Federal Elise 2

Although the Elise 2 production is currently "halted", visitors to the Lotus factory have spotted chasis stamped with "Federal Chasis #5 - ready for testing" (or something to that affect). The rumors are that these chasis are for the US.

I believe the unofficial word coming out of LCU is that the Elise 2 will be available in the US near the end of 2002. Of course, LCU and the dealers have been saying that for years.

Arnie Johnson (President of LCU) is trying like crazy to get the Elise and M250 here to the states. He is definitely on our side. It is the people across the pond that make the decisions.

Lance

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.



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Originally posted by mopalak:
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,

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Unfortunately, you can't really trust LCU. They have been saying for years that the Elise was coming. Arnie Johnson (CEO of LCU) has been fighting with Lotus Cars to get the Elise ever since it first came out. He has gotten many promises, which were broken. However, I do believe that they will be right on this one.

Arnie has to get something to sell. The waiver for the Esprit is due to end in 2002. If they can not get an extension, the Esprit is pretty much history (2/3rds of all Esprits are sold in the US). Arnie needs something to replace the Esprit. Lotus knows that.

The main problem with the current Elise is that the engine is not OBD-II compliant. The other issues can be fixed. The current engine, in any form, is not allowed.

Lance
98 Esprit
91 Elan