Lotus Elite is born again

How much?

When I saw the headline I thought "great", then I saw the price and I thought "so it's not an Elite then". While the Types 75 and 83 were also Elites, I always think of the Type 14 when I hear the name and this is nothing to do with one of those!
OK, so if this will be the top-of-the-range Lotus I suppose the name could be justified on that basis, but it's a shame that they have moved so far away from their roots.

By aje21 on 20 September, 2010, 12:08pm

115k for a car with a toyota engine?

By cloudz7 on 20 September, 2010, 12:12pm

£115k for a car with a Toyota engine but over 500bhp, not a bad deal if you ask me. At least it will have the reliability and not keep torching itself like a certain new Italian car.

What is all this about Lotus having to make small sports cars, that's just the old fuddy duddies refusing to move on! Can't a company, like the cars themselves, evolve?

Its a stunning car and when put up against the Fezza California its a bargain price wise!

By AndyG on 20 September, 2010, 12:45pm

At last.........

I agree with AndyG. What should Lotus do to please some of you; have a one car line up with 40 yr old designed 7?

I think this is great news, Lotus has been a minow for too many years now and I think by sticking to their original ideology they have been strangling themselves.

This new plan making use of the VVA technology ( why it's taken several years to utilize it, I don't know) to spin off several cars from this clever chassis is also great news. We'll now see what Lotus should have been over the last 20 years; an evoling sports car maker taking the fight to Porsche and Ferrari. We'll hopefully see: an Evora, Elise. Esprit and an Elite, plus hopefully even faster spins offs in this new line up all alongside each other for sale. And already due to their return to F1 they haven annouced the Elite will feature KERS, does a Porsche? I this this and other technology will make them serious rivals for the big sportsd car makers and yes they are not famous for spontaneously combusting!

For all of you living in the past, go and buy an old used one and stop your bitching!

By Focus_your_mind on 20 September, 2010, 1:56pm

I agree, but where's the Esprit?

Well said Andy G.!

And the car is a real Lotus Elite, in the sense that the type 14 also was front engined, also was the company's topmodel and also looked gorgeous. And like the later Elite it's a 2+2, so go Lotus!

I only wonder how many years this will put the new Esprit back, but I'll guess all our answers will be answered very soon.

By xedor2003 on 20 September, 2010, 2:00pm

The 500 v8 is probably the same one used in the LFA.
The car looks similiar to an old Honda NSX concept in USA..

By hugo_b on 20 September, 2010, 5:16pm

Striking Resemblance...

Crikey - it looks like a Honda S2000!

By Dame_Edna on 20 September, 2010, 9:35pm

Beautiful

The title says it all! This design must be one of the most striking ever. So what if Toyota engineering and knowhow is used. So much the better for overall satisfaction.

By paviaant on 21 September, 2010, 7:09am

Didn't Porsche come within a few laps of winning the Nurburgring 24hrs with a 911 with a KERS flywheel system (from Williams) this year? And are building a hybrid supercar?

I think we should judge Lotus's efforts when we finally see the cars in the flesh as you are never sure what is for real on this site.

My first impressions are, however, if someone said that is the new Toyota Celica i would say, umm thats not bad looking.

Other question to ask yourself is whether you would part with a 114k Lotus v Aston, Porsche, Ferrari.

I know that the Evora is a very pretty car, but you can buy a lot of one year old 911 for the same money... (no doubt that will get a few "Lotus hater" comments) so Lotus need to prove they real can deliver in bucket fulls to be successful. Good luck to them

By JakeBtn on 21 September, 2010, 7:31am

Strange, is it ignorance or on purpose...

It is strange how some still try to degrade Toyota engines. They probably got a Ford or something. Sorry to say, you may think that a Ferrari engine is better than the LF-A's, for instance, but, let me save you the suspense, it is NOT. So, perfect for Lotus. It is a nice way to have new British sportscar and they've learnt where they should become stronger, RELIABILITY, very clever, it'll be a success, even though the engine is a weak Toyota/Lexus engine.

By miguel117 on 21 September, 2010, 8:32am

Lotus Engines?

I really don't know why most of you are complaining about Lotus' use of Toyota engines in the Elite, the firm have always used other manufacturers engines, albeit fettled for performance.

