Evora @ Gentry Lane viewing/commentary

[AnsisK]

Just came back from viewing the Evora. This thing is an absolute stunner. I overall liked the car originally, however some things (front overhang, roofline) didn't quite work. Sorry about the lack of detail shots, I didn't want to be a yuppy tourist taking all sorts of photos. Also, no interior commentary, as I didn't even bother asking. Hell, I showed up on my bicycle (at least it was a track bike?).

Let me bring out my design education for a bit here. After seeing it in person, the wider viewing really helped, as well as seeing it alongside familiar fare. It is quite a bit bigger than its Elise and Exige counterparts, however still isn't a large vehicle. It's shape is still bounded and doesn't come off bigger than it is, how a 911 sometimes seems. Just taking a look at the inside of the Evora then going over to the Elise makes you realize just how tiny the 111 has been all of these years.



One of favorite elements not seen too much in the press pictures is the treatment of the headlight area. The headlight unit itself has a black surround that lids the two bulbs when you move around and above it, and effect I've always loved and which draws up memories of cars past. Also in this vicinity of interest is the crease that comes over the headlight, and how it fades below it. Again, something you just can't see unless you do a walkaround. The way light reflects on a car as it goes by is one of the subtleties that most people don't consciously recognize, and when it is actually done right it just works.



The sharp waist, as I predicted, really splits the horizon nicely. It takes some of the flab off. I would have to play around with some images in Photoshop, but without that crease I think the design would just be too wavy, between that clever sill cut below and everything that's going on up top.



A small detail complaint of mine is the variety of meshing used. I think there are 3, if not 4, different style/scale meshings used for various inlets and vents. Perhaps it is because of air restriction purposes or the fact that this is a pre-production car (I'm presuming these touring demo cars are?), but it would have been nice to see a little consistency. Some fender gaps could have been a little sharper and tighter, particularly on the decklid spoiler, it really cut up its line. Light and reflections hang out along these edges a little too much. Again, could be a pre-production issue. The wheels, which carry the same general shape as the base Elise package, have big FORGED lettering on them, which seems a bit tacky.

But as I said, I was always a fan, but it really came together in person. The front overhang is far less substantial than I feared, the somewhat bulbous roof isn't that chunky and helmet-looking as the Elise hardtop seems, and the rear seat is a joke, as expected. There's just something about all of the interweaving lines from the middle to tail just keep you looking at them. It speaks to some art metalwork that is intentionally brushed really rough and random so that your eye spends more time moving across it. The whole package does that. There is movement, but it just isn't the kind of car that flies past while standing still. It is very enjoyable.

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Car is at Gentry Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th. The guys down there are great, thanks for giving me a chance to take a peek.

[clopi2000]

AnsisK, speaking of front overhang, roofline, sharp waist, look at the Ferrari 458 Italia from this angle. Stunning resemblance

[shay2nak]

wow, that's a nice dark grey. I'm guessing the front overhang is long to make the front end more aerodynamic.