S3 Elise unveiling in March?

[Digital]

Looks like the S3 Elise is to be unveiled at the Geneva motorshow in March:

http://www.lotus-central.com/en/news/35 ... e-car.html

Not overly keen on the sound of the engines...

[Sanjøy]

Seriously ? No spy shots or rumour mill so far.

[jason]

Am I in the minority thinking there genuinely is nothing wrong or dated about the S2 (yet)? I just don't see why an S3 is 'needed' TBH

[ryallm]

Am I in the minority thinking there genuinely is nothing wrong or dated about the S2 (yet)? I just don't see why an S3 is 'needed' TBH

I think the S2 has aged quite well, certainly better than the S1, but the shape is knocking on 10 years old now. Lotus need something new to boost Elise sales, and I suspect the S2 will suddenly look dated when an S3 is launched, just as the S1 did when the S2 came out. Quite excited to see what it looks like. The Toyota engine options don't sound very good though . Shame they can't just stick a modern 2 litre turbo hot hatch engine in it (e.g the Renault or VW 250/260hp engines). Very curious to know what will happen to the Exige - a move upmarket with V6 power?? Very telling that the Exige shape has been updated for 2010 when the Elise hasn't - suspect the Exige might carry on unchanged for a couple of years.

Mark

[J-Man]

Some little snippets of info seem to be emerging & it does seem that at least one design agency has been working flat out to produce multi-language product launch literature for the Geneva show.

"The S3 will feature a 1.6 I4 (sure) with about 130 bhp (quite sure), later "S" upgrade with 150-160 bhp (moderately sure)."

"the S3 Elise will be a "back to the roots" path... "

"Very aggressively priced"

I guess that they are trying to capitalise on the F1 hype and recoup some of their costs.

[Sanjøy]

Perhaps we need to go back to our roots on the speculation, no mention of weight! 130 bhp and lighter than an S1 using F1 weight saving tech anyone ?

[ryallm]

One thing is certain when any new Lotus is launched: there will be loads of comments on here and Seloc saying that it is :a) too expensive, b) too heavy, c) not as good as the old model owned by the person making the comment

[j2 lot]

Am I in the minority thinking there genuinely is nothing wrong or dated about the S2 (yet)? I just don't see why an S3 is 'needed' TBH

I agree that the S2 still looks good but it has lost some of the 'wow' factor as it is 10 years old and familiar to most onlookers.
I think an S3 is essential to freshen the ramge.

All IMHO

[Scotty C]

i did say the S3 elise would be piffel.

Lets hope i was right about the exige

[Sanjøy]

No SELOC posting about patents that Lotus Cars have posted lately, usually get some Poindexter scanning it daily. Does that mean nothing special /USP?

[r10crw]

I wouldnt be too worried about power, I think if its the same weight as an S1 then 130 bhp would be perfect. I love the idea of back too roots thinking but problem is basic (back to roots models) wont sell as well. Just look at production numbers S1 to S2.

[Dominic]

I'd love to see a 'back to basics' elise, and hats off to Lotus if they do it. I however, suspect that they will be aiming for a more mainstream market, so it will likely be better equiped and heavier. From a business point of view, I can't blame them if they do go down that route, as long as they don't forget the old saying; "add speed, add lightness" or whatever it is

[tut]

"I think the S2 has aged quite well, certainly better than the S1........"

Busy at the moment, but I am sure someone could start a thread on that statement alone.

tut

[Shug]

"I think the S2 has aged quite well, certainly better than the S1........"

Busy at the moment, but I am sure someone could start a thread on that statement alone.

tut

I was leaving him to his delusion, TBH. Too many arguments floating about this weather to start that old chestnut again...

[Ferg]

There was the announcement of the discontinuation of the Tesla due to supplier re-tooling which was a pretty good indication to something new.

I like the idea of a insanely light alu-carbon mix up.