New V6 Exige pics

[simon]

http://www.smart-roadster-board.ch/inde ... aea148b2ea

http://www.smart-roadster-board.ch/inde ... aea148b2ea

http://www.smart-roadster-board.ch/inde ... a1bedc79e7

[campbell]

Nice set of mules, although dreadful utilitarian styling at the front in particular.

The real deal is unlikely to look quite like that, I am sure.

[woody]

Nice set of mules, although dreadful VX styling at the front.

The real deal is unlikely to look quite like that, I am sure.

EFA.

[vxc]

rekon they will keep the same headlamp styling?

[GraemeLotus]

some test mules at the 'ring..

[Shug]

rekon they will keep the same headlamp styling?

What Graeme is saying without saying there is don't pay any attention to what's covering the mechanicals, it's whatever was lying about at the factory - these are mechanical, not styling mules. Styling mules tend to have that black and white patterned camouflage so you can't quite see how they look.

So, given that the bodies have had to be crudely extended, we think it's a modified Evora platform then? Or was Evora the first of that modular chassis concept that everything is being built off over the next 5 years anyway?

[woody]

rekon they will keep the same headlamp styling?

What Graeme is saying without saying there is don't pay any attention to what's covering the mechanicals, it's whatever was lying about at the factory - these are mechanical, not styling mules. Styling mules tend to have that black and white patterned camouflage so you can't quite see how they look.

So, given that the bodies have had to be crudely extended, we think it's a modified Evora platform then? Or was Evora the first of that modular chassis concept that everything is being built off over the next 5 years anyway?

Was thinking some meatty oil coolers under the extensions? And longer wishbones/wider & longer rear subframe on a 111 chassis? /total guess.

[Peter]

The Evora Wheelbase is 28 cm longer than the Exige so it looks like the Exige chassis that's in use on the Mules?

I guess the new styling will be biased towards the new corporate face of Lotus (styling cues from the new Esprit). Really interested to see how this one turns out...

[Shug]

The Evora Wheelbase is 28 cm longer than the Exige so it looks like the Exige chassis that's in use on the Mules?

I guess the new styling will be biased towards the new corporate face of Lotus (styling cues from the new Esprit). Really interested to see how this one turns out...

I did say modified (by which I meant shortened) If it's truly modular, they could get the front and rear sections and create a new, shorter, midsection without the comical rear seat space. I just remember much chat about a V6 111 platform in the past and the line getting out that they just couldn't get it to work. Of course, it's all rumour and whisper, so who knows until we get the clams off one...

[Rich H]

Those rear tyres look immense!

Looking at the red one it looks like it's done a fair few miles too - gravel rash around the rear spats.

Do you think they have fixed the popping out indicator problem or do they stop every 100 miles to put it back in?

[ryallm]

It will be really interesting to see how this car turns out. You would think it would be cheaper for Lotus to use the Evora platform rather than the Elise one as it is already engineered for the V6. Not long till Frankfurt so I guess we'll find out soon. Let's hope Lotus can regain a bit of credibility with the new models after making total idiots of themselves with all that Swiz Beats bollocks (listening Graeme? ).

Mark

[campbell]

I'm going to put my money on a slightly extended wheelbase, with front and rear styling morphed only slightly from the 2011 stylee Elise (single headlamp/indicator slash etc), but starting to show the new styling "DNA" which the Evora GTE is already hinting at.

We'll see whether I won a watch on 13th Sept then eh

Really wish I could make it to Frankenfurter now actually. All hols allocated for this year tho.

[Clarkie]

All the ingredients are there just hope the price isn't too strong. Last time I was in MMC an Evora S was £70k

Will the Elise get V6 power?

[campbell]

Will the Elise get V6 power?

Woodsport's sterling efforts aside, I think that would be a mistake.

The Elise is meant to be lithe and simple. V6 is about grunt and (to a small degree?) prestige. Lotus can't get what the Exige needs from the 1ZR 1.6 engine, I expect, but can get in spades from the V6 and can also nudge the Exige a little further away from the Elise in terms of clear differentiation.

At the same time they are holding the Elise back (in the nicest way) with the 1.6 4-pot (albeit it has easy potential to offer 30 more horses at least), and addressing more clearly distinct aspects of the marketplace.

Then cue the new Esprit, along with Elise and Exige being given new "family" styling, and Lotus is very quickly a 3-car range creating some cashflow and working capital while Mr Bahar convinces the funders that he should press ahead with their front engine prestige tourer thingy model, etc.

That's the way I see it at least.

Campbell

[Clarkie]

I agree but like most manufacturers Lotus will want to use as many common parts/engines as possible over the range to keep costs down. Interesting to see how existing models will develop in the interim.

The Elise will surely be available with different engine options over the 1ZR, to keep lightness/power/emissions 1.6 supercharged/turbocharged?