New Lotus

[Furball]

Rule 17

[zoozoo]

 
Think i just upgraded from the elise to this 1 being my favorite

[Cthulhu]

Nice, but only 280hp from a 3.5?  I like this incarnation of the bodywork. IMO newer Lotus's seem a bit "busy". I've ridden in an Elise with a guy who really knew what he was doing, and although the car kinda resembled a fishing lure , it was absolutely amazing! Vicious car.

[mg1942]

Can't go wrong with toyota drivetrain

[moot]

Bodywork is ugly, for a Lotus.

[DiabloTX]

The electronic engine controls are Lotus’s, however, allowing it to have a sportier-than-Camry character.

Well, thank God for that.

[Baitman]

Proton claims that they own ?% of Lotus on their website. Does anyone have that number.

[SOB]

smurfy.

[Furball]

Nice, but only 280hp from a 3.5?  I like this incarnation of the bodywork. IMO newer Lotus's seem a bit "busy". I've ridden in an Elise with a guy who really knew what he was doing, and although the car kinda resembled a fishing lure , it was absolutely amazing! Vicious car.

This is the entry level one it seems, plenty of space in the engine bay to get that hp up

Disagree that it is smurfy...

[RTHolmes]

mmmmmm very nice

baitman, I believe the number you are looking for is 100

[Cthulhu]

You wanna see smurfy, go look at the other styling concepts for the Eagle.

This is the entry level one it seems, plenty of space in the engine bay to get that hp up

Not the point. 280hp is anemic for a 3.5, although I'm sure it has loads of torque. Sure, you could stuff a larger engine in there, say 320hp from a 4.2, but that's still anemic for a motor of that size. The 1.8 in the Elise makes 189hp at a scorching 7800rpm. I'd expect a similar high-revving screamer in the Eagle, unless the Eagle is actually intended as a boulevard cruiser for the polyester "Sansabelt" folks on the County Club golf course. If it is, then Lotus has really lost it's way.

[68Wooley]

I had the 189 HP 1.8 in my old Corolla T-Sport. Interesting engine, but the 6000 to 8000 rpm power band was a little tiring and actually quite difficult to stay in in real world driving.

My RAV4 has the 3.5 in it (making 270hp). Its a much nicer engine. There's also a 300+hp version of the same engine in several Lexus - think the difference is the 300+hp versions have direct injection.

The thing about Lotus is that their cars don't need mega horsepower as they're so light if you don't tie them down, they'll float away.

I like this.

[Cthulhu]

I had the 189 HP 1.8 in my old Corolla T-Sport. Interesting engine, but the 6000 to 8000 rpm power band was a little tiring and actually quite difficult to stay in in real world driving.

My RAV4 has the 3.5 in it (making 270hp). Its a much nicer engine. There's also a 300+hp version of the same engine in several Lexus - think the difference is the 300+hp versions have direct injection.

The thing about Lotus is that their cars don't need mega horsepower as they're so light if you don't tie them down, they'll float away.

I like this.

I know what you mean about the high power band. My S2000 lives up there.  But I'm not sure many people buy a Lotus for "real world" driving. The guys I know who have them really know how to drive and actually enjoy the "stick stirring" you get with a smaller, high-strung motor. And since it's handling that makes a Lotus a Lotus, why burden one down with a heavy "stump puller" when you're gonna drive it like a F1 car?

just my .02

[68Wooley]

And since it's handling that makes a Lotus a Lotus, why burden one down with a heavy "stump puller" when you're gonna drive it like a F1 car?

Your absolutely right, but I'm guessing Lotus are looking to expand sales and that means appealing to more than just the track day crowd. That means greater levels of comfort and refinement than the rather raw Elise. I'm guessing they are targeting people who might otherwise buy a Boxster or Caymen and to compete in that market - especially in the US - you need a six.

[Cthulhu]

That means greater levels of comfort and refinement than the rather raw Elise.

Raw is an understatement. The one I rode in was flat-out Spartan, and at 6'3" it took a shoe horn, KY, and about 5 minutes to get me in and out of the damn thing. But WELL worth it.   Made my S2000 feel like a school bus afterwards.