and I picked up on that immediately. Hopefully they haven't finished hard tooling and car at least change the lines on the badge or the inset in the panel. Lotus should hire you to design the spyder!
I love what Lotus has done, but what Frank showed has really improved it.
I just wanted say a big thanks to person who photoshops the pictures for the videos. It's nice to see all the features explained in the same images
Always enjoy your take on various design cues used on cars, especially new models. I live in Canada and have placed a deposit on an Emira because it’s the first Lotus I can really see myself driving. I also agree with your personal preference on some design tweaks you noted. The car looks great and I’m sure Lotus listens to comments such as yours as food for thought on future fine tuning of their new classic, the Lotus Emira. Thank you for your insight Frank.
As a visual artist myself, I really appreciate your explanation of your design choices. I am primarily a sculptor and ceramic artist, so I especially appreciate how you discuss linear flow. I personally have some difficulties in moving my own sculptural art away from strict naturalism to greater abstraction, but one of the many ways I am learning how to make my art better is by watching your incorporations of that linear flow into functional design. Thanks for that.
Also, in this case, as much as I LOVE Lotus design, I think your design tweaks are masterful. I think Lotus would be well-advised to consider your design suggestions in future versions of this beautiful car. Thanks so much!
The changes look actually great even though the design is already beautiful
The clean up to the front end of the door and gracefully leading into the air intake is sublime, Frank, and that little Lotus badge in place of the weird triangle, are the touches of a maestro!
you did a good job with everything except for the tail lights, the only change id make to that on the original design is to make them bigger
Frank, it is so impressive to see how your small and elegant changes improve on an already outstanding design by Lotus.
You addressed the three main issues I got with this beautiful car: the weird alignment of the commemorative badge, the taillight and smoothing the curve on the line below the doors.
Wonderful work. Hopefully Lotus sees your suggestions. I am seriously considering it for its second year.
Looks amazing. Personally I prefer the original rear light, albeit with the three sections connected into a single bar. Think yours looks more elegant with a softer design overall. Just seem to flow and connect better.
100% agree on the badge. Lotus has a handsome badge; they shouldn’t be so shy of displaying it, just look at Ferrari.
This car is frickin gorgeous. If this is indeed the swan song for Lotus ICM then they did one hell of a job.
Chinese car design was all it took.
These videos are always such a bloody great delight to watch. Tickles the auto-engineering AND design nerd in me. Plus those re-designs are always so awesome.
8:25 Uau, instantly changed a Porsche like rear, to a Lotus! AMAZING
That side profile really shows off your passion of taking inspiration from nature (vivacious curves etc) vs the CAD “feel” of the original lines.
The side logo treatment makes the car more "Yeah Baby!"
You killed it again. Those changes totally cleaned up the design, rationalised it, made it flow more organically.
I suspect the break in the tail lights is to meet EU law where cars have to have a central brake light. I prefer your design of the lights & badge but prefer the original elsewhere.
Where Frank softened the side intake, it loses the "echo" of the "boomerang" element on either side of the hood. I think they left it sharp to echo that detail of the "bonnet" venting. Frank is 100% correct about the side badge though as it looks like they just missed when gluing the badge on the car - LOL
I'm really curious what sparked your interest in starting your youtube channel? I think its really amazing that you share your design knowledge with all these people in the world, and I dont even design cars or anything lol. Have you ever designed a motorcycle or any other things not even related to the auto industry? I would like to see how your brain works on something totally different from your normal stuff... Maybe you can make a video series where you try to design something random like bicycles/motorcycles, racing boats, yachts, a futuristic house, a computer case, or whatever else you can think of? Let me know what you think.
Sure T, message me on my Instagram account, frank.stephenson.official
It looks a little stubby from some angles, but overall, I love the design. I think Lotus is one of the best brands at doing "quirky" designs that still look appealing and attractive.
