US spec Elise in Auto Express

[mart1n]

There’s a very brief (2-page) test of the US spec Elise in this week’s Auto Express. Doesn’t sound too promising, 90kg heavier, soft suspension twin airbags, air con etc. They say it will be available in the UK in the summer for £30k.

[hedgerley]

I have just read the article and I think you are being somewhat disingenuous. It is the US model they have driven and yes, it is heavier (but more powerful with a 6-speed box), has airbags, a decent stereo, carpets, central locking, aircon etc. But thats what marketing is all about - if thats what it takes to sell it in the States then so be it. And the overall imopression is very encouraging anyhow, as they clearly state. And as they point out, the UK version will be tuned differently, to our tastes. So why complain?

We should be grateful that Lotus is finally able to produce the variants global markets demand. Whats important is that Lotus gets the money in to continue developments (especially the new Esprit) and they are seen as a global player once again.

[Ye Olde Esprit]

I also thought the article showed the car to be very good. I have looked at each variant of the Elise, and always come away unconvinced to part money, but this sounds like the one that I would buy if I were still interested. Bit pricey, I'd wait for a used.

Nicholas

[mart1n]

The problem is that what makes the Elise special is it’s incredible handling and pure driving experience. This is largely due to its light weight and lack of driver aids like ABS. The extra weight is bound to have a negative effect on the handling and braking, as the article mentions, and this takes away from the very thing that attracts enthusiasts to the Elise in the first place.

I’m fairly sure that the Americans that are enthusiastically waiting for the Elise want it for the same reasons that we love it here. I just hope they are not disappointed.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Elise and want Lotus to succeed in the US as much as anyone, I just hope they haven’t misjudged their market.

[Ye Olde Esprit]

mart1n said:

I’m fairly sure that the Americans that are enthusiastically waiting for the Elise want it for the same reasons that we love it here. I just hope they are not disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Elise and want Lotus to succeed in the US as much as anyone, I just hope they haven’t misjudged their market.

Good points, but I wonder if since the Yanks have no experience of the Elise yet, they will 'know' what difference there is?

If this is their first taste, it'll be judged on it's own and compared to their experience of the Esprit and other makes.

I think, the market has been judged right because Lotus has years of experience in feedback from US customers about the Esprit, so perhaps they already knew that what we in Europe put up with or prefer, is going to contrast to what they like. Afterall many of the changes to the US spec Esprits that translated to the EU models over the years have degraded the performannce ideal of the car in favour of comfort.

Also, lets face it, with traffic density like it is getting, and the speed restictions, people are going to be spending a lot of time in the car commuting to their fave driving spot, or stuck in a jam getting there, so comfort might become very important.

Perhaps they'll launch a stripped out version later based on feedback and success of the initial release. Let's remember, it is a lot easier to take these extras out than to put them in after neglecting them in the first place.

Nicholas

[Jon Gwynne]

hedgerley said:

I have just read the article and I think you are being somewhat disingenuous. It is the US model they have driven and yes, it is heavier (but more powerful with a 6-speed box), has airbags, a decent stereo, carpets, central locking, aircon etc. But thats what marketing is all about - if thats what it takes to sell it in the States then so be it. And the overall imopression is very encouraging anyhow, as they clearly state. And as they point out, the UK version will be tuned differently, to our tastes. So why complain? We should be grateful that Lotus is finally able to produce the variants global markets demand. Whats important is that Lotus gets the money in to continue developments (especially the new Esprit) and they are seen as a global player once again.

More powerful with a six-speed box but heavier and isn't the 0-60 time signfiicantly slower than the 5-speed, Rover-engined 111s that is almost 40bhp down on the US version?

[onedsla]

I read 0-60 in 4.9 which is in line with a 156bhp S2 111S. Not sure how much this is down to gearing though