So there IS going to be a S2 Exige!!!????

[markburnt]

I thought this warrented a new thread rather than get hidden at the end of the "how useable a 340R"

According to nick_houghton the last message in that thread stated "S2 exige WILL be out next spring."

Is this true or does nobody actually know for sure?

Should I start saving or spending?

Regards, Mark

[markburnt]

I presume by the lack of responses, this question has either:

1. Been answered a thousand times before and I've missed it, or

2. Nobody knows.

Shame.

[Bonce]

2. Nobody knows as far as I'm aware Mark, sorry.

[tonytubi]

I was chatting to a Lotus guy a while back in Malaysia and he said they lost money on the Exige. They are definitely targetting the Porsche Boxster crowd from now on which is obvious in the new models. I guess there just are not enough people ready to stump up 30k for a hardtop suped up sport 190 to make it worth while.

[DanH]

Yep, they are apparently having trouble shifting the last of the 135Rs too.

[adrianr]

I suppose if you really want one you should trot down your dealer and place a deposit (usual caveats)...if Lotus get enough they might persuade their bean counters to let them make one.

AdrianR

[clanger]

Understand that the S2 Exige is up and running - Toyota V6, 6 speed box, 200bhp. Spect it will happen if sufficient deposits/demand. Don't hold your breath tho'.

Extra wt of S2 base shell and Toyota lump will more than cancel out increase in bhp - can't see it being any faster than S1 Exige. Be interesting to see how wt distribution prob is addressed..

[DanH]

Where is the box mounted on the toyota engine? They might be able to sit the engine lower which would help weight issues.

[DanH]

p.s. Clanger you've changed your tune since we last debated this on the 340R thread!

Torque graphs I've seen for the toyota lump look disappointing, they may be from a shitbox camry or something though so perhaps improvements will appear if lotus use it. Still the 190 k with lotuses original tuning wasn't a paragon of torque either.

Funds permitting, I'd love an S2 Exige IF the roof panels are targa and can be lifted out. Also need enough space behind the seats for shopping etc.

[Arno]

DanH said:

Funds permitting, I'd love an S2 Exige IF the roof panels are targa and can be lifted out.

Don't see that happening..

DanH said:

Also need enough space behind the seats for shopping etc.

Umm.. That will never be possible without a serious re-design of the chassis. The fuel tank is right behind the seat of the Elise/Exige. Can't just create space there.

Not trying to be funny, but 'shopping' and 'Exge' in one sentence??

I suspect that 'space for shopping' is waaaaaaay at the bottom (or more likely: not even on the list!) of the design specification for what is basically a track oriented car like an Exige..

Bye, Arno.

>> Edited by Arno on Thursday 14th August 06:49

[clanger]

DanH

Yep - news filters out of Lotus either v quickly or v slowly - spect they don't want to hinder residuals or current sales - whether it happens is whether enough interest from punters tho'

[tonytubi]

but seriously, who here would go and place a deposit for a new S2 Exige for arrival within say 6 months at around 32k? would you really pay that much? getting into the Radical SR3 territory....

[DanH]

A radical is a whole different level of impracticality.

Reaslistically, I'd probably wait a year and pick up a second hand exige.

Still at 32k thats into second hand noble money, which actually has a bit of space in the cabin. Being my only car, I can't get by with something with no storage at all. I guess they could just leave the S2 style boot in the design.

As to a lift out roof, I can't be the only one who thinks this would be nice? I guess it would probably cost too much on such a low volume car though.

Still if they want to sell them, they need to separate it from being an S2 190 with no soft top. Otherwise its a worse car not a better one.

[clanger]

£32k and a bit I reckon. From what I understand will have an S2 front end and bespoke rear. Don't know about targa top tho' - announcement next month? - some of main dealers seem to be denying knowledge of it!

[DanH]

True but 3 separate dealers had told me about it before we had the original debate on the 340R thread last month.

It needs to be special though to get enough buzz in the market. The Elise has lost a lot of its cache imho so plopping a permanent hard top on an S2 and charging a mint for it may not work.

Of course if the Engine is good people may be seriously interested. I'm tempted but suppose that it won't be viable for me.

[clanger]

As with original Exige there's only a v limited market -it's not everyone's bag - I may be v interested once I've seen/tested it - will wait and see if production run actually happens and development gets properly sorted

[nightmare]

im with Dan re: roof. I wouldnt buy an exige cos it is a coupe only...... limited run or not, it needs to not have the same problems as the first - everyone really desires it, but cant realisitically justify it as a purchase....

[clanger]

Never had any problems with mine - does exactly what I bought it for - brilliant for road use/better for track use

[nightmare]

Ah - but you're one of the few who were hard enough to cope with it.....if lots could, they'd have sold more.....agreed?

[DanH]

Clanger is it your only car?