Small bonet/front end. It's a very wide car which adds to the effect
I love the idea of the Lotus Emblem on the side of the car, it just would've looked sooo nice ✨
That actual emblem looks so off. like the glue melted in the sun and that emblem slid down a little...
@@xxxxare Yeah! The Emira badge looks really bad 😖😖
Ive been wanting car companies to make these well designed and performing cars that dont cost 250k+. The tech has become less expensive now. I think this will sell like crazy and redefine a pricepoint. And thats how you know you can trust Frank's objectivity. He gives credit when credit is due.
yeah, this car will sell like crazy.
That's to be expected for a Chinese car. Cheap, efficient, and contains all of the necessary creature comforts.
Pretty sure it’s built in England.
@@575forza Built in England? Since when? You mean assembled in England? Toyota assembled a lot of cars in the US too, does that make it an American car company?
Lotus has historically been a car company that uses parts from other car companies. Hell the engine options are either a German engine or a Japanese engine. Now it's a Chinese car company, assembling cars using spare parts from other companies.
So assembled and built mean different things? So my house in the US was built in China since I used nails that originated there?
Its incredible how SPOT ON are your suggestions!! It really tells how much experience you have
I hope they consider your feedback for the facelift some day. I'm no car designer but I like your subtle updates for the side view of the car 👍
I love what you did with the taillights. So purposeful and fresh.
Great job on that side intake line, I always thought the car looked alright but the weird crossing lines they made always bugged me and grabbed my attention.
The new Emira looks gorgeous, and captures the true modern supercar look. I have to mention the tail light design. I agree about the the light bar gaps, always wondered if this was cost related rather than pure design. But the pure genius of doing a complete graphic is gorgeous = expensive!
Love the cut lines and totally agree about the lotus badge on the C pillar. I'd make it even bigger than your design suggests, make it more Scuderia shield size. Proudly Lotus, proudly British.
My comments differ on your critique on the side skirts. Leave them be. The angles are impeccable, like a perfect cut British suit. No need to make it swoopy on the lower black skirt. Upper intake lines are great as you suggest.
. Thanks again for your insightful video and prompting great debate.
I'm very interested of what you think about Gordon Murray's Motiv autonomous pod car thingy, for me it's a NO!
I understand that is a pod like transportation but anything that resembles an egg with 4 wheels I found very appalling, that said I hope we get your thoughts on it or maybe could appear in a future poll perhaps. Take care Frank! I love your videos!
Bugattis in a nutshell
Absolutely love your channel @frankstephenson! From a young age I wanted to be a car designer but had no idea how to even get started. I wish I had this channel when I was 10 YO. Kids have no idea how lucky they are today. :-) Thanks for making the content. Cheers from the US.
A pleasure Joshua, thanks!
I am in love with the emira's design . I want to customise this car like crazy in need for speed 😊
Simply impressive critique, done from heart and it shows the emotions reflected in Frank's vision. Big fan on these episodes!
it looks like a strange hybrid between a porsche design, a jaguar design and a ferrari design
Yeahh I thought the same
Strange? It's a beauty.
I studied the Emira for ages at Goodwood, you really can't pick out anything wrong with it, it's very pleasing.
Your rear light changes did look good though.
The view you can't see in pics is from the from, stood slightly wide of the car looking down the sides, it looks epic.
From the front!
we asked for it and frank does for us.......love ya frank
Your change in the rear quarter window was perfect, lowering the line where the body sweeps up to meet the rear window. I think it lengthens and lowers the profile of the car from the side. I prefer your taillights as well I think they are incredible.
I do think their front fender solution is more forward thinking though, and it also is slimmer and lowers the visual height of that portion of the car.
Your rear light redesign feels really refreshing and has the same spirit as the Maserati boomerangs. Someone should make a car with them and make it a full design statment
Interesting to see someone with your experience tweak an already nice design. It took a few looks on my part to notice and understand your rationale for the changes but I thought the changes did improve the look in a very subtle way. The shape became a bit softer without loosing the basic lines and aggresive look. Thanks for sharing!
