RE: US Elise Confirmed
Discussion
Hey guys,
Just a couple notes to clear things up. There is no US spec Elise yet. This is mostly because they don't have an engine yet. They are still working a deal. The cars that were at the LA show were EURO spec.
The Esprit will die because they are running out of transmissions. The tranny supplier (Renault?) stopped building them and Lotus has enough to build a year and a half supply of Esprits. In order to have a car to sell in the US they needed to federalize the Elise. This is the only reason they are doing this. (plus the fact that the M250, a car that was designed to be fed legal from the get go, is no more). The reason the US Elise is a year and a half away is that it will take awhile to make the engine deal along with the needed R&D work and the first Elises will arrive along with the last of the Esprits. Even though the cars are dramatically different, Lotus has adopted the GM thinking of "If we offer a new car before all the old ones are gone then we won't be able to sell all the old ones".
Enjoy,
FW
PS With my luck, my Elise will be delivered the day that TVR opens up shop in the US. Too bad the Griffith is gone - sorry but I can't look at Tamora yet.
Just a couple notes to clear things up. There is no US spec Elise yet. This is mostly because they don't have an engine yet. They are still working a deal. The cars that were at the LA show were EURO spec.
The Esprit will die because they are running out of transmissions. The tranny supplier (Renault?) stopped building them and Lotus has enough to build a year and a half supply of Esprits. In order to have a car to sell in the US they needed to federalize the Elise. This is the only reason they are doing this. (plus the fact that the M250, a car that was designed to be fed legal from the get go, is no more). The reason the US Elise is a year and a half away is that it will take awhile to make the engine deal along with the needed R&D work and the first Elises will arrive along with the last of the Esprits. Even though the cars are dramatically different, Lotus has adopted the GM thinking of "If we offer a new car before all the old ones are gone then we won't be able to sell all the old ones".
Enjoy,
FW
PS With my luck, my Elise will be delivered the day that TVR opens up shop in the US. Too bad the Griffith is gone - sorry but I can't look at Tamora yet.
fretay:
Where did you hear that those were European spec cars?
According to the Lotus Rep at the show, the two they were displaying were pretty much the US versions (engine included). She said that they made 3 total so far. She also said that the engine has already been CHOSEN and it works great, it's just that they haven't signed the deal yet. This all makes sense as to why they can't say anything about it, because if the deal doesn't go through, they might have to R&D another whole new engine.
Talking to the owner of the Lotus Dealer that I put a deposit with, he pretty much said the exact same thing.
Your theory as with launching at the end of the Esprit's production line makes sense. Another theory could be that they're waiting for the engine deal. And after that, they still have to produce about 2000 Elise for the U.S. launch. They could of course launch with a hundred at a time (there's about 40 dealers in the U.S. and Canada), but imagine the waiting list then.
Where did you hear that those were European spec cars?
According to the Lotus Rep at the show, the two they were displaying were pretty much the US versions (engine included). She said that they made 3 total so far. She also said that the engine has already been CHOSEN and it works great, it's just that they haven't signed the deal yet. This all makes sense as to why they can't say anything about it, because if the deal doesn't go through, they might have to R&D another whole new engine.
Talking to the owner of the Lotus Dealer that I put a deposit with, he pretty much said the exact same thing.
Your theory as with launching at the end of the Esprit's production line makes sense. Another theory could be that they're waiting for the engine deal. And after that, they still have to produce about 2000 Elise for the U.S. launch. They could of course launch with a hundred at a time (there's about 40 dealers in the U.S. and Canada), but imagine the waiting list then.
The cars that were at the LA show were Euro Spec Elise MK2s. The difference between those cars and the Fed spec Elise is powertrain--not what is in the UK spec cars, air bag, and a few fed mods to make the car legal. But as basic styling goes they will look almost identical or so I was told--I was there too. Hopefully Lotus will get rid of the cheap trim around the car and plastic grilles--hey guys how about the old wire mesh?