Lotus began by using by Ford motors and have also used Rovers K series and Toyota 1.6/1.8 litre engines in the Elise. Incidentally, the V6 in the Evora is also made by Toyota.

Now, down to the subject of this article: Good God, this design is hideous. This isn't an Elite! Frankly, while we're mentioning the Toyota tie up, it looks somewhat like a re-design of the last Toyota Celica. Not that that was a bad car you understand, but it was never going to be a Lotus.

I despair for the future of Lotus, especially after viewing the delicious artists impression of the Elite, in vivid yellow, here on AE earlier this year.

By sgtgrash on 21 September, 2010, 9:06am

erm...

I seem to have got my models muddled lol...

Ah well, I still stand by the rest of my post, in a somewhat chastened manner... ;)

By sgtgrash on 21 September, 2010, 9:12am

Best Lotus ever

Well I think this is the best Lotus ever since The Esprit. It got what I would want in this car. A 4seater & V8 engine this is on my reach.

By deviras on 21 September, 2010, 9:34am

Just toyota engineering?

I like the looks, that first, front 3/4 picture reminds me of the last generation toyota celica. I've nothing against them either as I used to own one. However comments on toyota bullet-proof reliability are a little far off the mark. My celica was the t-sport variant with the 1.8 VVTLi engine absolute screamer of an engine loved it until the bit that made the "L" (lift) in VVTLi broke and toyota said it would be approx. £1000 just to investigate the problem. I think not. So I ended up buying a Ford.

By khatkar on 21 September, 2010, 9:53am

Seems no-one at AE reads earlier articles they wrote!
The Elite, if I'm correct that it's the top of the range model, should be getting the 4.8L V10 from the LF-A, and the 5.0L V8 from the IS-F belongs to a "mid-range" Esprit, as per http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/236575/lotuss_reborn_esprit_gets_v10_power.html

Aside from 200kg more weight, the Elite with the LF-A engine at £115K should be the bargain of the century, especially with KERS and typical Lotus suspension know-how.
And it won't be limited to just 500 examples.

As for comparing to AM - nice cars but a GT rather than sports car, so fair comparison will be against Ferrari's 2014 version of the 430, and similarly Porsche's 911 variant at that point.

So long as Lotus are able to meet the price and deadline, unlike the Acsari KZ-1, which was similarly priced at announcement, only to wind up being near double, and ultimately never to see the light of day beyond a couple of examples.

By pjskelti on 21 September, 2010, 9:56am

Good value ?

Why does everone seem to think that this offers good value for money, when EXACTLY to the MPH and .01 of a second, the figures are matched by the GT_R R35 and all for just £57k ?

You're all bonkers

By richardnlees on 21 September, 2010, 11:52am

Personal taste

I thought the GT-R R35 was limited to a 155mph? It all comes down to taste, if sheer speed and 0 -62mph were the only two factors in choosing a performance car we'd all be driving supercharged Atoms. I hope Lotus do make this car a bit more beefy and special looking, to match their unequalled handling prowess and justify that price tag but even so I think this will be a bit special.

As much as the R35 is a fantasic machine I wouldn't pay nearly £60k for a Nissan, if it was £30k then fair enough, although the technology and developement it goes through probably justifies 57k. I would probably go for a used Lambo istead, again personal taste. I just think it looks a lot more special than the R35. Though no doubt knowing my luck it would probably set fire to itself!

By Focus_your_mind on 21 September, 2010, 4:56pm

I like it.

nice little car

By rica_roel on 21 September, 2010, 5:06pm

I think this is a nice piece of design. I just miss the bonnet recesses in front of the windscreen, they were a Lotus trademark of recent years and would have transplanted well on to this design too.

By Lostash on 21 September, 2010, 7:15pm

"would part with a 114k Lotus v Aston, Porsche, Ferrari. "

Not over a Fezza or a Aston no, but over a 911 any day! Never liked Porsche's and it is the ugliest super car on sale today.

Well said Focus_your_mind! Couldnt agree more.

