RE: Lotus Europa

[Mekon]

Look gorgeous in the flesh, IMO. There's one in blue near me, and it always earns a gawp.

[Birdthom]

I've only ever seen two Europas. One was at the 'ring and the other was at Donington. Both were going very well indeed, and looked very much at home on track. I bet they are a lot nicer to drive every day than my S1. It doesn't cost Lotus much to develop or build as those costs were all effectively paid by Vauxhall/Opel when they did the VX220, so even if they don't sell many it's not hurting them. It will probably end up being a quirky offshoot of Lotus history, but who cares. As long as it fits your requirements and you don't worry too much about depreciation I'd say it's a pretty good car.

[Windymiller]

Awwwww.... how cute! They let local school children trim the vents and instrument binnacle!

[Birdthom]

That does look pretty poor!

[LuS1fer]

Not surif it's the colour but there's a red Europa round here that I never fail to notice or look after. I never liked the Europa when they launched it but now I find I notice them (it!)far more than .an Elise or Exige (the latter of which really is ugly). I agree this one looks like it's trying too hard though.

[dougc]

Ewwwwwwww.



Ahhhhhh, that's better.

[Birdthom]

Errrr, so everyone recognised the original Europa as one of the world's best cars when it was new and they have always been really well regarded and highly valued? Or wasn't it just as much (if not more) of an acquired taste than this one? I'd say this is a pretty appropriate successor to the name.

[s.m.h.]

Birdthom said:

Errrr, so everyone recognised the original Europa as one of the world's best cars when it was new and they have always been really well regarded and highly valued? Or wasn't it just as much (if not more) of an acquired taste than this one? I'd say this is a pretty appropriate successor to the name.

But the original Europa wasn't just a redraw of the Elan, like this seems to be.

Manufacturers are always going to have a hard time convincing fans of the original models that the re-name is worthy.

[Frimley111R]

It would take so little to make this a seller. Just facelift the front and back to make it a much better looking car and it'd sell. Shame they don't have the time/inclination to make such a small change. Oh well, Evora coming soon so probably not worth bothering..

[mike5427]

Why not just buy a good used VX220 turbo with a few performance goodies for half the price

[Gas Gas Panic]

Original Europa was known as the "Breadvan" or "Council Estate GT40". I love them though. My brother still has a purple matchbox europa - his first one....and we thought it was so cool.

[LuS1fer]

This car, the Bolwell nagari, is far more in the spirit of the original Europa - looks cool, no rear 3/4 vision, 3.5 litre engine but it's Australian.
http://jalopnik.com/5083109/aussie-super-car-goes-...

Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 12th November 11:13

[anonymous-user]

dougc said:

Ahhhhhh, that's better.

IMO even better in the later Ford-engined version with lower rear buttresses,

[Tuna]

There's a black one near where I work. It looks very nice in the flesh - that little bit more sophisticated than the Elise. Of course the armchair experts know better..

[crofty1984]

6th Gear said:

Looks like a Chrysler Crossfire from the back
Vile

Glad I'm not the only one that thought that.

[Garlick]

dougc said:

There isn't much I wouldn't do to own that car

[LHDisbest]

Garlick said:

dougc said:

There isn't much I wouldn't do to own that car

Are Banks Europa still on the go? I remember, oh, 14-15 years ago on top gear they had a yellow one with the Vauxhall 16v red-top in the back.

IIRC they were/are pretty bloody quick and you could get one with the racing body.

If only i could get my fat backside through the tiny little doors.....

[Twit]

Tuna said:

There's a black one near where I work. It looks very nice in the flesh - that little bit more sophisticated than the Elise. Of course the armchair experts know better..

Spot on, I have a Europa after coming from an Elise and it trumps it all hands up. It is more refined but a much nicer package in my view!

White isnt the right colour for it, mine is titanium with the tan interior which the dealer reckoned was the best they had seen. With the uprated engine map etc its a cracking car and it gets so much attention as no one knows what it is! I pretty much get asked about it everytime I stop for petrol etc. It seems much more special than the Elise!

[dougc]

LHDisbest said:

Garlick said:

dougc said:

There isn't much I wouldn't do to own that car

Are Banks Europa still on the go? I remember, oh, 14-15 years ago on top gear they had a yellow one with the Vauxhall 16v red-top in the back.

IIRC they were/are pretty bloody quick and you could get one with the racing body.

If only i could get my fat backside through the tiny little doors.....

Yours for £22k

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/273588.htm

Dreams of ownership shattered forever a couple of years ago when I found that whilst I can physically get in one, it'd be impossible to actually drive it.

[LHDisbest]

dougc said:

LHDisbest said:

Garlick said:

dougc said:

There isn't much I wouldn't do to own that car

Are Banks Europa still on the go? I remember, oh, 14-15 years ago on top gear they had a yellow one with the Vauxhall 16v red-top in the back.

IIRC they were/are pretty bloody quick and you could get one with the racing body.

If only i could get my fat backside through the tiny little doors.....

Yours for £22k

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/273588.htm

Dreams of ownership shattered forever a couple of years ago when I found that whilst I can physically get in one, it'd be impossible to actually drive it.

I'd love it, but the last thing i need is another car, but £22k seems quite cheap considering the performance on offer.

I just like pies, cream buns and Irn Bru too much to lose the weight to fit.