2014 Lotus Elite
#16
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
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Wow what an utter rapeage of the Lotus brand. As in, did anyone at the company remember what brand they were working for? Like years and years of history just didn't even matter. This is an utter MASSACRE of the Lotus name and I think it is RIDICULOUS and frankly SPINELESS for Lotus to even THINK of putting a two-ton grand tourer on the drawing board.
That said, I WANT ONE... just not under the Lotus name. It makes me very upset Lotus couldn't find a way to go mainstream without resorting to a two ton grand tourer SL fighter. You can be an Aston Martin/Ferrari fighter and stay true to your sporting, weight-is-everything history so, so easily and this car could NOT be further away from that. Too bad by the time it reaches production it'll lose the big wheels, fancy door handles and door mirrors and headlamps that make it exciting. Under all the tinsel lives a fairly basic design. Not to mention, it's got all the usual sport car swoops and fast lines but it does NOT look like a Lotus AT ALL. It could literally pass for any car, even a cool Kia concept. It is exciting but it is GENERIC.
People are all hung out about that crazy Lexus engine. This car should be just that; a LEXUS. Hard top convertible? Hybrid power train? Back seats? This should be an SC. And no car that fits the bill of an SC should EVER be called a Lotus, quite frankly. Lotuses are about weight, handling precision and, oh yeah, weight. This is just... I can't even.
That said, I WANT ONE... just not under the Lotus name. It makes me very upset Lotus couldn't find a way to go mainstream without resorting to a two ton grand tourer SL fighter. You can be an Aston Martin/Ferrari fighter and stay true to your sporting, weight-is-everything history so, so easily and this car could NOT be further away from that. Too bad by the time it reaches production it'll lose the big wheels, fancy door handles and door mirrors and headlamps that make it exciting. Under all the tinsel lives a fairly basic design. Not to mention, it's got all the usual sport car swoops and fast lines but it does NOT look like a Lotus AT ALL. It could literally pass for any car, even a cool Kia concept. It is exciting but it is GENERIC.
People are all hung out about that crazy Lexus engine. This car should be just that; a LEXUS. Hard top convertible? Hybrid power train? Back seats? This should be an SC. And no car that fits the bill of an SC should EVER be called a Lotus, quite frankly. Lotuses are about weight, handling precision and, oh yeah, weight. This is just... I can't even.
Last edited by knihc2008; 09-20-10 at 12:40 AM.
#17
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The front and side views of the car scream of Aston Martin and Ferrari which is probably why I like the design.
I agree it doesn't look like a typical Lotus, but I don't see a problem with it. It's simply another car to add to their fleet. One anomalous car (in terms of weight/handling/concept) does not necessarily portend an overall change in Lotus's original philosophy of lightweight extremely good handling track cars.
I agree it doesn't look like a typical Lotus, but I don't see a problem with it. It's simply another car to add to their fleet. One anomalous car (in terms of weight/handling/concept) does not necessarily portend an overall change in Lotus's original philosophy of lightweight extremely good handling track cars.
#18
Pole Position
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There is something generic about it, I can't put finger on it but same thing like with new McLaren MP4. It looks good but nothing special.
I swear to god I got the RX8 vibe from front and Mazda Shinari (Shanari?) concept from the side.
Anyway I will be a skeptic about this one since Lotus is known for vaporware in the past. If they bring this car with all the technology they stated in PR for the said price I will be amazed and surprised at the same time.
I swear to god I got the RX8 vibe from front and Mazda Shinari (Shanari?) concept from the side.
Anyway I will be a skeptic about this one since Lotus is known for vaporware in the past. If they bring this car with all the technology they stated in PR for the said price I will be amazed and surprised at the same time.
#20
Lexus Test Driver
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3700lbs including retractable hardtop, hybrid system, and KERS?
Can we have a version without the above and several hundred pounds weight reduction, pretty please?
Yep, I'm pretty much in the same boat. Easy solution: Toyota should buy Lotus. Merging of certain products into other marques optional. Problem solved.
Can we have a version without the above and several hundred pounds weight reduction, pretty please?
Wow what an utter rapeage of the Lotus brand...
... That said, I WANT ONE...