We need Syntho fuel, even being a small brother of the Evija i would take this one over the EV at any day, just because the looks , and the great noise we know it´s gone make ^^
The onboard footage of the Evija at Goodwood is absolutely insane, tho.
Still, not gone be like this Emira
The way you took the lower line of the side intake and ran it over the front wheel arc reminds me a lot of the xk120. Masterfully done.
Love the XK120! And the XK150.
They are such elegant and classical cars.
Nice Frank, you've made a great design even better!!
I find his design lacking oomph, too fluid and less aggressive and sharp. Original design = more visceral, bold, contemporary. Unfortunately his design lines though good, are at least 10-15 years old, for another age. OUTDATED
Loved the review, Frank! It's so refreshing to see someone so insightful analyze and explain things for us fans of car design. I always learn by watching you. Keep it up! Love your channel!
Frank i know the car has been out for some time but i would love to know your opinion on the alpine a110
Yet another fantastic design review; you know it's brilliant when Frank's changes are so minimal. A video on the models in your background, please - the classic cars, Spitfires, etc.!
You should do the T50 or T50S
Yeah absolutely. It's fine but fairly conservative, & actually a bit indestinct looking. The front and headlights are just too soft. Not a patch on the McLaren F1 (specially longtail) for looks. Cool rear fan though. And you know it'd be great to drive.
FRANK, YOU'RE STILL THE KING. YOU'RE STILL THE KING. YOUR MODIFICATIONS HAD ME SCREAMING AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SMALL CHANGES, YET THEY HAD A BIG OVERALL IMPACT. WOW! JUST WOW!
Thank you Richard! 👍
@@FrankStephensondesign You are welcome Frank.
We are still waiting on your Batmobiles review.
Was looking for a review of the Alpine A110 design. Interesting mix of modern and retro. But I guess it is a bit too late/off trend to cover now :(
Considering he has looked at the designs of cars from the 50s I doubt it's too late for him to take a look at it.
Wow, I love how Lotus is doing it...can't believe how great the tweaks you've suggested improve it even more.
One word to describe the Lotus emira: Gorgeous
YOUR VERSION IS FANTASTIC!!!
That change to the side air intakes COMPLETELY changes and IMPROVES the looks of the entire car. I couldn't believe my eyes! I don't like the original design anymore.
Also I just wanted to mention, I think the rear roofline of this car is not as attractive as a mid engined supercar should be. I think it has too much of a hunch to it. That line at the back of the roof should relax or "bow" down a little bit into the rear fenders to give the whole car a more athletic look. The Elise S2 was a great example of what I'm talking about.
I' ve been waiting for this video...
A lovely demonstration of design tweaks that reduce fussiness to improve the overall clarity of vision.
Can you do a design review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Hyundai Prophecy Concept?
Man, I always love seeing your photoshop versions. It really adds to seeing what you see and understanding what you are saying.
Anybody else watch the video's to see what shoe design Frank is wearing today?🤔
I love your use of language. You are really encouraging and motivating when improving someone else’s design.
That gap in the rear lights 100% looks like something that's been designed to be continuous but was changed for cost reasons...
Thanks, Frank! I had also thought that the side vent body lines should've hard connected to the front lines. But seeing it in practice, I think I actually agree with Lotus' original approach. The intersection of the vent lines brings the side focal point below the side mirror, vs the strong bottom vent line bringing the focal point to where it meets the A pillar and also connecting/tightening the side and the front. As a result, I think the former approach gives a longer look to the front of the car that balances well with the emphasized rear of the car. Just my opinion!
Now imagine Lotus doing facelift of Emira based on Frank's suggestions
Thank you Frank for this great design review - I already love this thing - much better than the Evora. However, the Emira would look so much better with Ferrari-like, round taillights... as the Evora has...
My favourite design element of this car is the curvature of the roof. It's good that there are two engine choices as well. Only thing I'm not too keen on are the wheels, the rest of it looks spot on imo. Btw appreciate you using the word bonnet instead of 'hood'
I like what you did with it. The light makes it much more distinctive, and changes to the side lines give it a clearer muscular front. Already a great car to look at, made a little more distinctive.
