[fitfan]

....another useless thread to give us something to chat about.

So i would like to see lotus offer: (please keep your opinions reasonable and maybe lotus can get some free US market research here)

a black out package (wheels, center console, and diffuser) that could be cool.

alcantera ??

and lastely ditch the colors aztec, starlight, and purple, and offer pearl white, regular everyday gloss black, and a TVR'esque flip flop chamelaon color... ohhh aahh

(i know what the next request will be!~ ...lsd)

 

[Modern Wedgie]

Stealth button, like on 007's Aston.

 

[smoseley]

K20A

 

[tidalwdave]

Cruise control, for some long trips I'd like to make.

 

[CAErven]

Dash mounted gimballed Viagraga dispensor

 

[huggy bear]

LSD ( I thought this was aleady confirmed)
Supercharger
True HIDs
Black Wheels (LSS, Non-LSS, Exige)
Stripes
Alcantara or similar micro fiber suede
Capucccino Machine

Edit:
Somehow mount those hideous side markers so that the owners that want to remove them won't have to contend with the holes left behind. I vote duct tape

 

[BeerBrewer]

Cruise control, for some long trips I'd like to make.

I'll second that motion!

 

[Randy Chase]

Also Cruise Control.

Note in the UK, this seems very odd, but I don't think they drive over 1000 miles of flat straight road. How much driving fun is it to hold the gas pedal at a certain spot for 12 hours? Wooohoo!

But I can live without it.

To add to the blasphamy.... I need a cup holder that I can use for those same long trips. I need Starbucks to make it 1500 miles.

But I can live without it.... though I would rather not hold coffee in my crotch.

MOST IMPORTANTLY!!! LSD for the 2005 MODEL CAR!!!!!

 

[Racer X]

Practical

LSD
Turbocharger
Small locking storage inside car (passenger footwell?, between seats on firewall, instead of storage net, passenger side sill where the speaker is on the Euro car)
Airbag defeat switch (both sides)
Updated MMC brakes
titanium springs
15"F/16"R wheels to improve performance (bigger isn't always better)

Not So Practical

10", no 15" flip down video screen hooked to indash DVD changer with Navigation (who needs to see behind you, drive faster)

JATO rocket attachment, when to fast is not fast enough

Rocket launchers in grill for drivers who refuse to get out of the fast lane

lighweight helium tanks to lighten car

Chapparal 2-J like grounds effects system with down force controlled by 3 axis accelerometer

I am sure I can come up with more later, as the insanity deepens due to the wait


Greg

 

[darkSol]

Some of these conflict with each other but que cera cera...

• Proper LSD
• HID's
• Lightweight cruise control - not 7 lbs. like on my delSol
• Underdash switch for passenger airbag disconnect
• Lightweight carbon fiber dash - not for bling
• Lighter carbon fiber seats - cloth/leather trim ok
• Lighter carbon fiber door panels with integrated door pockets - just thick enough for a Snickers bar
• NA Engine upgrade package (210-220hp & 9500rpm redline)
• Supercharger option (260-280hp)
• Adjustable front / rear swaybars
• Driver side button for passenger power window
• Available cup holder - yes I know... (sigh).
• 4-point harnesses with rear bar with stock belt retractor delete
• Trunk just large enough for ONE golf bag
• Optional launch control that maximizes launch ala BMW M3 SMG II Stage 6 - very easy to implement with existing ABS sensors (and custom ecu) - if launch button has been depressed then dash indicator is lit... if revs >3000rpm and clutch has been released and front wheel speed is < 5 mph but rear wheel speed > 5 mph then cut spark until front wheel speed matches rear wheel speed (no wheelspin anymore). Best thing is that it only adds 3 oz. for the switch and the light... it's all programming!
• "Track" option that deletes airbags and replaces steering wheel with European version
• Latch system for passenger seat (yes a toddler seat!)
• A/C only delete package
• Colour matched (or clear) front/rear Federal reflectors
• Accusump option that takes up no trunk space - automatic tank open on ignition-key power on.
• Snap-on aluminum/carbon fiber cover (with sliding door) that allows the passenger side dash "gulley" to be actually used as a glovebox of sorts
• Rear window up/down control (like my old delSol, but make it manually operated) - or removable!
• Lightweight laterally folding quick-release tinted polycarbonate hardtop that fits in trunk... someone take the stock canvas top - replace the fabric with contoured tinted polycarbonate - add a thin piano hinge along the middle from front to rear and tada - you have a take-with-you hardtop... that stores in the trunk, you can install it in seconds, is more durable - and you CAN SEE THROUGH IT...

Daddy needs to hit 12's without trying too hard...

 

[_JD_]

Airbag delete? Why would you want to do that?

I guess I could see it if you're really anal about the weight of the car and it will be track only (w/ 6 point harnesses). If you're going to be driving on the road and/or you're not racing for a living, I'd leave that airbag alone. Just my opinion of course.

