Simon
03-29-2010, 12:19 PM
It's going to be tough to remember everything and put it all into words, so please bare with me if this gets a little long... :)
I'm British by birth but have lived the last six years in the USA.
Just after Christmas I put in an order for my Evora with Ed Sanson at Sports and Specialist cars.
I am currently back in the UK on business and visiting family and friends. Last week when I realized how close my work would bring me to Lotus Cars PLC, I asked Ed if there was any chance of a visit to the factory.
The result has been an absolutely fantastic morning that has left me with jaw ache from grinning so much. :D
After a short drive on a grey and damp English morning I arrived early at Lotus. After handing over two camera phones and a video camera (not allowed on site unfortunately I was given this (only thing I could get a picture of!)
And then directed to the Lotus shop to meet Neil Turner.
I don't think Lotus could have a better customer services manager, and the time I spent in his company was an absolute pleasure. In fact every single person I met during the morning was beyond reproach and made me feel so very welcome that it was quite amazing. What a phenomenal group of people, so obviously passionate and caring about what they do. :bow:
After explaining my story to Neil about how I had ordered the car but not yet had chance to drive one, he went out of his way, and at very short notice to organize not only a couple of laps around their test track, but also for a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer to take me around for a couple of laps and show me what the car could really do, more on that later, but I must keep in order to make sure I don't forget anything.
So we started out with a walk through the Engineering offices, having previously worked in the Automotive Industry (at Canley and Gayden Design Studios) this brought back a lot of memories and put a smile on my face.
There's a lot of history there, and it's testament to the resourcefulness of the group that the achievements attained by such a small group are so high in so many different areas of engineering (not just the cars we know and love). He showed me through the soap box cars that Lotus has used to win The GoodWood Festival of Speed every year they have entered, an early JP F1 car (1974 I believe), a Bob Sleigh, a Carbon Fibre sprint bike and a stunning tub from the Evora that shows the real engineering design of the car (yes I am a geek so I found it beautiful in it's raw form).
This was followed by a walk through the manufacturing facility to see most stages of production. The number of crafts people (many ladies as well as gentlemen work there) was impressive, and we can all be truly aware that we will be getting a hand made car, made by skilled people that care.
The detail and hand stitching of the interior trim was impressive.
We then followed through to see the panels being prepared for several model lines, including Elise, Exige and Evora.
The process and design of the panels and chassis were explained as we progressed to where the cars come out of paint.
Some very interesting colours were being built on the line from a Persian Blue car for the King of Kuwait (with interesting interior colour choices to a stunning orange car (not to my tastes, but it looked amazing) and a neon green car that would be great for attracting attention, but again not quite to my tastes rotfl. Talking of which, nearly everyone asked what colour car I was getting and agreed with my choice of Carbon Grey as amongst their favourites (it seems to be very popular among the staff, or they were just trying to make me happy, either way it worked. :) )
It was impressive to see the line dedicated to the Evora running alongside the line for the Exige/Elise.
At the end we saw cars going through the final stages of prep and quality assurance.
I saw a Type 72 that I wouldn't have said was my thing, but that looked stunning in person. Also the Matte Black Scura which was visually fantastic, but I'd never be able to keep it clean.
We looked for my car, and saw quite a few American Spec vehicles with close chassis numbers. So close that we aren't sure if my car has been built and shipped, or was about to be built. Damn, the anticipation is killing me just writing about it!
I saw a vehicle with exactly the same spec as my car except for a black dash (looked good BTW).
Next Neil took me over to the racing factory to see some of the cars they are building or working on. There was the Evora Cup Demo car which looks mean as hell close up, and in the workshop at the back there were putting together the first of the real Cup Cars. I am looking forward to watching them race!
Then we went over, and I was introduced to George who was the Vehicle Dynamics Engineer that would be taking me around the track. After signing a waiver (and giving away my next of kin) he allowed me to take the wheel and run a few (somewhat intrepid as I was in a car that was new to me and on a wet track) laps around their test facility.
Absolutely stunning, especially given the wet surface, is all that I can say. I didn't push it too hard (I was considering myself privileged to even have this opportunity) but had a lot of fun doing my laps. The car is so well poised and "precise" that it gave me a sense of driving privilege that was quite unlike anything I have driven before. It's hard to explain, but I came away thinking that it was amazing to have that level of "oneness" with the car at the same time as the car feeling extremely smooth and refined to drive.
Hmmmm, how to explain. Imagine mixing a Mercedez SL with an Elise. All the fun and feel of the Elise, but the refinement of feel and quality of the SL. It has the same ability as the Elise for you to "think" yourself around the corner and the car to do exactly what you wanted, but also felt more solid than I remember my Elise feeling.
Next George took the wheel, and my breath away. Wow. What a pleasure to really see the cars capabilities in the hands of someone who was so familiar with it. The way we hit the corner apexes so perfectly (I still can't believe we didn't touch any of the cones) was stunning. In fact phenomenal. Obviously George can drive, but the poise of the car as it was pushed to, and beyond (he span it one time on the low friction test section, when really pushing it hard sideways) was a pleasure. We spent a fair amount of time sideways around the low friction test area, as well as some high speed chicane maneuvers that had me pulling my shoulders together as if it would give us more clearance! Replaying it in my mind is still amazingly impressive.
I didn't want to leave the track! I can't wait for a track day in my own car.
That was a great finale to the day. Neil dropped me back at the Lotus shop where I proceeded to buy a few souvenirs before saying my thanks and heading home.
What an amazing morning. Thanks to everyone that made it possible, and that spent the time today for me to get to know Lotus a little better. I feel even more that my decision to support Lotus was the right one, and they've made a customer for life. I still can't believe the effort they put into just one customer, and how special they made me feel for coming back and owning a Lotus again. Thank you.
