2006 Elise Options

[suv_bait]

An Elise with traction control?? Good grief. What's next, cup holders?



- John
p.s. The daytime headlights should reduce insurance premiums for some. I know my company asks. And only OEM systems qualify, so no we can't retrofit.

[Ground Loop]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Nope. The LSD is being offered as an option also on some late 2005 cars.

But then.. wouldn't you also have to add the Traction Control feature as well? (If that's the way the factory will build them in '05).

[JWA]

Originally Posted by offroadr35

it costs 250 for them not to include an AC?

When you're mass-producing something there is a definite cost to deviate from the norm. I think that $250 is probably pretty cheap for this.

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by Ground Loop

But then.. wouldn't you also have to add the Traction Control feature as well? (If that's the way the factory will build them in '05).

Exactly. Unless Lotus offered LSD for 2005 without traction control, and LSD in a 2006 with traction control.

[67veloce]

Looks like you can drop about $55K on the '06 Elise +$3K+ tax and license.

Hope they don't decide to move the base MSRP to $44,995.00

[ACLSGuy]

Originally Posted by Brian 111

Daytime Driving Lights?

I'd rather have the option to buy HIDs and be trusted to turn them on myself.

The lights are required for sale into Canada. It will be difficult for many in the US to get used to seeing DRL. They've been mandatory for all cars in Canada since the early 90's, and they do reduce accidents.

[usofrob]

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but my car has tiny little lights at the top of the high beams that are on all the time. I would call these daytime running lights, but they are not very bright.

[wallabyguy]

Lotus realizes that most of the penned up orders from enthusiasts have been met and now they need to start appealing to cross shoppers and a greater percentage of the market. These people expect traction control as at least an option. I can guarantee to everyone that I have assurances from management that Lotus will not be "going soft". They realize they build sports cars, and build them well. They have committed to not loosing their focus. However, they need to keep sales up and that means making sure that the demands of the market are met while also improving the model line on a consistent basis with upgrades and options.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by wallabyguy

They realize they build sports cars, and build them well. They have committed to not loosing their focus. However, they need to keep sales up and that means making sure that the demands of the market are met while also improving the model line on a consistent basis with upgrades and options.

That's great. Now tell them we want the Suppercharger NOW!!!!

[ConeFusion]

Originally Posted by ACLSGuy

The lights are required for sale into Canada. It will be difficult for many in the US to get used to seeing DRL.

DRL are nothing new. They have been selling cars with DRL in the US for years, and there are plenty of them on the road.

[Johnny B]

Originally Posted by usofrob

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but my car has tiny little lights at the top of the high beams that are on all the time. I would call these daytime running lights, but they are not very bright.

Those are "city lights," designed to illuminate the headlamp housing. A DRL will use the car's low beams at a reduced power to illuminate when the headlight switch is in the off position.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by JWA

Anyone know how much the AC weighs? Maybe it's enough to offset the weight of the LSD.

AC weighs about 23 lbs or so.

Originally Posted by babak

I wonder how hard it would be to upgrade to the LED's from 05 cars.

I'm guessing you'd only have to replace the plastic housing that would hold the LEDs. I'd say they power supplying the bulbs for '05 is the same for the '06.

[BMJM100]

Yea, the 1/2 lights are weak looking.

[swb]

Traction control shouldn't be all that big a deal as long as there's an off button for it, right?

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by ConeFusion

DRL are nothing new. They have been selling cars with DRL in the US for years, and there are plenty of them on the road.

And studies have shown that there is really no difference in accident rates in the US with or without them. They may (or may not) work in "twilight countries", but they don't see to have a general affect in the US.

I say "general" because in some cases lights on during the day does seem to help. For instance my small black Miata is more noticeable with fog lights on acting as DRLs. They might make a ST Elise more noticeable, but I highly doubt that they'd make a difference for my CO Elise...

[soulmn]

It will be interesting to see when the parts bins empty out and the new 06 stuff starts to arrive. I'd like to see the tail lights arrive on mine in august. wishfull thinking

soulman

[clay]

Originally Posted by Jon

How much does the AC weigh? Also, maybe not too bad of an idea to delete it as many people seem to have problems with it anyway.

29 lbs. See:

http://www.sector111.com/theelisediet.html

[Allan Gibbs]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

And studies have shown that there is really no difference in accident rates in the US with or without them. They may (or may not) work in "twilight countries", but they don't see to have a general affect in the US.

I think the DRL, like are more of a marketing tool Looks the the Elise is being geared to a larger audience with the new options. Sort of like the original Viper (the one w/o normal windows) gave way to the newer one.

[DotComCTO]

Well, GEICO specifically asked me about DRL and told me that if the car had it, I would have had an additional discount.

--DotComCTO

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by Allan Gibbs

I think the DRL, like are more of a marketing tool Looks the the Elise is being geared to a larger audience with the new options. Sort of like the original Viper (the one w/o normal windows) gave way to the newer one.

I think the DRLs are added so they don't need to ship a different spec car to Canada.