| Author | Message | ||
| Bill Sebestyen (Bill308)
Member Username: Bill308 Post Number: 254 Registered: 5-2001 |
The May issue of the Lotus ReMarque offers this: The federal Elise will use the Toyota VVTL-i, 1.8 liter unit, controlled by Toyota's computer system. The engine is 4-cylinders, twin cam, 16 valves, variable intake valve timing and variable valve lift. At 6000 rpm, high-lift cams take over to spike the power curve. Output is 180 hp @ 7600 rpm with 130 ft-lb torque @ 6800 rpm stock. Lots of speed parts are apparently available for this engine. It's thought that without a turbo, this engine will easily provide a useable 240 hp. Some details of this engine can be found at: http://motorshow.toyota-europe.com/r/r01_07_03.html A 5-speed and a 6-speed manual and a 4-speed Sportshift electronically controlled transmission (ECT), are available for this engine. It's not yet known what will be available in the Elise. I've heard the target price is 40k. | ||
| Ryanab (Ryanab)
Junior Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 87 Registered: 3-2002 |
At :27 he almost smokes the F40, great vid! | ||
| Dave L (Davel)
Junior Member Username: Davel Post Number: 152 Registered: 7-2001 |
Yea that was funny how they said the Elise was the winner but...the 360 was better handling since it was more of an everyday car. Give credit where its due whether you drive it everyday or not. Its a simple formula of power and good chassis tuning with light weight. Its a pure sportscar the Elise..how refreshing | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 264 Registered: 2-2002 |
Funny how we've changed. It wasn't that long ago that sports cars were minimalist devices. Light weight, de-contented, simple driver's machines. Now even Road & Track, the centerpiece of the sports car universe at one time, downgrades the Elise for it's lack of creature comforts. Just my comment. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to be broadsided by an Expedition while driving an Elise, but I don't think I'd fair too well in a 360 Modena in a similar accident, either. | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
New member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2002 |
There are plenty of Elise running around in Hong Kong. I checked them it out and it appears to be like nothing more than a dressed up go-kart. Great for track work, but I be scared as hell taking it on the interstate riding next to a semi at 70mph...the semi driver may roll over you without even knowing it. Door protection is virtually non-existent...the interior is very very minimal. But I bet one fitted with a Honda VTEC would kick some serious butt on the track, now that would be a fun ride. | ||
| James P. Smith (Tigermilk)
Junior Member Username: Tigermilk Post Number: 85 Registered: 7-2001 |
I was thinking of the Elise (or another Lotus) when I bought the 308 last year. I just didn't want to spend the premium for a Euro model converted to US DOT. Still, I'd love to get one in 2003 when they hit here. The Road and Track article really gushed over the car. | ||
| chris cummings (Entelechy)
Junior Member Username: Entelechy Post Number: 93 Registered: 5-2001 |
Great Vid! Thanks for the post Randy - where do you dig all these up? Kept listening for the blip on the 4 to 2 downshift, but couldn't hear him blipping on any of them really. Pretty ballsy around that F-40 (if I had that car I would've let him past too). I was in a race recently with a guy who was crazy like that and taking some real risks. As we were responsible for damage to both cars I just backed off and let him go. He was in the lead and went off track on the last lap - couldn't keep up the concentration or he was worried about me on his back. | ||
| Marcus Mayeux (Mmayeux73)
Junior Member Username: Mmayeux73 Post Number: 234 Registered: 4-2002 |
That is just awesome...almost hit the F-40 there. | ||
| Marcus Mayeux (Mmayeux73)
Junior Member Username: Mmayeux73 Post Number: 233 Registered: 4-2002 |
http://www.lotuselise.at/meet/24h/esthi/ here is an interesting one... | ||
| Robert McNair (Rrm)
New member Username: Rrm Post Number: 44 Registered: 5-2002 |
Michael do you know how many cars will be coming to the U.S.? | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Junior Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 87 Registered: 10-2001 |
This guy takes track day too seriously he almost smashed his lotus into the F40 . and Le Luc is a very narrow track in France....much more suitable for light car than monster cars like F40 and GT3 RS ! He was obviously doing a little show for the camera. | ||
| Michael Wogronic (Michael_fvm)
New member Username: Michael_fvm Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2002 |
We have been told to expect the first Elises to be ready for delivery in late 2003 or early 2004. We have already taken deposits on 56 cars. There is also a nice handling comparison test in the June issue of Road & Track. Only the 360 Modena beats out the Elise. | ||
| Dave L (Davel)
Junior Member Username: Davel Post Number: 149 Registered: 7-2001 |
The car is coming. Time table/price is up in the air but expect the price to be below or at 40k. Horsepower will be 180+. I just drove the Euro model, current production Series 2 in Atlanta and it was....well....really really fun  If you drive it..you will buy it...Find a dealer and get on the list. | ||
| Vince (Manatee)
New member Username: Manatee Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2002 |
Can't see the video, rotten dial-up. Our local Lotus dealer had an Elise at the auto show, but said street legal Elises with Lotus warranties won't be here for a year or two. He also mentioned the US version will get a different front fascia, but didn't elaborate. | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 379 Registered: 3-2002 |
30-35K is one thing. $55,000 is going to send away the buyers IMO. They look like a lot of fun, but seem to be more of a track car. I'm surprised to see them so soon. When I spoke with a woman from Lotus in February, she basically gave me the "who knows?" when I asked about their expected arrival. | ||
| Ben Lobenstein 90 TR (Benjet)
Member Username: Benjet Post Number: 652 Registered: 1-2001 |
Elises are availble here now. Most have a Honda VTEC in them. http://www.sunspeed.com/pr_els01.html There are also a few "real" ones with Rover engines in them here as well. A guy I know has one, says it's an oversized go-kart. -Ben | ||
| Robert McNair (Rrm)
New member Username: Rrm Post Number: 40 Registered: 5-2002 |
Bill, do you know what M.S.R.P. will be? Do you have any links for this info? 180 Horse sounds too good to be true it seems like we Americans always get the detuned versions. It seems to me this would be a very wise move for Lotus. | ||
| Bill Sebestyen (Bill308)
Member Username: Bill308 Post Number: 252 Registered: 5-2001 |
The Elise is comming to the US, I believe in 2004. The Lotus folks say it will have a Toyota engine, with variable cam timming, reported to put out over 180 BHP. This car is about as close to a real racing car as you can get for the street. | ||
| Randy (Schatten)
Member Username: Schatten Post Number: 317 Registered: 4-2001 |
oops! sorry about that, F40 indeed! it was just a copy/paste from another board. | ||
| Jason Godsil (Godsil)
Junior Member Username: Godsil Post Number: 83 Registered: 9-2001 |
Great video. Pretty impressive for a little car to overtake an F40. | ||
| Rene Jr Major (Maverick1001ca)
New member Username: Maverick1001ca Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2002 |
VERY NICE !!! | ||
| Randy (Schatten)
Member Username: Schatten Post Number: 316 Registered: 4-2001 |
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/one.eleven/leluc.mpg right click and 'save target as...' 25.5MB 2min 50sec Enjoy! |