Exploded

Bibs, you know the Evora's were built in Austria, they could be in Hethel now, you know that better then I do. But they were built in Austria, as a good friend of mine visited their factory during the build-up. Whatever you say about that not being true, I know that you are wrong. Fibre glass does not cut the mustard any more indeed, but going back to "enhanced" aluminum is not the future either. I suspected something new from Lotus. But maybe we (I?) have been spoiled over the times, with Lotus being one of the greatest market leaders in automotive innovation. (with Lotus bringing carbon and fibre glass into automotive) Maybe my pattern for expectation is just too high and all is better to do it like every one does. But if you a becoming average as every one, you soon are to be forgotten. I miss the thinking outside the box, as they did with the Elise chassis for example. I don't see your reactions as argueing, to me it's a (open) discussion, 1 opinion + 1 opinion, mixed with views from other members, creates the best mix of viewing angles! After all we both share the same passion about Lotus, although we see it in different ways.

My Esprit has the 4 cyl engine and my uncle's had the V8 engine, which have both gone through a MUCH longer development period as the Lotus had until new Esprit production. Well if my uncle and I could choose now, to have an Esprit with a Toyota/Lexus engine instead, we would sign immediately for the NON-Lotus (read reliable) engine. None of us have the same engine in their car without rebuild. I know from 2 dealers that they have rebuilt EVERY V8 engine they ever sold + many others. Developing a car is peanuts compared to developing a reliable high output engine. It made me laugh that suggestions are that the engine creation and development could be paid from not developing the Elan (yet). The only reason why Lotus wants Lotus engines is because they can not justify the high asking price for their new cars, and that's it.

Sorry if it is Zimmerman, the fact is that is going backwards, instead of forward. I'm just being nostalgic now but I'm sure Colin would have figured out a way and develop some new stuff to get better quality, if he found that necessary. Like Lamborghini did with the sesto elemento. Innovation was Lotus their big ace on the sleaves. Now I feel that is no longer the case, instead of think themselves the money and so is the knowledge is at other companies. It' s a disaster on long term. But I'm open to be surprised at Goodwood in about 2 weeks time... People like my brother in law have the Fezza badge of their Fiat 500 and his Lancia Delta, you want to know how UNCOOL I think that is? Putting a Lotus badge on a Renault is disasterous! You should feel ashamed (as I am) , instead of acting proud, imho. Sh*t stays sh*t, even if you wrap it up nicely, if you know what I mean. Not that Lotus is shit. At least Team Lotus does not need others to build a car, such SHOULD BE, and always HAS BEEN Lotus's core business. I do feel sad this is no longer the case. I'm sure even the factory staff of today, could do better or equal in LeMans, given time and the same money AND it would have created knowledge inside your own company!

Bibs, I feel confident that the whole cost of the trial has "eaten" all benefit away already on financial level. Don't you think it was a little early to start the F1 business, if you only have an Evora and a 1.6 Elise on sale? I don't think the comparison with Renault is the same as this, as Renault was already supplying engines for some time. And Renault makes road cars for every one, where as Lotus makes sports cars and is known for their well advanced technologies and innovation. It's what made them made them so popular. Instead of being a market leader, Lotus is becoming a follower; becoming one of the big pack of small sports cars producers, with "heavy" cars and big engines. The fact that Donato claims that Lotus is going back to aluminium bodies, gives a me very bad headache and leaves me with a "black to the future" feeling. I feel no line behind the whole project and I don't see the point of putting loads of money in bottomless pits of (F1) racing. I can understand the LeMans project, with the Evora, but I don't understand why Lotus isn't doing this themselves, racing was once their core business... not spending money and let others race with their name on it. For sure the LeMans result was not great at all, I can imagine that Lotus could easily achieve that themselves as well.

That's true Tony, but isn't mr Bahar pretending and acting all the time, as if he is more a constructor and not a sponsor? I think it's impossible to deny that. I know for sure that the Renaults of this year would have called "Lotus", if it wasn't for the legal threat and if Bahar got his way. So in a way it's a bit "in their face" I feel, but I feel no joy. Group Lotus should have accepted that Team Lotus = Lotus F1 and sponsor TF's team. Simple as can be.

I'm happy you share the experience Paul C. Vulcan Grey, could you provide me with better GEO settings? What should I check at the rack of te joints? Just make sure they are in good conditiion? If so I can re-assure your they are ok. Many thanks!

