New Esprit must beat F430
Discussion
No it doesnt.
While the performance may end up being similar the Esprit will compete in a different market to the F430, Gallardo etc.
For a start it will be about half the price.
It will be competing against cars like the Noble M400 and sporty versions of the 911 etc as well as tempting people away from second hand 355's & 360's.
Lotus has always been an enthusiasts marque and I cant see that changing. People who have a lot of cash to spend on a supercar just to look good and say they own one (of which there are lots) will always prefer a Ferrari over a Lotus.
I think it wil do well but has some stiff competition.
While the performance may end up being similar the Esprit will compete in a different market to the F430, Gallardo etc.
For a start it will be about half the price.
It will be competing against cars like the Noble M400 and sporty versions of the 911 etc as well as tempting people away from second hand 355's & 360's.
Lotus has always been an enthusiasts marque and I cant see that changing. People who have a lot of cash to spend on a supercar just to look good and say they own one (of which there are lots) will always prefer a Ferrari over a Lotus.
I think it wil do well but has some stiff competition.
I agree that the F430 isn't going to be in the same league, you're not comparing apples and apples.
BUT, I disagree to a certain extent that you can lump the Esprit (at least historically) with a car like the M400 which is very track biased. The Esprit (apart from the 350 perhaps) was to me at least, always more of a GT with bigger bollix.
I'd say it needs to compete more with Maser's now and the likes of the TVR's and AMV8's rather than the 911 also.
You could argue that perhaps the Esprit will (depending on final cabin format and style), could even carve a niche of it's own. I for one though can't wait to see what it looks like in the flesh when the final design gets signed off.
Boggy, you have a point about gearboxes, but one thing I think Lotus have learned is the importance of a bomb-proof drive train and gearbox link-up. They'd never be able to get away with the shite arrangement that the previous models (and I include the Rover cack in the Elise BTW!) have had.
BTW Boggy, slightly off topic, but you must get me to introduce you to Andrew from the Kent Lotus group (posts as andyrew) who's also good mates with Norman - you may even know each other!
BUT, I disagree to a certain extent that you can lump the Esprit (at least historically) with a car like the M400 which is very track biased. The Esprit (apart from the 350 perhaps) was to me at least, always more of a GT with bigger bollix.
I'd say it needs to compete more with Maser's now and the likes of the TVR's and AMV8's rather than the 911 also.
You could argue that perhaps the Esprit will (depending on final cabin format and style), could even carve a niche of it's own. I for one though can't wait to see what it looks like in the flesh when the final design gets signed off.
Boggy, you have a point about gearboxes, but one thing I think Lotus have learned is the importance of a bomb-proof drive train and gearbox link-up. They'd never be able to get away with the shite arrangement that the previous models (and I include the Rover cack in the Elise BTW!) have had.
BTW Boggy, slightly off topic, but you must get me to introduce you to Andrew from the Kent Lotus group (posts as andyrew) who's also good mates with Norman - you may even know each other!
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