Thank God for a new design language... the Lotus face was getting extremely old.

This Elite is achingly gorgeous, and it will be sold in 2014... so why show it so early? I hate it when car companies show a new car and you are like, wow, that's hot. Then they tell you it will go on sale after 4 years and you are like wtf, by then it won't be that hot any more, not only because we would be looking at it for 4 years, but also because so many other cars will come out which will look like it/just as good/better.

Anyway, enough ranting, thank God for the recently hired new design director (Donato Coco), who Lotus stole from Ferrari. He worked on beauties such as the F430 Scuderia, California, 599XX, and the 458 Italia; clearly, a designer at the top of his game. Before Ferrari, he was the design director at Citroen

Vital stats!

2+2 seater, front-mid-engined, rear wheel drive
Engine: Petrol, hybrid optional
Hybrid technology: Hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS
5.0 liter V8 from Lexus IS-F
612 hp, 532 lb-ft
0-60 mph in 3.6 sec
196 mph top speed
Retractable hardtop!
Price in UK: £115,000 (so if it comes to the US, about $115,000)

But here is one stat that y'all won't like:

3,630 lbs... WTF! Are they sure it is a Lotus~!

Yet, look at what the Lotus CEO says:

Quote :

"According to Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, "There's no denying that the Elite is breathtakingly beautiful to look at but it's so much more than that, it's a car that over delivers in all other aspects as well. One could say it's a car of perfect contradictions, it's compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, lightweight yet still reassuringly solid. It's a car that we are exceptionally proud of at Lotus and we truly believe that there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of styling and performance.""

Yes, I know it is a 4-seater GT, not a pure sportscar, but they should be able to bring it down to 3,200 lbs, right? That retractable hardtop must add a lot.

I hope they don't change it much for the production model, except of course, to make it more beautiful if that's possible.

Competitors? MB E63 AMG Coupe, MB CL Class, Maserati GT, Audi RS5, BMW M6, Bentley Continental GT V8, Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Nissan GT-R?

Now for the hot stuff....

Must see high res pics: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/lotus-elite-concept-0/full

9/20/2010 4:35:34 PM

ok tiburon.

9/20/2010 4:36:17 PM

You mean Genesis Coupe?

9/20/2010 4:37:46 PM

I hope they scrap this - that design is kind of yawn today - can't imagine years from now.

doesn't really remind me of any of the typical lotus styling and it's a pig

9/20/2010 4:45:28 PM

for some reason it reminds me of an FT-86

9/20/2010 4:48:29 PM

That shit is horrible

9/20/2010 4:54:37 PM

Quote :

"doesn't really remind me of any of the typical lotus styling"

uh, yeah, that's on purpose....

i don't know if some of you are blind or what, but it is impossible to call that design ugly or horrible. common place? maybe, but it is just not 'horrible at' all.


[Edited on September 20, 2010 at 4:57 PM. Reason : ]

9/20/2010 4:56:08 PM

I like it overall, the rear end doesn't look great head on however.

3600lbs is portly by lotus standards, but not bad for that type of car. Quite good actually, I mean it's at least several hundred pounds lighter than the 'competitors' you've listed.

9/20/2010 5:01:58 PM

look here:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/lotuselite1280-03.jpg

where does that retractable roof retract in to?

9/20/2010 5:05:09 PM

3600 lbs?

Front engine?

retractable hardtop?

Colin Chapman must be rolling over in his grave.

9/20/2010 6:15:57 PM

Retractable hardtop?

You have got to be shitting me.

9/20/2010 7:39:58 PM

Hey gaiz. Look. It's a [FAIL] template...

9/20/2010 7:56:22 PM

Quote :

"3600 lbs? Front engine? retractable hardtop?"

3600 pounds is, I guarantee, because of the hybrid drive. Without the electric bits, I'll be it will be right at 3,000 lbs (just like the evora it's based on)

Retractable hardtop will almost certainly be an option.

Front engine is referring to the electric motors. The petrol engine is still mid-mount.



The design is meh. The biggest problem I have is that they are reusing a very very famous model name (the Elite), and it shares almost ZERO design language. You can't really pay homage to a front-engine coupe with a mid-engine 2+2.

