2011 Lotus California... Err Elise

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elises3b.jpg


elises3c.jpg


365-elise-face-lift-pics.html


http://www.lotus-central.com/index.php/en/news/365-elise-face-lift-pics.html

These are the official Lotus pictures of the Elise S3 face lift car, maybe Elise S2.5 to be launched at the Geneva motorshow on 2nd March as we announced last week - Cometh the Hour.

The car has new front & rear bumpers, splitter, clamshell and engine cover as well as a number of other minor changes. The front light cluster has been repositioned and there's even a six speed box and cruise control, a first for the Elise.

The engine will initially be the Toyota 1.6 we mentioned and uses Valvematic and Dual VVT-i tech systems to emit just 155 grams of CO2/km.

We understand that the all new car, some are calling the S4 and others the S3 is due in 2014.
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To also add, the Elise R and Elise SC will continue with the current 1.8L powerplants.

The 1.6L also now uses a close ratio 6 speed. Produces 100kW at 6800rpm and 160Nm at 4400rpm.

The base car weighs in at 876kg.

As a result you have a car that is slower than the previous model and looks just like a California front on.

pic-54911.jpeg
 
Yeah....

That fails. It looks exactly like the California, and the "face lift" literally looks like it got a face lift. Not good.👎
 
The front does actually look nice even though it looks like a California. It fits in more with the evora at least. But now the rear doesn't suit the front. Diffuser looks awkward as does the engine cover. The mesh side scoops look nicer than the egg crate ones on the previous Elise's at least.

Either way I was hoping for there not to be an all new model given I just got my Elise and given they've made a turn for the worst it just makes me even happier I got my one.
 
Fair enough really. Everybody likes different cars and likes cars for different reasons. I'm still trying to convince my girlfriend that the (prior) Elise is good looking (or at least I think so). Her thoughts associate it as a "bug".
 
No it doesn't. The California is bulbous... this still looks somewhat sleek.

As for weight... sad... but it's been nearly a decade since the Elise was updated... you gotta keep up with the times.
 
Niky: As for the california reference, it is only the side vents and center vent design on the front bumper of both cars that I thought had a similarity (well the headlights too). After the front wheels i agree the cars look totally different.

Anyhow unfortunately I doubt we will ever see an Elise be as light as the S1. So many safety requirements and at the same time trying to minimize exotic materials to keep costs down simply won't allow it. S1 was about 630kg. S2 (rover) was about 100 more and then another 100 was added when they switched to the toyota motor. Unless they switch to a CF tub keeping the weight under 1 tonne is unlikely I think (for the all new model due in a few years)
 
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It is purely a facelift. The mechanics are entirely the same as the outgoing Elise S, regular & SC.

They finally got rid of all of the finned grille inserts (front grill, brake vents, oil cooling vents, side vents, fake brakelight vents). Those are what I disliked the most about the original S2 Elise design, they just cluttered everything up on an already tiny surface. The Exige, however, was great in that sense.

This also might help people understand where the design came from:

lotus_hotwheels-4.jpg
 
Still looks ok, I guess. Funny to see that Lotus got rid of those little side "vents" by the taillights that were merely cosmetic.
 
Strange, I didn't see the California comparison. First thought for me was of the Evora, and the Evora only. I like it, a lot actually, and that 1.6L version peaks my interest even further. Thing is, I doubt we'll see the 1.6 in the US.


I wish there was an easy way for me to go down to the Lotus dealer and drive one.
 
I don't care if it looks like this:

toaster.s.jpg


...as long as it handles very well who cares? Its not like its ugly or anything.
 
YSSMAN
Strange, I didn't see the California comparison. First thought for me was of the Evora, and the Evora only. I like it, a lot actually, and that 1.6L version peaks my interest even further. Thing is, I doubt we'll see the 1.6 in the US.


I wish there was an easy way for me to go down to the Lotus dealer and drive one.
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From memory the US currently doesn't even get the the S model. The base model has always been the R in the EU.

From what I have read the 1.6 won't be going to the US market at all. It probably would have been a good idea though as I assume it would make the car much more affordable. The Elise S and R are a good $25k AU difference here.
 
I think that's the most blatant rip off I've ever seen from a non-chinese automaker. It looks a lot more generic than the current gen Elise. There was a lot of personality in the current insect-like front. On anything else it would've been weird, but it was perfect for the Elise/Exige.
 
Wow, all Lotus did was change their headlights and all of a sudden they're ripoffs. You guys...
 
Not that I think they look very similar, and not that I think that Ferrari would consider selling parts to a competitor, but there are plenty of cases of sportscars taking other headlight or taillight units. The actual OEM part as well, not just looking similar like the allegations in this thread. Lotus even did it with some Toyota parts:

800px-1993.lotus.esprit.rear.arp.jpg


In addition, they also have documented progress work (see my previous post) that shows the progression from older iterations to this superseding the release of the California.
 
Omnis
Wow, all Lotus did was change their headlights and all of a sudden they're ripoffs. You guys...
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Y'know... GM ripped off the GT-R tail-lights for the Vette, too... [/off-topic][/sarcasm][/attempted humor]
 
I think it's a step backward. The 'old' car looks amazing and unique. This thing, as someone said, looks more generic and boring. It just doesn't really work.

