Lotus Esprit delayed
#12
06-14-2011 | 04:18 PM
Teamspeed's Howitzer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,273
Or
Lower? Mustang? Corvette?
Everyone I named makes their own power plant. Evora is a MASSIVE failure. $80k, borderline passable interior, fit and finish that is...well......so so.... unimpressive electronics- and....
a toyota Camry engine, with a Toyota pick up truck transmission and a slapped on super charger.
Lotus really needs to rethink their strategy of WHO they want to be and WHO they're going to sell their cars to. As gorgeous as I think some of their designs are- for $50k or 75, I'm buying a used 911. For 100-140 there's even more shiney toys to be had- by Ferrari and Lambo. For nearly $200, I'd snatch me up a sweet SLS AMG- W/O hesitation. Geez, there's so many damn cars in those ranges....
Lotus, are you paying attention?
#13
06-14-2011 | 04:26 PM
Banned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,264
Where they always were prior to this five new cars that are all a solution looking for a problem crap. A relatively small, niche car builder for driving enthusiasts. The company is going to end up a creek without a paddle due to a dozen different management idiots all trying to turn the company into their own personal Ferrari knockoff.
McLaren has half a chance. Lotus has ZERO playing with Ferrari/Lambo/Porsche.
Were I calling the shots, they'd be doing:
1) A new Elan, which is a real effing Elan, meaning something the size of a postage stamp, RWD, four banger that revs to mars, lighter than your average laptop, and at a 20-25k price point.
2) A new Elise, based on the original platform instead of this modular BS, only with a 400+ hp small V8 (or FI V6) and a similar ~2,000 lb weight. 50k price point.
3) A new Esprit, with an ~800 hp TT V8, max weight of 2,800 lbs. ~130-150k price point.
Kill the Evora, or reinvent it with an engine that isn't a joke, kill all the other BS and get back to making cars for people who aren't into circle-jerking in front of night clubs.
Rule #1: No effing electroic BS. No flappies. No stability BS. No traction BS. I don't care if they need waivers to sell the things. These cars are not for people who can't drive to save their ass.
As to engines, Lotus has proven they can build their own quite competently, but nobody buying a Lotus really cars who made the engine. What they do care about is that said engine has enough power, and Lotus has underpowered their cars since the V8 Esprit.
Try to wedge themselves with an already, crowded and well proven market segment against Ferrari, Lambo or Porsche? McLaren is in the same boat now with the MP4-16.
Were I calling the shots, they'd be doing:
1) A new Elan, which is a real effing Elan, meaning something the size of a postage stamp, RWD, four banger that revs to mars, lighter than your average laptop, and at a 20-25k price point.
2) A new Elise, based on the original platform instead of this modular BS, only with a 400+ hp small V8 (or FI V6) and a similar ~2,000 lb weight. 50k price point.
3) A new Esprit, with an ~800 hp TT V8, max weight of 2,800 lbs. ~130-150k price point.
Kill the Evora, or reinvent it with an engine that isn't a joke, kill all the other BS and get back to making cars for people who aren't into circle-jerking in front of night clubs.
Rule #1: No effing electroic BS. No flappies. No stability BS. No traction BS. I don't care if they need waivers to sell the things. These cars are not for people who can't drive to save their ass.
As to engines, Lotus has proven they can build their own quite competently, but nobody buying a Lotus really cars who made the engine. What they do care about is that said engine has enough power, and Lotus has underpowered their cars since the V8 Esprit.
Last edited by Simba; 06-14-2011 at 04:28 PM.
