LOTUS (hot or not?)

Tomaz · Bericht door **Tomaz** » 20 mar 2007, 23:42

As you might have noticed, we have a habit of placing polls on a thread on this forum. So here´s the occasional poll-thread, a British one this time.

What do you think about the modern cars by Lotus? Do they still have the Chapman heritage in them or have they lost the feeling some time ago?

Jan Visser · Bericht door **Jan Visser** » 20 mar 2007, 23:50

In my perspective Lotus is very hot. They are lite and nimble cars and designed for just one thing, Driving-Fun!

Peter Tunissen · Bericht door **Peter Tunissen** » 21 mar 2007, 00:07

Thought about it and I'd still say hot.
I like the Elise, love the Exige, must still drive a 340R one day and would give a kidney for a K20a engined Lotus, but the Europa doesn't do it for me.
And at €66k it's even €4k more expensive than an Exige: no thanks.

Unfortunately that Europa is also the latest car Lotus made, so if that is a view into Lotus' future than I'd like to reserve the right to change my hot into a not in a couple of years.

Wim te Riet · Bericht door **Wim te Riet** » 21 mar 2007, 07:37

@Peter: but Colin Bruce Anthony made cars like the Europa too.
I compare it with the Elan +2, which is still a very desirable car IMO.
At this moment I'd buy an Elise if I had the money though...

Maik · Bericht door **Maik** » 21 mar 2007, 08:54

Was ein grosse Lotus-aarschloch-verwöhnung!
Aufzoutsen mit der Englische unter-produkten, Opel für alles, Opel ziegt!

GTRene · Bericht door **GTRene** » 21 mar 2007, 09:25

They are still hot machinery, but they have to stay a bit closer to the lightweight idea...
The Geneva GT3 Exige was not completely finished but looks very promising...
Also the new Elite and ofcorse the new Esprit that has to come looks very good...and maybe Spyker can help them, cause they have interest in Proton I believe...

Peter Tunissen · Bericht door **Peter Tunissen** » 21 mar 2007, 10:48

Wim te Riet schreef:@Peter: but Colin Bruce Anthony made cars like the Europa too.
I compare it with the Elan +2, which is still a very desirable car IMO.

True, but I'm afraid that they might look a bit too much at the TVR story and think that there's no market anymore for the most extreme cars.

Wim te Riet · Bericht door **Wim te Riet** » 21 mar 2007, 12:39

We'll see when the new Esprit comes out I guess...

Dutch · Bericht door **Dutch** » 21 mar 2007, 14:46

As long as the cars are made so light that bits tend to fall off spontaneously they will still be Lotuses in the true ACBC mould...

Mathieu · Bericht door **Mathieu** » 21 mar 2007, 15:42

Yes, I think that Lotus is very Hot, Hot, Hot.

But the Super Seven was the hottest of all.

Pescatore · Bericht door **Pescatore** » 23 mar 2007, 20:30

I used to think that Lotus was a cool carmanufacturer, but after launching the Europa, I'm not that sure.. Unlike the Exige/Elise/Elan, those are fabulous, the Europa is quite ugly imho..

What are they planning for the near future (design-wise)?

Nutkees · Bericht door **Nutkees** » 23 mar 2007, 22:22

Just went for a quick spin in a mate's Exige... Pfff its hardcore alright, only the difference in power from 1000-6000 RPM and 6000 RPM up is really strange, amazing, but strange. It felt like a huge turbo is mounted on the engine.

It also bangs when you change gear. VRROOOmmm bang bang VRooommmmm!!

This is the beast.. My mate also hopes he can make the CBR07.

I will ask if he wants to introduce himself over here.

[IMG:800:600]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/ ... rontds.jpg[/img]

Dinkel · Bericht door **Dinkel** » 23 mar 2007, 23:47

Tja, I sat next to Gruffy driving to the Sunday Service in his Elise and had fun in Robin's Esprit Turbo . . . but to say they are exciting or hot, nah.

It's not because of the 'only a fourpot' thingy BTW.

IMO the plank-like underpinnings just feel too safe and predictable. I was in Hans Ruiterkamps 70s Europa and that's exactly the same thing. I say it's a comfy way of driving in a sporting manner. But then I wasn't at the wheel.

Maybe I'm a too rough driver for a Lotus :yes:

Maik · Bericht door **Maik** » 26 mar 2007, 14:28

GTRene schreef:They are still hot machinery, but they have to stay a bit closer to the lightweight idea...
The Geneva GT3 Exige was not completely finished but looks very promising...
Also the new Elite and ofcorse the new Esprit that has to come looks very good...and maybe Spyker can help them, cause they have interest in Proton I believe...

VERY PROMISING!

[img:649:487]http://gallery.seloc.org/albums/userpic ... rge%29.JPG[/img]

[img:649:487]http://gallery.seloc.org/albums/userpic ... rge%29.JPG[/img]

[img:649:487]http://gallery.seloc.org/albums/userpic ... 281%29.JPG[/img]

[img:649:487]http://gallery.seloc.org/albums/userpic ... 282%29.JPG[/img]

GTRene · Bericht door **GTRene** » 26 mar 2007, 15:11

Super dingetje! lekker wide, I like that

Only thing were to put a front plate...I hate Frontplate they block the air and block coolers and look stupid on the front on sport-cars...

were are the greens when we need them

a front-plate is bad for CW drag is un economic so please can we keep them of...only on the back like a bike can? and or a vinyl sticker numberplate small...

Dinkel · Bericht door **Dinkel** » 23 jun 2007, 23:32

[img:800:514]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 3104AA.jpg[/img]
Pistonheads Sunday Service.

[img:800:575]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 184094.jpg[/img]
Love those old skool edges.

