Questions about US Elise

[Chipper2207]

1-When will they bring it to the US?
2-How much will it cost?
3-What will the changes be from the Euro. one and ours?
4-How many will they bring over?
5-Are there any plans for them to bring the Exige for stree-legal use?

[Viper 10]

This is what I remember from my conversation with some senior Lotus Club people and a discussion with the CEO of Lotus NA at the LA Auto Show

Originally posted by Chipper2207
1-When will they bring it to the US?

summer of '03

2-How much will it cost? mid- $30k's

3-What will the changes be from the Euro. one and ours?

More powerful engine for the US (I believe they are targeting th eoutput of the aftermarket VTEC tuners that convert Euro- Elise's. Lotus is targeting a curb weight of 2,800 pounds.

4-How many will they bring over?

Not sure, but I believe that they are going directly after the S2000 , Porsche Boxster and BMW Z and the 350Z. That would tell me that these are not going to be very limited production cars.

5-Are there any plans for them to bring the Exige for stree-legal use?

No there isn't, but there will be a 200+ HP Elise designed soley for the track available around the same timeframes . It is just an updated version of the Exige. I hope that they eventually bring over the GT version of the track monster

That's my $.02.

Brad

[Hanskie]

I heard that Lotus can ramp up production to a maximum of 3200 cars a year. That includes production for Europe and the USA

[jsb88]

I am sure they can, if they work hard enough and shorten the production line.

[OneFastMiata]

There seems to be WAAAY too much conflicting information.

Ive ordered one thru a dealer in Atlanta. According to him, they wont be here until 2004/2005.

Cost MSRP will be anywhere from 38K to 42K. When signing paperwork I had to agree to that spectrum. Im paying MSRP not dealer markup.


Changes include bumper reinforcement, sideimpact additions. Leather and AC will be offered in the US.



I sure as hell hope they're not going to weigh 2800lbs. Thats 600lbs more than my current miata. If they weigh that much Im cancelling my order right now. I was told 1600 for euro models, add 200-300lbs to the US versions for upgraded impact area and leather/AC.

[jsb88]

Thats sounds about right.

[redimpss5]

that still sounds like a good deal! do you think that this car will need a/c?

[SilverLotus340R]

if its hot enough for you to need a/c than the top should be off!!

[feenix z]

does anyone know what kind of elise they will send over, i've seen about 6 different versions on some web site.
i heard something about it having a GM ecotec (or Geek-o-tec) engine with about 145 ponies. please tell me that isnt going to happen. but hey, if it does i'll just have to swap an MR2 turbo engine or an sr20 instead


"You wanna raise your truck? Why don't you just punch out your teeth and marry your sister while your at it?"
The immortal words of Pete

[SilverLotus340R]

the engine they are putting in is a celica engine and the body type they are using can be seen here

[AnsisK]

I have doubts about the Federalised Elise. People wont like it and forever dislike the Elise as a car. If anyone knows anything about Elises, they know that they are no place for power windows, CD players and AC. Common. Unless the Celica motor will compensate for this useless weight, I don't think that the Elise will be as great as it is in Europe.

[OneFastMiata]

Originally Posted by AnsisK

I have doubts about the Federalised Elise. People wont like it and forever dislike the Elise as a car. If anyone knows anything about Elises, they know that they are no place for power windows, CD players and AC. Common. Unless the Celica motor will compensate for this useless weight, I don't think that the Elise will be as great as it is in Europe.

I think you're wrong.

[Gen1RS]

From what I've heard about the US version is it will have a radio, no power steering or power brakes, 180hp engine, est. 1700lbs. If I had the money I'd be after one in a heartbeat. Dunno about the a/c though...

[AnsisK]

Answers to your questions:

1. April
2. 39,000$
3. Quite a substantial change. A different aluminum chassis (I think) that will be a platform for future VAT legal cars. Toyota transmission and motor.
4. Initial plans were about 10 a month for the US, but hey, look what happened! American dealers have received way more orders than anticipated.
5. The Exige S2 will NOT be coming to the US. The only way it will if Lotus themselves changed their minds. It is still a really really low chance.

For more info on the Federalized Elise, here are two good links.

www.elisetalk.com
www.lotusfury.com

[feenix z]

I just got the new Road and Track the other day and guess whats plastered all over the cover...
the elise is going to be so bad-ass. It is ALMOST a car uncorrupted by weight adding crap. i want one... or two.