From Ward's Autoworld:

Long-Awaited Lotus First-Year Sellout

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Those who wonder whether tiny Lotus Cars USA. can shift a couple of thousand or so of its razor-edged, unapologetically Spartan – and not exactly inexpensive – new 2-seat roadster, the Elise, need speculate no longer.

Lotus executives say at the Elise’s North American press launch here that the company’s miniscule dealer network has nearly 2,000 deposits for the flyweight Elise, a car that has had enthusiasts clamoring for North American availability since the first-generation car’s launch in Europe in 1996.

Razor-sharp Elise first entry-level Lotus in more than a decade.
The maximum number of the new cars Elise anticipates delivering to North America in full-year production is about 2,200-2,400 units.

“We’re fairly close to being sold out for a year,” says Mark O’Shaughnessy, director-sales and marketing, Lotus Cars USA.

The Group Lotus factory in the U.K., where the Elise is effectively hand-built, has an annual capacity of about 5,000 units.

O’Shaughnessy says the company’s 39 U.S. dealers and three in Canada cover some 29 major markets. Several dealers, most of whom already sell other exotic nameplates such as Lamborghini or Ferrari, each have taken deposits from nearly 200 customers committed to owning the first “entry level” Lotus since the star-crossed Elan was dropped in 1991.

The ’05 Elise – the second generation of the roadster but the first to come to North America – goes on sale June 15 for a base price of $39,985. The car, which in base form weighs less than a ton, is so focused on the renowned Lotus design goal of light weight that indulgences like power windows – even carpeting – are available only in an option package.

The company expects 40% of early buyers to be so hardcore in their adherence to Lotus’ philosophy that they will spend extra for the Elise’s sport package, which, in addition to further firming an already no-nonsense suspension, includes forged wheels that shave about 20 lbs. (9 kg) from the car’s total weight.

The sport-package Elise is nearly 500 lbs. lighter than a Mazda Miata and a stunning 900 lbs. (363 kg) lighter than Porsche’s Boxster S, which the Elise outperforms in 0-60 mph (97 km/h) and quarter-mile acceleration.

An Elise with all the available options, including a 36-lb. (16-kg) hard top that bolts in place of the removable standard canvas roof, will top out at around $45,000. Considering that car enthusiasts in general and Lotus aficionados in particular have waited a long time for the Elise to cross the Atlantic, it appears to be a sellers’ market.

“We’re not driving the bus on that one,” O’Shaughnessy says. “Dealers can charge what they want,” he adds, noting the bulging order book, number of apparently serious deposits and pent-up demand have created a climate ripe for dealers to charge higher-than-MSRP prices for the new Elise.

“The Elise is an exotic car, but it’s relatively affordable because of the simplicity,” he says.

The Elise that comes to North America is powered by a Toyota Motor Corp.-supplied 1.8L DOHC 4-cyl. that generates 190 hp at 7,800 rpm and 138 lb.-ft. (181 Nm) of torque at 6,800 rpm.

The same engine Toyota employs in its Celica and Matrix is sufficient to impart the featherweight Lotus with supercar performance: 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and a 150-mph (241-km/h) top speed.

 

Tht cars goining to fly with a turbo kit strapped on.

 

I love the car but hate the wheels. In the markect for a 355 cab in a few years.

 

You hate the wheels? HUH? . Those are freakin beautiful, considering they are stock wheels. My goddddddd........That is a beautiful car!!!!! Why dont they ever thought of putting in the 4g63T?!?!?!?!?!?!? That makes so much sense!!!! Im sure the 4g63T is a much better engine platform than the toyota whatever it called. They might have some issue with the extra vacuum hosts and the overall fitment with teh bigger 4g63, but it will make the elise a true super car. Goshhh, can guys imaging the performance of this thing? 280hp 280tq!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH...WHY NOT YOU IDIOTSSSSSS????

 

I want one BAD!!!! I'm hoping someone will tell me that I won't fit in one (since I'm 6'7") so I can quit jonesing about this car and get back to normal EVO lust

 

there is most likly not enough room for the 4g in the lill lotus, or the extra weight of the turbo intercooler and all the nesacary piping would throw off it's balance, or it could of somthing to do that toyota used to own a big chuck of lotus and that lotus still has friends at toyota, or it could have somthing to do that lotus elises design principle is less less less

 

to use a quote I have heard in many adam sandler/rod schnieder movies "that a big b i t c h!!"

 

The initial demand is rather expected considering that this car is the pinnacle for many track junkies (at least those that can't afford 100K+ cars) On the other hand, Elise sales are down significantly in th UK which makes me wonder if the same thing will happen here in the states once the initial rush has died down. I for one wouldn't mind getting a used Elise for dedicated track/weekend duty in another 5 - 10 years when (hopefully) the used market has a good supply of these.

 

loj68 i feel your pain im 6'5" . Hey atleast we can see over people in crowds and reach things on the top shelf.

 

too bad its costly to even remotly attempt this.......check out the celica engines compression ratio, insanly high, and its practically torqueless...engines way to STRUNG OUT.........worst engine choice for an Elise. IMHO anyways......

 

Nah, I want BOOST! I'll keep my Evo. That 4.9 to 60 is probably with a high rev launch just like the Evo.

 

I have wanted one of these cars since the first day I saw one. Too bad dealers are probably going to make this WAY out of my price range. I could easily see myself picking one up used several years from now though.

If you want boost check this kit out, I'm sure somebody will figure out how to make it fit, or create thier own.

http://www.turbo-kits.com/celica_turbo_kits.html

Celica XS Turbo Kits Include:
- IHI VF23 Ball-Bearing Turbo
- Tubular Manifold w/ High-Temp Coating
- XS GTR Power Intercooler (24"x11"x3")
- Titanium Colored Intercooler Piping
- XS Power Tuned APEXi Power FC
- 504cc Injectors
- Walboro 255lph Fuel Pump
- APEXi Twin chamber BOV
- Earls Turbocharger Plumbing
- K/N Air Filter - All Necessary Hardware
- All Necessary Fittings & Hoses

Max Power = 250.0hp @ 8200 RPM
Max Tourque = 183.4ft. lbs. @ 6600 RPM

 

Even if you could fit the turbo, you'd need to be very creative to get an intercooler to fit somewhere.

 

DO the IC like the F40 did it, see those side vents? Run an IC there, or even just use a liquid kewled unit, liquid to air, you don't need to have an air to air ya know.

 

im pretty sure it's a weight problem.