saxman swings in to save the thread with ACCURATE INFO on the 2003 USDM Elise

The USDM elise will be that of the 2nd gen(the blue elise cedric posted), will weigh in the neighborhood of 1800 lbs do to Lotus USA adding stuff like a complete interior, leather seats, and airconditioning. The engine is reported to produce 150-200 hp, and will most likely NOT be a rover engine. Suspension will be slightly detuned for the lazy fat ass american who wants a cushy ride(why on earth would you buy an Elise if you're looking for a cushy ride?). In places where a Lotus dealership is not around, expect to see the Elise sitting on BMW showrooms. and the price? around US$38k ....


thank you, this has been another episode of saxman saves the day with accurate info


another note, gunmetal is the best color for the Elise 2000/Type 72

I have lots of pics on my other computer, I'll try to post some either tomorrow night or on Monday if I remember to

 

it is also easter.
(a boring chuch day... )


[QUOTE]Originally posted by saxman
[B]saxman swings in to save the thread with ACCURATE INFO on the 2003 USDM Elise

The USDM elise will be that of the 2nd gen(the blue elise cedric posted), will weigh in the neighborhood of 1800 lbs do to Lotus USA

 

sorry I missed the airbags


I've heard that the engine is leaning a bit more towards the 200 level

 

That is without a doubt one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen.

 

it's ok, I am not too sure about the airbags either....

maybe they can get away and not put the airbags in the car, (by some miracle way of pass Fed crush test.)

IMO, who needs airbags in a Elise anyway?

200hp is going to be great, but they also said the Euro spec Elise Mk2 will be 140hp-200hp before, it turn out it is only 2 more horses than the Mk1...

 

well, consider the fact that for the US market, the Elise 2000 is replacing the Esprit, so a higher powered model will probably be expected... or at the very least, a bit more likely

 

I don't think they're as easy to live with as the s2k. I saw two guys (early 20's) pull into the supermarket car park. I was admiring the Elise when the drivers door opened and the driver just rolled out into the car park, I think he thought it was the easiest way to exit. I'm sure they were just fooling around.

Wooly

 

I read recently that Lotus have signed a deal to use a Toyota engine to replace the K-series for the US. The VVTi 190 version from the Celica IIRC. Apparantly a Honda engine was under consideration, but the Toyota's won. Should still be better than the K-Series!

-Brian.

 

The Esprit has been available here more or less unchanged for at least 15 years. You see them on the road every once in a while. Is Lotus finally going to stop making them? Or are they only going to stop bringing them into the US?

It's hard to think of the Elise as a replacement for the Esprit. For under $40K, it will be about half of the Esprit's cost and sounds like it won't have a Lotus engine.

In the early 90s, Lotus sent another car here priced in the mid to high 30s. I don't recall the name but it might also have been Elise. Anyone else remember that one?

 

And now of course there's this:-

http://www.vx220london.com/vx220html/index.htm




The Vauxhall VX220 is built by Lotus For Vauxhall. Many reviewers feel that Lotus shot themselves in the foot helping Vauxhall with this one, as it's at least as good a handling car and somewhat cheaper than the Elise. It's a brave car for Vauxhall to bring out as they have no history of two seater sports car production at all. I suppose it deserves to succeed but it remains to be seen if badge snobbery will be it's ultimate downfall. In Europe it's marketed with an Opel badge which sounds somewhat better.