Iconic Ride Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 OK, Frank, that's a good start. I read/viewed the entire Speedhunters article (some truly glorious shots of the beast) and every single comment that followed. The car has obviously developed an avid and rabid following (as if we weren't already aware of that) from the "online crowd." I have to admit that it puzzles me that Lotus have not found a way to integrate your efforts into their current publicity campaign. Have they ever approached you, even informally? And anybody that sports a wing that gnarly can't be all bad. Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramjet Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Well I'm going to throw my two bobs in as well. I don't think you can really equate youtube views to anything partway meaningful. You'll be getting people that can drive, a lot of teenagers that can't drive, people that could afford the car if it was a production car and people that wish they could. You will also get people who look at the video to see the 'fastest' Lotus just for the sheer hell of it with no interest in it at all. Same people that end up watching the worlds biggest ingrown hair. Seriously, I do not believe you can hold your hand on your heart and say you have built a marketable Lotus. A very quick one, yes, but one that will appeal to the masses (which is what a car company needs to do to survive), not really in my opinion. It's interesting and exciting and has all the drama of a racetrack in the middle of town, but is an Evora more usable and generally driver friendly? I don't know. I don't own one and I've never driven one. I'll wait to see what other people say. I don't need the fastest Lotus, so what you have done has little interest to me, but kudos to you for your effort and ingenuity. You also say your kit produces way more horsepower that the Lotus one. Ok great. At what reliability over time? What sort of service intervals to retain the longest use of the car before major work? Maybe, just maybe, that's why Lotus' kit is less powerful? I also don't understand why you keep saying there is no Lotus logo on it. It is a Lotus. Where is the badge that used to be on it when it was original? Bit of double sided tape - all fixed. 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 April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 As an aside, with regards to the results you've posted up from Google searches, they are of no relevance to anything I'm afraid. I'm quite the SEO and search whizz nowadays. More importantly is what people search for, not what they find. There's a decent chance you're one of very few people in the world who have ever searched for 'Frank Profera Lotus' or 'Ronin Lotus' and if you've not used " then the result reflects the words found separably, hence the lack of meaning of the results. If you use the Google adwords planning tools then 'Frank Profera Lotus' doesn't show up, 'Ronin Exige Lotus' was searched 91 times in the last month and 'Ronin Lotus' 210 times. These are worldwide results. How many of those were you Frank? Worse still, 'swizz beats lotus' was searched 260 times and as a comparison 'Lotus Cars' was searched 74,000 times. While I'm sure you think I'm coming across as negative, these are the facts. I'm full of admiration for your dedication to your car and as I said above, you come across as a really nice guy in the video but I personally don't think Lotus could/should or would use anything you've done for their marketing. The reasons for this are: Your car is no longer available, why market an out of production vehicle? You've had hiccups (which are to be expected), how would this work with warranties if they were to market your car as a product? If they weren't to market your car as a product, but as a 'look what you could do', doesn't this make them look like they've underdeveloped the car themselves? What's the point in a company selling new cars showing what can be done to old ones? Your car is very, very focussed, how does this appeal to the global audience? Personally, you've been banned from almost every Lotus forum in the world as you can be very aggressive to people who don't like your way of thinking, not really a brand ambassador and not something any company would care to align to. If Lotus want to show off their prowess in engineering, the 700 engineers who work there can do that themselves. Their consultancy pipeline has grown from £40m to £200m in the last 3 months, a fivefold increase, that's a fifth of a billion pounds worth of 3rd party work signed off, they're doing ok! Your youtube success shows that there's a huge interest around the world in car modification and performance upgrades. This is well known and a large proportion of the traffic can be attributed to Jalopnik, same as the batman movie I posted and from the youtube stats there aren't even any search results, no significant numbers found the video from searching. As mentioned, your car is no doubt a real monster, there's no doubt your passion for the car is as massive as it is impressive but why you think Lotus should be banging at your door is beyond me, sorry. 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...
