Elise is going to be imported into the US

There's a rumor that Elise is going to come to the US!
Equiped with the 200hp engine found in the Integra Type-R. The 1700 pound car can accelerate 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds. If it does come, it will definately be popular.[Lotus, please keep the price low ;)]

http://64.21.5.141/img/members/elise1.jpg http://64.21.5.141/img/members/elise2.jpg http://64.21.5.141/img/members/elise3.jpg http://64.21.5.141/img/members/elise4.jpg


Yum yum :D

Yeah, but knowing this country, it will be modified heavily. Mostly in the way of bumpers, which would ruin the way that car looks. Don't get me wrong though, still nice piece of machinery to own.

if it does come to the US, anyone know how much it might cost?

Where did you hear this rumor?

Hasn't lotus already announced that they WILL be bringing the next Elise here? It seems like introducing this Elise might undercut their own sales. Hmmm.... Would be nice though. Then I could own one of each:rolleyes: :cry:

Im curious as to where you heard they were going to put a Typr-R engine in it. Which is of course a complete load of bollocks.
There's some nutter in the UK who did that to his own elise, but Lotus already have a 190hp version of the Rover K series engine in the Elise 190 Sport, that meets all the international emissions laws.

Ok guys, get me straight on this.

So, Elise is gonna be sold in the US for sure?
and it will have the engine it currently has?

I forgot where I got this info..... some website.. can't remember where :o

The Elise will be sold in the US, its doubtfull you will get the current model, but its very likly you will get the facelifted model, which has diffrent bumber hieghts, and revised suspension.
The Elise is actualy one of the safest cars to crash in, the bonded aluminum chassis is extremly strong, and will take a lot of punishment. The reason the US has not seen the elise before has more to do with Lotus finacial position, and a fear of getting burned by the US market.
The Eilse uses several versions of the Rover K series engine with the same G/box as the MGF and old MG Montego. There are at least 3 levels of tune, the standard ELise with around 130hp, the 140sport with 140hp and the 190sport with 190hp. However Lotus being Lotus im sure you could get the engine tuned to what ever power level you like by just asking and handing over the right amount of cash.

Thanks for the info "da Mod" :D

The story about the ITR engine was in AutoWeek. It was before Lotus was going to import it themselves, so some guy was going to convert them himself and re-sell them. The ITR powerplant was going to go in the back, with RWD.

Originally posted by Silver S2000
The ITR powerplant was going to go in the back, with RWD.

Funny that, since the Elise already has the engine in the back, and is RWD. :silly2: :silly2:

Da Mod pretty well explained things. That elise was also featured in SCC once too. Pretty good article.

the swap was featured in SCC.. and the car has been sold here inteh states since it was released.. just not as a street going vehicle. in a race only context.. however many are driven onthe road.. www.paulspruell.com they are where i get parts for my Alfa 164 and they have a few customers that drive theirs to work.. ok if you get taged by a cop.. you get a ticket.. for $45.. if you can afford a Lotus you can afford a ticket too.

So when will we finally see these little monsters on our American streets?:D

do you guys have any official articles on this?

I only know what I heard from the NZ Lotus inporter and some flowery non-spefic article in an old Lotus factory Magazine.
But the Elise was built to meet all the US regulations, and there were always intentions of selling it there.

here is the article i found


Lotus lovers, rejoice! Elise to be in U.S. showrooms by fall 2003 (http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=&content_code=07436823)

I've accepted over a dozen deposits at my dealer in the past 3 weeks. And the car might not get here for another 9-12 months. I wonder how many we can pre-sell.

I'm in ILL. could you get me a good deal on one?;)

You bet I can. I have a street version here for you to look at until Thursday. After that it will be in Wisconsin a the LOG (Lotus Owners Gathering).

How many can you sell? how will Lotus be able to keep up with the demand?