Bumpers .... wtf!??!

DDtB · Post by **DDtB** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:49 pm

borrowed from SEL*OCK.... European models with bumpers from 07.... wtf!?!? hope that aint true!!..........

MY07 U.S models of both Elise & Exige will have rubber bumper front ends which are mandatory requirement from 01 Jan 2007 because that is the date the 3 year Federal exemption expires.

The exemption ending also applies to the headlights.

The existing front clam will be replaced by one that is identical in looks to the Europa but the front fibreglass section is replaced with a colour coded rubber bumper.

The rubber bumpers also add 45Kg at the front of the car, so new geo settings are required, together with an uprated pair of front dampers and springs.

Lotus tried to get around the problem by spraying foam inside the clam but the Federal Authorities insisted that the entire nose section be replaced by rubber, so Lotus had no option other than to use the Europa clam but replacing the nose section with a rubber moulding. The Europa clam also complies with the U.S. headlamp requirements.

Rear bumperettes are also required to meet Federal regulations but they are just stuck on with sikaflex, so can be removed with a hairdryer and a bit of patience, although it may be necessary to respray the rear clam as the paint may come off with the sikaflex.

All European models will also have the same modifications from 01 Mar 2007.

Post by ed » Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:21 am

have heard of the us regs, not 100% sure about the european ones...

tut · Post by **tut** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:51 am

The end is nigh............

tut

Post by **simon** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:58 am

It was inevitable as soon as it was announced the 'yota cars would have ABS. The US ones already have airbags and it probably won't be long before they're mandatory here.

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:07 am

Time is right to invest in an S1 now before they start appreciating in value

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:33 am

The day Lotus fit rubber bumpers is the day I sell the Lotus.
45kg....FFS!

tut · Post by **tut** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:48 am

Should be the opposite Gareth.

Just stick to the models that do not have rubber bumpers. Let others buy the new models.

tut

mac · Post by **mac** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:06 am

It's like the 70's all over again.

Triumph's TR range

The MG's

All had to have their character altered chasing the $.

Mac

Post by **simon** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:59 pm

mac wrote:All had to have their character altered chasing the $.

If Lotus don't chase the money, they'll go down the pan pretty quickly. They have no choice here if they want to sell the car in America and I won't be surprised if we see the same law apply here soon. Don't forget they were forced into the ABS on the toyota cars, the only way around that was to sell less, which was not an option.

To be fair, it's probably a good thing to have a bumper of sorts on the front, just a pity it can't be made as light as the clam instead of being a huge weight penalty. I'm sure there's plenty of people who would much rather replace a damaged bumper over replacing an entire front clam at £1k+. I'm not sure I believe the 45kg figure yet though, this is probably just seloc hearsay so until the cars exist, it's just speculation.

mac · Post by **mac** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:05 pm

I'm not saying they shouldn't be chasing the $, just wish that money could be spent engineering a solution rather than taking the easy option.

Mac

Post by **simon** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:16 pm

I was amused to read in a mag this week that the new Fiat Panda "sporty" version weights 975kg. That's only slightly heavier than an S2 Exige and lighter than the Europa. I know they're not comparable in performance terms but when you look at the interior shots of the Fiat, it makes you wonder how the Exige and Europa can weigh as much as they do. The Fiat's a 4/5 seat car with proper big seats and a normal car interior.

Post by ed » Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:24 pm

if this does happen there is guaranteed to be a load of pre-reg cars going cheap...Hope it doesnt though as it will ruin the look IMHO..

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 2:54 pm

mac wrote:It's like the 70's all over again.

Triumph's TR range

The MG's

All had to have their character altered chasing the $.

Mac

just what I was thinking mate, the Triumph TR7. Si, Truimph chased the money making a US compliant tin top, and they still sunk!

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 3:34 pm

Gareth wrote:The day Lotus fit rubber bumpers is the day I sell the Lotus.
45kg....FFS!

45kg? Sounds like a load of mince to me, that's like the weight of a large televsion.

Post by **simon** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:28 pm

GregR wrote:Si, Truimph chased the money making a US compliant tin top, and they still sunk!

I'd rather they at least tried rather than not bother and go bust anyway.