RE: Lotus Exige S delayed...
Tuesday 30th October 2012
Mr Harris loved the new 350hp V6 Exige S so much he called it a "world-class sports car" when he reviewed back in April. But it's come to our attention that customer cars have been suffering from delays amidst rumours of "durability issues".
Our kind of durability testing, etcWhether that's just the same thing with more syllables, well, your cynical guess is as good as ours. But given Hethel's recent travails, we're edging towards this being a positive thing for those eventual customers - since the end result is hopefully a better quality car. So that's good news, right?
Lotus Exige S delayed...
...but it's actually good news, honestly!
Bad news first: the £53K Lotus is indeed subject to an "unfortunate delay". However, according to Lotus this isn't so much due to any actual durability issues, as the new shareholders insisting on "additional testing to ensure optimum quality and production efficiency standards are met."
Our kind of durability testing, etc
Similarly, production is up and running, and the first cars are expected next week - rather than in 2013, as some have speculated. Lotus has even shuffled the schedule to prioritise customer cars over showroom cars, we're told.
As for those 'new shareholders' - they (at the last count) would still be DRB-Hicom, a Malaysian automotive group that assembles vehicles for a number of carmakers, including Honda, Mercedes, Suzuki and Volkswagen. Just so you know.
Discussion
Amusingly ironic.
Lotus were sniffing around me late last yr, trying to interest me to go and do Quality for them. When I decided to talk turkey and get round to the dosh, they rather shuffled their feet, had the good grace to look awkward and admit the funding had been pulled.
Had to stiffle a giggle.
Lotus were sniffing around me late last yr, trying to interest me to go and do Quality for them. When I decided to talk turkey and get round to the dosh, they rather shuffled their feet, had the good grace to look awkward and admit the funding had been pulled.
Had to stiffle a giggle.
Indeed Lotus have had funding issues. This is in no small part down to their take over and requirements for accounts to be frozen under Malaysian Law. Not particularly helpful when suppliers need paying!
The delay of the V6 Exige has concerned me as has the complete lack of information coming out of Hethel. They seem to have swung from an overactive PR dept to one that is non-existent. I am however assured by people close to the factory that all is well.
A delay to this car is exactly the right thing to do. Lotus have previously released cars long before they are ready for mass release in the hope of generating revenue to build the next few... as these cars were often not up to scratch it thus damaged the brand and appeal of the model. The Evora being one prime example. Delaying these cars and doing a proper job on putting them together well with the right components is essential.
Looks to be a great little car:
Maybee in black:
The delay of the V6 Exige has concerned me as has the complete lack of information coming out of Hethel. They seem to have swung from an overactive PR dept to one that is non-existent. I am however assured by people close to the factory that all is well.
A delay to this car is exactly the right thing to do. Lotus have previously released cars long before they are ready for mass release in the hope of generating revenue to build the next few... as these cars were often not up to scratch it thus damaged the brand and appeal of the model. The Evora being one prime example. Delaying these cars and doing a proper job on putting them together well with the right components is essential.
Looks to be a great little car:
Maybee in black:
Well if they're actually telling the truth, it's probably a good thing - it's about time Lotus stopped using their customers as beta-testers. On the other hand, it's equally likely that they have had some kind of serious reliability issue and are scrabbling to sort it out.
The V6 Exige is the first car that has really interested me in the Lotus stable since they dropped the K-series; I hope they get it right.
The V6 Exige is the first car that has really interested me in the Lotus stable since they dropped the K-series; I hope they get it right.
There was one outside our office the other day. Every single person leaving the building stopped to stare at it. Make no mistake, it seems to draw a bigger and more excited crowd than any Lotus I can think of since the Esprit.
I actually think this is good news. It's pulling in ecstatic reviews in every magazine the keys are tossed to, and it seems they're taking quality very seriously (perhaps one of the good aspects of the Bahar regime) to make sure they're worth the money thrown at them.
I have a feeling this could be the car that pulls Lotus out of trouble.
I actually think this is good news. It's pulling in ecstatic reviews in every magazine the keys are tossed to, and it seems they're taking quality very seriously (perhaps one of the good aspects of the Bahar regime) to make sure they're worth the money thrown at them.
I have a feeling this could be the car that pulls Lotus out of trouble.
Ozzie Osmond said:
CocoUK said:
The ExigeS will be the driving tool of choice for 2012/13. Mega car.
My 50p says they're having another re-think about whether they really want to be pushing such a hard edged car when the mass market they crave lies elsewhere.Twincam16 said:
I actually think this is good news. It's pulling in ecstatic reviews in every magazine the keys are tossed to, and it seems they're taking quality very seriously (perhaps one of the good aspects of the Bahar regime) to make sure they're worth the money thrown at them.
I have a feeling this could be the car that pulls Lotus out of trouble.
I have a feeling this could be the car that pulls Lotus out of trouble.
EDIT:
Strike all that, another discussion regarding the future of Lotus, paa. I'd rather celebrate a bloody good car.
Edited by CocoUK on Tuesday 30th October 10:51
Edited by CocoUK on Tuesday 30th October 10:53
DJRC said:
Amusingly ironic.
Lotus were sniffing around me late last yr, trying to interest me to go and do Quality for them. When I decided to talk turkey and get round to the dosh, they rather shuffled their feet, had the good grace to look awkward and admit the funding had been pulled.
Had to stiffle a giggle.
Yeah, you've saved yourself a right bit of old smokey there. Am sure it's all bacon sarny though, especially as the old dear's gone all donkey and the goat's the new cherry.Lotus were sniffing around me late last yr, trying to interest me to go and do Quality for them. When I decided to talk turkey and get round to the dosh, they rather shuffled their feet, had the good grace to look awkward and admit the funding had been pulled.
Had to stiffle a giggle.
I'm still not entirely convinced by the front end, I just think it's a bit too fussy and I prefer the looks of the older cars, however despite that I think this is the most exciting car to come our from Lotus for some time and probably one of the most exciting new cars coming out next year.
The Exige has always been crying out for a bigger engine\more poke for years and it seems Lotus have finally given us what we want. If they can get the build quality\reliability right on these, I WILL have one of these at some point.
The Exige has always been crying out for a bigger engine\more poke for years and it seems Lotus have finally given us what we want. If they can get the build quality\reliability right on these, I WILL have one of these at some point.
I remember seeing pictures of the convertible version earlier this year and thinking yes please.
When younger and a bit more nimble I ran both an s2 elise and exige. I know I'm not reminiscing because I still remember the back ache but build quality was never a concern. In 4 years all I remember going wrong was the indicator light popping out and the window winder breaking. But then I did spend 'only 25k on the first and maybe 30k on the exige.
When younger and a bit more nimble I ran both an s2 elise and exige. I know I'm not reminiscing because I still remember the back ache but build quality was never a concern. In 4 years all I remember going wrong was the indicator light popping out and the window winder breaking. But then I did spend 'only 25k on the first and maybe 30k on the exige.
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