By AndyG on 22 September, 2010, 1:26pm

Evolve is apt

Andy G's comment is very relevant. A lot of lotus forums seem to be anti the new upmarket approach.
Time will tell.
Evolve could be the name of their next supercharged product...
John Mansfield http://motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com

By johnmansfield on 22 September, 2010, 1:27pm

I cant wait as i am honestly finding it harder every day getting in or out of my Exige my Exige

i was thinking of a supercharged Evora until i saw this, I Love it stunning and great car for 50+ when we Lotus lovers have a dodgy knee/ anything really and are becoming over weight we need something just like this that goes like hell. and handles like a Lotus bring it on do we really have to wait that long.

By trevleg on 22 September, 2010, 9:44pm

looks like a next Gen Honda S2000

By hugo_b on 24 September, 2010, 1:12pm

Hmmm....

While I totally agree with people advocating Lotus utilising Japenese tech, it shouldnt be reflected in the exterior styling. My first impression was of mistaking this car for a pretty, mid 20k to 30k Japenese coupe. I was astonished to read it is in fact a Lotus commanding over 100k! Ive no doubt it will perform very well on the road, but the people who can buy this sort of car want to be noticed, and this looks anonymous against its competitors. Well, Lotus have been around a while, so they must know what they are doing I guess. I wish Lotus all the best, and hope Im wrong in the process about this car.

By pocketpiston on 28 September, 2010, 10:46am

Keep It In The Family...

One thing is very apparent, the new Lotus range displays a well thought out and coherent design philosophy, sadly though, it doesn't seem to work so well on this model. I will say that Lotus really know how to design a nice bum :)

In defense of the Nissan GT-R, It's hardly your average Nissan: Hand-built and matched engine and gearbox, State of the art suspension and electronics. Handling, performance and build quality the equal of many supercars, and in black it looks like a 'Stealth' aircraft to boot, and all for 64k. What's not to like?

Here's a shocker for you, the most fun I've had in a car in recent months was a power-slide 'fest around the national circuit at Rockingham Speedway in a Vauxhall VXR8, and the noise... Oh the noise from that engine was sublime... ;)

By sgtgrash on 1 October, 2010, 8:02am

A Toyota engine and U Moan!

The guy above who commented £115k and a Toyota engine, should check out the engine 1st. Its from the LFA which I believe Toyota are asking for £340,000 for the LFA. Plus they are the most reliable engines in the world.

So I for 1 would be VERY Happy to have a Lotus with a Toyota instead of the old Ford engines that they used to use.

Based on the fact that Toyota want £340k and Lotus "ONLY" want £115k for the car with the same engine, I think its a bargain.

By Pablo76 on 20 October, 2010, 4:53pm

A Toyota engine and U Moan!

The guy above who commented £115k and a Toyota engine, should check out the engine 1st. Its from the LFA which I believe Toyota are asking for £340,000 for the LFA. Plus they are the most reliable engines in the world.

So I for 1 would be VERY Happy to have a Lotus with a Toyota instead of the old Ford engines that they used to use.

Based on the fact that Toyota want £340k and Lotus "ONLY" want £115k for the car with the same engine, I think its a bargain.

By Pablo76 on 20 October, 2010, 6:11pm

Sorry for the 2nd Post

Sorry for the 2nd Post, my PC is going mad..... :->

By Pablo76 on 20 October, 2010, 6:13pm

Brand engineering

Okay, lets face it, they are pricey. But the reason why Lotus has spent many years a whisker from the receivers jaws is because the existing Lotus owners are the only ones buying what is still considered 'a bit of fun on the side' - not a proper car etc etc.

To be profitable in this millennium you have to run with a range of premium products. 3000 cars a year at £20k doesn't add up to a whole load of beans and is a shaky business model to take into the next decade. Colin Chapman himself wanted a range of quality prestige cars however he never had £700m to play with. I can hear him screaming "JUST DO IT!"

The Lotus brand has much more mileage than the grown-up budget racer / kit car mentality (albeit a very good one). It's time it moved on up.

TVR showed what happens to this previous type of business model. With the best will in the world, great designs and an affordable price tag they still didn't get out of that small niche to charge some decent money and develop a quality product. It's so right that Lotus starts dancing with the Lambos, Ferraris and McLarens, after all these years the company deserves to graduate.

Well done Lotus and Proton. Take the Italian bull by the horns and show it some Bulldog spirit.

By craiglife on 15 November, 2010, 10:14am