Normally I have the OZ Futuras on my Esprit SE High Wing, but at the moment I’m having the OZ’s from the S4/GT3 on my car, with whom my car was delivered new from Lotus. If I put on the Futura’s the steering is a lot more heavier, which is understandable as they are wider. And with the Futura's it feels like the steering wheels is wringing the whole time, compared to the S4 wheels. Going round a corner with the Futura’s is hell compared to the S4 wheels, as the steer starts to shake when taking corners at serious speeds. Wheels from the Futura's are well balanced, that it not the problem. Any one has an idea how I can make the poor handling better, a GEO setup?, or is a new suspension required or... With the S4 wheels the car drives so much better, but I think the looks from the Futura's could kill... ;-) Just 2 pics to show the difference, why I prefer the looks form the futura's although they drive bad.

I've been reading this topic with much interest. It's simply fantastic! I hope you won't run into too much problems, as reliability is a key issue to me personally. I hope you keep us updated. Once again congratulations on what you have achieved!

Only just discovered this topic. Good to hear MJK is getting better. I hope you can leave the hospital soon. It’s one of the most boring places ever, if you are getting better, imho. Best wishes! Get well soon!

And rumour has it: there will be a "new" model in Goodwood. Well it's clear that DB soon has to do something, to shut all the critics. If he can, he will be praised by many, I think.

It's very sad, claiming you have to sack people because the loss of government funding on one hand, but putting that same amount of money in the bottomless money pit of F1, only to be a sponsor, on the other hand.... And then people on the forum here are asking why there is so much Bahar bashing...

Hi Lode, fantastic looking car! Have a lot of fun with it, but I guess that won't be any problem. Where do you live in Belgium? Gert

Sorry for my late reply, I live in Belgium (Europe). You are from which state?

Race Results Not exactly the result they were looking for I think!

Looking for a wind deflector for my SE high wing Esprit. Anyone has one? Many thanks!

No not at all. Centrainly not in our country, you can not use your pictures in commercial ways without permission from the new owner. Team Lotus can sponsor who ever they want, it not sold as a Team Lotus car. That is a different thing.

Btfd, Team Lotus can "sponsor" who they want. Just as Group Lotus does with Renault. Team Lotus can never prevent that, and so Group Lotus can never prevent Caterham bringing a Team Lotus special edition. It's a different thing, when they become the constructor... Yes you can Bibs, but you can not do so such things, if you will use them in a commercial way. Photos are private.

Bibs, I think you are forgetting, that Colin was the boss from both companies at the time. If the boss says it is ok, then it's ok. I remember the late Mr Bushell telling stories that, he was forced by Colin to transfer money from Group Lotus to Team lotus if Group Lotus made profit... These things were only possible as Colin was the CEO from both companies. He could do and decide such things. Back in the nineties, the Chapman family sold Team Lotus and Group Lotus was sold as well. From then on, both companies had nothing to do with each other any more. I think it's fairly simple to understand that. I will make a stupid comparison, let's say you sell your Esprit to me and keep a key with you. If you come by my house and take your former Esprit with you again, then that is theft. It's not because you were the previous owner and we share a key, that it means the Esprit is back yours. You sold it and that is that. Simple!

They are red cars with a horse on it, many people also call them Ferrari's...

In real it was even better than it looks on the youtube! I really don't understand why Renault did not give him the opportunity to take over from Kubica. The crowd adored Senna's donuts!!!

So there are 3 very rich persons, who are all very pissed at some Turkish spoiled little brat, who rules Group Lotus. Interesting isn't it? I'm quite confident that those 3 persons could put in 440 mljn without the aid of 6 (Malaysian) banks. I'm also very sure they won't do such a thing. Should TF and his mates bring a new Elise/Exige type car soon, they could find themselves soon in a very good position. Rumours are still there, that there will be a Lotus Cars "Exige" or let us call it a track tool V6 in Frankfurt, I don't think that is the way to go. Lightweight cars, with 4 pot engines is the way to go, to avoid heavy taxes. I know you can make more money on an Evor or Esprit Super Car, but in these times when fuel consumption and emission are so critical and important, lightness wasn't as important as it is now. Bibs; I agree that Colin would have said: Where the hell is my money? GKP: that is a very very good question. Let's hope that Ansar Ali is a clever man. I know for sure TF has not paid David Hunt a single penny yet, and keeps stalling the payments for the most ridiculous reasons one can imagine. Although TF is not paying, he is using the Team Lotus name a lot these days don't you think? So it seems there is a conman leading Group Lotus and a conman leading Team Lotus... all we need to do now is lean back, wait and see what happens next.

The 2 little children (Bahar and TF) both have toy cars to play with, can both use the Lotus logo and they lived happily ever after... Caterham making "Elises or Exiges" does make sense, if Group Lotus don't want build them any more. I think that TF did a deal with Proton.

Caterham tie-up!

+1!

Good to see Nick and his mates, firing up the car. What a magnificent car.