Extra Weight of Touring Package

Z0650TH said:

Does anyone know how much extra weigh the touring package adds to the vehicle? I assume its a given that it will bring the car over the magical 2000 lb. mark. I'm indifferent about this package anyway as I want to keep the car simple with as little gadgets as possible (i.e. power windows). But was curious how much extra weight the extra carpet, windows motors, additional sound insulation, etc add to the car.

TIA

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I understand it's 12-14 pounds.

Don't remember the weight, but IMO you don't need it. The car is not and will never be a GT.

My next Elise (#4) will be the base car without any options at all.

I have tried the Elise with the sports tourer package and the race tech package, and neither one is better than the standard car, they are just different.

Thanks Randy, I thought it would be more weight than that....but I'm with Suzanne and will still opt for the base car with the only option being the hardtop.

I am all about less weight... but I expect I can outdrive an extra 50 pounds, let alone 12-14 pounds. Plus with the LSS, I shave off more weight than that, and it's unsprung weight.

The weight to me is not an issue, but it comes down to if the features that the Touring Package give you are worth it to you.

I don't care personally about the electric windows. I would be happy with manual cranks. Originally, the look of the cloth seats at the LA Auto Show were enough to seal the Touring Package for me, but the released version of the standard seats look pretty good.

I like the insulated top, because during poor weather it will come be a nice thing. During racing, it will be off the car so it's weight is not an issue.

I wanted the upgraded stereo.

- The cloth seats have more grip than the leather seats.

- I bought the hardtop and never used it.

- I bought the stereo and don't use it. Not in this car. I have a Bose sound system in my Audi where it belongs.

- Anything that reduces unsprung weight is worth it's money

Just my personal opinion. I use the Elise as my everyday car. We live up on the hill, and I drive down through the vineyards on a small winding road every morning to the office. Big grin! Another winding road back home in the evening. Very big grin!

Agreed in general about cloth, but in this case the leather seats seem to be fine.

Agreed 100% about unsprung weight. As I said, the LSS does that. The Touring has no affect on unsprung weight.

Agreed about the hard top. I doubt I would use it.

As far as radio, I know I will use it when driving hundreds of miles on flat and straight roads. Otherwise I go more nuts.

I ordered the hardtop, but am already finding myself questioning the logic of that. I'm wondering how often I'll actually use it.

The insulated soft top alone sold me on the touring package, the other thing being Lotus employees actually recommending the touring pack...no one knows the Elise better than them!

I will order the touring package and I plan on loosing 10 to 15 pounds.

MattG said:

The insulated soft top alone sold me on the touring package, the other thing being Lotus employees actually recommending the touring pack...no one knows the Elise better than them!

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Nick Adams was one that told me that the Touring Package was a good deal with very little hit on performance.

Isn't there going to be an AC delete option this fall? If there is, how much will that save?

Jon said:

Isn't there going to be an AC delete option this fall? If there is, how much will that save?

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That was the data we were told. At a cost savings of something like $595 (not sure if that will still be true).

Removes stereo and A/C. About 35-40 pounds.

With a reported LSS weight of 1930 pounds, that would be under 1900 pounds.

Randy Chase said:

Originally, the look of the cloth seats at the LA Auto Show were enough to seal the Touring Package for me, but the released version of the standard seats look pretty good.

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Any idea what happened here. Why were the early pictures different than what has gone into production??

The look of the cloth seats from the LA Auto Show convinced me to get the Touring Pack. The other items were not deal breakers either way. I still would like to see the base interior, but I think I might have gone for the base package if I knew this before. Alas, I will be happy either way.

I wanted the biscuit seats with the BRP, had to go touring pack.

Plus, the extra heat/sound insulation is a good thing too. I'm going to drive this car for enjoyment, I won't be racing it, so who cares if the touring pack adds a few pounds. It's not like I'm going to need it.

Most of us can forgo a couple of Big Macs and save that amount of weight. I have lost 18 pounds in 8 months. Another 10 to go and I reach my racing weight.

Ex-M3, Lotus always told us that the show cars were NOT going to look like the final seats. However, what exactly that meant I was not sure. I personally thought those seats were fuggly.

Randy Chase said:

That was the data we were told. At a cost savings of something like $595 (not sure if that will still be true).

Removes stereo and A/C. About 35-40 pounds.

With a reported LSS weight of 1930 pounds, that would be under 1900 pounds.

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If you go with the AC delete package, is the car at least prewired for a radio? I wouldn't mind no AC, but couldn't live w/o a radio/CD.

I wanted Touring as much for the added heat insulation as anything else. That matters in 105 degree Texas weather. And I'll never notice the reported 10-12 pounds. That is less than the weight of 3 gallons of gasoline. But honestly, I also can't see a $45k car with manual windows and cloth seats. I really like the Federal Elise's balance of performance, price and comfort.

JeffersonRaley said:

I wanted Touring as much for the added heat insulation as anything else. That matters in 105 degree Texas weather. And I'll never notice the reported 10-12 pounds. That is less than the weight of 3 gallons of gasoline. But honestly, I also can't see a $45k car with manual windows and cloth seats. I really like the Federal Elise's balance of performance, price and comfort.

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Ditto on all counts. Same for Arizona summers.

FYI Electric windows are actually lighter in total weight than the standard hand cranks. I'm getting the touring pack because it will help convince my wife to ride with me in it. Oh, and leather seats and a quieter top. If I wanted a pure street legal race car I would have bought a 7.

Surferjer said:

FYI Electric windows are actually lighter in total weight than the standard hand cranks. I'm getting the touring pack because it will help convince my wife to ride with me in it. Oh, and leather seats and a quieter top. If I wanted a pure street legal race car I would have bought a 7.

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Proof please.