New 20** Lotus Elan

[XiPHiAS]

Did you guys see this already ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcnw05biUuE

[youtube]Wcnw05biUuE[/youtube]

[XiPHiAS]

no thx

[DavidEJM]

'................very powerful car.....450 to 470 bhp.....?

not really what the previous elans have been about is it? Surely more like 200 to 250bhp but more importantly a comparitively lightweight nicely balanced chassis?

Seems to miss the point of the elan IMO, though I think the renderings and mock-up look good as a stand-alone excercise.

[XiPHiAS]

Yes and No

For a sportscar 200 is not enough, every normal daily driver has 200hp at this moment.
In the '90 165 - 200 was alot and was fast ... but today they need more.

[ailwyn]

I like a lot

I wonder how it would sit with the Evora, as that is similar spec and isn't there a plan to release a 2 seater convertible version in the next year or two?

[XiPHiAS]

I wonder how it would sit with the Evora, as that is similar spec and isn't there a plan to release a 2 seater convertible version in the next year or two?

YES!

- Esprit: 2+0, V8 5.0, 600ch ++, £100000, (versions base et R, coupé et cab), benchmark: 458
- Elan: 2+0/2, V6 3.5, 440ch, £70000, (versions base et R, coupé et cab), benchmark: 911 turbo
- Elite: 2+2, V8 5.0, 600ch++, coupé-cabriolet (versions base et R), £135000: benchmark: DB9
- Eterne: panamerapide-like, motorisations de l'Elite
- Elise: 4 cylindre 2.0, 350ch (:D), (versions base et R, coupé et cab), benchmark: Boxster, Cayman, TT

[DavidEJM]

For a sportscar 200 is not enough, every normal daily driver has 200hp at this moment.
In the '90 165 - 200 was alot and was fast ... but today they need more.

I don't know that they do need that kind of power..

I recall the pug 205 1.9 (with 130bhp) in its day as been a very quick little car and a match for todays 'hot hatches' with their 200 bhp engines. The difference being mainly down to weight.

I just think a lightweight sportscar (as the video was describing it, I know our M100's are hardly light) and the elan in particular isn't necesarily about what is under the bonnet but more about the chassis and how that performance is used.

The M100 with its NA engine was comparible to the hot hatches of the day, engine wise. The turbo a little more, so logically 200 to 250 seems comparible in todays terms.

Don't get me wrong, I've always been a 'more is better' kind of guy when it comes to cars and power, however I just think this isn't really the right design brief for a 21st century elan. It seems more baby supercar territory at 450 to 470 bhp.

Just my opinion of course.

[XiPHiAS]

You are right but for a recent sportscar you just need more than 200hp ... lightness is one thing, but Lotus looks with a wider prespective now.

That's not bad ... only the pricetag is a little bit high.

But... make & design concepts and prototypes is one thing, finetune, building and selling is another thing Los made several prototypes in the past that not made production.

[DavidEJM]

But... make & design concepts and prototypes is one thing, finetune, building and selling is another thing Los made several prototypes in the past that not made production.

True, and as someone else commented on here (can't remember who, sorry) it is a bit worrying that Lotus are spreading themselves a bit thin at the moment It would be a shame to see another sportcar manufacturer go to the wall (no matter who owns it) through overstretching. Though I suppose it is nice to see some ambition.

[uk08462]

Lotus is getting it wrong. Too expensive for their loyal clientele, poor residuals and reputation for those they are trying to attract. I wish them luck but they are moving out of my league....

[superbad]

That's going to look humpy in the back when they make it a convertible. Not bad, a bit dull maybe, but it doesn't look like a Lotus either. Better than the Elise, which is a mess.

Where's all this money coming from? Poor MJK had to dig for change under the sofa cushions to make the Evora. Bahar comes in and has already hired away most of Ferrari. Plus they're going to need to triple their engineering and production staff (and the size of the facility at Hethel) to actually build these things. Something just seems... off.

[Doug]

Seems like a lotta fanfare--which is okay with me.
I wonder how many will make it to production?
I agree that the prices and HPs are too much; I don't think Lotus will truly attract the kind of pricks that buy the 911 turbos and all anyway!
I'm liking the look of that Elan and Eterne though -- will look nice side by side in my garage

[Monty]

Better than the Elise, which is a mess.

I was the same when i 1st seen the Elise and didn`t like them, but since doing trackdays and having Pax rides in many they are a great sports car. The Elise is more of a Lotus than the M100 will ever be, too heavy and front wheel drive. Be great to see the Elan with a Alli Chassis and rear wheel drive



BTW, isn`t this the New Elite talked about here viewtopic.php?f=21&t=18047

[clemo]

Lotus is getting it wrong. Too expensive for their loyal clientele, poor residuals and reputation for those they are trying to attract. I wish them luck but they are moving out of my league....

they were never in my league! well ot the new ones anyway.
that said though when the elan m100 came out wasn't it overpriced in the market place too?

hope they make the 3rd gen elan though (rubbing hands together) as i blow dust of my E3LAN numberplate...

[superbad]

I was the same when i 1st seen the Elise and didn`t like them, but since doing trackdays and having Pax rides in many they are a great sports car.

I mean the new one they're showing at Paris- the Elise S1 and current S2 are brilliant. The new one is ugly and 500 pounds heavier.

[Sy V]

... BTW, isn`t this the New Elite talked about here viewtopic.php?f=21&t=18047

I thought that too, Paddy!

[Monty]

I was the same when i 1st seen the Elise and didn`t like them, but since doing trackdays and having Pax rides in many they are a great sports car.

I mean the new one they're showing at Paris- the Elise S1 and current S2 are brilliant. The new one is ugly and 500 pounds heavier.

See what your saying now,I`ve only seen a couple of pic`s of the new Elise and don`t like the look of the front.


Would be great to see Lotus with a new Elan but light weight and rear wheel drive but hope they keep some resemblance to the shape

[clemo]

is it , or is it not a new elan then ( he says putting numberplates back on dusty shelf)
it is in the video...

[Specky]

Who knows....

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Searc ... show-2010/

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-en ... -motorshow

On the number plate front I've had mine valued and it's estimated worth is about an 1/8th of the cars value .... (Dam...)

So on that premise what's an 1/8th of £70,000...

Here's a picture, anyone going to the motor show?





TTFN

[tigerdog]

hope they make the 3rd gen elan though (rubbing hands together) as i blow dust of my E3LAN numberplate...

Hmm, that should nicely finance your kids' education and fund your retirement.