VIDEO: Is The Lotus Elite Anything But?

If there is one car that has me a little confused it is the 2014 Lotus Elite. A car whose primary purpose is to wow everyone, and it did at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

But there are some problems, as you'd expect. Every car has problems.

First off, this car is slated to be a 2014 model. That's a bit of a distance away, wouldn't you say? Powered by a 611 horsepower supercharged V8, it is also a hybrid. But the question remains, will we even need a car like this in several years?

Two. What's up with its styling? Surely for a car whose name is Elite, wouldn't you expect something that really speaks to the Lotus nameplate? Not some Ferrari California 2+2 lookalike, Beverly Hills poser car? Don't get me wrong, the Elite is DEFINITELY easy on the eyes and it has sharper looks than the car from Maranello, but how does it speak to Lotus, the same guys who made the Elan?

Lastly, the name. Elite. Jeez, does it get anymore pretentious than that? Crikey.


Lotus has revealed their latest footage of the brand new 2014 Elite, a brand new 2+2 grand tourer powered by a 611hp supercharged 5.0 liter V8 engine. The Elite Hybrid is one of the five new concept vehicles that were showcased at the 2010 Paris Motor Show....



[Source: GTspirit]








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Joe_Limon - 10/15/2010 7:53:42 PM

+9 Boost

I think you're asking the wrong question.

We have never needed cars like this. We have always wanted them and we always will want them.

Looking at the other products that they released at the Paris auto show, I'd say they are redefining the traditional lotus look. Criticizing Lotus for not looking like the elan is ridiculous. It's like criticizing Audi because they don't make boxes anymore.

Yes, it's a pretentious name. But at least it sounds nice. And it goes along nicely with Esprit, Elan, Elise, and Eterne. What other name that starts with E do you recommend that would convey the idea that it is their top of the line gt?

Agent00R - 10/16/2010 2:09:36 AM

-8 Boost

@Joe

I never said it had to look like the Elan. Just said it should speak to the brand more as it doesn't look unique in the marketplace.

Slow down and read closer.

Joe_Limon - 10/16/2010 1:29:01 PM

+4 Boost

Then why even mention the elan? The elan is not a unique looking car it looks just like a mitata/mgb roadster.

Nostradamus - 10/15/2010 9:03:03 PM

+7 Boost

00R - How Daft Are You?

The Elite monicker was used in the past for Lotus' premier GT offering, so this a homage/spiritual successor to those vehicles introduced in 1957 and 1974 respectively.

Jeez - Indeed!

Agent00R - 10/16/2010 2:07:14 AM

-3 Boost

@Nostradamus

You're missing the point.

How does this 2+2 hard-top convertible speak to the older vehicles?

If they had done something more in line with what the original Elite was, that would make sense.

I'd ask the same question of Ferrari and its latest iteration of the California and how does it really speak to the older California. You know, the one they used for racing...

So, how obtuse are you?

bmwdrvr - 10/16/2010 5:37:56 PM

+5 Boost

Easy 00R the original elite was a large for lotus anyway 2+2 GT in its last iteration so clearly you simply (but not surprising) just dont know what your talking about. The bigger question is why is anything your saying relevant, and for that matter why is the Elite not a "modern" update of the original elite....

Terry989 - 10/15/2010 9:10:21 PM

+5 Boost

I have to agree with Joe. It's nice looking car (especially as a convertible) and is a direction that Lotus needs to take if they want growth - - - and they need growth given their current aging product line. I think the current Elise/Exige platform is the only one in the automotive world with more "Special/Limited Editions" then Porsche does. While a heavy, front engine Lotus would not be on my shopping list, a couple of others such as the new Elan or Esprit (if affordable enough) would make a fine replacement car for me.

WorldofLuxury - 10/15/2010 9:20:13 PM

+3 Boost

wow... this simple design is pretty attractive. I hope I don't get sick of it.

Epik - 10/16/2010 11:04:54 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah. Which is not such a bad thing these days.

Larrybel2000 - 10/15/2010 10:47:11 PM

+3 Boost

Give toyota they're Supra back.

truckman - 10/16/2010 2:51:02 AM

+2 Boost

I am happy to hear they got rid of the Corola engine, This is much bigger than the original go cart Lotus we all love and know.611HP, wow,can you imagine that HP in the small Lotus?

PUGPROUD - 10/16/2010 8:07:38 AM

+2 Boost

Lotus is taking on the big boys in a customer/price segment they have never played in and have no heritage. Good luck. There are bigger market segments with more volume potential where they can deliver a knockout against existing competition. The lets take the brand up in
market never works...VW being the most recent example. A real shame considering what could be...remember the Lotus Cortina. A premium priced small performance coupe/sedan with the Lotus touch slotted above a WRX STI and below an M3 would be a winner today.

rxh8me9000 - 10/16/2010 11:29:36 AM

-1 Boost

Front looks like an RX-8 banged an Aston. Rear looks like a mix between a Tesla/Z4 and Sky.