RE: Lotus Elise SC
Discussion
kambites said:
Is it just me, or does that rear spoiler look terrible?
Nice car otherwise though, as long as you accept that it's not as much of a purist sports-car as the original.
I love that spoiler - obviously inspired from the S1 111 series - looks great.Nice car otherwise though, as long as you accept that it's not as much of a purist sports-car as the original.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 30th January 15:45
I think the whole thing looks like a great package - obviously the extra weight will upset the purists but I for one wouldn't mind one. Still not sure about an Elise as an everyday car though...
I'm not 'upset' as such with the overweight thing .... it looks like a great car (as usual) from the guys at Hethel ..... and I certainly wouldn't say no.
Interesting though that most of the road tests I've read so far onb the SC have said "Great car ..... but on balance you'd be better buying the 'standard' Elise S".
This is another way of saying that absolute straight line performance is not really what the Elise is all about. The essence of the Elise is its ability to almost telepathically change direction almost as soon as you will it to .... the way that your hands and feet and arse seem to be somehow in direct contact with the tread blocks on the tyres.
All Elises achieve this to varying degrees .... but in my book the bog standard Elise S1 is the one that does it best. I've driven a few S2s and great though they all were (particularly the incredibly well set up 135R) none of them had the sheer delicacy of those few pared down 700 odd kilos in an S1.
Put it this way.... I often take my big brother (about 85Kg) for a blast up the Yorkshire Dales on sunny Sunday afternoons .... and enjoy every minute ..... but when he gets out its a COMPLETE revelation. All the fluency and feel returns and its heaven.
Still would't mind an Exige 240 (as well) though!
Interesting though that most of the road tests I've read so far onb the SC have said "Great car ..... but on balance you'd be better buying the 'standard' Elise S".
This is another way of saying that absolute straight line performance is not really what the Elise is all about. The essence of the Elise is its ability to almost telepathically change direction almost as soon as you will it to .... the way that your hands and feet and arse seem to be somehow in direct contact with the tread blocks on the tyres.
All Elises achieve this to varying degrees .... but in my book the bog standard Elise S1 is the one that does it best. I've driven a few S2s and great though they all were (particularly the incredibly well set up 135R) none of them had the sheer delicacy of those few pared down 700 odd kilos in an S1.
Put it this way.... I often take my big brother (about 85Kg) for a blast up the Yorkshire Dales on sunny Sunday afternoons .... and enjoy every minute ..... but when he gets out its a COMPLETE revelation. All the fluency and feel returns and its heaven.
Still would't mind an Exige 240 (as well) though!
Flawed said:
I love that spoiler - obviously inspired from the S1 111 series - looks great.
I think the whole thing looks like a great package - obviously the extra weight will upset the purists but I for one wouldn't mind one.
As I understood it, the sharp rear lip on the S2 clam was essentially a replacement for the S1 111S spoiler. Since there's already a sharp edge there, I very much doubt that this new spoiler does anything at all except add drag. I don't like the idea that Lotus are adding things just for show, even if they do only weigh a few grams. I think the whole thing looks like a great package - obviously the extra weight will upset the purists but I for one wouldn't mind one.
Flawed said:
Still not sure about an Elise as an everyday car though...
I think you'd be pleasantly surprised if you tried it. I run one as my every day car and, unless you need four seats or a lot of luggage space, I really don't see the downsides. Sam_68 said:
That's a defeatist attitude! 
But again, not quite the point... we're not talking about the odd extra pound or two, here. Were talking about the equivalent of two heavily built blokes in the (single) passenger seat.
If you want to know the effect that has on your braking and handling, watch the repeat of this week's Fifth Gear.
I agree with you that lower wight is obviously better, and I did watch that fifth gear too, but dont you think lotus are doing their best to keep the weight down? Its not like mass mass production companys with the 1300kg medium size cars.But again, not quite the point... we're not talking about the odd extra pound or two, here. Were talking about the equivalent of two heavily built blokes in the (single) passenger seat.
If you want to know the effect that has on your braking and handling, watch the repeat of this week's Fifth Gear.
Yes the weight is an issue, but then airbags, central locking etc all add weight, and I've heard different stories about the actual weigh of the early S1 when they came off the production line. My main issue is of cost. Okay it's quick, but 32k is a lot of money for an elise in anyones money. The S1 was under 20k when it first came out in 96, making it affordable to a far wider market. When I bought the Vx220 five years ago the basic S2 was £22.5k (as was the VX220), a fair price considering the performance. I just think the smiles / pound (which was so great on the early cars) is getting lost somewhere. If they could get the SC cars closer to 25k they'd be world beaters.
And agree it's time for an S3, the S2 isn't aging well.
And agree it's time for an S3, the S2 isn't aging well.
kambites said:
Is it just me, or does that rear spoiler look terrible?
Nice car otherwise though, as long as you accept that it's not as much of a purist sports-car as the original.
it's not just you. I'd have a nightfall blue one with white racing stripes and delete the spoiler. Maybe add the lightweight wheels too. Or should I just supercharge a used sportracer?Nice car otherwise though, as long as you accept that it's not as much of a purist sports-car as the original.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 30th January 15:45
I do think that some of the heavier components should be options, even if they're no-cost options. I'd certainly take a car without the airbags give the choice and I'd rather have one without a brake servo too, although that wasn't even offered on the 111R.
I think it's great that Lotus are building cars like this which can appeal to a broader market than the Elise of old, I just think it's a shame that they no longer offer a product to appeal to the market that the S1 was aimed at.
To be fair though, it's not Lotus fault that the K-series went out of production. It was the engine change that added the majority of the weight.
I think it's great that Lotus are building cars like this which can appeal to a broader market than the Elise of old, I just think it's a shame that they no longer offer a product to appeal to the market that the S1 was aimed at.
To be fair though, it's not Lotus fault that the K-series went out of production. It was the engine change that added the majority of the weight.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 31st January 10:15
sjw said:
said:
the angry cam now kicks in at 4,000rpm
How can I get my 'angry cam' to do that ?(Without forking out £500 just to plug it into a computer and tap a few keys)
Fantastic performance figures and if it still handle as well though i guess better than the MK1 i had then it must really be something and hopefull will show a Cayman S a clean pair of exhausts.
Suprised that a completley new model never came out though as to the untrained eye it is a 2001 model Elise for £32k??.
Do any of you Lotus guys know when the Eagle is due? Murray Lotus still have £1k deposit i left with them when i changed my mind and bought a Porsche instead - Great everyday car but not an Elise for smile/thrill factor.
Suprised that a completley new model never came out though as to the untrained eye it is a 2001 model Elise for £32k??.
Do any of you Lotus guys know when the Eagle is due? Murray Lotus still have £1k deposit i left with them when i changed my mind and bought a Porsche instead - Great everyday car but not an Elise for smile/thrill factor.
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