New Europa Trashed.....

[lince]

I would love to have one, and i uess there might be already some projects with more power. I love it first becouse it

Edited September 14, 2006 by lince

[minhloc]

autoexpress article

outlines that the new Europa is targetted

at people who want more comfort, usability, and perhaps exclusivity.

(compared to Elise)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/motoring...s_europa_s.html

Edited September 14, 2006 by minhloc

[Dasar7]

And surely an increase in model line up is good for the LOTUS brand in general, and further exposure/interest shown on the world stage ................. especially leading up to the NEW ESPRIT!!!!!

[M Blur]

Does it also carry a wider track and longer wheelbase than the Elise/Exige - if yes then a chance for a less fidgety ride at high speeds and more composure - everyone knows the small Loti are great gi-karts till you get into very fast speeds and can then be a bit skittish in damp/wet conditions... still great handling but very sensitive to inputs. A widr track plus that cracking chassis - greta match up!!

I think this car is a winnner - dare I say a bigger engine option and they could have saved major money on developing an Esprit.. The 2 litre turbo has the potential for more power - 250-300bhp would not be unobtainable - perhaps an S or R version. It coudl then go after the Cayman.. that would be a good contest.

[Simon350S]

Jon

It is built on exactly the same chassis as the elise/exige with only 1 difference, that being the sill height on the side box sections. Basically cut out to aid entrance/exit. All Elise/exige/europa suspension hardware is potentially swappable as all the pick up points are the same, obviously different rates for different models/preferences.

You'll see when you go to the factory and take a look around. All the cars follow the same production line, which is short, for all the mechanical bits. The guys just pick the corresponding bits up depending on the spec of the car and bolt them on.

Noticed Lotus have nicked someone elses front hubs for the elise/exige/europa cars, off a front wheel drive car and are therefore splined to take a drive shaft!!! Think of a trick way of detting drive up front (chain/belt, etc, as theres not room for a drive shaft) and you've got a cheap 4wd contender!!!

How cool!!

Simon

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

In fairness to the reviewer he was comparing it to the titty and the cayman...

[M Blur]

Thanks Simon - waiting for the larger Esprit then is good enough reason to wait.. but I think for the money this should be a winner.. if it does then Lotus can start to segment by upping spec levels - take the car up to 40K then a little more and then the jump to the Esprit will seem less a gap.. pretty much as they have done with the Elise-Exige range.. the cars are so competent that paying for practicality seems more than worth it. Plus I prefer that turbo GM unit to the Toyota stuff, it's bloody effective and quicker and more flexible on the road in the VX karts.

Edited September 15, 2006 by M Blur

[esprit350]

more doubts about the europa here, more the market slot than the car I perceive...

http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.asp...cumentid=919981

[esprithk]

note from the review

Lotus is already seeing comparisons to the Cayman and BMW M Coupe

[esprit350]

been to Chris Neils today for a drive in the new Europa, I like it a nice car, definatly a Lotus softer than an Elise , from the limited time I had I enjoyed it very much> it would be much easyier to live with as a daily drive than an Elise or Exige, biggest down side for me was the cabin space, bit cramped with two guys in there, I reached for the gear stick at one point and ended up with my hand over the passenger footwell.

Renu went for drive in an Elise 111R and the Europa, so when the house move is over and settled the cheque book will probably be out, her decision is Europa for a daily drive or Elise/Exige for weekends or somthing else non Lotus.....

[bo90]

Unfortunately i have decided to withdraw my order and will collect my deposit which was placed back in march. Drove the car last week and realised immidiately that it's still made for Colin Chapman sized drivers.

i also have to question whether at

[M Blur]

20K isn't a viable price group for the smaller groups - hence we see fairly undeveloped front rear raodsters that haven't changed much in over 15 yrs.. it's building to a budget, not something I'd ever want Lotus to do.

On the other hand I can see what lotus are trying to do - a but more space, a bit more power and a bit more interior refinement and they'll hit the mark. I agree

[SwissV8]

Anyone know when the Europa will be released in the rest of Europe?

