Archive for category Lotus
Lotus Esprit
Posted by in Lotus on June 24, 2011
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Lotus Esprit was produced for a total of twenty eight years, between nineteen seventy six and two thousand and four. The initial design based on the elongated Europe chassis was displayed to the public at the nineteen seventy two Motor Show in Turin. The name Esprit was in tradition with the E starting names, such as Elan, Elite, Europa and Elise. Over ten thousand of the sports cars were produced within its life time.
The production of the car began in nineteen seventy six after it was officially launched in late nineteen seventy five at the French Motor Show in Paris. The Series One as they became known was to replace the previous Europa models, which shared the same rear engine position. The S1 was generally known as a good handling car, yet lacked sufficient power. The car appeared on screen in the nineteen seventy seven film, The Spy Who Loved Me. The Series Two Esprit was born out of improvements to the initial first series model, with air intakes, new lights, spoilers, alloy wheels and changes to the gauges and dashboard.
The Series Three, or S3, began in nineteen eighty and sported an enlarged two point two litre engine as was found in the rare series 2.2 model. The third series was equipped with new alloy wheels as well as improved interior space. Nineteen eighty seven witnessed the new rounded styling of the Peter Stevens designed version. The V8 Esprit was introduced in nineteen ninety six, equipped with a three point five twin turbo engine which was capable of zero to sixty in less than five seconds and produced three hundred and fifty horse power. Production of the Esprit was ceased in two thousand and four, although it is believed the model could see a comeback in two thousand and ten or two thousand and eleven. Read the rest of this entry »
Lotus Elise 1600 CC
Posted by in Lotus on June 24, 2011
The New Lotus Elise 1.6
- Lotus have launched an new entry level, face lifted Elise. Designed to be frugal with a planet saving ethos.
What happens when your dream car is about as much a reality as bumping into Lady Ga Ga in Tescos? Well it just becomes something you think about when you feel you need to escape the boundaries of your every day life. Not a bad a thing I guess, it gives us all goals and a place to aim.
Now let me ask another question. What if your dream car could actually become a part of your lifestyle? without you having to sell your organs. And no Lady Ga Ga won’t be a part of this. Sports cars are designed to be lusted after, to be sexy and admired with their sweeping curves, powerful engines and exclusive price tags. On the subject of change, sports cars and the word ‘affordable’ don’t tend to go in the same sentence, unless we’re talking about old classics.
I’m not talking about a rusty old MGB but still an iconic British sportscar. The Lotus Elise. Now in its 15th. year of production the titchy fibre glass sports car offers an eco alternative to its pedigree of superb handling, race breed roadsters. The Lotus is made in Norwich, the same place as Turnips and Mustard.
This is the new entry level Elise, powered by its smallest engine yet. A 1.6 litre Toyota unit, coupled with a new 6 speed gearbox. This car is all about economy and at £27,000 offers supercar looks for sales rep saloon money. Now for the part that appeals to me. 56 mpg is impressive and must be considered a huge attraction with its 500 mile range. The team at Lotus have nick named this car the 149 due to its low emission output of 149g of Co2 per Km. I just think it’s a nice way of saying ‘yes we have the worlds most eco friendly petrol powered sports car. With the confidence of a reliable Japanese powerplant the Elise is kind of in its little world. Of course there are rival brands and models to consider but all of these lack the little Lotus’s charm, lines and stunning drive. Don’t think that the small engine makes the Lotus experience any less either. It doesn’t. It will reach 60 mph in just 6 seconds and is capable of making you grin with ease. This new Elise handles, grips and snoggs the road like a teenage love affair, you could almost forgive yourself to think that winding roads and bends were designed 100 years ago as these industrial pioneers knew that someday a car would be built to drive around them without almost flat out. Read the rest of this entry »