RE: Lotus Exige Cup 380
Discussion
SidewaysSi said:
Yipper said:
Reavenger said:
Yipper said:
An epic car from the outside. Hideous car on the inside. Lotus badly need to up their game on their awful interiors.
I disagree. Lotus Exige interiors are functional and minimalist. It fits with the ethos of the car. Everything is logically laid out even if there isn't much to lay out! The seats are some of the best bucket seats you can buy. However, it would be good to see more of the alcantara in the cabin and the sills a tad thinner. Lotus is finally pulling itself together in business terms and making a small profit. If Lotus can refine its interiors and appeal to normal people, their profits will go even higher.
People who like nice interiors won't get Lotus at all. No point going after that sort of buyer. The Evora does have a better interior if that maters.
And a comment of 'people who like nice interiors won't get Lotus' is absolutely bonkers I'm afraid.
For many years Lotus decided that they would market themselves as 'cheap'. This did them no favours. They are now turning the business around by ditching that awful image and doing a great job of it. Every new edition looks more grown up and professional and addresses other issues that had made them undesirable. All of this great work by Gales has allowed him to push the prices forward but there is no doubt that their success at pushing prices forward is now moving them into an area where a few further points need to be redressed, one of which is the mid 90s style, cheap hatchback dash. It needs a redesign along the same lines of the other cosmetic areas that have been brought into the 21st century. That doesn't mean adding weight at all.
I rather like the dash in the exige. I'm not at all keen on the new generation of flat screen dashboards that most supercars now seem to have. I like a dial.
I'm not sure that the new "only two lights" rear end works as well as the old one. I know, weight, cost, but I find it less atrractive.
I'm also unconvinced about all the little aero addenda. The dive planes, the splitter, the skirts, the big wing. It seems most cars get this stuff added as the model moves into middle age. Just look at an early Pagani Zonda S. No extras, just a simple beautiful line. Does anybody really think that a late winged and arched Countach is better looking than an early Periscope?
I'm not sure that the new "only two lights" rear end works as well as the old one. I know, weight, cost, but I find it less atrractive.
I'm also unconvinced about all the little aero addenda. The dive planes, the splitter, the skirts, the big wing. It seems most cars get this stuff added as the model moves into middle age. Just look at an early Pagani Zonda S. No extras, just a simple beautiful line. Does anybody really think that a late winged and arched Countach is better looking than an early Periscope?
Cold said:
DonkeyApple said:
For many years Lotus decided that they would market themselves as 'cheap'.
Lotus cars have never been cheap. This is why they've had to work so hard to move prices up since Gales took over to make the business credible and profitable.
suffolk009 said:
I rather like the dash in the exige. I'm not at all keen on the new generation of flat screen dashboards that most supercars now seem to have. I like a dial.
That's just the binnacle though. Or rather the contents of the binnacle. It's the whole dash section that is beginning to look a little bit of a weak point when the price tag is £80k+DonkeyApple said:
suffolk009 said:
I rather like the dash in the exige. I'm not at all keen on the new generation of flat screen dashboards that most supercars now seem to have. I like a dial.
That's just the binnacle though. Or rather the contents of the binnacle. It's the whole dash section that is beginning to look a little bit of a weak point when the price tag is £80k+Mind you, I'd order black crackle paint instead of carbon-fibre every time. I concede I'm probably not a typical customer.
DonkeyApple said:
That was their entire business model from when they halted selling the Esprit and focussed on the Elise. It was all about cheap track/sport motoring. The focus of everything was to tell you that it was the cheaper alternative.
This is why they've had to work so hard to move prices up since Gales took over to make the business credible and profitable.
No, the focus was on light weight and modest power. The early cars were circa £20k which compared unfavorably with competitors such as the MX5, MGF and even Caterhams.This is why they've had to work so hard to move prices up since Gales took over to make the business credible and profitable.
Cold said:
DonkeyApple said:
That was their entire business model from when they halted selling the Esprit and focussed on the Elise. It was all about cheap track/sport motoring. The focus of everything was to tell you that it was the cheaper alternative.
This is why they've had to work so hard to move prices up since Gales took over to make the business credible and profitable.
No, the focus was on light weight and modest power. The early cars were circa £20k which compared unfavorably with competitors such as the MX5, MGF and even Caterhams.This is why they've had to work so hard to move prices up since Gales took over to make the business credible and profitable.
suffolk009 said:
But that smiley grill - a sort of D on it's side) was just about the only constant on all Lotus Cars since the first Elite. It was even on the Esprit and the 340R.
You can see it on the original Elan also and it looks fine and proper but when they did the Elise they seemed to take the premis and massively exaggerate it to look like a child's toy. The current change while subtle makes for a much more grown up look. DonkeyApple said:
Exactly. Cheap cars. They are now close to hitting £100k for some models and are no longer pitching their brand as cheap performance but serious products getting on for serious money. Probably why they got rid of the 'CBeeBies' smiley grill for something a bit more grown up.
How does being one of the most expensive in their sector mean cheap? Back in 1999 a Sport 350 was £65k, go back a further ten years and an SE Esprit was knocking on the door of £50k - £50,000 in 1989. So it's not as if they aren't used to selling cars with comparatively high prices. They haven't ever been cheap.
Cold said:
DonkeyApple said:
Exactly. Cheap cars. They are now close to hitting £100k for some models and are no longer pitching their brand as cheap performance but serious products getting on for serious money. Probably why they got rid of the 'CBeeBies' smiley grill for something a bit more grown up.
How does being one of the most expensive in their sector mean cheap? Back in 1999 a Sport 350 was £65k, go back a further ten years and an SE Esprit was knocking on the door of £50k - £50,000 in 1989. So it's not as if they aren't used to selling cars with comparatively high prices. They haven't ever been cheap.
The single point being that the dash of the Exige in this £83k car is starting to look clearly like another legacy from the 'cheap' era that is needing to be redressed.
I don't think Lotus ever really tried to be "premium" because that, to me at least, implies a focus on perceived quality at the expense of other things.
They've certainly pushed the 111 platform up in the performance and price stakes but they've (quite rightly IMO) not made it much more "premium" in the process. To a degree that's what the Evora is for but I wouldn't even call that a "premium" car.
They've certainly pushed the 111 platform up in the performance and price stakes but they've (quite rightly IMO) not made it much more "premium" in the process. To a degree that's what the Evora is for but I wouldn't even call that a "premium" car.
Edited by kambites on Monday 24th April 18:05
Cold said:
I realise it's very popular on this website not to like Lotus for some reason. Perhaps PH doesn't enjoy dynamically interesting cars? But at least base your prejudices on fact and not some made-up nonsense. Otherwise you become just another pub bore expert who's best ignored.
It's also quite common for PHers to be analphabetic. . At what exact point have I said I didn't like Lotus? If you're having to resort to this then all I can suggest is that you either go back and read what has been written or go away until you are emotionally mature enough to cope with an adult conversation.
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