Discussion
120bhp european spec.
Truely amazing to drive, very positive steering, a nice shove in the back when the loud pedal is pressed. The Loud pedal _is_ loud
The dealer asked me to be careful, there were a couple of slightly damp patches around, I was careful in the few corners I went round (roads are generally straight here) but I pushed it in a straight line.
The US lotus hints are still unconfirmed officially, but the dealer said a lot of what I've heard on the web. Mods will be a 190 bhp Toyota engine, drivers airbag, A/C standard & slightly lifted front to deal with the kerbs here. They are aiming to keep the weight more or less the same as the S2. All other federal requirements are going to be avoided as Lotus is a small quantity car manufacturer, which I believe means no side impact bars, no 2.5mph crash test, and no passenger air bag.
From that, the only addition to the weight over the current car will be the difference in weight of the two engines. Anyone have that information?
Steve
Truely amazing to drive, very positive steering, a nice shove in the back when the loud pedal is pressed. The Loud pedal _is_ loud
The dealer asked me to be careful, there were a couple of slightly damp patches around, I was careful in the few corners I went round (roads are generally straight here) but I pushed it in a straight line.
The US lotus hints are still unconfirmed officially, but the dealer said a lot of what I've heard on the web. Mods will be a 190 bhp Toyota engine, drivers airbag, A/C standard & slightly lifted front to deal with the kerbs here. They are aiming to keep the weight more or less the same as the S2. All other federal requirements are going to be avoided as Lotus is a small quantity car manufacturer, which I believe means no side impact bars, no 2.5mph crash test, and no passenger air bag.
From that, the only addition to the weight over the current car will be the difference in weight of the two engines. Anyone have that information?
Steve
The Elise already has side impact bars...and was one of the few cars to be drivable after the crash test ! ...were not that bad over here in the Uk - we do have to have SOME safety features ;-)
Glad you liked it - bet Lotus will sell them like hot cakes in the US ...especially with a 190bhp lump as std !
bogie
Glad you liked it - bet Lotus will sell them like hot cakes in the US ...especially with a 190bhp lump as std !
bogie
The dealership in question (I'll avoid mentioning it as I don't want to get them into any kind of trouble) has deposits for 20 cars at 1k each. This is more than a year before they deliver. They think their first year allowance will be 25 cars... I suspect it will be higher, more like 50 cars. LA is ideally suited to the elise, I'm sure they will sell more in california than any other state.
The indications are that that this car is going to be loved over here... on the freeway I noticed a 'vette driver craning his neck to look at the car
On the down side, at some lights an 18 wheeler pulled up behind me. I was so low I couldn't see his grill, only his bumper in the rear view mirror. It's possible that he couldn't see me at all over the bonnet of the thing.
Still can't wait.
Steve
The indications are that that this car is going to be loved over here... on the freeway I noticed a 'vette driver craning his neck to look at the car
On the down side, at some lights an 18 wheeler pulled up behind me. I was so low I couldn't see his grill, only his bumper in the rear view mirror. It's possible that he couldn't see me at all over the bonnet of the thing.
Still can't wait.
Steve
one thing I forgot to mention, on the LHD elise I drove, the gap between the brake pedal and the central divider (the on with the accelerator in it) was narrower than my shoe. I had to press the acelerator with my toe tip to avoid hitting the brake at the same time. Anyone else had this problem?
I'm all for close pedals for heel and toeing, but maybe an inch more space between the the pedal set and the central divider would make all the difference. Maybe move the divider slightly to the passenger side?
Any european owners I'd be interested if that really is a problem
Steve
I'm all for close pedals for heel and toeing, but maybe an inch more space between the the pedal set and the central divider would make all the difference. Maybe move the divider slightly to the passenger side?
Any european owners I'd be interested if that really is a problem
Steve
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