 

[shay2nak]

black rims

black diffuser

HP upgrade kit

carbon fiber parts

alcantara

weight reduction kit

 

[Racer X]

Airbag Delete or cut-off

JD

Have you ever been hit by an airbag? They have marginal utility if you are wearing your seatbelt properly. My wife had one go off on her, bruised navel to chin and burns on her arms. They have also been know to crack ribs and break/dislocate thumbs.

They are great compared to not wearing a seatbelt. I wear mine. I am not a big fan of side airbags either. Unfortunately, it seems there people pushing to make those mandatory as well, in a few years. I believe passive safety devices make for more complacent and careless drivers. I have people say "I don't need to wear my seatbelt, I have airbags".

Give me a harness over an airbag anyday.

Greg

 

[usofrob]

I just want cruise control and possibly a .5-1" extender I can buy for the steering wheel so I can sit all the way back and still have a good grip on the wheel.

Also, I really like darkSol's idea of making a top that's clear. You might even be able to do it with a "soft" material. If I remember when I go test drive one of the demo cars, I'll take a good look at how the soft top attaches without leaks to see if I can duplicate it somehow. Then maybe I can build my own top and save $1500 to $4000? And, if I built it myself, I could add in just a little extra headroom so I could fit a helmet on with the top on. Oh, this sounds like a lot of fun

 

[Paul MD]

Arnie Johnson?

 

[_JD_]

Re: Airbag Delete or cut-off

JD

Have you ever been hit by an airbag? They have marginal utility if you are wearing your seatbelt properly.
Give me a harness over an airbag anyday.

Greg

Racer X

Never been hit by an airbag, but I know people who have and they said it hurt. Airbags were designed to be used in conjunction with seatbelts, not as a substitute. I have no desire to use a harness as my car will mostly be used as a street car and the harness' are a pain in the arse for daily use. I will not argue that for a track-only car that disabling/removing airbags make sense, but for a street car I'll be keeping my airbags- just my opinion of course.

Jim

 

[darkSol]

Also, I really like darkSol's idea of making a top that's clear. You might even be able to do it with a "soft" material. If I remember when I go test drive one of the demo cars, I'll take a good look at how the soft top attaches without leaks to see if I can duplicate it somehow. Then maybe I can build my own top and save $1500 to $4000? And, if I built it myself, I could add in just a little extra headroom so I could fit a helmet on with the top on. Oh, this sounds like a lot of fun

Thanks for the compliment - I had an Ameripol polycarbonate roof on my delSol and it replaced the metal roof while retaining all the fastening hardware.

I'm going to go to Home Depot when I get my Elise and buy a couple pieces of bronze tinted 0.15" lexan and a couple skinny hinges - perhaps even look into plastic hinges... that, a heat gun and some epoxy should yield a perfect hardtop... for less than $50. I wonder what stock canvas top hardware costs...

 

[TimMullen]

Re: Re: Airbag Delete or cut-off

Never been hit by an airbag, but I know people who have and they said it hurt. Airbags were designed to be used in conjunction with seatbelts, not as a substitute.

The other thing about airbags is that if you examine the statistics, they change the type of injuries that are sustained when used in conjunction with seatbelts.

Basically, seatbelts alone save lives (in fact, they are the best thing for saving lives). However, seatbelts alone can leave drivers/passengers with internal injuries, non-fatal head injuries (concussions), and neck injuries. Seatbelts and airbags tend to change those injuries to broken arms, facial abrasions, and some minor burns.

Overall, I'll keep the airbags, accept the possible broken arm, and skip the head and neck injuries...

Still, it would be nice to have the "kill" switch for when it's needed...

Tim Mullen

 

[frayed]

Some random thoughts on what you guys posted:

LSD - may need suspension changes to take adavantage of and LSD? It's offered as an option on the S2 Exige, so certainly Lotus knows how to get performance out of the LSD

Turbocharger - for OE applications, no manufacturer would ever use the 2ZZ for FI. . so Lotus would have to look look elsewhere or build the 2ZZ appropriately

Updated MMC brakes - Lanxide, I company that I know pretty well, is out of business, and MMC rotors were reported to have issues on the track

titanium springs - Man, I wouldn't pay the money for them

15"F/16"R wheels- reduced weight possibly, but turn in may suffer depending on tire profile and brake fitment may be an issue

 

[Racer X]

Update MMC brakes - what I meant by that were MMC brakes that had the problems worked out. Maybe nobody has been sucessful, in which case it would not be practical to offer them.

Titanium Springs - They came on a 2001 VW Lupo FSI (lower than a Golf) how expensive can they be? I found some for a Eclipse for $180 a set of 4. Surely someone can figure a way to make them for an Elise for less than $800 a set. Heck even $400 a set. Why not $200, a spring is spring.


Turbocharger - in my dream they only use 6 pounds of boost, but it gives us a place to start without engineering a complete setup.

Wheels - they use 15"/16" on the S1.... I have not heard complaints about the lack of turn in on them. I am sure it would need to have some adjsutments to the suspension and ABS to compensate. Not only reduce weight but improve acceleration and braking marginally as well. I understand the switch to 16"/17" was purely for cosmetics when they went to the S2.