Maybe it'll be better in a higher trim in BRG.
 
Surely this won't be slower than the current Elise. Yeah, its heavier and less powerful but I'm sure they'd compensate that with improved handling. I prefer the newer, smoother look to be honest. I don't really see the California similarity all that much, the front side panels stretch up a fair bit higher than the California and the bonnet sleeks down more while with the California, it looks like there is a bump in the middle of it. Just similair headlights but doesn't mean it looks like a California.
 
J-PaP
As a result you have a car that is slower than the previous model
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Err... how did you work that one out? Only the base model S will have the 1.6, and it produces exactly the same power as the old 1.8 base model.

And I don't get the fuss about the weight. There are how many cars that are actually still lighter than it? If any? Probably the Smart and that's about it.
 
Omnis
Wow, all Lotus did was change their headlights and all of a sudden they're ripoffs. You guys...
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The headlights are the same shape as the California.

The grille is the same shape as the California.

The brake ducts are shaped the same as the California, but have a longer opening.

Until you look up to the hood, the cars have the exact same front end as far as I'm concerned.
 
Eric.
The headlights are the same shape as the California.

The grille is the same shape as the California.

The brake ducts are shaped the same as the California, but have a longer opening.

Until you look up to the hood, the cars have the exact same front end as far as I'm concerned.
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Your using one small press photo for the comparison. Have you seen an Elise? They're virtually nothing.

The cars won't look alike.
 
homeforsummer
Err... how did you work that one out? Only the base model S will have the 1.6, and it produces exactly the same power as the old 1.8 base model.

And I don't get the fuss about the weight. There are how many cars that are actually still lighter than it? If any? Probably the Smart and that's about it.
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Performance figures off the press release I believe conjoined with existing press info on the old elise (got it off one of the lotus forums).

New Elise S
0 – 100 km/h 6.7 seconds*

Old Elise S
0-100 km/h 6.1 seconds

New Elise S
Maximum speed 200 km/h (124 mph)*

Old Elise S
Max Speed 205 km/h (127 mph)

New Elise R
0 – 100 km/h 5.4 seconds

Old Elise R
0-100 km/h 5.2 seconds

New Elise R
Maximum speed 222 km/h (138 mph)

Old Elise R
Max Speed 241 km/h (150 mph)

And SC of course

New Elise SC
0 – 100 km/h 4.6 seconds

Old Elise SC
0-100 km/h 4.6 seconds

New Elise SC
Maximum speed 233 km/h (145 mph)

Old Elise SC
Max Speed 241 km/h (150 mph)

The S may actually manage to perform better around a track though. Given a little more weight presumably concentrated to the front and an engine either as light or lighter than the 1.8 means that the car should have a better weight balance. But till we can get both cars on the track, all we have is what Lotus claims as their performance figures.


Sorry but I'm with Eric. Regardless if the cars look totally different from the front wheels back and that one is half the size of the other, the center vent, brake ducts and headlights are all too similar a shape. Not saying its a bad thing but the inspiration is clear.
 
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J-PaP
New Elise S
0 – 100 km/h 6.7 seconds*

Old Elise S
0-100 km/h 6.1 seconds

New Elise S
Maximum speed 200 km/h (124 mph)*

Old Elise S
Max Speed 205 km/h (127 mph)
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Oh Lord, the humanity! :sly:

Seriously, if you can tell the difference between six tenths of a second in the 0-60 and a few miles an hour on the top end without any sort of timing gear you're either a professional road tester used to launching hundreds of cars off the line, or you're cheating.

I'd be happy to sacrifice a completely unnoticeable performance defecit when you're absolutely caning it for the extra 20% less fuel it'll use day to day.

I don't mind the styling either, though perhaps orange isn't the best colour for it.
 
I must be the only one who sees no resemblance between the elise and the california.

Eric.
The headlights are the same shape as the California.

The grille is the same shape as the California.

The brake ducts are shaped the same as the California, but have a longer opening.

Until you look up to the hood, the cars have the exact same front end as far as I'm concerned.
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That is a very ridiculous post. I don't care if you think they have similarly shaped bumper openings, probably so do 40 other cars, the cars in question look nothing alike.
 
dave_sz
That is a very ridiculous post. I don't care if you think they have similarly shaped bumper openings, probably so do 40 other cars, the cars in question look nothing alike.
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But they do. Just because you can't see the link doesn't mean others can't.
 
LOL. There's a difference between similar features and the blatant rip off the OP is claiming. If you want to be anal, seems you do, look up other cars and you'll find many with similar shapes of things.
A car with similar bumper cut outs, that's never happened before.
 
Eric.
The headlights are the same shape as the California.

The grille is the same shape as the California.

The brake ducts are shaped the same as the California, but have a longer opening.

Until you look up to the hood, the cars have the exact same front end as far as I'm concerned.
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I have to agree.
Quickly knocked this up and while doing so, the 50-50 opacity comparison was incredibly alike.

jzzvt.jpg
 

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