Lotus Elise most successful Lotus ever

[Kirby]

The 20,000th Elise rolled out of the Lotus factory this week making it the most popular car in the company's history. When you take into consideration the fact that Lotus has only ever produced about 70,000 cars it makes the achievement all the more impressive. The current Elise is sold in 40 countries, with demand as strong as ever.

 

[codex57]

We'll see if the success continues. I am NOT liking the looks of the future Elise and Esprit at all.

 

[Default]

What's the quality like on those things? I heard it wasn't that great. Aren't they built in Malaysia?

 

[epj3]

Lotus are amazing cars, and are built strictly for track. $40k for an elise isn't bad either.

 

[VANCE]

they are owned buy a company in malaysia.
alot more people can afford a $40,000 car than a $100,000..

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Yeah, at 190 BHp, and a 0-60 in 5sec range is awesome, too bad they didnt release the exige here. The hardcore version of the elise with better suspension and near slicks.

 

[codex57]

What's the quality like on those things? I heard it wasn't that great. Aren't they built in Malaysia?

The parent company is in Malaysia. I believe it's built in the Lotus plant in Britain though. Even if it were built in Malaysia, that's not necessarily a bad thing. As long as the facility is good, who cares what country it's built in.

Since we're talking about a British built car, you do know that the British don't exactly have the best rep for building reliable cars.

 

[epj3]

Yeah, at 190 BHp, and a 0-60 in 5sec range is awesome, too bad they didnt release the exige here. The hardcore version of the elise with better suspension and near slicks.

base elise...

Performance:
0-60mph 4.9sec (4.7 sec Sport Pack)
0-100mph 12.9 seconds
Top speed 150 mph
Fuel consumptionEPA 23 City - 27 Highway
Curb weight Base Car 1984 lbs
*(Touring Pack + 15 lbs. - Sport Pack - 20 lbs)



I'd buy one!

 

[bmw046series]

I will tell you something when your talking problems with stupid electronic stuff you won't have it in that car, because you have to pay extra for electric windows, door locks, even carpet on the floor.

On TopGear on the Lap times list the Elise was in they're top 5 list, beating a lot of 12 cyc. engines, this is just a 4 BANGER! Toyota engine.

 

[BMW-FW26]

I love the radical look of the elise. But English cars dont get very good warranties. I think the Elise is like 2 years or something like that.

 

[epj3]

I love the radical look of the elise. But English cars dont get very good warranties. I think the Elise is like 2 years or something like that.

Then sell it... it is a $40,000 toy, and that's it. Not really a practical car

 

[Chesty Bonds]

I reckon the Elise that previously had the Rover VHPD 4-pot was a better option. The engine was more raucious than the Toyota VVT-i and you didn't have to rev the nuts off it to get power. The old Elises are less compromised by weight additions such as carpets, A/C, etc, etc.

Still a great little car though. If I had the choice i'd take the Elise 111R.

 

[epj3]

I reckon the Elise that previously had the Rover VHPD 4-pot was a better option. The engine was more raucious than the Toyota VVT-i and you didn't have to rev the nuts off it to get power. The old Elises are less compromised by weight additions such as carpets, A/C, etc, etc.

Still a great little car though. If I had the choice i'd take the Elise 111R.

But sometimes revving nuts is fun, like motorcycles

 

[poboyis]

Since we're talking about a British built car, you do know that the British don't exactly have the best rep for building reliable cars.

ditto to that

An older friend of mine is a brittish car nut (Jags mostly). the elctonics in those things are absolutly atrotious. Its been a running joke that a Jag owner would swerve into a pothole just to get things to work (headlights, running lights, abs...). I feel that most of their cars are a joke as far a reliability goes.

 

[Section_8]

elise's are hot little bunnies, I'd love to get one and turn it into a track car instead of another bimmer, just a bit rich for my blood for just a track car.. I suspect I'd have to rip out the front seat and sit on the floorboard just to fit in it though!