2006 Elise Options

[MikeGalos]

Interesting that the new Forged (non-LSS) wheels have a clear lacquer finish while the LSS forged wheels now get "improved gloss finish in High Power Silver"...

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by andykeck

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

And that is the reason that a lot of American spec cars have DRLs - it's a lot cheaper to make one model for the US and Canadian markets. Less costs of having two wiring harnesses, tow sets of instructions, etc.

Lotus adding it to the Elise is probably along the similar lines - they have to do it for the Canadian market, so they get a "freebie" (to them) option of letting US buyers that may want DRLs to order them...

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by MikeGalos

Interesting that the new Forged (non-LSS) wheels have a clear lacquer finish while the LSS forged wheels now get "improved gloss finish in High Power Silver"...

Indeed. I'm excited about the new "Graphite Grey" the new LSS gloss wheels and the LED lights.

I'm also almost positive that the "traction control" will be completely computer controlled via the ABS sensors (with the on/off switch taking an ECU input line). Compare the wheel spin rate vs. the actual vehicle speed and cut fuel/spark until power dips enough for the tires to hook up, ala RaceLogic. What would be wonderful is if they still allow 10-15% slippage for maximum launch capability - assuming the system is active at rest. Even better would be a system that you could select the "severity" of slippage control... 0-50% perhaps. Probably not going to happen though.

Way back when I installed an Integra Type-R LSD in my B16A's tranny... it weighed 6 lbs. This system should be similar.

Does "full cloth" seats mean that there is no more leather trim on the base seats? That's the ONLY sucky thing.

I'm calling my dealer tomorrow and asking about the LSD/traction control system... my deposit receipt from 2/6/2004 does indeed say 2006 Lotus Elise...

We'll see!

[wallabyguy]

Originally Posted by andykeck

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

bingo

[JWA]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

...so they get a "freebie" (to them) option of letting US buyers that may want DRLs to order them...

The way that I read it, it is going to be standard, not an option. Presumably there will be a way to disable it, computer or otherwise.

[John Stimson]

Originally Posted by 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.

Actually I think it's like this: some enthusiasts (mainly autocrossers and those poor deluded fools who just want to be like autocrossers) begged for a limited slip differential. Lotus, in testing, found that having the LSD was in some ways less "safe" than not having it. My guess is that was because without the LSD, you can only spin one rear wheel and the other one keeps the rear end in line -- and an LSD allows you to spin both rear wheels, leaving only the driver's skill to keep the car pointed the right direction. And, realizing that many of their customers will have more enthusiasm than talent, Lotus decided to develop a traction control system to keep those wheels from spinning.

Thus, the LSD comes bundled with traction control, and can't be bought separately. Since they've already developed the traction control, they may as well offer it as a stand-alone option as well.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by JWA

The way that I read it, it is going to be standard, not an option. Presumably there will be a way to disable it, computer or otherwise.

I just re-read it. I think you are right. DRLs are going to be standard...

[krypton kanada]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

And that is the reason that a lot of American spec cars have DRLs - it's a lot cheaper to make one model for the US and Canadian markets. Less costs of having two wiring harnesses, tow sets of instructions, etc.

Lotus adding it to the Elise is probably along the similar lines - they have to do it for the Canadian market, so they get a "freebie" (to them) option of letting US buyers that may want DRLs to order them...

Does anyone know if the new 2006 US car will have the same bumper(s) modifications that the Canadian car will have. Government here in Canada requires cars to pass a low speed (5 km/hr - about 3mph) impact - this was the biggest stumbling block to getting the car approved.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by krypton kanada

Does anyone know if the new 2006 US car will have the same bumper(s) modifications that the Canadian car will have. Government here in Canada requires cars to pass a low speed (5 km/hr - about 3mph) impact - this was the biggest stumbling block to getting the car approved.

We have a similar 2.5 MPH impact requirement. The Elise is in the US on a waiver from the requirement (and the one for the head lights). Hopefully, the Canadian version will have a similar waiver, since the Elise is not scheduled for a re-design for a couple of years...

[wallabyguy]

expect a change with the end of the waiver in 2007 in order to comply with the requirements and a new design around 2010.

[steuspeed]

"All cloth seats with upgraded seat padding and material"

For 40+ thousand dollars, the standard cloth seats should be pretty damn nice. Something like cloth recaro racing seats to match the momo steering wheel comes to mind. I am happy to see Lotus address this issue.

I really don't want leather interior and the 05 cloth/leather combo seats were not doing it for me. The leather sure looks nicer, but I worry about looks and wear down the road. My '79 Alfa has cloth interior and it looks nearly new 26 years later.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by krypton kanada

Does anyone know if the new 2006 US car will have the same bumper(s) modifications that the Canadian car will have. Government here in Canada requires cars to pass a low speed (5 km/hr - about 3mph) impact - this was the biggest stumbling block to getting the car approved.

There aren't any bumper modifications, or bumpers at all for that matter. Lotus got a waiver exempting them from that requirement both here and in Canada.

[adamant]

So does anyone know what components are included in the LSD/Traction system. Is it retrofttable to the 2005 MY vehicles?
I was assuming this was only an electronic system and just an ecu mod plus the addition of the tarction switch was all that is required? Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks.

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by adamant

So does anyone know what components are included in the LSD/Traction system. Is it retrofttable to the 2005 MY vehicles?
I was assuming this was only an electronic system and just an ecu mod plus the addition of the tarction switch was all that is required? Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks.

Not quite. The new system will work with a drive by wire, that does not exist on the 2005 cars. The LSD is being offered as an option from Lotus on the very late 2005 cars, but without the traction control. For 2006, LSD and traction control are a bundled option.

You will be able to retrofit the 2005 cars with LSD, but not with traction control (at least not cheaply). We will be following up with some information on how to install a Lotus LSD and with part numbers, etc soon.

[krypton kanada]

Originally Posted by andykeck

There aren't any bumper modifications, or bumpers at all for that matter. Lotus got a waiver exempting them from that requirement both here and in Canada.

Really? Does this mean that the old models will be able to be imported? It was my understanding that the '06 model (for Canada anyway) addressed the bumper issue...

[masheen]

i am hoping that's the case too. or at least almost the case. since i'll probably end up going back to canada sooner or later and i am constantly thinking of schemes to get the car over.

if the bumper is exempt in canada too, then i am expecting and hoping that all that would be required is switching the headlights over to DRL. as long as the car does not appear on canada "no import" list that is, where it still is right now.

[adamant]

Cool, thanks Randy!

[joe_midnightblack]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Not quite. The new system will work with a drive by wire, that does not exist on the 2005 cars. The LSD is being offered as an option from Lotus on the very late 2005 cars, but without the traction control. For 2006, LSD and traction control are a bundled option.

You will be able to retrofit the 2005 cars with LSD, but not with traction control (at least not cheaply). We will be following up with some information on how to install a Lotus LSD and with part numbers, etc soon.

Randy, are you aware of the Race Logic traction control system? I used one for over a year in a Nissan 200sx and it was an amazing system, with extremely fine level of adjustability.

If you wanted to fit a 2005 or earlier Elise with an LSD, this would be one option.

Check out the Racelogic site

Based on your information about electronic throttle (drive by wire) my suspicion is that the Lotus TC will be a slow acting type that partially (or god forbid, fully) closes the throttle butterfly when slip is detected. In contrast, the Racelogic system monitors for slip every millisecond, and can cut fuel on a cylinder by cylinder (rotated) basis at this rate. This allows a pre-determined amount of slip to be generated, ie allowing glorious, controlled power slides, at full throttle.

AFAIK TC systems that control the throttle butterfly cannot give this fine level of control, and is a cruder "safety first" system rather than a fine tunable slip setting system like RL's. I don't work for them or represent them by the way, just a huge fan of their product.

Cheers,

Patrick

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by joe_midnightblack

Randy, are you aware of the Race Logic traction control system?

Randy (and others) are very concerned with keeping the car "factory stock" for competition purposes. Adding aftermarket Traction Control would move the car out of stock classification.

[Genjuro]

Does anyone have any pics of the new rear lamps?