For every automatic Evora sold to THEM, Lotus gets to make a batshit-crazy 500 lb. special edition Exige for US. Be happy that this cash cow exists. It's not like they're cashing in on their sporting heritage to build an SUV or anything nutty like that.
@damnelantra™: KTM switching to minivans...you act like you haven't dreamed about owning a bright orange people mover armed with a large single cylinder engine.
Dear Lord, Please smite any who would dare to purchase a Lotus with an automatic transmission, lest Lotus think it is a good idea, and continue to offer them as an option.
You needn't strike them down; Just give them boils or leprosy or something. I don't think that that is too much to ask.
I mean, seriously, the kind of person who would buy an automatic Lotus is a contradiction. An enthusiast who would rather let the car shift for him?
The only exception would be a Lotus enthusiast who has lost his left leg, and therefore cannot operate the clutch pedal, and has been waiting patiently for a Lotus offering that he is physically capable of driving.
Perhaps instead of boils, you could strike them lame on the left. At least make the automatic necessary.
There was a great interview with the staff not too long ago; I think it was evo who asked them if they weren't being untrue to their core principles. They made a good point, basically saying, "Look, the world is full of car companies who have refused to compromise their principles, and gone bankrupt. Our core principle is making fantastic sports cars, but we've contracted our work out for decades to other companies to pay the bills. In this sense, we're just contracting out to ourselves. This car will hopefully pay all the bills, and help fund our next ultra-lightweight exotic."
In that sense, shit, gimme nice leather and heated seats, and I'll shut up about it "not being true to the Lotus philosophy".
@Deartháir: a Cruder, Fart-Joke Version of graverobber: You make a good point. Sometimes, you gotta compromise with what the market wants. You have to start producing enough revenue for your next super car, before you can make one.
@AiDonWaiKit: I like thinking of it that way. Lotus has designed chasses and suspension components for pretty much everyone out there -- often with no credit whatsoever. Several dozen of their "projects" are sealed-files jobs where neither side will ever reveal that Lotus did all the engineering for it. They do that to fund their supercars. So why not do it themselves? So long as their primary focus is funding the next Elise or Esprit, I don't care if they sell scooters to fund it.
@leavethegun-takethecannoli: From the Lotus rep at the car show: The Evora has a completely redesigned chassis from the Elise. It's wider, the sills are lower and it has been engineered to take both the transverse Toyota V6 engine in this usage, as well as the longitudinal V8 that will be powering the Esprit, which will debut in 2010. So the Evora sets the stage for the Esprit return.
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If they ever make a 2 seat only version, I'm calling it the Toyota NSX.
01/08/09
...honda killing the s2k replacement.
...lotus offering autos and retractable tops.
...whats next ktm switching to minivans?
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...seems i recently have a deep need to get back outside and get reacquainted with lawn maintance
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Dear Lord, Please smite any who would dare to purchase a Lotus with an automatic transmission, lest Lotus think it is a good idea, and continue to offer them as an option.
You needn't strike them down; Just give them boils or leprosy or something. I don't think that that is too much to ask.
I mean, seriously, the kind of person who would buy an automatic Lotus is a contradiction. An enthusiast who would rather let the car shift for him?
The only exception would be a Lotus enthusiast who has lost his left leg, and therefore cannot operate the clutch pedal, and has been waiting patiently for a Lotus offering that he is physically capable of driving.
Perhaps instead of boils, you could strike them lame on the left. At least make the automatic necessary.
I mean, come on! You can do this for us right?
Thanks...er, I mean, Amen.
01/08/09
Amen.
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In that sense, shit, gimme nice leather and heated seats, and I'll shut up about it "not being true to the Lotus philosophy".
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Still, succinctly and appropriately put.
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