RE: US Elise Plans
Thursday 2nd January 2003
US Elise Plans
Lotus confirm that 2005 Elise will arrive mid 2004
Discussion
I just hope it isnt priced too low so dumb ricer boys wont get ahold of it and ruin it.
I also hope that it doesnt have a Jap engine in it when it comes here. I mean it cant be classified as a "Lotus" TO ME with a Toyota or Honda engine in it.
And seriosuly if it comes with a Honda engine, forget it, I aint buying it.
I also hope that it doesnt have a Jap engine in it when it comes here. I mean it cant be classified as a "Lotus" TO ME with a Toyota or Honda engine in it.
And seriosuly if it comes with a Honda engine, forget it, I aint buying it.
LotusV8 said: I just hope it isnt priced too low so dumb ricer boys wont get ahold of it and ruin it.
I also hope that it doesnt have a Jap engine in it when it comes here. I mean it cant be classified as a "Lotus" TO ME with a Toyota or Honda engine in it.
And seriosuly if it comes with a Honda engine, forget it, I aint buying it.
Does it matter what the source of the engine is?
Lotus wont be developing their own engine for it, thats a certainty. So whatever it is, it will be sourced from another manufacturer.
The S2 Elan had an Isuzu engine, the Elise currently has a Rover engine, IIRC some earlier lotuses had Ford engines. Were these all "not lotuses"?
Can you think of another company that builds better 4 cylinder engines than, for example, Honda?
The Toyota 190 4 cylinder lump thats been mooted as a front runner for the Elise is far superior to the current antiquated 118 bhp rover engine, which would you rather have?
I know which one I would choose, all things being equal.
LotusV8 said: I just hope it isnt priced too low so dumb ricer boys wont get ahold of it and ruin it.
I also hope that it doesnt have a Jap engine in it when it comes here. I mean it cant be classified as a "Lotus" TO ME with a Toyota or Honda engine in it.
And seriosuly if it comes with a Honda engine, forget it, I aint buying it.
Get yer hand off mate, and get back to your homework.
I am so glad that Lotus decided to give so little information and so much room for speculation for the next 2 years to come.
"A range of models will be available following the launch."
Now what could that mean?
It is hard to see paint, or color as different models. Must be bhp then?
Just to pleas this forum they will have to introduce at least 2 versions: an underpowered but lightweight version, likely a 4 piston version, close to 200 bhp. The second version HAS to be an overweight and overpowered version: 6 cylinders with over 250 bhp.
Bets anyone?
On a sad note: it says: “…following the launch”. It doesn’t say: “…at launch”.
You’d think that the top-level engine for the Elise would be the entry-level engine for the new Esprit?
"A range of models will be available following the launch."
Now what could that mean?
It is hard to see paint, or color as different models. Must be bhp then?
Just to pleas this forum they will have to introduce at least 2 versions: an underpowered but lightweight version, likely a 4 piston version, close to 200 bhp. The second version HAS to be an overweight and overpowered version: 6 cylinders with over 250 bhp.
Bets anyone?
On a sad note: it says: “…following the launch”. It doesn’t say: “…at launch”.
You’d think that the top-level engine for the Elise would be the entry-level engine for the new Esprit?
I have had a deposit on this lotus since last january. I get tired of waiting every once and a while and think of purchasing a Boxster, Z4, or vette. All I need is to see a picture and I know why I would rather have the elise. I am willing to what, but at this rate I will have enough money saved to purchase the esprite's replacement. I think now is the time for lotus to strike and unless they plan to get back into auto racing at the top level and win they may lose all current US customers negating what they are trying to do. Sell cars
TheLemming said:The Toyota 190 4 cylinder lump thats been mooted as a front runner for the Elise is far superior to the current antiquated 118 bhp rover engine, which would you rather have?
I heard that Lotus are planning to use the Toyota 2.5 litre V6 in the Elise. That would tie in quite nicely with a US launch as the Yanks seem to demand a V6 rather than a 4 cylinder lump.
The American market was also given as the reason for sticking the V6 engine into the Freelander, for example.
RichardR said:
TheLemming said:The Toyota 190 4 cylinder lump thats been mooted as a front runner for the Elise is far superior to the current antiquated 118 bhp rover engine, which would you rather have?
I heard that Lotus are planning to use the Toyota 2.5 litre V6 in the Elise. That would tie in quite nicely with a US launch as the Yanks seem to demand a V6 rather than a 4 cylinder lump.
The American market was also given as the reason for sticking the V6 engine into the Freelander, for example.
There was an Auto Express article a while back claiming that Lotus were going to use the 4 cylinder 190 bhp celica engine, as well as a toyota 2.5 V6 for various elise models.
IIRC there hasnt been any further verification of this yet, so we will all have to wait and see how it turns out.
Lets hope that Lotus don't ruin the european Elise just for the sake of having one for the US.
Perhaps Lotus will stand by their design ethos and use and engine suited to purpose rather than matched to outdated, blinkered US views on engine selection.
Personally, I don't think we'll see a V6 engined Elise, another new Lotus perhaps, but not the Elise.
Lotus's ethos is not to add performance by adding cylinders.
Fd
Perhaps Lotus will stand by their design ethos and use and engine suited to purpose rather than matched to outdated, blinkered US views on engine selection.
Personally, I don't think we'll see a V6 engined Elise, another new Lotus perhaps, but not the Elise.
Lotus's ethos is not to add performance by adding cylinders.
Fd
RichardR said: All they need to do is jack up the suspension by a couple of inches and stick big black rubber bumpers on it. No problem there surely?
Wasn't there a car (Ferrari?) that was delivered in the US with removable bumpers, so it could pass the type-approval and then the owners could just remove them once they had bought and registered the car?
Let's hope Lotus can get 'creative', like they often do and figure out some way to 'bend' the regulations somewhat.
Personally I don't think there will be a V6 Elise. The ones that were spotted are probably just engine mules to put some engine types and setups through their paces for the M260..
Bye, Arno.
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