Lotus ?
Lotus ? Hey,
I was on my lunch brake heading out to get some food and I see this red blur coming on me fast. I was doing about 55mph. As it gets closer my friend and I both thought it was a MR2. So I get ready to see if he wants some and then I realize its not a MR2. Hes still steadily going 10-15mph faster than me so I drop it when he gets to my front quarter panel. He hangs with me for a sec cause hes going faster then i start walking away. Then realize hes not even trying. lmao! We both go off the next exit and he turns right and i go left. I see LOTUS on the back and thats it. It sounded sooooo nice, deep v8 sound and definatly turbocharged. Anyone know what they run and how much hp. Im only cam and exhaust with slipping clutch so im pretty sure i would have got it handed to me had he tried. It didn't look brand new either, maybe early 2000's. Maybe i'll see him again sometime.
I was on my lunch brake heading out to get some food and I see this red blur coming on me fast. I was doing about 55mph. As it gets closer my friend and I both thought it was a MR2. So I get ready to see if he wants some and then I realize its not a MR2. Hes still steadily going 10-15mph faster than me so I drop it when he gets to my front quarter panel. He hangs with me for a sec cause hes going faster then i start walking away. Then realize hes not even trying. lmao! We both go off the next exit and he turns right and i go left. I see LOTUS on the back and thats it. It sounded sooooo nice, deep v8 sound and definatly turbocharged. Anyone know what they run and how much hp. Im only cam and exhaust with slipping clutch so im pretty sure i would have got it handed to me had he tried. It didn't look brand new either, maybe early 2000's. Maybe i'll see him again sometime.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
http://www.2sportscars.com/esprit.shtml
/\ /\ Damn straight. Too bad the only Lotus offered these days comes with a 190 hp Celica engine (2ZZ-GE) Nothing wrong with reliable Toyota/Yamaha engines, but they're not as crazy as the old 100% Lotus turbo I4's & V8's.
I feel sorry for the entire British car industry & how they're all either foreign owned or extinct.. Mini = BMW, Jaguar = Ford, Aston Martin = Kuwaiti investment company & Lotus = only semi-independent.. But damn the Elise/Exige looks fun. I don't think many cars drift this well with only 138 lb/ft of torque & nearly of full G of skidpad grip!
http://www.youtube.com/v/eMGyDRrWoW4
[QUOTE=Import Al;8908022But damn the Elise/Exige looks fun. I don't think many cars drift this well with only 138 lb/ft of torque & nearly of full G of skidpad grip!
[/QUOTE]
I can't speak for the Exige, but the Elise is so much fun around the corners its indescribable. So quick and light its insane
[/QUOTE]
I can't speak for the Exige, but the Elise is so much fun around the corners its indescribable. So quick and light its insane
http://www.2sportscars.com/esprit.shtml
/\ /\ Damn straight. Too bad the only Lotus offered these days comes with a 190 hp Celica engine (2ZZ-GE) Nothing wrong with reliable Toyota/Yamaha engines, but they're not as crazy as the old 100% Lotus turbo I4's & V8's.
I feel sorry for the entire British car industry & how they're all either foreign owned or extinct.. Mini = BMW, Jaguar = Ford, Aston Martin = Kuwaiti investment company & Lotus = only semi-independent.. But damn the Elise/Exige looks fun. I don't think many cars drift this well with only 138 lb/ft of torque & nearly of full G of skidpad grip!
http://www.youtube.com/v/eMGyDRrWoW4
IMO that looks pretty ugly lol...
Trending Topics
You understand that it was designed in the early 70's and wasn't changed a whole lot until 2004 when it was discontinued they freshened it a few times but the basic design was the same. It was in production from 1976 until 2004 and the concept from Italdesigns was first shown in 1972. They had a 4 cylinder from 76 until 96. Then they had a small V-8. Always turbo and always one of the best handling cars in the world. Hell they still handle better than 95% of the new exotics. Lotus has and will continue to build some of the best handling cars in the world. They aren't the first exotic I'd buy either but you have to give them credit for what they have accomplished and continue to accomplish. Small light cars that handle like they are on rails.
You understand that it was designed in the early 70's and wasn't changed a whole lot until 2004 when it was discontinued they freshened it a few times but the basic design was the same. It was in production from 1976 until 2004 and the concept from Italdesigns was first shown in 1972. They had a 4 cylinder from 76 until 96. Then they had a small V-8. Always turbo and always one of the best handling cars in the world. Hell they still handle better than 95% of the new exotics. Lotus has and will continue to build some of the best handling cars in the world. They aren't the first exotic I'd buy either but you have to give them credit for what they have accomplished and continue to accomplish. Small light cars that handle like they are on rails.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
You understand that it was designed in the early 70's and wasn't changed a whole lot until 2004 when it was discontinued they freshened it a few times but the basic design was the same. It was in production from 1976 until 2004 and the concept from Italdesigns was first shown in 1972. They had a 4 cylinder from 76 until 96. Then they had a small V-8. Always turbo and always one of the best handling cars in the world. Hell they still handle better than 95% of the new exotics. Lotus has and will continue to build some of the best handling cars in the world. They aren't the first exotic I'd buy either but you have to give them credit for what they have accomplished and continue to accomplish. Small light cars that handle like they are on rails.
Here's some quotes from Sir Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus. The man was a genius, probably why his puny company won seven F1 titles vs Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes.. all who made more profit in 2 weeks than Lotus made in a year.. legend.
* Simplify, then add lightness.
* You won't catch me driving a race car that I have built. (Joking of course, but the lightest cars in a 200+ mph field are rarely the safest..)
* Make the suspension adjustable and they will adjust it wrong -- look what they can do to a Weber carburetor in just a few moments of stupidity with a screwdriver.
* To add speed, add lightness. (His most popular quote, ricers love this one but forget to add some HP too lol.)
* Any car which holds together for more than a race is too heavy.
* Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.
Last edited by Import Al; Mar 16, 2008 at 05:34 AM.
I've seen the Elise a few times here and there but I've never actually seen an Espirit. It is wild to see how long Lotus stuck with the design over many years. One of Colin Chapman's emphasis is on light cars that can be flogged on the track and use aerodynamics to improve stability at speed. There's a reason why Lotus is still flourishing.
12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,273
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From: Bucks County, Pa.
YES, legend.
Haven't taken it to the strip yet. They are not the best car to drag race with due to a weak gearbox/slow syncros. Although it should be in the 11's with a trap in the mid 120's.
The car is alot more fun in the other type of track though.
The car is alot more fun in the other type of track though.
I know what you mean. The Elise is a ton of fun there too