Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (Blitzkrieg)
"Do you come with the car?"
"oh you. hehehe"
-simpsons
"Do you come with the car?"
"oh you. hehehe"
-simpsons
Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise!
5
While at the Chicago Auto Show this weekend, I couldn't help but notice that there was a nice lookin' Lotus Elise sitting between to Lamborghinis (if I remember correctly.) At first I thought the Lotus would also have a price like the Lamborghini's, but I was surprised to see that it was less than $40,000.... several thousand less than the Audi TT. I like the Audi TT too, but if I had ~$40k to spend on a impracticle "fun" car, I'd seriously consider the Lotus! That, and the Lotus Exige is pretty cool too...
The Lotus Elise:
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The Lotus Exige (drool, drool):
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And this photo proves that chicks dig Lotus
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:
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BTW, none of these photos are from the Chicago Auto show... I didn't have my camera along
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[Modified by Blitzkrieg, 8:25 PM 2-10-2002]
The Lotus Elise:
The Lotus Exige (drool, drool):
And this photo proves that chicks dig Lotus
BTW, none of these photos are from the Chicago Auto show... I didn't have my camera along
[Modified by Blitzkrieg, 8:25 PM 2-10-2002]
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Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (strlen)
Not sure exactly how much weight they have added to bring it over to you guys exactly, but there was a little snippet about it in AutoExpress a little while back over here in the UK. (I'm just typing it out quickly as its short, so excuse any typos
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ELISE UNLEASHED ACROSS ATLANTIC
"The US is set to experience the Lotus Elise now the roadster has been made to meet the country's tough new car regulations.
The Norfolk-based manufacturer has a lot riding on its two-seat star, which is filling the gap that will be left when American sales of the popular Esprit stop in 2003. But the Yanks don't seem to have fully grasped the concept of the purist sports car - the US Elise will have air-conditioning, softer suspension and leather seats as standard."
Its a cracking car, and hopefully it will sell well over there. I much prefer the S2 (top) as opposed to the S1 (bottom; and what the Exige is based on, middle) I'm looking to get one towards the end of this year, beginning of next. Well, when I say that, I mean it has made my short-list!
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[Modified by John - UK, 3:30 AM 2-11-2002]
Not sure exactly how much weight they have added to bring it over to you guys exactly, but there was a little snippet about it in AutoExpress a little while back over here in the UK. (I'm just typing it out quickly as its short, so excuse any typos
ELISE UNLEASHED ACROSS ATLANTIC
"The US is set to experience the Lotus Elise now the roadster has been made to meet the country's tough new car regulations.
The Norfolk-based manufacturer has a lot riding on its two-seat star, which is filling the gap that will be left when American sales of the popular Esprit stop in 2003. But the Yanks don't seem to have fully grasped the concept of the purist sports car - the US Elise will have air-conditioning, softer suspension and leather seats as standard."
Its a cracking car, and hopefully it will sell well over there. I much prefer the S2 (top) as opposed to the S1 (bottom; and what the Exige is based on, middle) I'm looking to get one towards the end of this year, beginning of next. Well, when I say that, I mean it has made my short-list!
[Modified by John - UK, 3:30 AM 2-11-2002]
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (Blitzkrieg)
I guess the Exige didn't have a price on it? Now, that would be a fun and worthy track/weekend car. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Any info on importation plans for it?
I guess the Exige didn't have a price on it? Now, that would be a fun and worthy track/weekend car. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Any info on importation plans for it?
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (John - UK)
In reply to GTR's post :- S1/S2 - just a matter of taste I guess!!
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As for the VX220 - cracking car - more stuff in the car than the Elise (A/C (I think), and safety stuff etc..). Unfortunately it is a Vauxhaull, and (in the UK at least) carries with it little, or no, kudos at all. The fact is there are people cueing up to get the Elise, but they are struggling to offload the Vauxhaull. Shame really, I think its a great car, good looks too. Apparently the Opel version ('Opel Speedster') has more kudos on the continent, plus it does away with the awful Vauxhaull 'V' grill.
I was considering the VX220 as well as the Elise (it has cheaper insurance - less desirable). Unfortunately, they are the same ££££, so you have to go with the style and kudos with this kind of car, IMO.
