Lotus Elise May come to US?

I heard that the Lotus Elise may come to the US. If so, that would be great. That is a cool looking little car! Does anyone have any details on this potential move to the US? I heard there was an article in a recent (April) Road and Track or maybe motor trend, but I've not seen it myself.

George

Imported and then sold with an Acura Integra GSR 195hp motor ..this car is flying..the price is around 54K..

One of the worlds best sports car..

Wow, 54k is more than a new Corvette C5! Is it worth that much?

I saw something on "autoweek" speedvision stating the Elise was coming but with an acura powerplant. Kinda take away from the real thing.

Originally posted by Wingtip:
I heard that the Lotus Elise may come to the US. If so, that would be great. That is a cool looking little car! Does anyone have any details on this potential move to the US? I heard there was an article in a recent (April) Road and Track or maybe motor trend, but I've not seen it myself.

George

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Originally posted by vinnie:
I saw something on "autoweek" speedvision stating the Elise was coming but with an acura powerplant. Kinda take away from the real thing.

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Hmmm, wonder why they would do that? Oh well, as long as it's FAST and FUN!

George

I believe that there are currently 12 of the Elise/Acura conversions and that they are all sold. From what I've heard from one of the owners, they are great. Sun International sells them. Here is the link (you may have to cut-and-paste it back together):

https://www.suninternational-usa.com/pr_els01.html

I would not plan on Lotus actually bringing in either the Elise or the 250 for a long time. With the Lotus CEO change and the layoffs, things are really slowing down. The 250 project was supposedly halted, not temporarily stopped. The Elise 2 is also currently stopped.

Of course, if you have the cash, you can always buy an Elise 190, Elise Motorsport, Exige, or a 340R directly from Lotus Cars, USA in Atlanta. Track use only (wink, wink). I know of a few that are driven pretty regularly on the roads.

Also, there is a standard Elise up in the north west that was imported as a parts car. The owner gets three-day permits to drive it legally.

Lance
98 Esprit
91 Elan

Originally posted by vinnie:
Elise was coming but with an acura powerplant. Kinda take away from the real thing.

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Whaddaya want, a Coventry Climax?

I guess I never thought of the "soul" of a Lotus being the engine, in the way a Ferrari's is; a Lotus is a suspension with various other "bits" attached. Isn't the normal Elise motor a humble Vauxhall unit, IIRC?

Isn't the normal Elise motor a humble Vauxhall unit, IIRC?

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Rover K-series, actually. 118 HP in the standard all the way up to 190 HP in the Sport 190 version.

[This message has been edited by ljohnson (edited 04-25-2001).]

That is one cool looking little car! Thanks, ljohnson!

On Saturday I spoke with the Sales Manager for Lotus Cars USA and he hinted to me that a reworked Lotus Elise will be coming to America in about two years, perhaps even early enough for the 2003 model year. He said it would have A/C, stereo, leather seats and little else. No cruise control. Roll up windows. Perhaps some alternate trim packages like the Sport Racer package currently offered in Europe. Price will be around $40k.
He said that it would not have the Rover K Series engine, but would be replaced with another 4 cylinder. I'm hoping that its the 2.2 liter engine offered in the Opel Speedster.

He said the reasons that the current Elise is not US legal is the lack of air bags, seperate 2.5 mph bumpers and emissions.

I need to start saving my pennies right now.

That is a awsome looking car. I wouldn't mind taking that for a test drive.

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Jamie
1962 Austin Healey Sprite MK II
1979 Trans Am W/403 Olds BB