situman

Ummm that's a lot of power and torque for a convertible to handle, even a hardtop. Outside of exotic contruction materials, all that torque will twist a teeny lightweight frame. I agree, the retractable hardtop needs to go to save weight.

JessePS

How about put the Lexus logo on the car and call it the SC-F

Koma

iTrader: (3)

I see very little resemblance outside of both being coupes and having opposing cuts in the door lines (those aren't even terribly similar either).

Mister Two

Unlike all the past Lotuses this car actually looks great without looking like an alien. I understand their need to go mainstream in order to survive, but I hope they can still make a lightweight/hardcore version out of the same design, i.e. a hardtop coupe without hybrid components, to keep the Lotus traditionalists happy.

TF109B

Why are people jumping on Lotus? It's a concept. No one said this was a production car. It's just something Lotus is putting out there in this auto show to gauge customer reaction. Whether or not they like it will be whether or not they build it. Lotus doesn't do convertibles. They don't do 3600lbs. This is a new direction they NEED to take in order to EXPAND. If you READ THE ARTICLE it explains this. Nowhere does it say this is headed to production. If anything this is a mock up of what is to come from the cars that ARE headed to production. The Esprit will probably have this body design and the engine. Hybrid and KERS I doubt. Convertible maybe, but a separate model. Expect Lotus to remain Lotus. Keep the weight down to a minimum and offer a good performance from a lower cost.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

+1 the look doesn't do much for me. very 'obvious' styling, and zero connection to any lotus from the past.

+1 - weight is the enemy.

spwolf

I wouldnt worry about engines, one way or another, they always end up being available in Toyota's, despite what the PR's say... Just like with Mark X and its factory S/C with 360hp 2GR-FSE.

spwolf

its a lot lighter than any other car in its class. Tiny cars with small engines do not sell in 2010 anymore. Lotus needs to grow up like any other brand.

MR_F1

Mind you, the 2+2 Lotus carlton weighs 3600+lbs.

LexFather

3700 lbs with a big heavy V-8, electric power AND a retractable top? Did anyone expect another 2000lbs car? Hell a M6 SOFT TOP weighs 4400lbs.

As the article and someone stated Lotus has to sell volume or THEY ARE DEAD. So yeah its against their core roots but hell we now have Porsche sedans, "M" BMW SUVs and an exotic Lexus.

Purists might cry foul but the game is moving.


Yeah I don't see it. Plus the Genesis coupe obviously ripped off the G35/G37 though it does look more aggressive (I like the styling very much over the G37).

Lil4X

Don't look for the illustration to make it to production. As drawn, the Elite won't pass US requirements for exterior mirrors, and as usual in concept drawings, such niceties as ground clearance, bumper height, and crash protection fall well below government standards. While stylists feel free to ignore these items, actually marketing a car with "TV cameras on body stalks" has long been proposed, but never appeared in a full production model, at least without supplementary mirrors to quiet the safety *****.

Of course the new CAFE standards that kick in for 2016, mandating an average fuel economy fo 35.5 mpg across the corporation's offerings. Unless Lotus intends to sell a flock of mopeds in coming years, don't look for a blown V8 as a regular production item, even in an exotic car.

Lil4X

Yes, but if you inflate the tires with helium . . .

IS-SV

Even a new Porsche Turbo weighs 3500 pounds, so the weight is no surprise.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

heh I like this comment

dunnojack

This is what the IS coupe should have been.

This thing is large. 181 inches.


and it does look a little generic.