Simon
I'm British by birth but have lived the last six years in the USA.
Just after Christmas I put in an order for my Evora with Ed Sanson at Sports and Specialist cars.
I am currently back in the UK on business and visiting family and friends. Last week when I realized how close my work would bring me to Lotus Cars PLC, I asked Ed if there was any chance of a visit to the factory.
The result has been an absolutely fantastic morning that has left me with jaw ache from grinning so much. :D
After a short drive on a grey and damp English morning I arrived early at Lotus. After handing over two camera phones and a video camera (not allowed on site unfortunately I was given this (only thing I could get a picture of!)
And then directed to the Lotus shop to meet Neil Turner.
I don't think Lotus could have a better customer services manager, and the time I spent in his company was an absolute pleasure. In fact every single person I met during the morning was beyond reproach and made me feel so very welcome that it was quite amazing. What a phenomenal group of people, so obviously passionate and caring about what they do. :bow:
After explaining my story to Neil about how I had ordered the car but not yet had chance to drive one, he went out of his way, and at very short notice to organize not only a couple of laps around their test track, but also for a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer to take me around for a couple of laps and show me what the car could really do, more on that later, but I must keep in order to make sure I don't forget anything.
So we started out with a walk through the Engineering offices, having previously worked in the Automotive Industry (at Canley and Gayden Design Studios) this brought back a lot of memories and put a smile on my face.
There's a lot of history there, and it's testament to the resourcefulness of the group that the achievements attained by such a small group are so high in so many different areas of engineering (not just the cars we know and love). He showed me through the soap box cars that Lotus has used to win The GoodWood Festival of Speed every year they have entered, an early JP F1 car (1974 I believe), a Bob Sleigh, a Carbon Fibre sprint bike and a stunning tub from the Evora that shows the real engineering design of the car (yes I am a geek so I found it beautiful in it's raw form).
This was followed by a walk through the manufacturing facility to see most stages of production. The number of crafts people (many ladies as well as gentlemen work there) was impressive, and we can all be truly aware that we will be getting a hand made car, made by skilled people that care.
The detail and hand stitching of the interior trim was impressive.
We then followed through to see the panels being prepared for several model lines, including Elise, Exige and Evora.
The process and design of the panels and chassis were explained as we progressed to where the cars come out of paint.
Some very interesting colours were being built on the line from a Persian Blue car for the King of Kuwait (with interesting interior colour choices to a stunning orange car (not to my tastes, but it looked amazing) and a neon green car that would be great for attracting attention, but again not quite to my tastes rotfl. Talking of which, nearly everyone asked what colour car I was getting and agreed with my choice of Carbon Grey as amongst their favourites (it seems to be very popular among the staff, or they were just trying to make me happy, either way it worked. :) )
It was impressive to see the line dedicated to the Evora running alongside the line for the Exige/Elise.
At the end we saw cars going through the final stages of prep and quality assurance.
I saw a Type 72 that I wouldn't have said was my thing, but that looked stunning in person. Also the Matte Black Scura which was visually fantastic, but I'd never be able to keep it clean.
We looked for my car, and saw quite a few American Spec vehicles with close chassis numbers. So close that we aren't sure if my car has been built and shipped, or was about to be built. Damn, the anticipation is killing me just writing about it!
I saw a vehicle with exactly the same spec as my car except for a black dash (looked good BTW).
Next Neil took me over to the racing factory to see some of the cars they are building or working on. There was the Evora Cup Demo car which looks mean as hell close up, and in the workshop at the back there were putting together the first of the real Cup Cars. I am looking forward to watching them race!
Then we went over, and I was introduced to George who was the Vehicle Dynamics Engineer that would be taking me around the track. After signing a waiver (and giving away my next of kin) he allowed me to take the wheel and run a few (somewhat intrepid as I was in a car that was new to me and on a wet track) laps around their test facility.
Absolutely stunning, especially given the wet surface, is all that I can say. I didn't push it too hard (I was considering myself privileged to even have this opportunity) but had a lot of fun doing my laps. The car is so well poised and "precise" that it gave me a sense of driving privilege that was quite unlike anything I have driven before. It's hard to explain, but I came away thinking that it was amazing to have that level of "oneness" with the car at the same time as the car feeling extremely smooth and refined to drive.
Hmmmm, how to explain. Imagine mixing a Mercedez SL with an Elise. All the fun and feel of the Elise, but the refinement of feel and quality of the SL. It has the same ability as the Elise for you to "think" yourself around the corner and the car to do exactly what you wanted, but also felt more solid than I remember my Elise feeling.
Next George took the wheel, and my breath away. Wow. What a pleasure to really see the cars capabilities in the hands of someone who was so familiar with it. The way we hit the corner apexes so perfectly (I still can't believe we didn't touch any of the cones) was stunning. In fact phenomenal. Obviously George can drive, but the poise of the car as it was pushed to, and beyond (he span it one time on the low friction test section, when really pushing it hard sideways) was a pleasure. We spent a fair amount of time sideways around the low friction test area, as well as some high speed chicane maneuvers that had me pulling my shoulders together as if it would give us more clearance! Replaying it in my mind is still amazingly impressive.
I didn't want to leave the track! I can't wait for a track day in my own car.
That was a great finale to the day. Neil dropped me back at the Lotus shop where I proceeded to buy a few souvenirs before saying my thanks and heading home.
What an amazing morning. Thanks to everyone that made it possible, and that spent the time today for me to get to know Lotus a little better. I feel even more that my decision to support Lotus was the right one, and they've made a customer for life. I still can't believe the effort they put into just one customer, and how special they made me feel for coming back and owning a Lotus again. Thank you.
Simon