Great changes. I definitely agree with the changes on the back end and especially with putting the Lotus badge on the side. Its mad a see a car and look at the design and love it then 2mins into your vids I start seeing things in a whole new light. Great stuff as usual Frank!
Like many of Geely acquired european OEMs you see a lot of throwback to earlier concept cars. That is especially true for the polestar 1 and 2, but you also see it here. Some of the aspects go back to the Geneva 2011 Esprit concept that was supposed to start the reinvention of the Lotus brand. Ten years later the money is finally there to see it through. Happy to see it.
youve made the sides less fussy and cleaner, love it
Your rear design absolutely rocks! It adds the punch this amazing car deserves.
You took a beautiful and elegant car and turned it into a more beautiful and elegant one. You are amazing!
i understand why they did that door line between the door and front fender. It has to do with the mechanisms of the door, if we where to change it to your design it would require a recess pocket within the front wheel well for that extra bit of front panel of the door to go into based on where it hinges from, which could be mechanically done but it would probably require a bit extra complexity vs the simpler line they went with that goes a little after the door hinge. you would essentially have a bit of extra bodywork hanging out before the door hinge. Which ironically would ad a little to the coolness when opening the door as part of it would slightly go inward but from a mechanical viewpoint could be potentially damaged or bent if anything where to get in there since there is more force added on the other side of the fulcrum.
No Mike. 3 words. Goose neck hinge. 👍
@@FrankStephensondesign Good alternative. I'm subscribing.
your changes bring it from a 9/10 to 10/10. I especially like the changes to the lines on the side profile. You're right though, it won't change anyone's opinion of the styling
I particularly like the small change you made to the shape of the rear side window. It's such a little thing, but it lightens up the rear of the car nicely, while leaving the muscularity of the haunches. I suspect that line will work better when they announce a soft top version a little later - the C pillar shape just feels too heavy in the factory offering, and removing the roof may make it feel even heavier without massaging that area a little.
Great analysis! I think we're seeing the kind of excitement for lotus similar to when the original Elise was unveiled, and that's a great thing! They couldn't have timed with better with the surge in interest in sports cars this year.
Love these kind of videos and before/after slides. Love your work!
Great design tweaks Frank. Love every change you have made. Now shrink the thing (proportionally narrower) to make it real-world faster! - You can't make proper progress on most British roads driving WIDE sports cars like this because you are forever stopping to let the fatrace (SUVs) go by and, for the same reason, nobody dares to overtake even slow-moving tractors regardless of power-to weight advantage for the most basic of modern cars. It seems the fastest car is always at the back of the queue these days...
Very impressive Frank; you have succeeded in improving a fantastic design, particularly to my favourite part of a sports car, the rear. Sweeping the tail light around the LOTUS is bold and distinctive. And the quad pipes also 👍
I think its part of a great new Lotus design language that tips its hat to its back catalogue pretty well. Only thing I’d want changing isn’t legal anymore and something I miss from all modern car design: pop-up headlights.
Especially your side profile changes are a HUGE improvement.
Your side treatment smooths it out and makes it more pebble like. The rear end treatment in your design is definitely superior. Totally agree on the side badge issue. Just looks like an after thought to me. But overall I think the standard design works very well indeed. I just hope the build quality has taken a massive leap forward..👍👍
I like what you did with the rear lights and side badge. Hope Lotus does well with the new car.
Your version was very streamlined and clean. Their version is very sharp and edgy. But I do agree on the lotus badging and tail lights.
This channel keeps getting better and better. Love your design insights, and great editing.
I love this video because I feel like my design literacy went up a few levels. I love the emira design but didn't know what was a little off and keeping it from being "I LOVE the emira". Your analysis connected those dots for me!
Absolute class Frank, you succeeded in dramatically improving what I think was already a very pleasant design.