Automatic transmission Elise
Discussion
A family member who is no longer able to drive a manual transmission is interested in the possibility of an Elise. I know they were not produced, but I am hoping the transmission was derived from another application where there is a possibility to swap in an automatic. I also would want it to be reversible, as (a) the resale value would dictate that it is swapped back if we were to sell it on in future, and (b) the car deserves the dignity and respect of being set back to manual if that day comes!
Any constructive ideas on this would be appreciated. Note, the desire is that it is a series II car, and LHD. We are in Canada, so I would assume that we only have Toyota engine ones domestically available.
Any constructive ideas on this would be appreciated. Note, the desire is that it is a series II car, and LHD. We are in Canada, so I would assume that we only have Toyota engine ones domestically available.
Thanks for the lead on where to look; not surprisingly rather expensive option. Also, the new Exige is out of budget.
Perhaps this will have to wait until one of the new Exige automatics shows up on the used market as we are not in a rush. I am going to have to look at more conventional automagic options that may fit, the budget won't allow for the sequential.
Perhaps this will have to wait until one of the new Exige automatics shows up on the used market as we are not in a rush. I am going to have to look at more conventional automagic options that may fit, the budget won't allow for the sequential.
braddo said:
Isn't the Toyota Elise manual gearbox identical to what is in the Celica? Surely the automatic gearbox from a Celica would fit? Linkages and ECU issues might be complicating factors though.
That is my hope, guess if it has not been done I will have to look at it from the Celica side, and see if I can eyeball and measure two units that are out of the car. Not as worried about linkages and ECU issues, I think the solution would ultimately be to find a body damaged Celica so I have all the bits at hand. Still in the early stages of kicking it around, I appreciate the input.http://www.lotuscars.com/news/corporate/lotus-expa... i thought they also did Elises with automatic gearboxes.
I am pretty certain someone had a 111R converted to Automatic some years ago. It was mentioned on here at the time. It might be worth trying a few searches to see if you can find the thread.
Also try SELOC. If it has been done, they will more than likely know about it and possibly the person who did it, is on there
Also try SELOC. If it has been done, they will more than likely know about it and possibly the person who did it, is on there
flyingjolly said:
http://www.lotuscars.com/news/corporate/lotus-expa... i thought they also did Elises with automatic gearboxes.
That's an Exige and you wont get one for less than about £50k. 
fridaypassion said:
Sadev or Eliseparts do automatics they are actuated with a stick or paddles but could be an option. Un doable and the'box will retain a decent amount of its value when you sell. If you're lucky you might even find a used one.
Kambites said:
Eliseparts do a sequential box which can probably be converted to automatic operation, I don't think they actually sell an automatic?
Wouldn't that be a standard dog ring engagement sequential box, as used in sequential shifting single seaters such as Tatuus Formula Renault (they currently use a Sadev box)? If so, then they have a clutch pedal for starting and stopping, which I presume is the problem for the OP. Clutchless shifts are possible in such a car, as with any straight cut dog ring box in fact (sequential makes no difference on that one, it's just a different engagement mechanism), but you'd never get away from needing a clutch in slower driving and stop/start driving, and I'd have thought that automating the clutch would be extremely difficult whilst retaining driveability (even BMW's SMG roboticised manual, which briefly appeared on the M models years ago) which is a fully type approved synchromesh road box, is allegedly quite jerky in traffic).The best option would be an automatic Exige, or to look further into a Toyota automatic box specially fitted. I may e wrong, but I doubt that the Eliseparts sequential box would enable the clutch to be done away with altogether in typical road driving.
I did actually drive an Esprit V8GT once that had a hydraulically automated clutch due to the previous owner losing a leg. That was the sales story anyway! I never tried the switch that operated it though, I just used the pedal (which was tricky enough in the V8!).
kambites said:
I think there are companies which offer servo kits to fully automate sequential boxes. The clutch operation is obviously the same but the shift action is much simpler than an H-pattern 'box. Still it wont be cheap and the box is already £10k.
Do you know what they're like to use? I wouldn't be interested in one myself, but I find the principle interesting because there's quite a bit of subtlety needed to pull away from rest and drive on public roads in traffic etc.I've no idea, I've read about them but never actually experienced one.
I can't see them being any better than the best single clutch automated manuals from mainstream manufacturers let alone the better double clutch boxes. I'd guess they're probably not aimed primarily at road use but rather at providing launch control for sequential 'boxes in racing cars?
I can't see them being any better than the best single clutch automated manuals from mainstream manufacturers let alone the better double clutch boxes. I'd guess they're probably not aimed primarily at road use but rather at providing launch control for sequential 'boxes in racing cars?
kambites said:
A Smart Roadster (if they're available there) might be an alternative?
Thankfully not available here, without emoticons I am not sure if that was a serious suggestion.Hard to compare anything directly with an Elise, so if not the Elise she will likely go to an XKR, or 10+ year old Aston Martin, very different animals.
kambites said:
OP: What exactly is your relation's disability? Would a hand clutch on the standard manual 'box work? I'd imagine that'd be considerably cheaper/simpler. Alternatively if it's an arm issue, a sequential box with paddles but a normal clutch might be doable.
She has knee issues that have proven to be very painful after a relatively short drive. I don't know how easy the clutch is on an Elise, but she had a new Mini Clubman and even it was a problem; she simply can't drive my TVRs. If it had been a serious disability we may have looked at hand clutches and such, but to be honest it all becomes such a pain to deal with that she would sway back to something else that left the factory as an automatic. She has driven paddle and didn't like it.
kambites said:
It's not an Elise, but frankly an Elise with an automatic gearbox wouldn't really be an Elise either.
An automatic in an Elise is certainly a compromise, with that I agree. Suggesting the Smart roadster in its place, however, is akin to saying Kate Upton has developed a limp, so you may as well dump her for Susan Boyle.Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff