ramjet Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Can't see the wood for the trees hey? Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. For forum issues, please contact one of us Moderators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Been drinking again more like Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramjet Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Maybe they just make it more obvious down here for us heathens. Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. For forum issues, please contact one of us Moderators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardvg Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Dear DRB... Make this please: COULDNT AGREE MORE ....THIS IS THEIR SAVIOUR ! Quote Technically sound ...Theoretically poked ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_marra Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 They already do make that.....it's called the Evora! DB did enough damage with that as it is............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeller77 Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Is this anouncement a sign of life? http://www.lotuscars...rich-motor-show Interested, but it's going to be a real yawner to me if they trot out more cars that won't be available to the US market.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NedaSay Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 So it's up to the dealers to get all the heavy lifting now!? I mean having the dealers to believe in the company is all good. But I really hope Lotus will make it to Geneva and with some form of announcement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chandrew Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 I wouldn't bother making a trip to the Zurich show. It's a local show which the dealers put on (so no where near a full show). These things are quite popular here, partly because 2 distributors probably control most of the market so it's not that hard to make happen. I got an email about the show a couple of days ago. If I was thinking of coming over it would be for the passes not the show. Got probably a 'last drive' of the year today - Susten, Grimsel, Furka. Almost completely empty roads (gave a huge thumbs up to somone in an original yellow 70s Europa on the Susten and saw a few other Porsches and Ferraris). The autumn colours at the bottom are wonderful and there is about 30 cm of snow at the side of the road near the tops. Last year they were closed in September but we've had a warm week (20+ degrees in the valleys). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim clark Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Found a link on the Lotus website to a shoe company, a flower and something called Lotus notes ,perhaps I was looking at the wrong website, but there again has the same relevance to the link to the F1 team based in Enstone ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest surferphil Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stirling_Villeneuve Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 So it's up to the dealers to get all the heavy lifting now!? I mean having the dealers to believe in the company is all good. But I really hope Lotus will make it to Geneva and with some form of announcement! I'm just pleased to see them doing something, even if they just dust off the company credit card, book a couple of flights on Easy Jet to Geneva and stand outside the show giving Exige S brochures... BUT I hope it's more than that! Quote Currently having an illicit affair with another marque, be back in the fold one day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim clark Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Sorry surferphil, but without a F1 team and nothing happening at Hethal life is getting a bit boring ! Still at least Master Vettell might stop that red car winning the world championship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAndretti42 Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 My feeling is that the banks cut off the line of credit, Lotus has no cash, which is why it isn't paying its suppliers and DRB-Hicom is negotiating a way to finance the business. Until that negotiation is complete, even DRB-Hicom doesn't know what is going to happen to Lotus. It could be all systems go if the cash is there or shut the doors if not. Quote S4 Elan, Elan +2S, Federal-spec, World Championship Edition S2 Esprit #42, S1 Elise, Excel SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardvg Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 The more one reads ,the more it sounds like DB was not doing such a bad job but rather the company (ies) cash ran out and they could not afford it !! So a fabrication and creation of situations led to this.I re-iterate ,DB was promised a lot more money to complete the projects which was not forthcoming !!................ Easiest (stupidly ) way to bat this one out is to get rid of the plan because we dont have the loot .......and the plan is what DB made it. So now we have gotten rid of the plan and dont have the loot to do anything and guess what .....we dont have anyone who can make a plan. Think it is high time the DRB boys had a luncheon with Mr Kimberley ....... Quote Technically sound ...Theoretically poked ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrylV8 Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 Actually, if you follow through to their Calendar of Events page it appears Lotus will be represented at several shows before year end - Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Luxumbourg and I think Dubai, albeit through their major dealers. At least the product is getting out there in front of the buying (hopefully) public. http://www.lotuscars...us-world/events I am determined to view this as positive news (to help keep me sane) And I am hopeful for more positive news week when the Exige S is pitted against the rest in Autocar's Annual Best Handling Car Day, including last years winner, the Cayman S. That should answer a few questions. Yes best bit of Lotus news this year, not sure if it should read only bit of good news from Lotus factory in past 6 months Just got to keep believing and keep the (Lotus) faith and before anyone asks no i'm not going religious!!!! The more one reads ,the more it sounds like DB was not doing such a bad job but rather the company (ies) cash ran out and they could not afford it !! So a fabrication and creation of situations led to this.I re-iterate ,DB was promised a lot more money to complete the projects which was not forthcoming !!................ Easiest (stupidly ) way to bat this one out is to get rid of the plan because we dont have the loot .......and the plan is what DB made it. So now we have gotten rid of the plan and dont have the loot to do anything and guess what .....we dont have anyone who can make a plan. Think it is high time the DRB boys had a luncheon with Mr Kimberley ....... Think Mike's grandchildren will have something to say to that one; "NO" in one word Quote Darryl & Sue Proud to drive and own since new a true British supercar the Evora GT430 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnapan Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 Who likes if DRB makes this previous Esprit concept? It looks completely bland and irrelevant. Why bother reverting to a rejected bland old design when they were half way though developing a much better looking alternative? One thing that will definitely not save Lotus is shuffling through the bin looking for out-of-date designs to waste money developing. It's bad enough bringing development temporarily to a halt. New designs have a shelf life too, and if delayed by too long will need revision - not just the way it looks but the underlying technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stirling_Villeneuve Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 (edited) I don't think they need to revamp the old design, by the sound of it the new Esprit project was well advanced, if that's the case it's a question of whether or not DRB have the funding, or the desire to go ahead with it. For now, as much as I"d love to see plans for a grew Esprit announced, it would just be relief to see the new Exige leave the factory and perhaps some sort of strategy in place to remarket the Evora. Edited October 20, 2012 by Stirling_Villeneuve Quote Currently having an illicit affair with another marque, be back in the fold one day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 (edited) Why bother reverting to a rejected bland old design when they were half way though developing a much better looking alternative? It has some Evora parts and the development cost less? Personally like this car more than new Elan but i am the one This was from spanish autoblog (years ago) Edited October 20, 2012 by Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest surferphil Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 It's not a practical mode of transport so if it looks crap it wont sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanR Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 (edited) The more one reads ,the more it sounds like DB was not doing such a bad job but rather the company (ies) cash ran out and they could not afford it !! So a fabrication and creation of situations led to this.I re-iterate ,DB was promised a lot more money to complete the projects which was not forthcoming !!................ Easiest (stupidly ) way to bat this one out is to get rid of the plan because we dont have the loot .......and the plan is what DB made it. o now we have gotten rid of the plan and dont have the loot to do anything and guess what .....we dont have anyone who can make a plan. Think it is high time the DRB boys had a luncheon with Mr Kimberley ....... With regard to my earlier post I'm still puzzled where DB spent over 200 million quid! If it was wasted then I'm not as favorably disposed to him as I was. Edited October 21, 2012 by DanR Quote DanR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardvg Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 In terms of developement and re structuring ,you will be surprised to see that it does not go too far........in a 20 month cycle ,a loss of 10 million a month and boom ! thats it ...........Bearing in mind that there was a turnaround strategy that would reap within 18 more months (from May this year) Picture this ; you have a business plan and the monies will be released at certain intervals> All of a sudden the finance house is sold and will not forward the planned funds according to your program .........what now ???? Everyone is quick to blame DB for spending money on his rented home ......this was part of his deal and besides it is tuppance in the bigger scheme of things .The helicopters to F1 etc ,still minor in the bigger scheme and furthermore play an important role in the grander scheme .....YES ,let us not think small because 5 months ago ,the plan was big ! DB knew how to play the game in terms of projecting the grandeur ....after all this is not a fuel efficient Nissan we are creating but a sports car to beat the big ones ! In closing ,if you moan about DB and the pennies he spent ,question his ability to achieve and attempt to discount his past success , you are two steps away from the dismal process playing out at Hethel............ This bunch of "clever" men over there now have no vision ,are afraid to walk and are just the YESMEN from DRB-Hicom >>>> Never did i see such a limp dick in a knockshop ! Quote Technically sound ...Theoretically poked ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus82 Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 (edited) It has some Evora parts and the development cost less? Personally like this car more than new Elan but i am the one This was from spanish autoblog (years ago) Could they use the overall design from the Elan or Esprit concepts fitted to this revised Evora chassis and with a bought in V6 Turbo or V8? It might not produce the car the Bahar Esprit would have been but if it sells and could save the company it would be worthwhile doing. It also might help a revised Evora with the GTE styling and a new interior make more money through economies of scale. The MJK plan was to do something like this and then introduce a larger supercar (perhaps like the Etna concept of the early 80's) later. Edited October 21, 2012 by Gus82 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 In terms of developement and re structuring ,you will be surprised to see that it does not go too far........in a 20 month cycle ,a loss of 10 million a month and boom ! thats it ........... Bearing in mind that there was a turnaround strategy that would reap within 18 more months (from May this year) Picture this ; you have a business plan and the monies will be released at certain intervals> All of a sudden the finance house is sold and will not forward the planned funds according to your program .........what now ???? Everyone is quick to blame DB for spending money on his rented home ......this was part of his deal and besides it is tuppance in the bigger scheme of things .The helicopters to F1 etc ,still minor in the bigger scheme and furthermore play an important role in the grander scheme .....YES ,let us not think small because 5 months ago ,the plan was big ! DB knew how to play the game in terms of projecting the grandeur ....after all this is not a fuel efficient Nissan we are creating but a sports car to beat the big ones ! In closing ,if you moan about DB and the pennies he spent ,question his ability to achieve and attempt to discount his past success , you are two steps away from the dismal process playing out at Hethel............ This bunch of "clever" men over there now have no vision ,are afraid to walk and are just the YESMEN from DRB-Hicom >>>> Never did i see such a limp dick in a knockshop ! If Lotus under Bahar really blew £200 million without delivering anything (OK a new Exige that is not quite ready for market) then it is no surprise that new owners are at full halt on everything. If new Esprit is half complete, will that make it cost £400 million? That would be silly numbers for a mainstream car. Even if it outsold Ferrari, the Esprit would not pay that back. Good money after bad must be the worry. IMHO it is silly not to pay suppliers / get new Exige going down the line ,and take the cheapest option to new era models, which is to reskin the Evora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stirling_Villeneuve Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 (edited) 'Silly' indeed.... unless DRB already have a deal in place to offload the company in January, in which case there's zero incentive to pay suppliers and produce cars. I agree though, the Evora's an amazing car and a great platform for future development, likewise the Exige is staggering but for whatever reason they're not being produced and orders must be dwindling away... What a waste... let's hope Geneva brings some news....ANY news! Edited October 21, 2012 by Stirling_Villeneuve Quote Currently having an illicit affair with another marque, be back in the fold one day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardvg Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 It is all relative ....the money spent . In 2005 Ferrari netted about 240 million dollars ........1600 cars ! So in running developement costs of 400 million pounds over 4 years a long term result would be good . Quote Technically sound ...Theoretically poked ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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