You tell me what similarities there are to this:


Honestly it looks like a VERY generic Asian sports car. Looks like a body kit for any Hyundai/Honda/Mazda coupe.

I really liked where they went with the Evora, just hope that over the next four years they manage to do something similar with this one.

9/20/2010 9:49:24 PM

oh, it's a hybrid, too?

Can you buy a non-hybrid, fixed-hardtop version, or will that spot be held down by the Evora?

I like the Evora, but I'd never in a million years buy one over a 911.



honestly, for a low six-figure price, I'd probably buy some flavor of 911, either with some $$$ leftover, or I'd pay just a little more, depending on which model (C4S or GTS for less, GT3 for about the same, or Turbo for a little more)...or I'd spend just a little more for a V8 Vantage or slightly used Gallardo/Ferrari 360.

[Edited on September 20, 2010 at 10:01 PM. Reason : ]

9/20/2010 9:53:49 PM

lol @ "design language"

9/20/2010 11:21:50 PM

Looks and sounds like some fucking junk

9/20/2010 11:23:30 PM

Quote :

"Front engine is referring to the electric motors. The petrol engine is still mid-mount"

You sure about that? Looking at the photos, there is literally no room for an engine to be mounted in front of the rear axle, let alone a 5.0 liter V8!

Unfortunately Duke, I keep hearing the words "hybrid" & "Lotus" together more and more. They seem to be all about loading that shit onto their vehicles. Oh well, like you said I wouldn't take one over a Porsche anyway.

9/20/2010 11:33:32 PM

^^^ that's standard terminology in the auto industry, so i don't get what's lol about it.

^ the car is "front-mid-engined", i.e., the engine is completely behind the FRONT axle. there are only a few cars like that. proper terminology is what i put in quotes, however, "mid-engined" is technically not wrong, as the engine is between the 2 axles (but it's just not in the typical "mid-engined" location).

p.s. in the same vein, you could also call it "front-engined", as the engine is at the front of the car, not at the back. or if you like, the engine is front of the line running midway through the car.

but since it is behind the front axle, as i said before, to avoid confusion, "front-mid-engined" is the correct way to refer to a set up like that.

anybody remember what other cars are like that? i used to, but can't now.


[Edited on September 20, 2010 at 11:50 PM. Reason : ]

9/20/2010 11:46:46 PM

Quote :

"^^^ that's standard terminology in the auto design industry, so i don't get what's lol about it."

and I'll be honest, this thing is pretty fucking ugly.

9/21/2010 12:22:39 AM

^^ Rotaries?

9/21/2010 1:34:06 AM

it looks like a pharmaceutical pen

9/21/2010 2:24:57 AM

fugly car.

9/21/2010 10:25:16 AM

Quote :

"anybody remember what other cars are like that? i used to, but can't now."

Pat owns a mid engine car. The s2000 is mid engine.

9/21/2010 10:26:59 AM

^Thank you Quinn.
Thanks OEP1II, but I was replying to Noen

Quote :

"^ the car is "front-mid-engined", i.e., the engine is completely behind the FRONT axle. there are only a few cars like that. proper terminology is what i put in quotes, however, "mid-engined" is technically not wrong, as the engine is between the 2 axles (but it's just not in the typical "mid-engined" location). p.s. in the same vein, you could also call it "front-engined", as the engine is at the front of the car, not at the back. or if you like, the engine is front of the line running midway through the car. but since it is behind the front axle, as i said before, to avoid confusion, "front-mid-engined" is the correct way to refer to a set up like that. anybody remember what other cars are like that? i used to, but can't now."

I'm well aware what a front mid-engine car is

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 11:12 AM. Reason : k]

9/21/2010 11:11:38 AM

I think it looks great.

335i non xi weighs that much and this thing has 2+x the power and better balance. Who would buy this as track car anyway. There are far better options out there.

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 11:21 AM. Reason : f]

9/21/2010 11:20:00 AM

i guess you're not familiar with what it is that the company Lotus has always stood for then?

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 2:38 PM. Reason : k]

9/21/2010 2:35:25 PM

Corvette!

9/21/2010 4:27:28 PM

Thanks for the correction TKE-Teg, I didn't even think about it that way.

