Wednesday 21st April 2004
Vemac Update
Testing in Japan complete - production started
After lengthy delays and numerous revisions, production of the VEMAC is finally go, with the company expecting to be churning them out at the rate of one to two per month initially, with completion of the first three scheduled for the end of June. You'll have to wait a while longer yet before you can buy one to put in your garage though as all initial production is earmarked for Japan, with six confirmed orders so far and four more expected to be confirmed shortly.
The production version of the car, dubbed the VEMAC RD200, uses the latest 2 litre Honda IVTEC engine and six-speed gearbox with LSD, mounted transversely, and is both stiffer and lighter than the original prototype.
VEMAC say that fulfilling orders from Japan (where the car is priced at £42,000) makes it unlikely that the RD200 will be available in the UK this year, but will announce UK availability, price and spec as and when.
Link
: www.vemaccars.com
Graham Bell
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fizz
Original Poster
251 posts
140 months
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Thank you GB for the update. The price is high--factor in the exchange rate--but boy what a nice looker. When are you going to Japan for the comprehensive roadtest? I'm sure it is in the Pistonheads budget...
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markburnt
1,342 posts
119 months
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What a looker?? Are you having a giggle, this is 2004! I would hope for something other than a bad scimitar detailess kit car lookalike for my 42000!
42000, yes let's say that again 42000!!
Just my 232998 Yen worth in current exchange.
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Xm5eR
3,592 posts
118 months
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Why is the driver wearing a horse riding hat?
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chris_w
2,506 posts
129 months
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Hmmm, S1 Elise; 12k. Honda conversion; 10k. Job done.
It's not bad looking car, just five years too late.
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Lotusacbc
2,591 posts
154 months
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LOL @ XM
What a total rip off of the Elise.
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jpf
1,084 posts
146 months
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The VEMAC has a better engine than the Elise, has derivative Ferrari styling and is probably a better day to day vehicle (comfort, etc.) than the Elise. Factoring in exchange rates and pulling out VAT, the car would cost $60,000 in the USA--is it 50% better than the Elise? Probably not--20% better, maybe. Thanks for the followup, Mr. Bell! 
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dinkel
21,124 posts
128 months
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smele
1,253 posts
154 months
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I am sorry, but there is clearly something wrong with that last picture, the back of that car is terrible. Looks like little like a Lotus Europa meets something Del Sol
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t1grm
4,103 posts
154 months
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I genuinely thought this was a re-engine mod for an Elise MK1 when I saw the first pictures. It looks near identical.
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Lotusacbc
2,591 posts
154 months
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jpf said:The VEMAC has a better engine than the Elise, has derivative Ferrari styling and is probably a better day to day vehicle (comfort, etc.) than the Elise. Factoring in exchange rates and pulling out VAT, the car would cost $60,000 in the USA--is it 50% better than the Elise? Probably not--20% better, maybe.
Thanks for the followup, Mr. Bell! |
If it came down to it, what u would rather own. This or an Elise? Lotus of course! Who cares about day to day. We arent buying it for the grocery storage capability are we?
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jpf
1,084 posts
146 months
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what do people buy a boxster for? a ferrari 360 for?
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jpf
1,084 posts
146 months
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How many cars have these guys made?
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robbo64
299 posts
113 months
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42K for shit-looking elise replica.
20-oddK for better lokking elise.
SIMPLE CHOICE IMHO.
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jpf
1,084 posts
146 months
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GB--
Is it true these cars are no longer made in the UK?
How is the egress/ingress compared to the Elise?
Any VEMAC's hitting the UK roads?
Anyone have current pictures?
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polynesian
216 posts
106 months
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I visited VEMAC for Evo a few years back to do a piece on Luke Craft who runs the company (you might remember the elder Craft's short lived F1 career?). The car was pretty impressive with some nice detailing. David Vivian drove an early one and thought it was a great drive, just lacking in power. The race versions were using NSX lumps back then.
Anyhow, it looks better in the flesh than the pics here and i think it's great to see more options for us as drivers, even if i haven't got £40k to splash on one!
Someone else may know more, but production was going to be moved to South Africa, may even be out in Far East now? Good luck to them i say!
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AlfaMaleV6
90 posts
89 months
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Maybe I'm missing the point, but if it's a Jap car shouldn't it be twice as good and cost half as much? ;-)
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hendry
1,945 posts
152 months
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AlfaMaleV6 said:| Maybe I'm missing the point, but if it's a Jap car shouldn't it be twice as good and cost half as much? ;-) |
You ARE missing the point. They are made in Essex by the Crafts, who engineered The Rocket. This is no kit car trying to look like an Elise. It's credentials are probably better than Lotus's, recent history viewed in isolation. The 320/350 had an NSX engine in. Now that car has gone, wouldn't this make a great Honda range topper. Especially in Lucky Strike livery... 
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jpf
1,084 posts
146 months
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Has anyone in PHland driven a VEMAC?
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jpf
1,084 posts
146 months
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How many of these bad boys have been made?
Any chance of a Elise/Vemac comparison test?
How many are in Japan?
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jpf
1,084 posts
146 months
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What's new in VEMAC land? Aren't they made in the UK and sold in Japan?
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