K1 - handling issue

[freenfast]

I have had my K1 for 7 weeks and nearly put 3k on it. So i am now starting to explorer the handling in more detail.

Having come from multiple Lotuses (i am a manager a the factory ) there is a significant lack of feel, steering response and I can not feel the amount of grip available.So i think i need a reality check.

I have had a couple of issues recently;

1. tramlining under light acceleration
2. torque steer under hard acceleration
3. significant rear lightness whilst trail breaking (not deliberate!)
4 significant rear lightness and "gittery" under heavy
5. lift off oversteer

What are peoples experiences of exactly what the ESP does and now can i confirm for definite that it is on (except for the button is not light up!!).

Are my experiences normal i do i need to see a dealer?

 

[ZBOYD]

Don't think it's a fair comparison against a Lotus to be honest, they are lightweight limpets and go-karts rolled into one.

Generally when the traction control light is out, it's on. When the light is on it's off, though off in the loosest sense. They still don't trust the squidgy bit behind the wheel to have full control and it tends to still be active but at about 25%

 

[freenfast]

I do understand and agree about the comparison. I realise its going to wallow like a barge in comparison....

However would you have expected the EPS to have cut in any of these situations?

How do i know its not actually faulty?

May have to get the head of our ride and handling dept, to give it a buzz

 

[chrisboyle999]

I do understand and agree about the comparison. I realise its going to wallow like a barge in comparison....

However would you have expected the EPS to have cut in any of these situations?

How do i know its not actually faulty?

May have to get the head of our ride and handling dept, to give it a buzz

turn it off and try the same again. the difference will be easily noticeable.

 

[RobsCupra]

turn it off and try the same again. the difference will be easily noticeable.

As you'll realise when you're parked backwards in a hegde.........

 

[freenfast]

turn it off and try the same again. the difference will be easily noticeable.

Am i missing something, in none of the situations in the first post did the dash light come on?

Should i feel the the power reduce, throttle kick back or braking. If so then there was none of that.

Never need any type of stability control in the Lotus before, it was all about the feel.

 

[RickyD1975]

It may be a bit drastic, but why not consider changing the suspension set-up. One of the tuners will point you in the right direction.

 

[chrisboyle999]

Am i missing something, in none of the situations in the first post did the dash light come on?

Should i feel the the power reduce, throttle kick back or braking. If so then there was none of that.

Never need any type of stability control in the Lotus before, it was all about the feel.

the light will flash on the dash when its actively working. (presuming it is working correctly)

 

[Poverty]

Am i missing something, in none of the situations in the first post did the dash light come on?

Should i feel the the power reduce, throttle kick back or braking. If so then there was none of that.

Never need any type of stability control in the Lotus before, it was all about the feel.

I dont think your trying hard enough

It is noticeable, car will reign back the power is the most noticeable feature. Have had the light flashing at me like mad on bending inclines at high speed etc.

 

[m0rk]

ESP will happily let you get the back end out. easy.

What it will let the total pleb driver do is recover it as it controls the 'return' so you don't fishtail

 

[Scotsguard]

the light will flash on the dash when its actively working. (presuming it is working correctly)

Correct. If it's wet and you give it a bit of stick out of a junction, the light flashes up on the dashboard like it's having a fit! Same thing happens if you hit a big puddle at the side of the road like you get up here quite often. It stops the car pulling itself into the nearest hedge.

 

[freenfast]

I dont think your trying hard enough

It is noticeable, car will reign back the power is the most noticeable feature. Have had the light flashing at me like mad on bending inclines at high speed etc.

You may be right. At least i know now what to expect. Will have to continue to exploit its limits.

 

[robdf2]

You may be right. At least i know now what to expect. Will have to continue to exploit its limits.

The real question though , is how does it compare as an all round car , compared to the go karts you are used to ?

 

[freenfast]

There is no comparison in terms of creature comforts, space, interior noise level, wind noise, rattles etc.

However i test drove numerous cars (much to my friends amusment) to find the best all round package and at the moment i am disappointed with the drive.

 

[Bedlam]

However i test drove numerous cars (much to my friends amusment) to find the best all round package and at the moment i am disappointed with the drive.

This confirms the opinion of my brother, from Norwich the home of Lotus, that 1 in 10 cars in the town are Lotuses, or is it Lotii, many of which are supplied as company
(or heavily discounted staff) cars, and that few are driven particularly well.

 

[freenfast]

This confirms the opinion of my brother, from Norwich the home of Lotus, that 1 in 10 cars in the town are Lotuses, or is it Lotii, many of which are supplied as company
(or heavily discounted staff) cars, and that few are driven particularly well.

I am a manager at the factory and most of the cars will be management company cars.

I would not agree that they are not driven well it is down to the individual. However I can say that all staff have a compulsory days instruction before they are allowed to have a "product" license.

 

[Chan_P1_TDi_FR]

I find the cars standard set-up a little rear end loose. When lifting off mid corner the rear end was quite lively and needed fairly quick correction. After changing suspension (lowered and fitting stiffer anti-roll bars) all that has disappeared and it handles like a dream.

As for the tramlining and torque steer, if sometimes get torque steer but i only get that making quick steering changes, so that might be the ESP.

 

[Bedlam]

I am a manager at the factory and most of the cars will be management company cars.

I would not agree that they are not driven well it is down to the individual. However I can say that all staff have a compulsory days instruction before they are allowed to have a "product" license.

Just passing on a generally held view of the population of Norwich and don't wish to get into a "flame" war.

I would not agree that they are not driven well it is down to the individual

However the above is rather contradictory, if an "individual" drives badly how can you not agree they have not driven well?, just depends on the extent of "individuals"as a % of the total sum.

Many people spend hundreds of pounds and many days learning to "drive" - yet they are still poor drivers, a one day vehicle familiarisation course means nothing imho

End of..........

 

[freenfast]

I find the cars standard set-up a little rear end loose. When lifting off mid corner the rear end was quite lively and needed fairly quick correction. After changing suspension (lowered and fitting stiffer anti-roll bars) all that has disappeared and it handles like a dream.

As for the tramlining and torque steer, if sometimes get torque steer but i only get that making quick steering changes, so that might be the ESP.

Thanks, i agree abou the rear end but i am not sure i want to go to the extent of changing suspension set-up.

 

[freenfast]

Just passing on a generally held view of the population of Norwich and don't wish to get into a "flame" war.



However the above is rather contradictory, if an "individual" drives badly how can you not agree they have not driven well?, just depends on the extent of "individuals"as a % of the total sum.

Many people spend hundreds of pounds and many days learning to "drive" - yet they are still poor drivers, a one day vehicle familiarisation course means nothing imho

End of..........

I did not mean to get into any flamming.

The point i was trying to make is there is a difference between a curteous and polite driver, which some may consider something to be "driven well" compared to somebody who understands or has been taught the various traits of a car e.g. lift off oversteer in an Elises case and is therefore "driven well" as they are capable of exploiting safely the cars limits.

Agree end of .