hedgerley

From what Matt is saying and the teasers, I'm beginning to get quite interested in the 132. But as a huge fan of Dany's Elite back in 2010 (I felt the Eterne was a bit frumpy) I'm intrigued by the 4-door sedan, the 133. Apart from the original 4 model in covers shot when the model plan was revealed I've not seen anything or for that matter heard anything in these interviews about the 133. I realise its very early days but does anybody have any snippets I might have missed? Couldn't resist...... Does anyone else see hints of the Emira, especially in the rear?

Another really interesting interview with Matt. Seems to me he has the best job in the world..... https://play.acast.com/s/e32557d2-0b08-4fd1-8997-5f9649901294/ae3acbc1-0998-42be-a60b-17b5a2c88170

Ditto, a good read. Not hugely revealing to those of us that follow Lotus closely but reassuring in many ways - right management, realistic targets and plans, good partners and a parent company that has a good track record of not throwing the baby out with the bath water!

I'm afraid Murray gave up the Lotus franchise many years ago Neil. The Leven Group picked it up along with Aston Martin but they went bust. Park's in Glasgow now have the franchise so they are the only official dealer in Scotland at the moment. Most of the Scottish owners have been using Craig Moncrieff (ex-Murray service manager) in Sighthill. Really good work although he does get very busy. You can get most of the spares, modifications etc, including the rear light mod, from SJ Sports Cars, PNM Engineering, Lotus Bits, South West Lotus and a few others. I used the SJ rear light kit on the '98 which is pretty good. The 2001 mod was done at the factory by the previous owner. Well that was weird @C8RKH, hitting submit at the same time...

Some decent pictures here. I know its subjective, but you might want to consider the round rear light conversion. http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EOwners/MarkRigby.html As for the Oz Nova's, as rare as hens teeth these days. I was looking for a set in the early days but they just don't come up. And on the odd occasion they have, they are ridiculously expensive and mostly in the States. IIIRC, a set came up a few years ago and they went for over $6k. Just keep an eye out on the classifieds here on the Forum, eBay etc. but I've not seen any for a couple of years now.

This is awesome, although 200mph in a 40 year old car might be construed as somewhat reckless... I was at the motor show back in 1980 when it first appeared. IIRC it was hung sideways on the wall of the show stand. Might have a photo of it somewhere... https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/aston-martin-bulldog-hits-162mph-in-shakedown/44996

My first was a '98 Titanium V8-GT, without the wing. Lovely colour. Unfortunately it met its end on black ice on the A1 back in 2008. I had it shipped to Hethel for a chassis check - bent beyond repair. And the parts list, no paint, no labour, no VAT - £27k 😬 But the insurance paid out what I had paid for it in 2005 (£15k) and I bought the 2001 straight away. Once an Esprit fan......... No regrets.

Love the translations from the Chinese, by the Chinese. When Coca-Cola launched its 'Coke adds life' campaign many years ago, the signage in China was literally translated as "Coke brings your ancestors back from the dead".... On a more serious note, I'm beginning to take more interest in the 132, especially after those pics. Our second car is up for renewal, probably late next year, early '23 and I'm thinking it should be electric. I wonder how one gets on to the 'elite' list to get an invite to the 'tasting program'?

Thanks both. I suspect it's the battery. I've just remembered something similar happened on my Volvo a few years ago. Battery was knackered.

My 2001 V8 is off the road at the moment. I've kept the trickle charger on and every weekend or so start her up, run up to operating temperature, switching off after 10-15 minutes when its all warmed through. All was well until last weekend. Started immediately, fast tick over as usual, settles down to the correct idle and gets to its usual temperature. Then, after 10-15 minutes, it started spluttering, running unevenly, idle got slow and erratic then it just expired with a phut. Runs and revs nicely until that point. Repeated exactly the same, yesterday. Until I SORN'd her she's never light me down as far as the engine is concerned, in 14 years of ownership. Plenty of fuel (recent top up, so should be good) and no warning lights. I suspect its electrical. The alternator/charging light doesn't come on but when the spluttering starts the rev counter starts behaving erratically and the speedo starts twitching. A minute or two before it expires the tacho drops to zero, even though the engine is still running. I haven't dug out my voltmeter and tools yet but thought a quick post here might solicit some guidance. Thanks all.