... This car should be just that; a LEXUS. Hard top convertible? Hybrid power train? Back seats? This should be an SC. And no car that fits the bill of an SC should EVER be called a Lotus, quite frankly. Lotuses are about weight, handling precision and, oh yeah, weight. This is just... I can't even.
... That said, I WANT ONE...
... This car should be just that; a LEXUS. Hard top convertible? Hybrid power train? Back seats? This should be an SC. And no car that fits the bill of an SC should EVER be called a Lotus, quite frankly. Lotuses are about weight, handling precision and, oh yeah, weight. This is just... I can't even.
#21
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People are all hung out about that crazy Lexus engine. This car should be just that; a LEXUS. Hard top convertible? Hybrid power train? Back seats? This should be an SC. And no car that fits the bill of an SC should EVER be called a Lotus, quite frankly. Lotuses are about weight, handling precision and, oh yeah, weight. This is just... I can't even.
And Yes, I wish the Next SC could be basically this (sans KERS for me please).
A million times this.
#23
Lexus Test Driver
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idie
*drools*
This is a bang for your buck supercar.
I got 4 years to save![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Top speed... max's out at 195 mph though.
7-Speed DSG booyah. Plus the Evora S is suppose to have paddle shifters, wickedness.
*drools*
This is a bang for your buck supercar.
I got 4 years to save
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Top speed... max's out at 195 mph though.
7-Speed DSG booyah. Plus the Evora S is suppose to have paddle shifters, wickedness.
Last edited by JessePS; 09-20-10 at 07:36 AM.
#25
No Sir, I Don't Like It
iTrader: (4)
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Wow, I was not expecting to see that. That doesnt even look like a Lotus. And 3700lbs with a heavy retractable glass roof is far from what we have seen from Lotus. Not exactly sure how I feel about Lotus going after this market yet, but I really love the design.
SO I assume this is one of Toyota's new "custom" engines for Lotus. A Supercharged IS F V8 sounds awesome! Chances of seeing it in a Lexus vehicle? IMO doubtful, but anything can happen!
SO I assume this is one of Toyota's new "custom" engines for Lotus. A Supercharged IS F V8 sounds awesome! Chances of seeing it in a Lexus vehicle? IMO doubtful, but anything can happen!
#26
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wow, I expected to see a revised cockroach style (my opinion of the exige), but this design is very clean![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I was thinking 2014 is waay too far, but the timing might actually work out well![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I agree with everyone regarding the GSF comment. Lexus is going to lose alot more sales if they don't get their act together.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I was thinking 2014 is waay too far, but the timing might actually work out well
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I agree with everyone regarding the GSF comment. Lexus is going to lose alot more sales if they don't get their act together.
#27
Lexus Fanatic
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A 3700-lb Lotus? With a big V8 for a powerplant? Colin Chapman would roll over in his grave.
His passion, of course, was always as small and light as possible. You remember my funny (but true) story pretzeling in and out of the Munchkin 2007 Elise when reviewing it, don't you? ![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
.
Yes, with over 600 HP (and who knows how much torque), 3700 lbs. isn't much, but even without a formal test-drive to verify it, I have doubts that this car is going to drive like a classic Lotus.
![Yikes!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/yikes.gif)
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Yes, with over 600 HP (and who knows how much torque), 3700 lbs. isn't much, but even without a formal test-drive to verify it, I have doubts that this car is going to drive like a classic Lotus.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
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now who's copying. ![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storage/images/tests/draft-content/advanced-coverage-2014-lotus-elite/gallery/2014_lotus_elite_photo_2/2155116-1-eng-US/par10-2014-lotus-elite-002_gallery_image_large.jpg)
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storage/images/tests/draft-content/advanced-coverage-2014-lotus-elite/gallery/2014_lotus_elite_photo_2/2155116-1-eng-US/par10-2014-lotus-elite-002_gallery_image_large.jpg)
![](http://www.genesisdriven.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/genesis-coupe-lease-rates-01.jpg)
#30
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BUT, I guess this is what might help the brand and company survive. I'm kinda thinking this "Elite" is to Lotus, what "Cayenne" is to Porsche. Actually, come to think of it, if they did make a 4-door, front-engine Lotus, with the 3.5L supercharged Toyota engine and kept the weight somewhat down, it could very well sell like hotcakes. Who knows...