Lotus

I believe the Evora is only out for one year due to the advanced airbags issues. It's supposed to return in 2016 and Lotus vp claims they have enough inventory to keep U.S. dealerships supplied until then.

Meanwhile, I've noticed the values of Elises and Exiges steadily rising over the past few years.

 

I think you are pretty optimistic if you think you can get an a Elise to 1750 lbs. I built a track car, and lost:

Windshield
All a/c components
All interior other than steering wheel and lightweight aluminum race seats
All doors except outer shells attached with DSUS fasteners
Every fastener I could remove.
Headlights
Other misc stuff
Added a cage and wing
Exhaust has turbo but no muffler, just pipe off the turbo

Weight is still over 1700.

 

Careful - 25% heavier and 25% lighter are two different things. If a woman weighs 100 lbs and her husband weighs 150 lbs, he is 50% heavier than her, but she is 33% lighter than him.

 

Lotus is now offering European delivery with a track day.

Unfortunately, none of their cars are legal here at the moment.



Lotus offer Hethel collection service for new car customers

With the introduction of two new exciting customer experiences, all Lotus customers have the opportunity to visit Lotus for a personal hand-over of their new car, receive a personalised commemorative owner’s booklet charting the build of their car and meet the team who brought their Lotus to life.

The experiences also include a tour of the manufacturing facility where every Lotus has been hand built by skilled craftsmen and women since 1967 and a visit to Classic Team Lotus to see many of the iconic race cars of Team Lotus.

For customers looking for the ultimate Lotus immersion there is even chance to spend some time with a Lotus instructor on the famous Hethel test track and get a first-hand insight into how Lotus’ ethos of ‘pure driving’ is engineered into every Lotus car.

Group Lotus plc Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Gales said, “Hethel is the heart of Lotus, where we have been designing, developing and building the most exciting and uncompromising handmade British sports cars for nearly 50 years and we are delighted to open our doors to customers so that they can collect their new car from us direct.

“It is here at our Headquarters that Colin Chapman himself conceived and built the original cars that were lighter, faster and more dynamic to drive and race than anything else. The Hethel experience gives our new, existing and future customers the opportunity to see, hear and feel for themselves the ambition that has been core to Lotus; to build cars that give you one of the most thrilling ‘pure driving’ experiences imaginable.”


The options in more detail:

Lotus ‘Handmade in Hethel’ Experience
Arrival at Lotus and welcome
Refreshments
Lotus factory tour
Visit to Classic Team Lotus
Car presentation in Hethel Lotus Originals store
Presentation of bespoke signed owner’s booklet
Photoshoot of the event
Also included:
Lotus print signed by Clive Chapman
Battery trickle charger
Car cover
Full PDI and car valet
Price (excluding local taxes): £832.50
Lotus ‘Handmade in Hethel’ Experience + Track Time
Arrival at Lotus and welcome
Refreshments
Lotus factory tour
Visit to Classic Team Lotus
Car presentation in Hethel Lotus Originals store
Track drive with Lotus instructor
Presentation of bespoke signed owner’s booklet
Photoshoot
Also included:
Lotus print signed by Clive Chapman
Battery trickle charger
Car cover
Full PDI and car valet
Price (excluding any local taxes): £999
Packages are available through the Lotus dealer network at the time of purchase and for a limited time after order.
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Awesome, glad to see they are doing this. I have been to hethel, its the real thing, like picking up your 4 cam in maranello in 67.

 

Yes I am just estimating whereas you have actual experience. Will ask my lotus builder how ligth he has gotten them. a 211 is what 1600lbs.

 

If they ever make the next Exige U.S. street legal, I'm going to pick it up this way.