Quote:
Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist
I don't like the idea of, "Well, 2000 lbs is still really low." So is 2300 lbs or 2400 lbs. Is that what we should expect to see Elises become?  |
...yes, to be sold in the uS, ...yes - unfortunatly!
also realize we are on the tail end of a cars evolution. so in a way - lotus has allready built the simple spartan elise, if you want one, get one of thoose (i konw its not that simple for US customers, but its a production reality) and lotus has gone onto other challanges. i.e. - how to build an elise that will sell past the ultra hard core crowd. - (suitable for mainstream production.)
so i think the federal car is a spot on compromise between spartan and marketable and federlized. defintaly could have gone worse (CA edition'ish) could have gone a little simplier - but heck 1/2 the people are/were complaining about how its too sprtan as is - so in that light, i think lotus hit the compromise spot on.
and i really do prefer the power brakes
but could do without the abs.... and i didn't want A/C but i am learning to live with it. i like the knowledge i have door beams, and after seeings a few crashes i think the front structure is a good idea. i abhore the touring package, its a sign of the devil. i think the dash... while ok, ..i dunno - i would have liked it more 340r'ish simplier and lighter and more stylized. we have fancy federal glass and blinkers and such... blingy wheel sizes, i am a fan of the 111r powertrain, i think it works briliant as both jackle and hyde. certailly there is a good 40lbs of just "sheathing" all over the car now - which has made it more suitable as a real production car (bulkhead panles, wheel liners, engine bay liners, bla bla bla.) - i have a feeling the car would not have sold so well in the US - at that, or antything close, price point - with out thoose finishing (for lotus at least) touches.