Finally (sorry to rant on!) I dont think the TT and Elise can really be compared - not as direct competition, at least. The TT is a luxurious, sophisticated and comfortable cruiser, compared to the small, stripped out, fantastic handling of Lotus' roadster.
In reply to GTR's post :- S1/S2 - just a matter of taste I guess!!
As for the VX220 - cracking car - more stuff in the car than the Elise (A/C (I think), and safety stuff etc..). Unfortunately it is a Vauxhaull, and (in the UK at least) carries with it little, or no, kudos at all. The fact is there are people cueing up to get the Elise, but they are struggling to offload the Vauxhaull. Shame really, I think its a great car, good looks too. Apparently the Opel version ('Opel Speedster') has more kudos on the continent, plus it does away with the awful Vauxhaull 'V' grill.
I was considering the VX220 as well as the Elise (it has cheaper insurance - less desirable). Unfortunately, they are the same ££££, so you have to go with the style and kudos with this kind of car, IMO.
Finally (sorry to rant on!) I dont think the TT and Elise can really be compared - not as direct competition, at least. The TT is a luxurious, sophisticated and comfortable cruiser, compared to the small, stripped out, fantastic handling of Lotus' roadster.
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (John - UK)
The Exige is £30,000 + over here. I think it is predominantly used as a track car. Or, at least, the people that own them as daily drivers take them to the track as much as possible!!
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I doubt it would come over to the US, not officially at least, as it is based on the S1...
The Exige is £30,000 + over here. I think it is predominantly used as a track car. Or, at least, the people that own them as daily drivers take them to the track as much as possible!!
I doubt it would come over to the US, not officially at least, as it is based on the S1...
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Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (Blitzkrieg)
TT, Boxster, Z3 and SLK are in different class of roadsters than Elise does. Elise is an uncompromised roadster without all the unnecessary features but the 4 roadsters above are more luxurious. The closet is probably the S2000.
Those chicks are hot.
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http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
TT, Boxster, Z3 and SLK are in different class of roadsters than Elise does. Elise is an uncompromised roadster without all the unnecessary features but the 4 roadsters above are more luxurious. The closet is probably the S2000.
Those chicks are hot.
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (fastfour)
I enjoy Lotus...
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I enjoy Lotus...
2
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (Euro Dude)
I liked the previous generation Elise so much better:
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Compared to this crap:
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But I guess styling is totaly subjective, eh?
[Modified by D. Olsen, 4:21 AM 2-11-2002]
[Modified by D. Olsen, 4:23 AM 2-11-2002]
I liked the previous generation Elise so much better:
Compared to this crap:
But I guess styling is totaly subjective, eh?
[Modified by D. Olsen, 4:21 AM 2-11-2002]
[Modified by D. Olsen, 4:23 AM 2-11-2002]
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Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (fastfour)
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No need for that, pal http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif
Lotus, given the choice, would have liked to have made this car as cheaply as possible for the American market. It is a company that is still struggling financially, with a whole host of redundancies announced just the other day. Although I presume that these extras will be accounted for in the price for the American Elise, I have now idea what profit, if any, Lotus will be making on them.
I dont think a decision like this was simply made around the Lotus boardroom. First of all, they are a sports car manufacturer with a great, great tradition. They know what makes a sports car, and they have pretty much done it (very well) with the Elise. I'm sure it was not a decision that pleased them (the suspension especially - that is sacreligious), as it is, in effect, watering down a fantastic sports car.
IMHO, there has obviously been some market research done. Americans expect a level of equipment far higher than in other places in the world (although the rest of the world is catching up) and Lotus have obviuosly been advised / they're research has shown that the Elise had to be adjusted for the American market. As you say, the real enthusiasts will be disappointed, but the the vast majority of prospective American buyers will not go for a stripped out car. They would end up looking elsewhere (such as the more luxurious roadsters mentioned above).
So, dont blame Lotus - these decisions have been made from a business point of view, and IMO against Lotus' best wishes.
