RE: Lotus Esprit: the name's official
Discussion
Believe it or not saw a test europa outside my local B&Q 3 weeks ago - wish I had my camera in the car. Had heat sensors taped all over it and inside it. Looked far too elise influenced for me (an elise with a fast back). The Lotus man is correct they need 3 models - a hard core elise without all the special editions of air con this and electric windows, an Europa that looks good on its own with a healthy dose of GT practicality, and an Esprit supercar basher that powers/outhandles the competition via lightweight for a supercar (circa 1150kg and 450 bhp+). Then I would want to own all 3. Making punters own your special cars is what it is always about. My fantasy garage would always have room for Elan Sprint, Europa Twin Cam and Esprit Turbo HC - are there you have your 3 car line up.
Emmy, I understand your frustrations about the US driving environment, it's one we all share to some degree and why I'd much rather ride my bike on the track than the streets. Although, IIRC, the EU pushed forward pedestrian impact-friendly front ends before the US., perhaps due to the Yanks' inability to LOOK RIGHT when in the UK. I've also shared your frustration with some US Lotus dealerships and I blame LCU for some of their dealership development practices, choosing in some instances, conventional dealerships to sell an unconventional car (Elise/Exige) with unconventional distribution schemes (LCU). I had actually attempted to enter the dealership fray at one point but sought other avenues due to both my own limitations and those of LCU. 
I'm with Cameron and most/all US Lotus fans in expecting the "Esprit" to be true Federal-worthy (no more ongoing exemptions), despite MJK's predecessor producing an EU-only Europa after coming Stateside and pledging "world cars" from then on.
Sorry Kimbers, I'm not buying the bumper reg thing. A wide variety of marques have been able to engineer a wide variety of vehicles to meet US regs (Carrera GT, Lambo, Ferrari, Vette, Viper, Civic!). I think some changes in the '06 Elise/Exige from '05 were to meet Canadian regs and allow a single North American model. Engineers earn their mettle by solving problems, not complaining about the edges of the box.
...but have you seen the new "NSX" and can you tell us what it looks like and what it'll be called??!!
Eric
I'm with Cameron and most/all US Lotus fans in expecting the "Esprit" to be true Federal-worthy (no more ongoing exemptions), despite MJK's predecessor producing an EU-only Europa after coming Stateside and pledging "world cars" from then on.
Sorry Kimbers, I'm not buying the bumper reg thing. A wide variety of marques have been able to engineer a wide variety of vehicles to meet US regs (Carrera GT, Lambo, Ferrari, Vette, Viper, Civic!). I think some changes in the '06 Elise/Exige from '05 were to meet Canadian regs and allow a single North American model. Engineers earn their mettle by solving problems, not complaining about the edges of the box.
Kimbers34 said:
In regards to a comment about the new NSX, I actually work for Honda and, as far as I know, it will not be brought into the UK.
(All opinions are my own and have no bearing on any Employee of Lotus)
(All opinions are my own and have no bearing on any Employee of Lotus)
...but have you seen the new "NSX" and can you tell us what it looks like and what it'll be called??!!
Eric
....I had a similar opinion as yourself, but unlike you I have seen it in the flesh. It looks so much better than the Elise, ....
hi tony. no, i haven't seen the europa in person. but even if a new europa got in a carwreck outside my house and injured jar jar binks, i couldn't be bothered to peek out the window. if the car was ugly, that might be interesting, but it's just bland. i think people are being extra critical because the name europa was attached. i agree lotus needs to expand into new markets, but that has to be executed properly. time will be the judge.
hi tony. no, i haven't seen the europa in person. but even if a new europa got in a carwreck outside my house and injured jar jar binks, i couldn't be bothered to peek out the window. if the car was ugly, that might be interesting, but it's just bland. i think people are being extra critical because the name europa was attached. i agree lotus needs to expand into new markets, but that has to be executed properly. time will be the judge.
I have to disagree with the Europa comments about its styling in the flesh. I had a good look at the motorshow and it still looks very disappointing. It does look a lot like a large Elise, which I suppose it is, but while beauty is in the eye of the beholder I doubt many will see it magically transformed on the road.
I understand it's less agressive styling as it appeals to a less 'aggressive' market than the Elise but it's gone way too far.
Back to the Esprit, did no-one see the white artist's impression on the front of Autocar magazine a few weeks ago? Looked a little more like a big, agressive Elise. Can someone post it?
I understand it's less agressive styling as it appeals to a less 'aggressive' market than the Elise but it's gone way too far.
