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Although there has only been 2 Lotus models to ever offer an auto box (Elite and Excel), don't be surprised to see a manu-matic or paddle shifter/ SMG appear on the Elise in the future. In order for Lotus to keep sales up in the US after the preorders are done, they will almost definitely have to offer such an option. Toyota would certainly be able to offer a box option to this end to work with the VVTiL engine. It may not happen until 2006 and the introduction of the "next" Elise, but it will happen. The sales possibilities in the US are too great to ignore.
SMG I could deal with. While it definitely does add a minimal amount of complexity/weight, when going into the corners hard, just tap the paddle and bam, you are in the right gear. A good smg setup changes gears faster and smoother than you or I ever could, consistantly.
Scot
Scot
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Steve,
I hope you are not reffering to me personally. I think that the Elise needs to stay somewhat pure in order to differentiate itself from the competition. We must be realilistic regarding the cars market however. Lets face it, in the US you need some variation of the slushbox in order to attract real buyers. Lotus doesn't need it for the next 2 years (run of the current car) because what isn't sold out already will be soon. However in order to sustain sales, Lotus will have to adapt the car to the markets which it will compete. Note, we are not getting the car they have had in europe since 2000. We are also not getting just a new engine and trans. There are key marketing moves that have been and continue to be made to insure the car will sell ranging from ABS and central locking to carpet and insulation in the soft and hard tops. Don't look fot GPS or ESP on any Lotus for the foreseeable future (short of the rumor of a sedan coming to light). Even the colors of our Elise are being carefully picked. If Lotus sees a way to keep the spirit of the car and company while if not increasing, perhaps mantaining sales with adding options or specifications, be sure they will.
I hope you are not reffering to me personally. I think that the Elise needs to stay somewhat pure in order to differentiate itself from the competition. We must be realilistic regarding the cars market however. Lets face it, in the US you need some variation of the slushbox in order to attract real buyers. Lotus doesn't need it for the next 2 years (run of the current car) because what isn't sold out already will be soon. However in order to sustain sales, Lotus will have to adapt the car to the markets which it will compete. Note, we are not getting the car they have had in europe since 2000. We are also not getting just a new engine and trans. There are key marketing moves that have been and continue to be made to insure the car will sell ranging from ABS and central locking to carpet and insulation in the soft and hard tops. Don't look fot GPS or ESP on any Lotus for the foreseeable future (short of the rumor of a sedan coming to light). Even the colors of our Elise are being carefully picked. If Lotus sees a way to keep the spirit of the car and company while if not increasing, perhaps mantaining sales with adding options or specifications, be sure they will.
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To save money, Lotus decides to paint all of the cars Aztec Bronze.
--you say that but I'm a believer in the Aztec. Wouldn't by a sheet of paper but in person.....WOA!
cheers,
clyde
--not enough turkey this year!
--you say that but I'm a believer in the Aztec. Wouldn't by a sheet of paper but in person.....WOA!
cheers,
clyde
--not enough turkey this year!
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nice one on the lucas steve. the prince of darkness is still my favorite 
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My use of "real buyers" was in reference to sustained market interest. There will be a large number of people who will love the idea of owning a Lotus Elise but either don't know how to drive a stick or are unwilling to deal with one in their commute. Right now, as I mentioned before, this is not the case but once the car is available at dealers (say early-mid 2005) these cars are going to be cross shopped with Z4, Boxters, Corvettes and 350Z Roadsters, all of which offer some type if not multiple types of slush boxes. Lotus will need to continually offer something "new" in order to avoid the VW Beetle problem where after an intial strong demand for the car is over (i.e. everyone who wanted one orginally got one), something has to make either new buyers show up or encourage old buyers to trade in and up. The Elise may never get an auto, but then a M250 type car maybe required to keep Lotus from experiencing a "flash in the pan" burst. A serious investment in the product line is going to need to be made in order for Lotus to succeed. this may come in the form of additional models or prehaps just "special editions" like the exige and 340R. Luckily Lotus is working down market at this point which will save it from the problem Volkswagon is having with the Phaeton in Europe. I know Lotus is planning the expansion of their line, I just hope they don't delay the new models too long or the momentum of the Elise launch will be lost.
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No offense meant, Clyde, about the Aztec Bronze. I'm sure it will look good to some, I just don't get it and it didn't seem to grab the other forum members. I have a feeling that we will see Bordeaux Red, Aztec Bronze and Saffron Yellow at the LA Auto Show and perhaps even more.
I still want Ice Blue!!
I still want Ice Blue!!
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i have no idea that your use of 'real buyers' meant 'sustained market interest'. thank you for your explanation.wallabyguy said:
it really depends on the market which Lotus is aiming for. those car you mentioned was meant for mass appeal. lotus is working with a few thousand cars to begin with. it has very niche appeal.
since the original mark 1 elise was introduced in 1996, their demands have been proven that a light weight, no frills, no gimmicks sports car is what the real buyers look for.
lotus had been introducing various motors and motorsport upgrades to the basic elise besides the exiges and 340Rs (111s, sport 160, etc etc) and if you read on the other boards you can tell many owners do trade up within the brand. would a good sequential box do anything to sales? perhaps.
honestly, i much rather Lotus keep their niche and distance these cross shopers looking for an auto box here. those looking for 'comfort' and 'luxury' in the elise is probably in the wrong place.
notice you conveniently left out S2000 of your list of cross-shopping buyers. you think Honda would not be interested in 'real buyers' as you define it and start offering 'slushbox' in their s2000 anytime soon?
i am all open for the idea of a proper sequential/smg-like/dsg-like box that matches the engine and the characteristics of the car. what it does to the car and the experience is unknown. it's just too early to speculate anything.
on the other hand, i much rather see manufacturers such as BMW develop something light weight and pure like the elise (Z5 that is no longer).
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ClydeLotusmonza said:
Funny you should mention Aztec. I've seen pictures, and my wife said it would look great in person, but she was soundly booed by the rest of the family.
Jeff
Why do the English have their beer warm? Lucas refrigerators.
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It's not warm, its cellar temperature, or room temperature.
Today, room temperature is about 10C (~50F). That's not exactly warm. And I have to admit, I havent had a warm beer since I've been here, so they must refrigerate.
I think its just of of those bad stereotypes.
Thank god for beer! Beer here is great! Beer in the states blows! I wish I could bring some back with me.
Today, room temperature is about 10C (~50F). That's not exactly warm. And I have to admit, I havent had a warm beer since I've been here, so they must refrigerate.
I think its just of of those bad stereotypes.
Thank god for beer! Beer here is great! Beer in the states blows! I wish I could bring some back with me.
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MW
Tell me the truth - do you have a beer cellar??
Jeff
Tell me the truth - do you have a beer cellar??
Jeff
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My college friends could only wish!Tripledigits said:
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I didn't mention the S200 because I don't know that much about it (esspecially since the revision for 2004). Additionally, you need to be mindful that like the NSX, Honda builds the S2000 not to make money per-se but instead to draw buyers into showrooms and sell them something else. Lotus needs to sell Elise in order to survive (at least as a car manufacturer). Historically sales have dropped for the Elise, even with it's limited quanities. In fact, if not for the VX220/ Speedster, Lotus would have had been in trouble because of access capability. The introduction of the Elise in the US is partially due to the end of production of the VX220 and the decreased demand for the Elise in Europe. I'm not saying that the Elise is anything but a niche car, but as such is even more subject to market demand than a typical car. Variations of the car and the line will be what keeps Lotus alive in the future.
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