Was that the one down in Isleworth? That's a very tidy, low mileage example. My first was a 98GT in Titanium. Lovely colour.

Welcome Neil. As Stephen says, a few V8 owners up here, including me. I'm sure @bingoking and @Andrew C will be along to say hi shortly. We are all long term owners so if you need any help/advice, get in touch. Mine's been off the road a while, pending a bunch of work but hopefully I'll be on the road by the Spring. Sign up to the LEGS local chapter to be notified of any upcoming meets/drive outs. Its a small market - can I ask where you sourced it?

The picture is much clearer on the Lotus site. It definitely rises. https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/type-132/

Great pictures and the interior quality does like a massive step forward. Must admit to starting to feel tempted. But my OCD picked up the Emira logo in the drivers footwell. Its the wrong way round, to my eyes at least. 😒

Yes, looks like it rises when required. Possibly. https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLM22aIkeP/

Not convinced by cameras rather than side mirrors. Ditto Evija. Due to my seating position (long legs) in the Esprit and also my runabout Astra, I need to move my head occasionally to improve the field of view, especially joining traffic from slip roads. Not a problem in the Volvo as the mirrors are huge. But cameras offer a fixed view. A minor issue I'm sure but another niggle in the digital vs analogue argument.

Yikes. I assumed it was POA with no price on the ad.

Well this is a shame. He's a real fan of the Esprit and often sung its praises. Then there was trip down to the South of France. Great stories. Wonder why he is selling?

So, was beginning to think about replacing our Astra runabout next year and going electric. The Polestar 2 looks like a contender the more I look in to it. Then I found this on YouTube. Yikes. https://youtu.be/tOgS46o2Pv8

Thoroughly well deserved Andy. I am one of those 'handful' of LEF members - its astonishing to see how the community has grown and the support TLF gives to its global membership. Lotus should also take credit for giving the access TLF has had whilst maintaining an arms length relationship so TLF can be allowed to voice its opinion and positive criticism where its warranted. Onwards and upwards!

Nice piece about Gavan in the new issue. He's been at Lotus 33 years and has the same garage as me - Esprit and Volvo! Plus an S1 Elise of course. Their big feature is an ask of their staff writers for their personal Top 10 cars (they've driven) No surprise there then - 8 out of 10 placed a Porsche of some flavour as their Number 1. Exceptions are Harry Metcalfe with a Countach LP400 and Steve Sutcliffe with a Ferrari 458 Speciale (Porsche Cayman second). So predictable. Elise S1 featured in quite a few of their lists and came 4th overall in the final assessment, which was something I suppose. Wonder what they will put the Emira up against? Picture because its an Esprit 😁

The actual chair used in the production. I could pick it up with one hand. It went on a tour of Volvo showrooms - "Sky Atlantic sponsored by Volvo" - after the show finished. Wife was a superfan. She was very jealous......

Loving this photo of a (no doubt) smug Tesla driver wafting past the queue for fuel. No wonder there has been a surge of interest in BEVs in the last day or two.

Oh FFS. As I posted that my wife shouts down from upstairs, no unleaded or diesel at our local BP according to the village FB page. Twats.

You would think, after all these years, they would have learned that headlines saying "Don't panic", "There's plenty of fuel/bread/beer/whatever", "Please buy fuel/bread/beer/whatever as you would normally" etc. would have exactly the opposite effect. Numpties. A news blackout about fuel/bread/beer/whatever would have had the desired effect and the rest of the numpties would have stayed at home. @Bibs not sure I approve of your smugness. But I do envy you 😁