At 612hp & 3600 pounds, it puts the car ahead/tied with the Porsche 911 GT2 and Z06 Corvette in the power/weight ratio, and just behind the ZR1 Corvette and Porsche Carerra GT.

And this is just a NA version. It takes a lot of structure to contain 600hp. While I agree it should be more like 3000-3200lbs, given the addition of hybrid KERS system, that isn't an unreasonable or pig-like weight at all.

9/21/2010 6:44:54 PM

Quote :

"i guess you're not familiar with what it is that the company Lotus has always stood for then?"

Yeah, I'm fully familiar of what is Lotus niche.

Same can be said of Porsche and their entrance in SUV and 4 door market
Same can be said of Jaguar and their entry level offerings in x-type
Same can be said of Hyundai and their sporty offerings ..genesis.

Companies evolve. Imagine that.

It is not like lot they stopped making their small E-cars.

[Edited on September 23, 2010 at 2:21 PM. Reason : f]

9/23/2010 2:19:17 PM

The other thing to keep in mind is that with every Lotus vehicle there is a big different between it's factory curb weight and it's potential street weight.

With the Elise/Exige, you can trim it down by 60-80lbs by just removing stuff that is fully reversible.

With the Evora, you can trim 2-300lbs by removing padding and luxury addons (again fully reversible), and the Evora Cup car weighs in a solid 400 pounds lighter than the regular edition.

I can all but guarantee there will be an Elite Cup Car that will be <3000lbs, and that the average joe owner will be able to knock it down to 3200 or so without doing irreversible modifications.

-----

The reality is that MOST people TALK about wanting light and nimble and no compromises, but they BUY the car that is quiet, padded and comfortable.

9/23/2010 3:59:46 PM

Quote :

"The reality is that MOST people TALK about wanting light and nimble and no compromises, but they BUY the car that is quiet, padded and comfortable"

amen.

9/23/2010 4:22:26 PM

Lotus wakes the fuck up, goes fucking insane, and shocks the auto world!!! Yes, I know the new design language is not to many people's likings and takes getting used to, but it is definitely thoroughly modern, if just a tad bit 'generic' these days. What's amazing is that there were no leaks or spy shots... no one knew all these cars were coming (except for the Elite which was revealed a week or so ago).

Lotus Elite

Competition: CL65 AMG, DBS/DB9, Maserati GranTurismo, 612 Scaglietti, M6, Continental GT V8, California
Due 2014
Front-mid-engined 2+2
5.0 liter V8 from Lexus IS-F
612 hp, 532 lb-ft
0-60 mph in 3.6 sec
196 mph top speed
$180,000
3,600 lbs

Pics and more details, see OP.



Lotus Eterne (4-door Elite)

Competition: CLS63 AMG, Panamera Turbo, Rapide, RS7, Quattroporte, BMW 4-door 6-Series
Due 2015
5.0 liter V8 from Lexus IS-F
612 hp, 532 lb-ft
0-60 mph in 4 sec
196 mph top speed
$190,000
4,000 lbs









Lotus Esprit

Competition: 458 Italia, Gallardo, McLaren MP4-12C
Due 2013
Mid-engined 2 seater
5.0 liter V8 from Lexus IS-F
543 hp in base version
612 hp, 532 lb-ft in R version
0-60 mph in < 3.5 sec
205 mph top speed
$175,000
3,200 lbs









Lotus Elan

Competition: 911's 32 flavors
Due 2013
Mid-engined 2 seater, 2+2 optional
4.0 liter V6 from Toyota (FJ Cruiser?)
444 hp, 343 lb-ft
0-60 mph in 3.5 sec
193 mph top speed
$120,000
2,850 lbs







Lotus Elise

Competition: Boxster, Cayman, Z4 M, TTS/TT RS
Due 2015
Mid-engined 2 seater
2.0 liter I4 from Toyota
320 hp (turbo), NA model also
0-60 mph in 4.3 sec
$55,000 (turbo)
2,400 lbs

Quote :

"It's been a while since something took us by surprise at an auto show. Usually we've seen the pictures and read the press releases a few days ahead of time, so there's nothing new revealed we weren't already expecting. Until today. We were expecting Lotus to reveal a pair of new Evora models, a new front-engined GT called the Elite, and if we were lucky, maybe the new Esprit. What we got was something much, much better. As we arrived at the Lotus booth here at the Paris Motor Show, we spotted a total of five cars under cover. Perhaps a concept and some new versions of existing cars? What proceeded to happen was something entirely unexpected. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar addressed the crowd, announcing that Lotus would be entering a new era. In a matter of minutes, the wraps were pulled off the Esprit, Elan, Elite, Elise and Eterne concept cars, each time with a gasp from the crowd as the next concept's name was announced. This wasn't just the introduction of a few concept cars. We were witnessing the complete and utter revitalization, rebranding and rebirth of a legendary car company."

