Any news about next generation Elise S3 ?

[newelise]

Some rumors say that in 2010/2011 there will be a new Lotus Elise S3 with a new engine. Does somebody have some further information or even some scoops? Thanks for more news.

[TIPPER]

Lots of rumours/gossip but nothing confirmed or denied (afaik).

[TIPPER]

There has been some talk of the next one using a seperate sub-frame up front to reduced the number being written off and hopefully bring insurance costs down.

[Boggy]

I'd say there will be an S3 along sometime next year, testing has already been taking place, the Car's probably already been signed off

There were some pictures

Boggy

[S Works]

Here's hoping, that looks nice. Still retains a look that says Elise, but moves it on a bit. I like. They need to give it a decent engine with a proper map this time, a 2ltr job with a low pressure turbo or a small s/c would do nicely. Oh, and please god don't make it more than 900kg.

Gotta be based on VVA which should hopefully mean they're better bult and easier to maintain and repair. I sincerely hope they'll learn lessons from all the annoying crappy niggles that ended up being issues with the S1/2 and fix them going forwards. Little things like poor quality radiators, the rheostat issue etc. are small gremlins that end up being a real pain to fix.

[bogie]

I agree - if they can give a 2L engine, 200bhp or more entry level, 280-300bhp for a tweaked one, sub 900kg, and looks nice like that pic, all the gizmos/safety gear demanded (US market etc) and keep it under £30K they will be onto a winner for sure

[andy_s]

Are those 'artist impressions'? Looks good to me - recognisable as an Elise but different enough to have its own look. 200bhp as the entry model may be a bit hopefull, they do all right with the base Elise at the moment and it gives them more headroom to add power to extend the model range. Nice though.

[Boggy]

Well I waiting for one anyway, not going to buy any more car's until it's released spend a few quid upgrading our R

Boggy

[Gad-Westy]

Rather hope that the S3 retains round rear lights. I like the front but back looks very dull.

[21TonyK]

I *REALLY* would not read anything into *any* pictures in AutoExpress

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

I think a great revelation for many would be if the clams were hinged - as that's the killer on so many jobs (especially if you're paying labour costs at a dealer) that one of the clams has to come off - Like the rad issues, resistor packs etc. (although that's a rather poor design issue).

[chickensoup]

My wild speculation would be that it is based on the Tesla chassis, and has a boot lid very similar to tesla - so you can fit in golf clubs.

Did not appreciate until yesterday that Tesla chassis was different to Elise, and with a different way to bend in chassis at back, a little cheaper to produce.

Would also bet on a family resemblance to Evora (just as Tesla has with separate rear wing & similar headlights)

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Is it me, or does it actually quite american? Especially the rear.

In terms of chassis, I thought it was going to be based on VVA - Tesla could be, but I didn't think it was, I thought it was just 2" longer after the cabin than the std. S2 chassis.

[newelise]

even some more scoops...

[bogie]

wow more artists guesses at what a new Elise *could* look like !

[Beachbum]

Prefer the latter, to the former pictures.
But as is already being suggested, these are little more than guesses on the part of the press

[newelise]

there's one more...

[Bombjack]

If Lotus are employing astroturfers then I guess that's positive confirmation there is a new model coming.

[Lawrence5]

Is it me or do the pics Newelise posted look like tonka toys

[bencollins]

They all look pretty good to me, esp the targa, am saving up me pennies.