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Elise to Arrive in U.S. in May 2004
Lotus has confirmed its plan to export the Elise to the American market in May 2005. The Elise is the first new Lotus for North America since the debut of the 1990 Elan. The Esprit V-8 debuted in 1996 and the last batch of less than 100 cars will still be available next year.
With the Elise the British marque hopes to attract longtime Lotus enthusiasts. This model went on sale in Europe in 1996 as the twin brother of the Speedster, from GM's European Opel division. More than 17,000 units have been sold since.
The Elise uses a Toyota 1.8-liter in-line four engine with 190 hp and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. It reaches a top of 150 mph. The engine works together with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The car will be priced at $39,985. U.S. buyers have the possibility to customize the Elise with a Touring pack for $1350, which includes among others leather seats, power windows, an upgraded audiosystem, a double insulated soft top and additional sound damping. Also available is a Sports Pack ($2480) with larger aluminium wheels, a track tuned suspension and specific Yokohama tyres. A hard top will be available for $1475.
Lotus Cars USA hopes to sell 2400 Elises on an annual basis through its 38 dealers in 29 major U.S. markets. -Henny Hemmes
Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata Gets 178 HP
Today Mazda unveiled the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It is the tenth new model for Mazda in 12 months. The Mazdaspeed Miata has 1500 different parts compared to the base version. Under the hood is the well-known 1.8-liter engine that got revised heads and the assistance of a turbocharger to generate 178 hp at 6000 rpm, up 25 percent from the normally aspirated Miata. New is the use of ball bearings instead of floating bearings for the turbo.
The turbo engine generates 166 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm (up 33 percent) and is teamed to a six-speed stick shift transmission. Furthermore this Miata has a different differential and a tuned suspension. The car has been lowered 7 mm and uses 17-inch wheels and high-performance Toyo tires.
A new front fascia, rear lid spoiler and a new diffuser mark the exterior. The two-tone cloth interior, a new instrument cluster and center stack are the most significant interior changes.
The Mazdaspeed Miata will go on sale in the spring and is priced at $25,500 with cloth interior and $26,200 with a leather interior. -Henny Hemmes
Lotus has confirmed its plan to export the Elise to the American market in May 2005. The Elise is the first new Lotus for North America since the debut of the 1990 Elan. The Esprit V-8 debuted in 1996 and the last batch of less than 100 cars will still be available next year.
With the Elise the British marque hopes to attract longtime Lotus enthusiasts. This model went on sale in Europe in 1996 as the twin brother of the Speedster, from GM's European Opel division. More than 17,000 units have been sold since.
The Elise uses a Toyota 1.8-liter in-line four engine with 190 hp and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. It reaches a top of 150 mph. The engine works together with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The car will be priced at $39,985. U.S. buyers have the possibility to customize the Elise with a Touring pack for $1350, which includes among others leather seats, power windows, an upgraded audiosystem, a double insulated soft top and additional sound damping. Also available is a Sports Pack ($2480) with larger aluminium wheels, a track tuned suspension and specific Yokohama tyres. A hard top will be available for $1475.
Lotus Cars USA hopes to sell 2400 Elises on an annual basis through its 38 dealers in 29 major U.S. markets. -Henny Hemmes
Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata Gets 178 HP
Today Mazda unveiled the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It is the tenth new model for Mazda in 12 months. The Mazdaspeed Miata has 1500 different parts compared to the base version. Under the hood is the well-known 1.8-liter engine that got revised heads and the assistance of a turbocharger to generate 178 hp at 6000 rpm, up 25 percent from the normally aspirated Miata. New is the use of ball bearings instead of floating bearings for the turbo.
The turbo engine generates 166 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm (up 33 percent) and is teamed to a six-speed stick shift transmission. Furthermore this Miata has a different differential and a tuned suspension. The car has been lowered 7 mm and uses 17-inch wheels and high-performance Toyo tires.
A new front fascia, rear lid spoiler and a new diffuser mark the exterior. The two-tone cloth interior, a new instrument cluster and center stack are the most significant interior changes.
The Mazdaspeed Miata will go on sale in the spring and is priced at $25,500 with cloth interior and $26,200 with a leather interior. -Henny Hemmes
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