I saw it at the Geneva motorshow, and it was quite good looking.

Would be interested to take one out on a test ..... especially as I have a Boxster S and so am probably included in the target population for this car

[Lowtus]

I have to question whether at

[mayevora]

Had my first view and sit on Friday. It's deffinately growing on me. I want to see one coming head-on (not literally) out on the road at speed.

I was really pleased at how good the build quality seemed to be - really good attention to detail.

[esprithk]

Leaves me very worried about where they're going to price the new Esprit.

my other concern is "bad sales of Europa" will damage Lotus' finance.

and the Esprit is the next one in line.....if the project is delayed or cancelled due to poor sales of Europa.

I will certainly be very upset!

[DarrylV8]

Emma Parker Bowles a car reveiw reporter for The Sun newspaper talks of the Europa S as a new car and scores it very well and a must have car!

Possible we all need to treat the Europa S as another car in the line up and not just another derivative of the excellent Elise.

Hopefully a successfull future classic from Lotus.

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Now THAT'S the sort of market I've always been saying they're aiming at!!!

People who like something with a little more cache but don't want the hardcore of an Elise. They've HAD Boxsters and now need the latest badge / label / gadget / must have lifestyle accessory

Ahhhhh. (Penny dorps!) They're getting the rich guy's wives used to the idea of buying Lotus as a good, must have brand, so when it comes time to sell the Esprit, the hubbies will get the all clear from she who holds the purse strings!!

[jep]

Drove it at the weekend; i like the styling but the build quality - i just don't know if buyers will accept cheap plastic, visible screws, ill fitting carpet and cheap leather in an over 30K GT car. It reminds me of the 1970's Elite/Eclat days, Lotus looking to go upmarket but not able to build the cars to that markets requirement. The couple who always wanted an Elise/Exige is, I agree, the target market - but does the car shout 'buy me'? It has no WOW features, so i fear, most will go Nissan/Porsche/BMW/other coupe route. The drive was nothing special if you are used to Lotus - but it is not built for pre-existing Lotus owners. It is far more involving than other modern fare; lets hope that alone will rotate the juices of the almost executive couple into taking the Europa plunge.

[Mark Blanchard]

There's an encouraging article about the Europa in Evo magazine. Evo gives the Europa 4/5.

Plus: Drives like a proper Lotus: good handling, steering, ride.

Minus: Torque ubbs and flows due to GM engine (from Astra SRi), brakes fade under hard use.

[DarrylV8]

Metro Wednesday 4th October Reporter Kieran Meeke

A very good review by a reporter who was apphrensive due to the negative reports by other journo's. The paper quotes the Europa 0 - 60mph as being quicker than the Audi TT, BMW Z4M and Alfa Romeo Brera and cosiderably lighter by at least 340kg +

The final sentance "It's a final reminder that underneath it all, this is firstly and lastly a Lotus."

Yes it does mention the Exige however Kieran is quick to point out that Lotus did not need to build another Exige and it hasent!

I SUPPOSE PROVE OF THE CAR'S CREDENTIALS WILL BE THIS MONDAY 9TH OCTOBER JUDING BY HOW MANY V8 ESPRIT OWNERS ARE TAKING UP THE LOTUS OFFER OF A RIDE AROUND THE NORFOLK COUNTRYSIDE AND THE FEEDBACK THAT WE ESPRIT DRIVERS OF THE BEST GT CAR FROM THE UK PRE 2006 GIVE

[M Blur]

I think it makes a tempting proposition for both a daily driver and a weekender/tourer. I would probably still tweak interior for more comfort - a personal taste.

[Mark Blanchard]

Here's the article from the Metro: www.lotusespritturbo.com/Europa

Here's the Evo test drive of the Europa: Europa Test Drive

And another review: Telegraph Review

[DarrylV8]

Here's the article from the Metro: www.lotusespritturbo.com/Europa

Here's the Evo test drive of the Europa: Europa Test Drive

Thanks for that Mark, though i havent a clue how you did it (Clever sod) i'm gonna have to go on an IT training course!