Back to the Esprit, did no-one see the white artist's impression on the front of Autocar magazine a few weeks ago? Looked a little more like a big, agressive Elise. Can someone post it?
pasthim said:
I have to disagree with the Europa comments about its styling in the flesh. I had a good look at the motorshow and it still looks very disappointing. It does look a lot like a large Elise, which I suppose it is, but while beauty is in the eye of the beholder I doubt many will see it magically transformed on the road.
I understand it's less agressive styling as it appeals to a less 'aggressive' market than the Elise but it's gone way too far.
I understand it's less agressive styling as it appeals to a less 'aggressive' market than the Elise but it's gone way too far.
Couldn't agree more. The Europa's design would be a decent effort for a Korean manufacturer but it should not wear the Lotus badge. All this talking about having to see it in the flesh is just a lame excuse. A Murcielago LP 640 looks as gorgeous in pictures as it does in real life... Lotus: Prrrlease don't disappoint us with another car
Emmy said:
(did you hear the one about the guy who crashed his Carrera GT at a race track and both him and his passenger died? The passengers wife is sueing the race track organisers, the race track itself, the drivers family AND, get this, Porsche for building an "unsafe" car - what planet is that lady on?!).
Some interesting details of that accident and lawsuit appeared in that most excellent magazine, Sports Car Market, a few months ago. The Porsche driver had mentioned to others that he was having handling problems with the car but, nevertheless, invited another person to go with him who was thinking about buying a Carrera GT. The driver didn't mention handling issues to the passenger. As the Porsche was finishing a lap, a Ferrari was waved onto the track from the pits, but the Ferrari driver took a long time and got a very slow start. The pit workers, seeing the approaching Porsche, tried to stop the Ferrari but it was too late. The Porsche swerved to miss the Ferrari, the driver lost control, and both people in the Porsche were killed. The wives of both the Porsche driver and the passenger sued the owners of the track, the event organizers, the pit worker, the Ferrari driver, and Porsche. Guess who has the most money. Guess who is least likely at fault.
Ok, if the TheEspritReplacement looks like the blue one in the photos above, then it is really hot and I want one. The bronze one, not so much. In fact, I hate it.
Once again, for what little it's worth, I vote against calling it an Esprit. The glorious Esprit has had it's time; a distinguished definite period with a beginning and end. Let's not muddy the name and model with a series of old and new Esprits as if these cars were Hollywood movie remakes.
-Dave
Edited by mr50bmg on Monday 7th August 20:35
Edited by mr50bmg on Monday 7th August 20:36
GTRene said:
I'll meet MvdB within a month. I'll post up his thoughts and his position. He also did that Mugello wonder for Mr. G'haus . . . the P4/5 owner. He was part of the Spyker design team for a while.
What is more interesting is the interview with Kimberley: Micheal wants a 2+2 Excel type of car to fill the gap between the Elise / Exige and the new V8 Esprit. But not with the engine up front. He's right off course, but I'm not so sure about the mid-engine 2+2 layout. A small GT car will be fine over a Mondial-ish Lotus. That just isn't in their bloodline. New Excel with a 250 hp turboed 4 could be a stormer. Lotus Omega anyone? Now THAT would tick . . . M5 killer with Brit flair.
Cars one and three both have interesting lines following from the lower air intake up to the intake behind the door window - rather a nice detail that could look good in real life. Edited to add, I also notice that cars one two and three share similar creases in the bonnet - perhaps this is true to the final vehicle?
Car two, the elise photoshop job, hasn't got enough to distinguish itself from the Elise - a little too round and cute to be a supercar. The slatted intakes, whilst they carry on from the Elise, are a little clumsy on a top of the range vehicle.
Not at all sure about the last car - not a strong enough design for my taste, a little too lightweight and lacking in presence. The nose is way too sharp for my liking, particularly as in a drivable car it would have to be quite a few inches off the road.
Car two, the elise photoshop job, hasn't got enough to distinguish itself from the Elise - a little too round and cute to be a supercar. The slatted intakes, whilst they carry on from the Elise, are a little clumsy on a top of the range vehicle.
Not at all sure about the last car - not a strong enough design for my taste, a little too lightweight and lacking in presence. The nose is way too sharp for my liking, particularly as in a drivable car it would have to be quite a few inches off the road.
Edited by Tuna on Wednesday 9th August 11:00
Damn interesting stuff here:
www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/concept.html
And what happened to this baby?
www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/concept.html
And what happened to this baby?
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