[Modified by John - UK, 4:24 AM 2-11-2002]
quote:[HR][/HR]typical british BS[HR][/HR]
quote:[HR][/HR] the real enthusiasts over here don't want that stuff either[HR][/HR]
Probably correct....for the true enthusiast...quote:[HR][/HR]it's in LOTUS' court as to what is optional and what is mandatory equipment[HR][/HR]
I have no idea, in truth, how a large car company would come to such a decision, but here is my take on things:Lotus, given the choice, would have liked to have made this car as cheaply as possible for the American market. It is a company that is still struggling financially, with a whole host of redundancies announced just the other day. Although I presume that these extras will be accounted for in the price for the American Elise, I have now idea what profit, if any, Lotus will be making on them.
I dont think a decision like this was simply made around the Lotus boardroom. First of all, they are a sports car manufacturer with a great, great tradition. They know what makes a sports car, and they have pretty much done it (very well) with the Elise. I'm sure it was not a decision that pleased them (the suspension especially - that is sacreligious), as it is, in effect, watering down a fantastic sports car.
IMHO, there has obviously been some market research done. Americans expect a level of equipment far higher than in other places in the world (although the rest of the world is catching up) and Lotus have obviuosly been advised / they're research has shown that the Elise had to be adjusted for the American market. As you say, the real enthusiasts will be disappointed, but the the vast majority of prospective American buyers will not go for a stripped out car. They would end up looking elsewhere (such as the more luxurious roadsters mentioned above).
So, dont blame Lotus - these decisions have been made from a business point of view, and IMO against Lotus' best wishes.
[Modified by John - UK, 4:24 AM 2-11-2002]
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (John - UK)
The Elise at the Chicago auto show looks like the green one posted above (only it's black.)
Boy, would I love to show-up at an auto-cross with one of those! Maybe I could finally beat all those [email protected] Miatas
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The Elise at the Chicago auto show looks like the green one posted above (only it's black.)
Boy, would I love to show-up at an auto-cross with one of those! Maybe I could finally beat all those [email protected] Miatas
3
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (D. Olsen)
(sorry - dont mean to hog this thread, but people keep replying while I am!
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I, personally, tend not to notice the S1 as much out and about over here. But the S2 has real presence, and is a bit more of a head turner IMO.
But, as you say, these kinds of opinions are totally subjective!!
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And, to be fair, the point of an Elise is not so much its looks, but how it drives......
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(sorry - dont mean to hog this thread, but people keep replying while I am!
quote:[HR][/HR]
But I guess styling is totaly subjective, eh?
[HR][/HR]
Exactly, each to his own and all that....I just feel that the S2 (newer shape) has much more road presence over the S1. But I guess styling is totaly subjective, eh?
[HR][/HR]
I, personally, tend not to notice the S1 as much out and about over here. But the S2 has real presence, and is a bit more of a head turner IMO.
But, as you say, these kinds of opinions are totally subjective!!
2
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (John - UK)
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http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Re: Look out Audi TT, here comes the Lotus Elise! (John - UK)
Well said, John... http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
As painful as it seems, driving enthusiasts dont make up a large % of the buying market.
The problem I am seeing though, is that the lotus elise luxury package is in the middle ground when it comes to the roadster market.
Here is a car, which has been designed as a lightweight no compromises roadster.
By offering a specced up and softer sprung elise ... it not only detracts from the original vision for the elise, but it also doesnt get close to satisfying the comforts desired by the american buyers. I doubt, throwing in leather seats is going to make the noise of the engine quieter etc. Hopefully the roof on the mkII elise will not leak this time either...
Hopefully, lotus will offer an option to 'deoptionise' the elise when it does come to america, so that people can make a choice for themselves. Personally I like the Sun Elise you guys made... mmm b18c5.
Well said, John... http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
As painful as it seems, driving enthusiasts dont make up a large % of the buying market.
The problem I am seeing though, is that the lotus elise luxury package is in the middle ground when it comes to the roadster market.
Here is a car, which has been designed as a lightweight no compromises roadster.
By offering a specced up and softer sprung elise ... it not only detracts from the original vision for the elise, but it also doesnt get close to satisfying the comforts desired by the american buyers. I doubt, throwing in leather seats is going to make the noise of the engine quieter etc. Hopefully the roof on the mkII elise will not leak this time either...
Hopefully, lotus will offer an option to 'deoptionise' the elise when it does come to america, so that people can make a choice for themselves. Personally I like the Sun Elise you guys made... mmm b18c5.
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