ESP is due next yr on Evora. Not that the car needs it... utterly communicative... wet handling track in an Evora would be a joy.

The traction control is extremely clever in fact with the ability to detect and neutralise understeer.... it also has a electronic differential lock providing for fanastic traction.


Have driven Cayman gen2 at silverstone, today I drove Evora on road and track... there is no question that Lotus has hit the bullseye... sorry Cayman owners... even modded Cayman owners (sorry Shan !) do not possess a car that drives as well.

My thoughts are that;
i) it steers better (beautiful weighting, great information of whats underfoot, immediate response) than any porsche Ive driven (incl 7GT3, 993c4s, 6tt, 7tt, cayman 1&2, 986/987 etc etc).. in fact only car I've driven with a more direct feel to what the front wheels are doing is the lotus one-eleven, and that doesnt really count as a road car imo,
ii) amazing compliance yet at the same time the car feels 100% track fit... amazing compromise that Lotus has found that is simply beyond the Cayman ime,
iii) actually a very well designed and easy to use interior with supportive and comfortable seats.
iv) This car can soak up track punishment - you won't find the limits of its brakes, and it feels almost as fit for track as the elise, which is quite an achievement considering its on-road ability.

Negatives include:
i) uninspiring engine... should it be punchier, yes, however, fact is that on road, if you utilise 100% of its acceleration across a challenging b road - such is the car's chassis competence, i don't believe you'll be overtaken by anything this side of a turbo. On track theres no doubt more power could be easily accomodated by the chassis and this can lead you to wanting more.
ii) gearshift is long of throw and less precise than it could be.
iii) As already mentioned the gear ratio's are quite long... rectified by choosing the shorter ratio box.
iv) It doesnt feel quite as solid as a Porsche... can't fault the materials per say or even interior finish (no squeeks / rattles) but maybe its just the way the door shuts, or the general feel.. its intangible, can't put my finger on it... maybe its just perception ?
v) brakes grabby at top of travel - porsche progression is better.
vi) terrible rear view, albeit reversing camera available and wing mirrors are big.

Would I buy one ? Well not as a replacement for the turbo, but potentially when/if they release a higher performance engine.... and once I've seen how the residuals perform.

Have driven Cayman gen2 at silverstone, today I drove Evora on road and track... there is no question that Lotus has hit the bullseye... sorry Cayman owners... even modded Cayman owners (sorry Shan !) do not possess a car that drives as well.

Not sure about the personal attack Miras?

Have you driven a Cayman with 20 more BHP and 30 more LB/Ft of Torque than a Gen 2?

And with a suspension/geometry set up that Chris Franklin describes as 'remarkable, and just like a GT3 (996)?

Is the Evora a better car than Cayman S? Probably, After all, the benchmark car for Lotus was the 911, not the Cayman (thats a compliment in my book)

Would I have one? No, I dont like how it looks, It seems disproportionate, is it part of an aspirational range? No, Will it it be as reliable as Porsche? I doubt it. Does it have the same huge global community following Porsche's do? No

But more importantly, my car inc mods cost £20k less than a like for like Evora, and I doubt I will lose any significant amount in depreciation in the next year. To some people, depreciation and value for money isnt a concern, it is for me.

On the road, where it matters more to me, I am sure my car would be quicker in every respect. And in my opinion, it looks a lot better, and sounds a lot better too.

If People bought cars purely on how they handled, we would all drive Elise's and Exiges, If people bought cars purely on speed, we would all have GTR's

Everything in life is subjective... very much like this post

Edited for Spelling

Shan - stiffer aftermarket springs and a new geo do not help steering fluency, ride compliance, or the ability to mask the weight of the engine in extreme transitional situations, to the extent that you have an Evora beater. I must admit that I am making an assumption that your car is now on a par with a gen2 CayS (which has revised spring rates, dampers, and setup), itself a big improvement on gen1 in terms of ride and handling fluency - have you driven a gen2 CaymanS ? If so perhaps you can add your own thoughts on how your car compares ?

The differing behaviour of the cars is the result of fundamental engineering differences - lotus uses v stiff bushing, suspension is suspended via double wishbones from a bonded alu chassis tub, the feel from the hydraulic steering & quickness of rack, and chassis rigidity (3x that of Elise) from which everything else ride and handling related follows - these Evora traits are not overcome by changing your springs. Thats the point I'm trying to make !

You know perfectly well that I am aware of what Chris can do with minimal suspension mods and a revised geo, as he's done (twice) the same to my car & I'm thrilled with the results - so I understand where you are coming from but seriously, all I can say to you is drive the car - on road and track if possible, and then lets have another conversation about it.

Miras, I'm not disagreeing that the Evora is a better Handling car than a Cayman S.

I am stating that, to me, your conclusion that it is better than a modded Cayman doesnt hold any weight. Its based on assumption only.

Yes, I have driven a Gen 2 Non PDK Cayman S several times. (19s no PASM), in terms of performance, very little in it, infact, I think I would only have the upper hand at top end.

The power delivery is different, smoother, and cleaner sounding on the new car.

In terms of handling - chalk and cheese, my car is more directional (point and shoot) and more confidence inspiring. The pay off is a more bumpy ride.

You dont agree that a lower ride height and centre of gravity, Wider track, Stiffer spring rate, and optimised Geo set up would make a difference to Turn in, steering fluency yada yada etc..

Minute changes can make a massive difference, thats where Chris excels where others don't.

Stale mate dude, I think we have to agree to disagree

A car that is not as good as another to start with can be improved considerably with some select mods. I didnt just go and buy any random bits to make my car lower. I did extensive research, and my findings were: Eibach Springs - no others as they are made specifically for Caymans and not just 987s. My rear wheels stick out 14mm more than standard. It now has almost identical front and rear track to a 997 GT2. Add this to Chris' voodoo magic.

But this is all academic as my point is that you should drive two cars rather than make an assumption on one. You may be right - the Evora may still be better, but at the same time.. you might be pleasantly surprised.