New Lotus ?
 

I saw this article about a new Lotus :D

Elise XL or Esprit Short? Third Lotus model spied during test

New Lotus in AutoWeek

This car must have been designed to be in the USA.
wasn't the elise not "good" enough for usa's crash tests and environmental things?
This could the one car designed for the usa market

http://www.autoweek.com/images/news/101720

http://www.autoweek.com/files/weekar...usspy_rear.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/files/weekar...usspy_side.jpg

They had to drop the engine out of the celica in it to pass emissions, I'm sure they had to do other stuff, but for sure they are selling them over there, not in large numbers though I guess

The elise is sold in the US with all the necessary crash and emission testings??

Sorry for off topic but this old article says they are doing rather well so far for a company of their size IMO 8) :D http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3534883.stm

well at least they are still kind of British :D

^^ having pre-sold 2000 elises, they're going very good
I knew something about the engine, they used a 1.8 toyota, and this engine wasn't that good (that's what car and driver said)
and the safety standards... look, the elise doesn't have abs nor airbags, and... please someone from the usa or somebody that knows:
all cars sold in the USA must have airbags??

isn't this meant to be a 2+2 ?

dont see the differenec... Hard for US to accept such a small car. Thats instant death vs an SUV

the new elise isn't, but the new upcoming Lotus model will be.

Well, I'm relying on Top Gear and Fifth Gear on my judgement of this car (there is not a single Elise over here, and didn't get a chance to drive one while visiting UK...).
Anyway, they both tested the Elise with Toyota engine, but minus all the comfy crap: airbags, carpets and stuff. The car performs really great. A friend o fmine drove the usual 1.8 engined model through Scotland and was very fond of the car.

I have so much respect for Lotus. I hope they come out with more cars for the US market, and in general for that matter. I'm glad to see they're doing some RnD.

mmmh, it seem a little big .... I hope it will be LIGHT !!

it looks promising. Why not bring back the esprit though...

btw anyone know why Lotus is doing engine/suspension work for the Malaysian PROTON ?

It looks really good! Thanks for the link

because proton owns lotus? :roll: