Lotus' SC R&D? - LotusTalk

Cardinal · 08-05-2009, 03:18 PM

I've been curious about something for a while. Lots of people like Ronin and others spent a lot of time and money back in the day developing a FI option for the Elise when there was none. Fast forward a few years, now Lotus offers a SC right out of the box. Now, did Lotus go out and do all the R&D they would have done if nobody had attempted a SC before, or did they just scoop up other peoples' work and sell it as their own?

Bavarian Motorist · 08-05-2009, 03:25 PM

Ronin and others are merely individuals or small companies. They don't have the means Lotus does -- engineers, money, equipment, other resources. For them to complete the same project probably wasn't nearly as difficult.

wallabyguy · 08-05-2009, 03:28 PM

Lotus did their own thing. They developed a new solution that is different from the third party systems. Most of the aftermarket kits are based, in part, on the Exige S set up while the Lotus system utilizes entirely different hardware.

Randy Chase · 08-05-2009, 03:28 PM

Didn't Lotus offer a supercharged option for the Exige years ago?

Bender Rodríguez · 08-05-2009, 03:46 PM

The depth of R&D an oem will do vs. an individual is way different. The oem will worry about things like ease of manufacturing, stack up of tolerance and lots of long term high mileage testing for warranty. Typically new powertrain products will be validated by driving a handful of car to over 100k miles each.

Patricko · 08-05-2009, 06:35 PM

Thou shall not take the name of Ronin in vain

Having said that Lotus Sport introduced the Exige 240R in the UK in 2005.

As far as I know they were the first to put a Supercharger on an Elise or Exige.

I know for a fact that Frank/Ronin/God was after the 240R

Randy Chase · 08-05-2009, 06:56 PM

And not to take away from all the people that have been doing R and D on the cars, Frank included. But some people are far more public than others and it can give the appearance that they are the only ones doing stuff. Specially if they keep telling you they are the only ones. A large number of people have been working on various solutions and improvements, some more successful than others. But failure also adds to knowledge base.

On the other hand, Lotus was working on various SC solutions without much fanfare. So it seems that "all of a sudden" they released something.

tommyc · 08-05-2009, 07:12 PM

I will 100% put my BWR s/c against a lotus engineered s/c any day especially with a charlie tune!

Cardinal · 08-05-2009, 07:25 PM

OK so Lotus did their own thing. That's what I was after. Thanks.

08-05-2009, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cardinal Ex and future Lotus owner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metro North Boston Posts: 4,037 Images: 8	Lotus' SC R&D? I've been curious about something for a while. Lots of people like Ronin and others spent a lot of time and money back in the day developing a FI option for the Elise when there was none. Fast forward a few years, now Lotus offers a SC right out of the box. Now, did Lotus go out and do all the R&D they would have done if nobody had attempted a SC before, or did they just scoop up other peoples' work and sell it as their own? __________________ the1sen: why move forward with design when you can recreate a monstrosity from the past?

08-05-2009, 03:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC/Westchester, NY Posts: 10,852	Ronin and others are merely individuals or small companies. They don't have the means Lotus does -- engineers, money, equipment, other resources. For them to complete the same project probably wasn't nearly as difficult. __________________ Be an alpha male. Drive a Lotus.

08-05-2009, 03:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
wallabyguy Not Dead Yet Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,896	Lotus did their own thing. They developed a new solution that is different from the third party systems. Most of the aftermarket kits are based, in part, on the Exige S set up while the Lotus system utilizes entirely different hardware. __________________ former Lotus Sales Robert (aka Sith Lord of LBL) 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

08-05-2009, 03:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Didn't Lotus offer a supercharged option for the Exige years ago? __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

08-05-2009, 03:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bender Rodríguez Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 356	The depth of R&D an oem will do vs. an individual is way different. The oem will worry about things like ease of manufacturing, stack up of tolerance and lots of long term high mileage testing for warranty. Typically new powertrain products will be validated by driving a handful of car to over 100k miles each. __________________ www.thompsonracingfabrication.com Compressor Map xls http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f160...mapping-76110/ Roll Center xls http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f91/roll-centers-76108/ 1891lbs ???Whp Tq

08-05-2009, 06:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Patricko Elise Royalty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 6,072	Thou shall not take the name of Ronin in vain ;) Thou shall not take the name of Ronin in vain Having said that Lotus Sport introduced the Exige 240R in the UK in 2005. As far as I know they were the first to put a Supercharger on an Elise or Exige. I know for a fact that Frank/Ronin/God was after the 240R __________________ Providing an opportunity for others to live vicariously through me since 2004 ®

08-05-2009, 06:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	And not to take away from all the people that have been doing R and D on the cars, Frank included. But some people are far more public than others and it can give the appearance that they are the only ones doing stuff. Specially if they keep telling you they are the only ones. A large number of people have been working on various solutions and improvements, some more successful than others. But failure also adds to knowledge base. On the other hand, Lotus was working on various SC solutions without much fanfare. So it seems that "all of a sudden" they released something. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

08-05-2009, 07:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
tommyc Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: wellington, Fl Posts: 115	I will 100% put my BWR s/c against a lotus engineered s/c any day especially with a charlie tune! __________________ 05 elise graphite sport touring BWR s/c Charliex tune 90 eclipse gsx 420 whp sold 04 civic si

08-05-2009, 07:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Cardinal Ex and future Lotus owner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metro North Boston Posts: 4,037 Images: 8	OK so Lotus did their own thing. That's what I was after. Thanks. __________________ the1sen: why move forward with design when you can recreate a monstrosity from the past?

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

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