lotus application for bumper exemption

yellowelise · Nov 18, 2003

I found this on another site. Not sure if it is wtlw but for your reading pleasure as to what Lotus filed to the government about its bumper issues and headlight issues.

Its a good read as to what Lotus plans on doing with the future Elise and business in the US

http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/thecar/body/fedexemption.html

-jeremy

Randy Chase · Nov 18, 2003

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1002

yellowelise · Nov 18, 2003

i have seen them before, what are you tryin to say, is it wtlw? (welcome to last week)

i am lost

-jeremy

Knute · Dec 5, 2003

So what does this imply about the 2007 Elise?

Hmmm... Reading the fine print in this filing, I noticed the following quote: "As previously stated, Lotus plans to introduce the second generation Elise in late 2006. This vehicle will feature compliant headlamps, bumpers and advanced air bags."

Does this necessarily imply that the next generation is going to gain significantly more weight? Ugh! I hope not. If this is the case, then the 2005 and 2006 federalized Elises will be much more attractive than the porky successor...

-Knute
(#38 at Steve Harris Imports- can't wait!)

slacy · Dec 5, 2003

By the way, you can read the "official" version of this directly from the DOT website, here:

http://dms.dot.gov/search/searchFormSimple.cfm

Search for Docket # "16341" and you'll find all Elise related information. I've been checking back there periodically for any updates to the petition.

Its also interesting to search for "Lotus" and see what other petitions they've filed and been granted in the past.

Steve

tidalwdave · Dec 5, 2003

Re: So what does this imply about the 2007 Elise?

Knute said:
Hmmm... Reading the fine print in this filing, I noticed the following quote: "As previously stated, Lotus plans to introduce the second generation Elise in late 2006. This vehicle will feature compliant headlamps, bumpers and advanced air bags."

Does this necessarily imply that the next generation is going to gain significantly more weight? Ugh! I hope not. If this is the case, then the 2005 and 2006 federalized Elises will be much more attractive than the porky successor...

-Knute
(#38 at Steve Harris Imports- can't wait!)

Exactly my thoughts. That's why I don't want to wait, even though the car coming in '06 will do a better job at saving my life.

ChrisB · Dec 5, 2003

Re: Re: So what does this imply about the 2007 Elise?

tidalwdave said:
Exactly my thoughts. That's why I don't want to wait, even though the car coming in '06 will do a better job at saving my life.

The current Elise is a very safe car, for its size and weight. Those huge, high sills you have to climb over to get in and out do a pretty good job of protecting you. There is better rollover protection than most cars, and certainly most SUVs. From what I can tell, front and rear crash protection is also very good...Lotus has always been good at that.

The 07 MY car should save major body work in low-speed shunts due to conforming bumpers. Lotus makes the case, though, that those low-speed bumpers are often as expensive to replace as the Elise clams.

What I fear most are SUV bumpers coming from any direction, and nothing they're going to do to the Elise is ever going to fix that!

zcar222 · Dec 6, 2003

Does this mean the next gen elise will look like the M250?

I love this car as well. Maybe it will be built after all... as an elise.

-Whit

<HTML>

<img src="m250car.jpg">

tidalwdave · Dec 7, 2003

Oh man, if that's the next gen, I'm waiting!

MotorCade · Dec 7, 2003

Am I the only person who thinks the M250 is really ugly? Well, the front end is, anyway. I don't want to drive a car that looks like a spaceship. bleah. The elise combines modern aesthetics with classic sportscar lines. Much nicer than the M250.

Cade

rtking · Dec 7, 2003

That M250 looks (comparatively) heavy. But considering that Lotus needs to have bumpers and headlights that are Federally compliant...

Bob K.

agent.5 · Dec 7, 2003

MotorCade said:
Am I the only person who thinks the M250 is really ugly?

Aweful, I say. You are not alone.

Iggs · Dec 7, 2003

250

Looks kinda like a vette. But I still like it.

Randy Chase · Dec 7, 2003

Remove the bottom splitter (which looks like an afterthought) and the front grill reminds me of the RX-8.

Not a big fan of the gills on the front sides.

MotorCade · Dec 7, 2003

Yup, that bottom splitter is probably the most hideous part, and I normally like the way front splitters look. Just not the way it's done on the M250. I also don't like the squareness of the front end...the way the hood and the side meet in that sharp angle, with such flat sides. Too boxy. If I want to drive a box, I'd buy a volvo. Funny you mention the RX-8, though...It's one of the other cars out there that I can't stand. Whoever penned the RX-8 concept should be slapped upside the head with a model of the chevy avalanche.

If you can pardon the soapbox for a moment, I actually am kinda frustrated with the ugly designs of most cars right now. Cars are either 'appliance-like' in their sameness, or they are ridiculously ugly in an attempt to break the mold. Some examples: Aztek, Avalanche, Sunfire, Enzo, Scion, most GM products, ZX2, etc.

At least it looks like some manufacturers are starting to break out... Crossfire, 2005 mustang, audi TT, s2000, Liberty.

If I offended anyone by listing their car as ugly, I'm sorry. Someone should be by soon to lock me back in my cage...

Cade

zcar222 · Dec 7, 2003

Yeah, the M250 definitely looks bulkier than the elise. If I am not mistaken, it was fitted with a v6 though.

The styling is a little too futuristic and clean. If modified, a little, I think that car could have potential.

Like I said though. The next gen elise might not be dissimilar to this car. I am sure lotus will find a way to keep the performance the same even if they have to add a bumper to the car and raise those lights a little.

-Whit

Derek · Dec 7, 2003

The M250 will not be made; it was not a "world car" and was axed by Proton for this reason. The M260 is another matter.
I think that purely as a design exercise it shows quite well some of the talent that is over at Lotus. I know we will not be disappointed with whatever they come up with

MotorCade · Dec 7, 2003

Just a thought... I dislike popup headlights, but it would be a relatively easy way for lotus to increase headlight height for future cars. At least they'd be able to keep the sleek, low-profile stance of the car that way.

Cade

Insoc · Dec 7, 2003

Lets not forget...

Hello all!

I believe that Lotus is trying desperately to replace the Esprit. They were hoping that the M250 would be one at the time, or a start anyway. The Elise was supposed to be a filler, but it ended up making them a profit since it was so cheap to produce and sold very well.

The S2 is another story... GM paid for the upgrade on that one with the VX 220, but they didn't know it... (Ever noticed just how similar the two really are???)

So expect an Espirt replacement at some point and an end to the little Elise here in America. The car is just too small to work in all our safety requirements with the way it is currently designed.

This is my opinion on the matter anyway.

James

zcar222 · Dec 7, 2003

Derek said:
The M250 will not be made; it was not a "world car" and was axed by Proton for this reason. The M260 is another matter.
I think that purely as a design exercise it shows quite well some of the talent that is over at Lotus. I know we will not be disappointed with whatever they come up with

Yes, I know the M250 will not be made, but when Lotus's exemption runs out in a couple of years, they will have to have a bumper and raised lights ont he elise. As for the M260, I thought it was just an early codename for the federal version elise which was later changed to "Croft".

Am I mistaken about this?

-Whit

lotus application for bumper exemption

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