A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Per Bob Braner...
Braner and Kimberly went to see the Malaysians and have developed a five year plan for Lotus. Expect to see a "2+2 lifestyle vehicle" come from Lotus next and don't expect to see the Esprit until late 2009.
Per Braner, they've got Porsche in their sights. Surely he was kidding, or perhaps it's early stage alzheimers - who knows? Seems like someone should remind Braner what happened the last time the Brits and the Germans took aim at each other.
Per Colin Price...
Expect to see "300" Exige S, "the worst kept secret," for the North American market (sorry, I didn't bother asking about Canada). Don't expect to see parts available until the production run is over as they'll be using their stock to make cars and keep the lights on.
So... what about warranties and the S model cars in the UK that have lunched their superchargers? Guess we'll have to wait until production is complete if we have a problem.
FWIW, Price seems to know less about Lotus and what's going on there than most people here. It would endear him to this enthusiast and perhaps earn him an "awwwww" and a pat on the head if I didn't walk away from the conversation with the taste of sick in the back of my mouth and suddenly feeling the need to shower.
The yellow Exige S mule was officially unveiled at LOG. It's exactly what you've already seen: sealed beam headlamps with the weird "lenses," raised letters on the rear, S badging, body-colored bits, a single strut w/ new bracket over the intercooler, and the different exhaust ("bigger, because this car moves so much more air"). It was dark, so I couldn't find the charcoal canister and didn't notice if the stereo was Blaupunkt or Alpine. There were no changes to the bumpers or clams on this particular car.
I wonder if there's going to be enough Exige S holdouts or trade-ups to absorb the production run. Only time will tell.
A:
It's nice to hear that they have not swayed away from "trying" to compete with Porsche as this has always been the agenda.
A:
Any news on a MK3 elise?
A:
Where O where is Arnie J when we need him!!!!
A:
Just got word from Lotus of Jacksonville that you can order an Exige S car until October 18th. Very limited production. Base price $84,990.00. I don't have a use for it right now but I thought I would get the word out. Call Lotus of Jacksonville.
A:
Originally Posted by Flotus
Just got word from Lotus of Jacksonville that you can order an Exige S car until October 18th. Very limited production. Base price $84,990.00. I don't have a use for it right now but I thought I would get the word out. Call Lotus of Jacksonville.
That would be the Exige Cup track-only car, not the Exige S.
A:
Originally Posted by Flotus
Just got word from Lotus of Jacksonville that you can order an Exige S car until October 18th. Very limited production. Base price $84,990.00. I don't have a use for it right now but I thought I would get the word out. Call Lotus of Jacksonville.
I'm thinking that's a marked up price. We've consistently seen prices in the 50's.
A:
This is the Exige Cup car. Same car?
Electronic Throttled 2ZZ-GE Engine with VVTL - I Auxiliary Front Driving Lights
M62 Roots-Type Positive Displacement Supercharger @ 255 bhp Body Colour Door Mirror Covers, Side Sccops and Wing
Up-Rated Single Air-to-Air Charge Cooler Black Anodised 3-Piece Rear Diffuser
Twin Oil Coolers Clear Sill Stone-Chip Protection Film - delete
Engine Oil Accumulator Unit Front Mud-Flaps - Delete
C64 6-Speed Close Ratio Gearbox Acrylic Capped Door Insert Panels
Sports-Type Clutch Plate and Heavy Duty Clutch Cover Central Locking - Delete
Limited Slip Differential - Torsen Type Carpets and Carpet Fixings - Delete
Speedometer - mph Hardtop Trim - Delete
Left Hand Drive NVH Padding - Delete
Level 1 Stainless Steel Sports Exhaust - 96.9dB(A) Boot Carpet and NVH Pad - Delete
Uprated Four Piston Front Brakes with Two Piece Discs Bulkhead Trim - Delete
Cross Drilled Rear Discs with Up-Rate Pad and Fluid Electric Windows
ABS with Servo Assisted Brakes Rear View Mirror - Delete
Race Suspension (2-Way Adjustable Dampers and Ride Height) Face-Level Air Vents
Adjustable Front Anti-Roll Bar Removable Black Momo Steering Wheel
Double Shear Track Control Arm Brace Non-Locking Wheels Bolts
Forged Wheels - 5 Spoke - Silver Radio Blanking Plate
Slick Racing Tires Speakers - Delete
Tool Kit Passenger Footrest - Delete
Lotus Sport Numbered Build Plate Black Peforated Leather Gear-Lever Gaiter
4-Point Passenger Harness - Packaged Loose Air Conditioning - Delete
6-Point Driving Harness Handbrake Sleeve - Delete
Lotus Sport Branded Drivers Seat - FIA Approved Race Battery
Sports Seat Passenger - Non FIA Approved - Packaged Loose Lotus Sport Decal Pack incl. Windscreen Decal
Drivers Airbag - Delete Deactivation of immobiliser and alarm
Passengers Airbag - Delete Headlight internals - Delete
SCCA Compliant Roll Cage Battery Cover - Delete
Petty Bar THIS VEHICLE IS FOR TRACK USE ONLY.
