Looks fantastic.

 

As clarified above, it's not actually the LF-A engine or any variant of it. It's the V8 from the IS-F. However, I was simply making the point that it wouldn't be nonsensical to use the V10 to try and recover some of the R&D costs. The same goes for the IS-F V8, since I believe it's pretty low-volume, too.

It's similar to F1 where Ferrari or other engine manufacturers will provide engines to other teams. They've already spent the $$$ on R&D, so might as well try to make some of that money back.

 

I thought there was a rumor that the new esprit might get the lfa v10? Anyones I don't know how true it is, but I heard that Lotus fired some Ferrari workers. So this could be their idea. Not too sure how true as I only saw someone mentioned that over at Jalopnik.

It would be interesting to see if the Elite can compete with the likes of the DB9 and 612.

 

This.

Gorgeous, but way too heavy. Lotuses are supposed to be precise driver's cars, not overweight GT cruisers.

 

Lotus is moving towards the higher end of the playing feild, to do battle with ferrari, lambo, aston, maserati etc. This is a fact, stated by a lotus rep. There cars are no longer going to be affordable, lightweight, semi-exotics, they are now going to be large, high HP, GT cars like all the other high end brands.

 

I was thinking at that price point of $180K if they use the V10 then it should raise the price considerably. I think Lotus should stick to lightweight and handling rather than playing with the GT boys like Aston and Ferrari.

 

I like it but that anticipated price point is awfully high for a carmaker known more for speed and creative use of glue than comfort.

 

If that's the case, Lotus will most likely fail.

Lotus has been successful because it differentiates itself from other exotics. Other exotics are expensive, Lotuses are reasonably priced. Other exotics are heavy, Lotuses are light. Other exotics are complex, Lotuses are simple. Other exotics are luxurious, Lotuses are spartan.

By going into direct competition with the other more established players in the exotic car industry, Lotus suddenly becomes the small fish in a big pond. It doesn't have the kind of resources that Ferrari, Lambo, etc have, therefore it won't be able to effectively compete.

It's simple business strategy. When a company differentiates its products, it no longer has to directly compete with other companies in its market segment. For example: Nintendo differentiated itself from the XBOX 360 and PS3 by using less sophisticated hardware, reducing price, and adding motion-sensing controls. As a result, they're the worldwide sales leader, and have been raking in money while MS and Sony battle it out. In'n'Out Burger is another good example of differentiation: simpler, higher-quality ingredients set them apart from Burger King and the like. Apple is yet another example.

Meanwhile, companies that try to do exactly what the competition does almost always fail. If Lotus makes its products the same as those of Ferrari/Lambo, there is no longer any objective reason to buy one. Besides, even if it was marginally better than the other exotics, most potential buyers will avoid Lotus due to the lack of a fancy badge and reputation.

Trying to compete with Ferrari/Lambo would be a monumentally stupid move for Lotus.

 

thx for the marketing/business class 301
i had a flashback to the college days there for a sec

 

Car looks good.

Why doesn't Lotus make their own motors anymore?