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New Europa S
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:44 pm
by Mike D
JCT have a new Europa S, in Storm Titanium, which is hidden in the back car park waiting for the launch in a week or so.
Andy was kind enough to show me the car and I have to say that I think it looks good. Certainly a lot better than the original press photo's.
The interior has a lot more surfaces trimmed in leather than an Elise/Exige and there is a very limited choice of colour options for this. It also uses the Federal dash.
Some of the finish on the window seals was not clever for a £30K car and won't worry Audi - or anyone else for that matter!
To me the biggest disappointment was the size of the boot, which is very shallow and offers no significant gain over an Elise/Exige. So why bother with it?
I understand that JCT's showroom will feature Dave G's yellow Europa at the launch and they are hoping to borrow a F1 car from Classic Team Lotus as well. Doubt that will be available for a test drive!
Andy has said that if any NYLOC members call in he will let them have a sneak preview, but not to post this on public access forums as all the dealers are meant to be launching the car on the same day.
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:13 pm
by SimonE
I hope Dave will be in attendence to give prospective punters the Europa lecture
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:16 pm
by Mike D
They were having the camp beds delivered whilst I was there........
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:20 am
by Baldy FF
I called in at JCT yesterday and looked at this Europa as it was parked out front.
It did look a lot better in the flesh but i don't think it will tempt me out of my Exige.
I can see a market for it though..........afterall it is a Lotus, and it will be fun, and it is not an Audi, BMW, or any other make that all look alike!!
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:33 am
by PaulT
Just been out for a passenger run with Steve
Torquey motor, you can see why the VXT guys do so well on the straights.
Fit & finish is good, ok it's not Merc or Audi but it's good.
And given that it's going to be limited to 200 / year I should imagine that it will sell, probably mainly on exclusivity.
Overall - you'll think it looks a lot better in the flesh, but you won't want to swap your Elise or Exige for it (and nor would Lotus expect you to).
(still @ JCT having tyres fitted)
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:35 am
by Pesky
PaulT wrote:
Overall - you'll think it looks a lot better in the flesh, but you won't want to swap your Elise or Exige for it (and nor would Lotus expect you to).
Agreed
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:04 pm
by delete
PaulT wrote:(still @ JCT having tyres fitted)
So can they see your laptop screen???
JCT ARE PANTS!
JCT ARE PANTS!
JCT ARE PANTS!
JCT ARE PANTS!
JCT ARE PANTS!
JCT ARE PANTS!
JCT ARE PANTS!
Sorry, must stop being so childish
Rich
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:21 pm
by PaulT
Too late
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:02 pm
by danmarsden
ooooh storm titanium, now thats possibly the best colour to have it in!
Does anyone know when the actual launch night is? I know the weekend festival thing is the weekend of the 16, 17th Sept? Im presuming they will be launching it at the same time?
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:32 pm
by mhaney
I'm calling in shortly so I'll ask
No doubt I'll get told to donald duck misen and get a kick in the nuts?
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:18 pm
by Rich E
mhaney wrote:No doubt I'll get told to donald duck misen and get a kick in the nuts?
Now that's customer service
Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:40 am
by mhaney
called in yesterday for my spuds mashin
Steve was fine. Gave me a sneak preview and apart from that ghastly ass it's cool. Just needs a glasfibre man to fill in those stupid horizontal slashes on each side of the rear bumper. Not had a proper look inside yet.
Also looks like it rides a tad high - could do with a 10mm drop
As Mike says the window/rear quarter seals are a bit heath Robinson to be fair. A bit big in places - like an admission that the tolerances need a big seal to fill the gaps - I think it spoils the rest of the quality.
That Sat Nav looks Sh!te and the TT on my phone looks like it would kick it's ass.
Defo booking a test drive as I do need a Mister 2 replacement after Chrimbo - £34k though
Might have to wait longer to see how the prices hold up...or not!
Gertie wasn't impressed when I brought the brochure home
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:55 pm
by SimonE
It's not worthy to carry the Europa name - saw it at JCT Friday - can't see who's going to buy it
- there are much better cars out there for far less money - IMHO of course
- sad Lotus but reckon you've produced a turkey
- must do better...
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:37 am
by Matt R
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 2:27 pm
by DaveG
The best Europa in the showroom is there now (have left a script with Steve / Andy for the lecture. But I think it's in the telling)
Must admit the new Europa is definitly a 'refined' elise/vx
and not a different animal, but the motor is not a patch on the toyota lump,
turbo'ed or not,
and although it is supposed to have low down grunt, its a bit bland until the turbo cuts in.