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    Oct 5, 2005 10:24:11 PM

    turbolite
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    turbolite
    Loc: Switzerland , Switzerland
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    Lotus Circuit car

    http://www.grouplotus.com/car/car_product.php?id=6&mid=13

    had the chance to see the car life in monza last weekend. looks really impressive in the flesh!
    650 kg, 240 hp toyota turbo engine and good aerodynamics should make a great combination. particularly the safety issue seems to be taken care of with a superstiff chassis à la elise/exige, but without the cutout or he doors. much more confidence inspiring than the radical sr3 i tested some time ago. additionally thee car will have abs and the option of traction control. I think that if the launchprice will be approx. GBP 25000 as the lotus guy told me, this car could be a hit. i would love it with a sequential gearshift though.

    what do you guys think?

    cheers

    Oct 6, 2005 3:20:28 AM

    Justin
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    Justin
    Loc: San Diego, CA, USA
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    Reply to: turbolite

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    Had a friend get a ride in one at Hethel recently. Will try to get his impressions.

    As far as I know, the final body is unfinished and there are still working on some details. Seems a bit heavy for what it is, but it nevertheless seems promising because of the supercharger option.

    I will reserve final judgement until the production version and to see how well it performs. But it is nice to see Lotus working on such specialized products. I had a blast in my Elise on the trackday this weekend and would be quite impressed with the circuit car, I imagine.

    - J

    Oct 6, 2005 7:28:50 AM

    BC
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    BC
    Loc: Cape Town , South Africa
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    Reply to: Justin

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    Read about the car and its looks like it can be some major fun.

    BTW: I heard Lotus might bring out a new car, kinda like a Gallardo in the not to distant future, true or not??

    Oct 6, 2005 7:51:40 AM

    Justin
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    Justin
    Loc: San Diego, CA, USA
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    Reply to: BC

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    Any competitor to the Gallardo from Lotus will come in the form of the next Esprit, which isn't slated to be released until after the mid-level car slotted between the Elise and Esprit. Probably a Europa type 2+2. So my guess is not that soon, maybe a couple of years. But Aston came out with the DB9 far before the AMV8, even though the AMV8 was shown first, so stranger things have happened before!

    Rumor has it that the next Esprit will have either an AMG or Toyota V8.

    - J

    Oct 6, 2005 7:55:42 AM

    RichJ
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    RichJ
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    Reply to: BC

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    Anybody know if this will a pure track car or will it be possible to drive it on the road???

    Makes a big difference cost wise. If you cant take it on the road you also need a trailer and something to pull it!

    Oct 6, 2005 8:05:41 AM

    BC
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    BC
    Loc: Cape Town , South Africa
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    Reply to: RichJ

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    @ Justin: From what I've read chances are it will have a Toyota V8, but this really is still earl days so this is just speculation...

    @ RichJ: I'm really not sure but i think its just a track car.

    Oct 6, 2005 10:09:54 AM

    LowPolarMoment
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    LowPolarMoment
    Loc: Boca Raton, FL
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    Reply to: Justin

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    Quote:
    Justin said:
    Probably a Europa type 2+2. - J

    The Europa was a 2 seater. What do you mean by Europa type 2+2?

    Oct 6, 2005 11:02:21 AM

    GM AustinM
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    GM Austin
    Loc: Texas , United States
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    Registered on: Sep 10, 2002
    Reply to: LowPolarMoment

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    Quote:
    LowPolarMoment said:
    Quote:
    Justin said:
    Probably a Europa type 2+2. - J

    The Europa was a 2 seater. What do you mean by Europa type 2+2?



    I was curious about that too. I always liked the Europa and wished I HAD owned one. I drove one once and recall it being quite cramped for space. I like the idea of a Europa 2+2. To keep the concept true I guess the back seat would be even more cramped than a 911 rear seat. It would only be useable by really, really small children?

    Oct 6, 2005 4:46:21 PM

    Justin
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    Justin
    Loc: San Diego, CA, USA
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    Reply to: GM AustinM

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    All the magazines have been reporting the next Europa to be a 2+2. But I don't see how you can have a mid-engine car with good rear seat space either.

    Autocar has a big article here:
    http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13814

    The car pictured may not be the next Europa, but an ugly Proton version of the Elise.

    I think the new circuit car might be street legal in the UK.

    - J

    Oct 6, 2005 8:10:44 PM

    Grant
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    Grant
    Loc: Denver, CO , United States
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    Reply to: RichJ

    Re: Lotus Circuit car

    Quote:
    RichJ said:
    Anybody know if this will a pure track car or will it be possible to drive it on the road???

    Makes a big difference cost wise. If you cant take it on the road you also need a trailer and something to pull it!


    Not street legal, I don't think. You need to check with some UK sources though, since they have much more liberal rules than most countries (i.e. Radical)...

    Oct 6, 2005 11:10:48 PM

    turbolite
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    turbolite
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    Reply to: RichJ

    !

    there is an SVA option listed in the extras, so i guess you will be able to drive it to the track!

    Oct 12, 2005 3:53:48 AM

    mapes
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    mapes
    Loc: Southern CA
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    Registered on: Sep 27, 2002
    Reply to: turbolite

    Re: !

    Quote:
    turbolite said:
    there is an SVA option listed in the extras, so i guess you will be able to drive it to the track!

    Correct! Those lucky bastages.
     
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