[Edited on September 30, 2010 at 7:52 PM. Reason : ]

9/30/2010 7:23:01 PM

Right off the bat, I thought the Esprit was a Lamborghini (Gallardo). Regardless, I like the styling. It just isn't my cup of tea.

The Elan and the Elise, however... Those are some sexy looking coupes. I absolutely love them. The styling is VERY sharp (no pun intended) looking and I hope they can stick with it in the years to come. I really like the look of the Elan, especially the rear end. Just look at them hips!

9/30/2010 7:43:09 PM

has lotus always gotten its engines from toyota (with the exception of the early elises that had the typeR engine them)

10/1/2010 4:32:54 PM

^Lotus only started using Toyota engines when they brought the Elise to the US. Before that the Elise used Rover sourced engines and the Elises with B18C5 power were aftermarket.

10/1/2010 5:12:48 PM

^In product they've been using Toyota engines since 2004.

In product development since 2001.

10/1/2010 9:31:23 PM

^ thats exactly what he said only you put numbers to his production timeline...

10/1/2010 9:35:46 PM

Forgot one...

LOTUS CITYCAR:

10/2/2010 12:04:17 AM

^

Lotus City Car Concept

Due 2014 (they are looking for a partner to build it with)
3-door 4-seat
1.2 litre 3-cyl 45 hp flex-fuel range-extending engine at front (petrol/ethanol/methanol)
Electric motor at back powering rear wheels! (plug-in Li-ion battery)
Total output 217 hp, 177 lb-ft
Continuous power of 72 hp
37 mile range on electric motor alone
310 miles with range-extending engine
"The engine produces power for the electric motor alone and doesn't drive the car on its own."
0-60 mph in 9 sec
3,100 lbs

10/5/2010 9:19:25 PM

10/9/2010 2:56:00 PM

this car is gonna change so much by the time is comes out, why the fuck are you talking about it

10/9/2010 3:35:25 PM

this car is gonna change so much by the time it comes out, why the fuck are you talking about someone talking about it

10/9/2010 3:54:29 PM

because all your threads annoy me

10/9/2010 4:01:10 PM

novel idea: don't open my threads.

grow up and gtfo.

10/9/2010 4:08:31 PM

Does Lotus make the GTFO, too, or is that just the new Pontiac?

10/9/2010 11:05:31 PM

Lotus Carlton

This was one of my all-time favorites as a child (debuted 1989), and still is... it was the world's fastest (top speed of 180 mph in a sedan... in 1989) and quickest sedan for a long long time, and it smashed the then M5 (E34) to bits in every performance category... smoking Top Gear video within.

3.6 litre TT (standard 3 litre Vauxhall/Opel engine stroked by Lotus and turbo'd)
377 hp
419 lb-ft
ZR-1 6 sp manual

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/23/autoblog-night-watch-lotus-carlton/

Who else knows about it?

(Lotus [Opel] Omega in mainland Europe, Lotus [Vauxhall] Carlton in UK)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Carlton

10/28/2010 7:11:10 PM

People in America tend to not care much about cars never sold here, especially when they're sedans (though there are exceptions).

10/28/2010 7:14:49 PM

ya i know, but i thought car heads would know about it... do a GIS... it looked hot!

and the performance and mechanicals spoke for itself.

(p.s. newer generation of the opel omega/vauxhall carlton was sold as the CADILLAC CATERA in the US!)


[Edited on October 28, 2010 at 7:20 PM. Reason : ]

10/28/2010 7:19:13 PM

^most people know that. what does that have to do with anything?

10/28/2010 9:23:40 PM

What a fucking disaster.

3600 lbs, are they sold in a pair?

10/30/2010 12:33:02 AM