>> Edited by lotusbmw on Friday 8th February 22:47
>> Edited by lotusbmw on Friday 8th February 22:49
>> Edited by lotusbmw on Friday 8th February 22:50
>> Edited by lotusbmw on Friday 8th February 22:47
>> Edited by lotusbmw on Friday 8th February 22:49
>> Edited by lotusbmw on Friday 8th February 22:50
Well Wash.. you are so right. I never checked it. I came to this rough assumption on the seat of the pants experience of UK against US claims on BHP and driving experience. Which means that US makers must vastly over claim on BHP on some vehicles. Either that or US cars must weigh more.
Well nobody has actually "bought" one of these puppies in the US as yet and some tosser was saying stop talking about it you pitiable scribblers and get behind the wheel. Alas all we can do is talk about it or put a deposit down on something you are hoping is going to be like a Volvo......
Johnny
>> Edited by johnywiz on Saturday 9th February 04:07
Well nobody has actually "bought" one of these puppies in the US as yet and some tosser was saying stop talking about it you pitiable scribblers and get behind the wheel. Alas all we can do is talk about it or put a deposit down on something you are hoping is going to be like a Volvo......
Johnny
>> Edited by johnywiz on Saturday 9th February 04:07
Someone needs to explain this to me...
I currently own a 1995 RX-7--great car. I went to the Chicago Auto Show looking for a replacement as my RX-7 has 70,000 miles on it--all trouble free. I was thinking the Elise was the answer to my prayers--it looked the part (and when you are at an auto show, that is all you can ask for) and I read great things about the Elise. Here goes the part that needs explaining. I'm 5'11" weigh 165 pounds. I jump in with my right leg, get my bum on the seat, but nearly dislocate my left leg trying to get it over the sill (but I get it done). My right knee is leaning against the gear shift (car was lhd). How can the Elise be so wonderful when I can't imagine it as anything more than a track car? You guys in the UK need to set me straight!
I currently own a 1995 RX-7--great car. I went to the Chicago Auto Show looking for a replacement as my RX-7 has 70,000 miles on it--all trouble free. I was thinking the Elise was the answer to my prayers--it looked the part (and when you are at an auto show, that is all you can ask for) and I read great things about the Elise. Here goes the part that needs explaining. I'm 5'11" weigh 165 pounds. I jump in with my right leg, get my bum on the seat, but nearly dislocate my left leg trying to get it over the sill (but I get it done). My right knee is leaning against the gear shift (car was lhd). How can the Elise be so wonderful when I can't imagine it as anything more than a track car? You guys in the UK need to set me straight!
Most of the Elise owners I've met use their car daily and average millage for a car is about 12,000. I'm 5'10" don't know my weight in lbs but thin. Whenever I've had the pleasure to drive an Elise, had no problems about getting in and out although there is a knack. The seats move back (I have long legs) and I felt very comfortable (although the Exige has better seats IMHO).
I'm surprised you found it so uncomfortable, it might be worth going back and giving it another go.
I'm surprised you found it so uncomfortable, it might be worth going back and giving it another go.
Hey jpf,
I knew Lotus was at the LA show but I didn't realize they were at Chicago as well. I've been searching to see what the US auto mags had to say about the cars but they don't seem to have any comments in their LA coverage. I'll check the Chicago coverage.
Laters,
FW
PS I wouldn't make the common mistake of using a car like this for anything but pleasure driving if you can help it. I only say this because too many people fall into the trap of using a car like this in daily driving and wind up hating it. Its always a good idea to keep the beater running and roll out the Elise on those "special" days.
I knew Lotus was at the LA show but I didn't realize they were at Chicago as well. I've been searching to see what the US auto mags had to say about the cars but they don't seem to have any comments in their LA coverage. I'll check the Chicago coverage.
Laters,
FW
PS I wouldn't make the common mistake of using a car like this for anything but pleasure driving if you can help it. I only say this because too many people fall into the trap of using a car like this in daily driving and wind up hating it. Its always a good idea to keep the beater running and roll out the Elise on those "special" days.
lawyer
Although the base Elise in the US should prolly be as SS as anyone would want. Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff