2007 Bumpers.. new news? - LotusTalk

Randy Chase · 11-28-2006, 01:57 PM

Not sure about the validity of any of this.

Quote:

Crossposted from TOP (wasn't it rubber bumpers that killed off MGs):

MY07 U.S models of both Elise & Exige will have rubber bumper front ends which are mandatory requirement from 01 Jan 2007 because that is the date the 3 year Federal exemption expires.

The exemption ending also applies to the headlights.

The existing front clam will be replaced by one that is identical in looks to the Europa but the front fibreglass section is replaced with a colour coded rubber bumper.

The rubber bumpers also add 45Kg at the front of the car, so new geo settings are required, together with an uprated pair of front dampers and springs.

Lotus tried to get around the problem by spraying foam inside the clam but the Federal Authorities insisted that the entire nose section be replaced by rubber, so Lotus had no option other than to use the Europa clam but replacing the nose section with a rubber moulding. The Europa clam also complies with the U.S. headlamp requirements.

Rear bumperettes are also required to meet Federal regulations but they are just stuck on with sikaflex, so can be removed with a hairdryer and a bit of patience, although it may be necessary to respray the rear clam as the paint may come off with the sikaflex.

All European models will also have the same modifications from 01 Mar 2007.

andykeck · 11-28-2006, 02:01 PM

milehitom · 11-28-2006, 02:01 PM

And, yet, our cars are still so low to the ground the only thing bumpers would contact would be the rear wheels of any SUV we might slide under...

If this is true, I think I'll love my '05 even more. 45kg for the front bumper! Jeez...

Tom

Cardinal · 11-28-2006, 02:02 PM

A Europa (+45kg) front clam on the Elise. That will help quite a bit when the front end slides under a Hummer. Boy am I glad the US government is looking out for my best interest... @$$#oles.

****ing bureaucrats. Nothing worse than a know-nothing behind a desk telling you what is best for you.

chromedome · 11-28-2006, 02:02 PM

If this is true, my car just got better and I didnt have to do anything.

Allan Gibbs · 11-28-2006, 02:02 PM

Which means the front will look something like this with Elise style lights:

Sigh. If I had the cash, I'd grab one of those Exige S sitting on a dealer's showroom.

dfa2100 · 11-28-2006, 02:03 PM

Anybody want to try to photochop that together? That just sounds hideous, since I don't remember the lines on the Europa being too similar to those on the Elise.

Allan Gibbs · 11-28-2006, 02:08 PM

What a minute - 45kg equals 99.208 pound! That's freaking ridiculous. If this is true, I'm pretty sure it's the end of the Elise until a redesign comes out.

The Captain · 11-28-2006, 02:10 PM

For all those freaked by falling prices, rejoice! You now own a collectible, and that can't hurt the resale value. Then again, why sell?

Crow331 · 11-28-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Richard

For all those freaked by falling prices, rejoice! You now own a collectible, and that can't hurt the resale value. Then again, why sell?

I agree ... if that's what the "elise" is going to look like to meet standards, it's no longer an Elise. We suddenly have a collector's item on our hands!

TimMullen · 11-28-2006, 02:24 PM

I'm not sure that I trust the validity of the statements.

The government doesn't require any specific type or material for the bumpers - only that they meet a certain set of requirements. This one sounds a bit fishy to me. I'll wait a bit before I rejoice in the fact that my '05 is now more collectible...

Randy Chase · 11-28-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

I'm not sure that I trust the validity of the statements.

Me either. I was sent them via email. They should not be taken as gospel.

catapult · 11-28-2006, 02:29 PM

I bet you the pre-bumper '07s will have some extra collectibility value (in 40 years). IMO any bumpers will lessen the looks of these cars.

dododge · 11-28-2006, 02:51 PM

Good lord if this is actually true it had better not affect the supply of replacement clams for damage repair.

LARRY · 11-28-2006, 02:54 PM

Let's wait and see.

We still don't know enough.

Don't freak out. Yet.

pete k · 11-28-2006, 03:21 PM

I believe there is a bumper height requirement, which would be another reason the Europa clam would be closer to complying. The Elise/Exige front end is very low.

Europe is also instituting requirements for pedestrian friendly front ends for cars. One reason the Mini was redesigned.

JWA · 11-28-2006, 03:23 PM

I'd also doubt that Lotus would add 100lbs to the front end to meet US requirements and then sell the same version in Europe. If the changes are minor it makes sense financially to maintain a single model architechture worldwide, but something like this wouldn't.

CarNut · 11-28-2006, 03:25 PM

Someone please 'splain why the Europa which (supposedly) is not for the US market has a front clam that meets US standards. Looking on the bright side, if true, the extra 100 lbs on the front will maybe keep it from falling off the lift when the tire shop lifts it from the wrong point.

Cardinal · 11-28-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarNut

Looking on the bright side, if true, the extra 100 lbs on the front will maybe keep it from falling off the lift when the tire shop lifts it from the wrong point.

Optimism at its finest.

JnC · 11-28-2006, 04:37 PM

11-28-2006, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
chromedome Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central valley, CA Posts: 84	If this is true, my car just got better and I didnt have to do anything. __________________ '05 Chrome Orange Elise '96 Mercedes S500

11-28-2006, 02:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
dfa2100 Mors ab alto Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 1,041	Anybody want to try to photochop that together? That just sounds hideous, since I don't remember the lines on the Europa being too similar to those on the Elise. __________________ Nightfall Blue, Biscuit Interior, Hardtop Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings...

11-28-2006, 02:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
The Captain Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 163	For all those freaked by falling prices, rejoice! You now own a collectible, and that can't hurt the resale value. Then again, why sell? __________________ '06 AW Elise, Track Pak, starshield, micro mirror, Schroth 5 pt. harnesses, SSR competition wheels, ECU upgrade, boomerang towhook, von hep exhaust, fugita intake, gold foil heat shield, S111 seat brace mine -'06 Elise', '06 350Z her's '07 Lexus RX350 two wheels: Ellsworth Enlightenment, Rocky Mountain RMX, Santa Cruz Heckler, Bontrager Super Lite, Orbea Road bike

11-28-2006, 02:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
TimMullen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 12,058 Images: 19	I'm not sure that I trust the validity of the statements. The government doesn't require any specific type or material for the bumpers - only that they meet a certain set of requirements. This one sounds a bit fishy to me. I'll wait a bit before I rejoice in the fact that my '05 is now more collectible... __________________ Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels. I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/ 05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple. 94 Miata R Package - Black 72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White

11-28-2006, 02:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 18,392	Let's wait and see. We still don't know enough. Don't freak out. Yet. __________________ In Los Angeles, the best Lotus body work and service is at LotusTalk sponsor Specialty Car Craft. Website: http://www.specialtycarcraft.com/ *Facebook:* http://www.facebook.com/pages/Specia...1663849?ref=ts *More of Larry's Photoblog:* http://www.larrysphotoblog.net/

11-28-2006, 02:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
andykeck Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 4,978 Images: 1

11-28-2006, 02:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
milehitom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,274	And, yet, our cars are still so low to the ground the only thing bumpers would contact would be the rear wheels of any SUV we might slide under... If this is true, I think I'll love my '05 even more. 45kg for the front bumper! Jeez... Tom

11-28-2006, 02:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cardinal Ex and future Lotus owner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metro North Boston Posts: 4,271 Images: 8	A Europa (+45kg) front clam on the Elise. That will help quite a bit when the front end slides under a Hummer. Boy am I glad the US government is looking out for my best interest... @$$#oles. ****ing bureaucrats. Nothing worse than a know-nothing behind a desk telling you what is best for you.

11-28-2006, 02:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Allan Gibbs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale, CA (formerly Gilbert, AZ) Posts: 5,506	Which means the front will look something like this with Elise style lights: Sigh. If I had the cash, I'd grab one of those Exige S sitting on a dealer's showroom.

11-28-2006, 02:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Allan Gibbs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale, CA (formerly Gilbert, AZ) Posts: 5,506	What a minute - 45kg equals 99.208 pound! That's freaking ridiculous. If this is true, I'm pretty sure it's the end of the Elise until a redesign comes out.

11-28-2006, 02:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
catapult Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,571	I bet you the pre-bumper '07s will have some extra collectibility value (in 40 years). IMO any bumpers will lessen the looks of these cars.

11-28-2006, 02:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
dododge Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Crownsville, MD Posts: 768	Good lord if this is actually true it had better not affect the supply of replacement clams for damage repair.

11-28-2006, 03:21 PM	#16 (permalink)
pete k Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 667	I believe there is a bumper height requirement, which would be another reason the Europa clam would be closer to complying. The Elise/Exige front end is very low. Europe is also instituting requirements for pedestrian friendly front ends for cars. One reason the Mini was redesigned.

11-28-2006, 03:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
JWA '07 NFB/Red Elise Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 4,053	I'd also doubt that Lotus would add 100lbs to the front end to meet US requirements and then sell the same version in Europe. If the changes are minor it makes sense financially to maintain a single model architechture worldwide, but something like this wouldn't.

11-28-2006, 03:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
CarNut Phantom Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern VA Posts: 419 Images: 1	Someone please 'splain why the Europa which (supposedly) is not for the US market has a front clam that meets US standards. Looking on the bright side, if true, the extra 100 lbs on the front will maybe keep it from falling off the lift when the tire shop lifts it from the wrong point.

11-28-2006, 04:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
JnC Thread unraveler Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,906	1975... all over again Attached Images __________________ 2007 Cross Country Travelblog 06 Lotus Elise :: Chrome Orange :: Base :: Black Pack :: TC :: SS 00 VW Golf GLS TDI

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode