[rjc]

It would appear that UK dealers are taking orders for the Toyota engined Elise now, with delivery expected in Feb 2004. Makes sense to test the car at home for a few months first I guess, to identify and iron out any user issues first.

Rob

 

[agent.5]

How much is it across the pound?

 

[shinoo]

Yeah, I read that one in SELOC. I hope they do just that. That'll reduce the initial build quality issues for us.

But that does not jive with the press reports stating the car would be available in Euroland this summer.

 

[wallabyguy]

The big question is are these orders for Exige or Elise? I think they would want the Exige to have a few months of exclusivity before confusing the point with an Elise.

 

[rjc]

UK Elise with Toyoya engine is already at some UK dealerships for test drives. Official launch is 28th Jan. The UK Exige with Toyota engine is officially launched Mar/Apr.

You should find various press reports next month and some test drive reports appearing from future owners in the next few weeks.

 

[MattG]

Hmm, I'm actually glad the UK and Australia get this car before we do. It'll give Lotus a chance to work out any bugs or manufacturing details with this new version before beginning work on our cars.

 

[Derek]

UK Elise with Toyoya engine is already at some UK dealerships for test drives. Official launch is 28th Jan. The UK Exige with Toyota engine is officially launched Mar/Apr.

You should find various press reports next month and some test drive reports appearing from future owners in the next few weeks.

If the offical lauch is the 28th then production has already started on our car. Of course the Euro / Toyo cars are not getting our updated interior according to recent reports. However I see no reason for any delays for the US car

 

[jml1952]

If the offical lauch is the 28th then production has already started on our car. Of course the Euro / Toyo cars are not getting our updated interior according to recent reports. However I see no reason for any delays for the US car

Not necessarily. They may be producing these on the existing production line, given the right-hand drive. Seem especially likely if they still are using the old interiors. Ours will be on a new production line which probably hasn't started up yet.

 

[shinoo]

Not necessarily. They may be producing these on the existing production line, given the right-hand drive. Seem especially likely if they still are using the old interiors. Ours will be on a new production line which probably hasn't started up yet.

Good point. At least most build issues, related to mating the powertrain to the chassis, should be worked out on the current line. They can then transfer any improvements over to the new line. We should surely benefit.

Still it seems Lotus rushed this car to the UK without much introduction. This new powertrain is the single biggest change they have made to the S2. Seems a bigger PR/Ad splash would have been appropriate? Could it simply be that the current cars were simply stagnating on the lots?

The 111R should infuse some real excitement for Lotus.

 

[zvezdah1]

Shinoo,
They don't want to make a big deal of the Toyota engine there for fear of killing the Rover K market.

BTW> Got an email for Simon at Reverie, let me know when you're up and running, first thing I want is the CF diffuser.

Chris

 

[rjc]

The interior of the UK S2 with Toyota engine is as per the other UK models. Our regulatiuon mean we don't need airbags over here and most of the interior mods are to accomodate these. The UK car gets ABS though as per new European regs.

Lotus never provide advance notice of updates to the model range as it kills sales of the existing (redundant) models. When news of the S2 leaked out prematurely, Lotus lost loads of S1 sales and lost out financially. They have a habit of secrecy and of pissing off existing customers in doing so. Exising stock of S2's with K-series engines have already been reduced by £3-4k.

My guess is that the UK version will eventually move over the the US spec interior (minus the airbags) as Lotus can't afford to have two suppliers and build lines for the same car parts.

 

[adamant]

BTW> Got an email for Simon at Reverie, let me know when you're up and running, first thing I want is the CF diffuser.

Chris

How much less does it weigh?

 

[ACP]

The Euro spec Elise will weigh 860kgs wet (oil, water, brake fluid etc.) and with some fuel. Not sure how much though.

 

[zvezdah1]

adamant,

I think reverie has just come up with it so I don't know how much less the diffuser weighs. Pat Crew from SELOC told me about it.

CHris

 

[jml1952]

Here's a crazy thought. Does the new Euro Elise with the Toyota engine meet requirements for sale in the United States?? I know the steering wheel is on the wrong side, but does that make it illegal here? An English friend says that it costs about $1000 for an individual to ship a car over here, so I was just thinking ... Probably some fatal flaw somewhere.

 

[wallabyguy]

JML,

I'm sure there is a fatal flaw, but at the moment I can't think of one other than really pissing off your dealer and LCU.

 

[wallabyguy]

check that. The euro cars don't have airbags (the intial cars are still using the old dash). This may be a problem.

 

[ivan1]

what about airbags, side impact reinforcement, and most importantly side reflectors !!!

 

[ChrisB]

Here's a crazy thought. Does the new Euro Elise with the Toyota engine meet requirements for sale in the United States?? I know the steering wheel is on the wrong side, but does that make it illegal here? An English friend says that it costs about $1000 for an individual to ship a car over here, so I was just thinking ... Probably some fatal flaw somewhere.

It does not meet the US requirements, as sold in the UK. For starters, no airbags...and no dash that will accommodate them. To import one, you would have to have someone modify it to conformance and have it certified. The cost would likely be prohibitive. And, they may not accept a modified car, in any case.

 

[hermanslotus]

Here's a crazy thought. Does the new Euro Elise with the Toyota engine meet requirements for sale in the United States?? I know the steering wheel is on the wrong side, but does that make it illegal here? An English friend says that it costs about $1000 for an individual to ship a car over here, so I was just thinking ... Probably some fatal flaw somewhere.

Your Euro car would probably never be released from US Customs since it does NOT meet The US DOT and EPA requirments. I was an importer for years ask me how I know this.

Best Wishes,
Mitch