Lightweight Elise aims to revive Lotus in America

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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Nice car, but quite ugly, and certainly nothing I'd want to be in an accident in.
 

007bond

Senior member
May 11, 2002
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Originally posted by: Ogg
I like:D

Agreed. However, it does seem a bit overpriced to me. $32,000 or so seems more reasonable than the $40,000 it is going to sell for.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: 007bond
Originally posted by: Ogg
I like:D

Agreed. However, it does seem a bit overpriced to me. $32,000 or so seems more reasonable than the $40,000 it is going to sell for.
Think about it though - there are no roadsters for $32k that come anywhere close to this for performance!

 

WinkOsmosis

Banned
Sep 18, 2002
13,990
1
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Originally posted by: 007bond
Originally posted by: Ogg
I like:D

Agreed. However, it does seem a bit overpriced to me. $32,000 or so seems more reasonable than the $40,000 it is going to sell for.

Think about it this way.. It's faster than a Corvette, and will be bought as a weekend car.
 

007bond

Senior member
May 11, 2002
337
0
71
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: 007bond
Originally posted by: Ogg
I like:D

Agreed. However, it does seem a bit overpriced to me. $32,000 or so seems more reasonable than the $40,000 it is going to sell for.
Think about it though - there are no roadsters for $32k that come anywhere close to this for performance!

I realize :) Just a thought.
 

007bond

Senior member
May 11, 2002
337
0
71
Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Originally posted by: 007bond
Originally posted by: Ogg
I like:D

Agreed. However, it does seem a bit overpriced to me. $32,000 or so seems more reasonable than the $40,000 it is going to sell for.

Think about it this way.. It's faster than a Corvette, and will be bought as a weekend car.

Don't get me wrong if I had that kind of money for a weekend car I'd be all over it. Though I really doubt it will be faster than the new 'vettes. Should be pretty close and I must say I like V8 power.

 

bbrontosaurus

Senior member
Oct 25, 2002
469
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Originally posted by: Skoorb
Nice car, but quite ugly, and certainly nothing I'd want to be in an accident in.

I agree on the accident part.......especially with all those damm SUVs on our roads:disgust:
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
Lotus engineers insist the new engine is safely capable of 300 hp, so racers have something to work with.

:Q

Can I add this to my Christmas wish list?
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
Originally posted by: bbrontosaurus
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Nice car, but quite ugly, and certainly nothing I'd want to be in an accident in.

I agree on the accident part.......especially with all those damm SUVs on our roads:disgust:

PEOPLE! This car is designed to avoid and out-maneuver those SUVs!!!
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Lotus engineers insist the new engine is safely capable of 300 hp, so racers have something to work with.

:Q

Can I add this to my Christmas wish list?
Sub 5 second 0-60 with 187. Slap 300 in there and you'll have a super-car for not much cash. I wonder how much to get its 0-60 down to around 4, which is crazy-speed levels? Surely $10k would do it!
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Lotus engineers insist the new engine is safely capable of 300 hp, so racers have something to work with.

:Q

Can I add this to my Christmas wish list?
Sub 5 second 0-60 with 187. Slap 300 in there and you'll have a super-car for not much cash. I wonder how much to get its 0-60 down to around 4, which is crazy-speed levels? Surely $10k would do it!

Just take it to your local rice-boi hangout. They'll know exactly how to tweak that Toyota engine for as little money as possible.
 

Apex

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
6,511
1
71
www.gotapex.com
Got your deposits down yet? If not, you're going to be waiting a LONG LONG time if you want one. ;)

4.8 second 0-60, 13 sec quarter mile, grip over 1g on relatively small/inexpensive 16/17" tires, and over 30 miles per gallon (most have reported 31-35mpg mixed city/highway).

I'm hoping the 2zz engine can be swapped out for a 503E. That 2.0L 4 cylinder might be a tight squeeze, but it would be seriously fast.

http://www.toysport.com/Technical%20Information/toyota_twin_cam_article.htm

The most famous and successful Toyota Race engine- the 503E was used in Toyota's Triumphant Championship seasons in IMSA GTO / GTP, Pikes Peak, Le Mans, and in the mid-90s Japan Touring Cup Championship. It is important to note that the 16 valve cylinder head layout from the 152E engine and the T block crankshaft saddle design were used as design base for this ultimate Toyota 4 cylinder Turbocharged race engine. The 503E represented the most powerful 4 cylinders in competition history developing over 1000HP in qualifying tune, 800HP for sprint races, and 600 for endurance events. IMPRESSIVE.

Some have used the 503E for street applications, but it's a bit costly ($15k rebuilt) for most weekend tuners.
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
Originally posted by: boyRacer
the hell with 300BHP and 0-60 or whatever... i want to feel how it handles on a circuit... :D

LIKE A DREAM...according to everything I've ever read about the Elise.
 

Apex

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
6,511
1
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www.gotapex.com
Originally posted by: boyRacer
the hell with 300BHP and 0-60 or whatever... i want to feel how it handles on a circuit... :D

Here's how the 122hp european one handled:

Road & Track "Finding the best-handling car for road and track"

It got 2nd after the 360 Modena. However, it did beat out the Porsche 911 turbo, BMW M3, Lancer EVO VII, Corvette Z06, Porsche Boxter S, and Mazda MP3. Main complaint against it? Not enough power to exit turns with authority. However, the US model will be 56% more powerful. :)