Nelly Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 I search for music on you tube, but it doesn't mean I am going to buy the CD. Likewise people who search for this kind of stuff generally have no intention of buying what they are looking for, in most cases people can't afford them. Lotus cars are not cheap, if they were I am pretty sure there would be a lot more around. I think Lotus have been crticicsed for being too niche as it is, never mind the extremely limited market for your (great) car. As a feature in the next Lotus mag, but nothing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBD Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Might add one more point. Why would/should Lotus market a car that would never pass the stringent vehicle tests in Europe or Asia? I find the car exciting, but if thats your choice buy the T125 and put headlights on it. Quote If you have the choice between a Stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell don't forget the Nomex®! Captain, Lotus Airways. We fly lower! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerch Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Whilst sometimes and with a bit of effort I can be a little more diplomatic than Frank, the question begs a response. Of the 5 cars unveiled in Paris 2 &1/2 years ago, photographed in various exotic locations around the world, with various celebrities (Alec Baldwin, etc) which one has actually generated revenue for group Lotus. At a time when the North American Indycar project is short on engines, short on power and short on reliability there are bound to be questions. "They started late" is not an answer, since it is reasonable to expect that Lotus were aware of that. "They're doing OK" seems optimistic when Bahar himself admits to financial constraints, I find it quite reasonable to reflect on some of "less obvious" marketing/branding expenditures. Quote Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it, depends on what you put into it. (Tom Leahrer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iconic Ride Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Which gets straight to the heart of the matter. It's always a challenge to advertise a car that has not yet been built. Yet this is the conundrum that Lotus finds itself in, as it phases out the current models (Evora and updated Exige excepted), but is unable to place newer models in the forecourt. Creating advance interest in "ghost cars" is a black art (apologies to Swizz), and the public's patience is not unlimited. There are too many other competitor offerings already in the "reality phase" generating distractions. Slipping release dates are not helping matters either. I can appreciate (I think) the difficulties of bringing to market a brand new "from scratch" vehicle, but Lotus needs to get a move on before the concept cars they have unveiled become "stale." Or else put the "mules" on the floor to keep the vibe going. Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronin Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 (edited) I said I didn't even try to find search results I just posted the numbers from the top left on the Google page, Bibs much like someone tryin to sell something you search for the answers you want to see and you will find them and then you have your sales tool for those wanting to purchase something due to those results.... It's much like piss poor science/engineering.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUmX_OPfr7g Now for his last comment the fact is he depressed the brake and gas at the same time 6:10 and he wasn't in third gear as he says at the end of the video...slow-mo replay is your friend and knowing the road helps also.. As with most driver/racer's it's never driver error but it's mechanical Read his lips, watch his face and listen to a man caught on candid camera.... again Quote Larry Chen : Naturally, we stopped to check it out. At this point we pretty much forgot about the Evora. And that was the reaction before they got out of their cars... There have been zero engine issues with any of the kits I designed.... TBD my car is something that the target market could easily afford not the BS of the T125.. You market a car that people could afford and drive not some dream racer for the insanely rich... And no Lotus have never contacted me other than asking me to take down a video I posted of the white Mansory Evora used in the Swizzle video..... That's right "take down" a video showing the car in detail for car guys to see and hear....Yeah putting the car in a rap video that very few watched with a glimpse of a Lotus not for sale in its largest market... Lotus should ask guys like myself what they want from a next car purchase and if I don't know what I'm talking about I'm not a sports car driver/buyer... It would be cool to have Lotus send me an Evora and some R$D coin to play with and I can gurantee it would cost a fraction of the Mansory and smoke the Evora S and still pass smog... a Ronin Evora would be a cool idea... You are right Bibs I have been banned from a few forums.. Elise Talk: After pointing out the rear toe link issue [shit engineering] and it's related accidents on track and the road and exposing the BS of a potential advertiser Hass Turbo Kit. This was before I came up with my solution for better performance.. British Speed: Banned from joining not even posting. S eloc: Banned for telling guys to be aware of ripoff aftermarket suppliers... L4P: Banned for asking Hennessey to prove his claimed $1M non-Lotus is any good in the real world.... You can't expose advertisers or mention non advertizers on L4P. Teemspeed: Banned for putting Allanlambo in his place for putting down my Lotus.. Lotus you have my number give me a call... Edited April 2, 2012 by ronin Quote I think it's fast enough…maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 And no Lotus have never contacted me other than asking me to take down a video I posted of the white Mansory Evora used in the Swizzle video..... http://www.lotuscars...-exiges-you-own 5th car down? 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...
ronin Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Again Lotus have never contacted me about my car..... I contacted them after seeing a post on Exiges.com Thanks for posting that link oh search wizzard I couldn't find it.. Quote I think it's fast enough…maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 This post? http://www.exiges.com/ubbz/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=15642&Number=164673#Post164673 I posted it! 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...
ronin Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 That's it oh marketing wiz... Without it no one would know about the potental performance locked away in the little plastic shoebox.. Quote I think it's fast enough…maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Edwards Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 This is without tryin.. Google search worlds fastest lotus ?= About 27,600,000 results Google ronin exige Lotus = About 4,330,000 results Google ronin Lotus = About 4,000,000 results Google Frank Profera Lotus = About 1,210,000 results To put this into perspective so far 438,797,897 have viewed "Charlie bit my finger" so all lotus parties are playing catch up Quote Twitter @radioRedwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronin Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Uhh no one is searchin for a finger bitin Lotus named Chuck Quote I think it's fast enough…maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 By all accounts, a Porker tried to mate with the pig... 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 April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 On a track somewhere? They are slicks on the car aren't they? 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 April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 It's a Kuhmo tyre and they have a couple of grooves, they're legal in the states apparently! 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 April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 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...
Black Sport 160 Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Bugger Hope the car gets put right soon, Ronin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerch Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 I feel for you Frank. Quote Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it, depends on what you put into it. (Tom Leahrer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molemot Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Oh shit......I know the feeling. Got shunted by a French White Van Man whilst stationary in a traffic jam on the Peripherique in Paris. New panels and professional paint and the panels don't fit and the paint doesn't match......one day I shall do it properly, myself. Hope it all gets sorted quickly Frank!! Quote Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been." - Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 I've just googled the 11-99 Foundation - Is that like the 'black rat' traffic cops allegedly have on their cars over here, to show their a 'good egg' in the face of potential adversity? 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...
Bibs Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 On a track somewhere? They are slicks on the car aren't they? http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+V710 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 April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 How on Gods green earth can those be street legal? Anywhere. 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 April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 Nuts isn't it! In the USA, if there's a groove or two it appears they're ok! 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...
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