[img:800:600]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 184092.jpg[/img]
Tunnels! Darren loves to blip . . .

[img:800:394]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 0703AA.jpg[/img]
134 db!

[img:800:535]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 173976.jpg[/img]
Busy parking space. Loud as well!

[img:600:388]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... l_3101.jpg[/img]
Guess . . .

[img:600:394]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... l_3103.jpg[/img]
Guess again . . .

Read all about it:
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.as ... 3&t=220956

[img:600:300]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... l_3093.jpg[/img]
Right! Awesome little thing.
Darren drove me to the Sunday Service and boy was it loud. His Elise clearly showed the heritage of Lotus oldies.

Wim te Riet · Bericht door **Wim te Riet** » 24 jun 2007, 11:12

Come on Dink, deep down you KNOW Lotus is hot!
[img:500:267]http://www.pixelmatic.com.au/cortina/mk ... drsson.jpg[/img]
[img:587:421]http://www.historiclotusregister.co.uk/ ... o9-587.jpg[/img]
[img:400:279]http://www.simonlewis.com/oscart/images ... l%2075.jpg[/img]
[img:800:486]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... u_2006.jpg[/img]
[img:973:407]http://www.shorey.net/Auto/British/Lotu ... uropa).jpg[/img]

And my favourite Elise:
[img:666:500]http://www.lotuscars.nl/site/fotos/A_1172220655_783.jpg[/img]I have to try to get that car to the Klassiekerrally in September!
Love it to bits with that Gold Leaf livery...

Dinkel · Bericht door **Dinkel** » 24 jun 2007, 11:24

Oh ja, ik heb nog wat Lotus-lekkers uit m'n Spa-emmertje.

Vanmiddag misschien: kinderfeestje nu!

GTRene · Bericht door **GTRene** » 24 jun 2007, 11:32

niet dat ik geel een mooie kleur vind om lang te hebben, maar dat model die gele Elite? vind ik super, 1 van de mooiere lotussen, en super ligt, gooi er een 200+ pk motor in en je hebt een echt racertje, net een kleine Ferrari...ik zeg prachtig.
[img:800:600]http://www.picturelane.com/cars/lotus/e ... 960_96.jpg[/img]
[img:800:600]http://www.picturelane.com/cars/lotus/e ... 960_95.jpg[/img]

Wim te Riet · Bericht door **Wim te Riet** » 24 jun 2007, 11:37

The Elite is one of the most beautiful cars ever...

Dinkel · Bericht door **Dinkel** » 24 jun 2007, 16:21

Daar gaat ie dan, uit m'n SpaF-blog:

[img:800:600]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012929.jpg[/img]
Coventry Climax schreeuwertje van net 125 pk.

[img:800:508]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012894.jpg[/img]
This Lotus Elite (SpaF in 3:21) in classic livery.

[img:800:489]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012895.jpg[/img]
Another Lotus made lighter without any paint: an XI (SpaF 3:08 ) with a tiny Cov Climax in. Check out the spanners!

[img:800:510]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012873.jpg[/img]
:cloud9:

[img:800:496]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012642.jpg[/img]
Worldfamous livery on the Lotus 77 (SpaF 2:31) driven by Locke. The 77 was an unusual car in two respects; firstly it was incredibly narrow with a sharp pointed front and an odd suspension configuration. The suspension had been design to allow for rapid track-side modifications to take place. It worked after a fashion although the idea was not pursued for too long and Chapman reverted to the usual coil spring arrangements for the next model the 78. This 77 was Andretti's.

[img:800:427]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012643.jpg[/img]
Longtime enthusiast Sidney Hoole restored and prepared Andretti's Lotus 80 (2:31) and locks up here at La Source.
A bit of history: never shy to experiment, Colin Chapman replaced his championship winning Lotus 79 with a new racer that took ground effects design not one, but three steps further. Whereas the previous F1 racers relied on both ground effects and wings to provide the downforce, the new Lotus 80 was a wingless design. Another striking difference was the change in livery from the traditional black and gold of John Player Special to a green and red with Martini sponsors.

Constructed for the 1979 season, the 80 was technically very similar to its predecessors with an aluminum monocoque and the Cosworth DFV engine. Carlos Reutemann drove the thingy but Andretti preferred the 79, changed to that one half way the season but eventually left the team.

[img:800:630]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012625.jpg[/img]

[img:800:459]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012591.jpg[/img]

[img:800:583]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012406.jpg[/img]

[img:800:536]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 302317.jpg[/img]

[img:800:523]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 302244.jpg[/img]

[img:800:547]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 302231.jpg[/img]
Cool!

[img:800:621]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 302236.jpg[/img]

[img:800:600]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 302237.jpg[/img]
Coventry Climax at their best fitting: in Lotus dress. They look impossible to fit a human pilot but some stepped out and were about my size (1.86m). Sounding fierce and cornering like you wouldn't believe. There's absolutely no sense in using a big car at a curvy track when you've seen a Lotus doing her thing: beyond razorsharp.

GTRene · Bericht door **GTRene** » 24 jun 2007, 16:25

wow dink, nice pics...

never seen on of those though? is it a special elite race version?? nice 8)

[img:800:459]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/ ... 012591.jpg[/img]

Wim te Riet · Bericht door **Wim te Riet** » 24 jun 2007, 18:34

IIRC it's a racing Elan...

Steven N. · Bericht door **Steven N.** » 24 jun 2007, 22:29

Lotus is just very, very hot! I love those Elises and Exiges, especially the one from Kees his friend Nick. What a car and what a sound

Just amazing little cars for maximum drivingfun!

Prices are still high for what you get and they are not that usable for daily use. But I still like to own one really bad!

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