Mechanical Ignition Kill Switch THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF ANY TYPE
Electrical Fire Supression System ASSOCIATED OR IMPLIED ON THIS PRODUCT.
A:
Cup car is track only, Exige S is street legal.
A:
Originally Posted by zvezdah1
Cup car is track only, Exige S is street legal.
Can an cop see the difference if you switch plates?
A:
Unless they happen to run the VIN, no they would never know, but imagine it'd be a pretty hefty fine for driving it on the street with another vehicles tags.
A:
re: Can an cop see the difference if you switch plates?
Yeah. What's the likelihood that you'd get pulled over driving a bright yellow winged car with well-labeled fuel and electrical shutoff switches, no headlights, and a rollcage?
A:
Originally Posted by JnC
re: Can an cop see the difference if you switch plates?
Yeah. What's the likelihood that you'd get pulled over driving a bright yellow winged car with well-labeled fuel and electrical shutoff switches, no headlights, and a rollcage?
No headlights would probably be the give-away.
A:
Doesn't the Cup car not have a VIN either...just a build number.
A:
Originally Posted by JediMindGamez
Doesn't the Cup car not have a VIN either...just a build number.
I believe that is the case.
A:
Originally Posted by mevistox5
Can an cop see the difference if you switch plates?
This is a great way to try on a pair of handcuff's and get a few free meals!
A:
I'm pretty sure you could register the cup car in west virginia. Seeing some of the street legal cars coming out of there is pretty crazy!
A:
Does the cup car come with a title and does it say something about that it cant be driven on the street so that there is no way it can be registered?
I saw pictures on another site where one was being driven on the road (dont want to post where or who it was in order to avoid getting anyone in trouble) and it had a regular license plate on the back.
What makes it illegal for road use- no lights, or is the engine not certified for use in the USA? Why do they come with a plate holder on it if they are made for track use only.
However, if you are a dealer I think you can slap a dealer plate on just about anything and drive it. My friend once took a 360 Challenge race car that has plexiglass windows, and a racing exhaust, stickers and numbers on it to a fundraiser and it put his dealer plates on it and the local cops that were providing security and checking IDs didnt even say anything.
A:
Originally Posted by bmw1
It's nice to hear that they have not swayed away from "trying" to compete with Porsche as this has always been the agenda.
I picture a short guy with a slingshot.
Originally Posted by JediMindGamez
Doesn't the Cup car not have a VIN either...just a build number.
The Cup cars have VINs.
Originally Posted by Gauss
Any news on a MK3 elise?
Not that I've heard, but I worked the concours most of the day. Adams and Co. are being very tight-lipped about everything, even by their own admission.
A:
Originally Posted by zvezdah1
Cup car is track only, Exige S is street legal.
Are you sure? I thought the Lotus Sport Elise was street legal, but the supercharged S was not. Too few cars to certify.
You might be able to do it yourself.