Whose was it? Anyone here? I was over from London attending the Apply iTunes web store indie label briefing, and I went back to the rental car and saw a sparkling Daytona Blue 350Z nearby. The car was so new it still had a temporary license plate note on the windscreen - although they'd had it long enough to put a Warriors sticker in the back window! (I won't pretend to know what sport they even play - I'm English).

Looked sweet though. I'm getting my UK Silverstone Z in October, so any real life sightings are an exciting event. Thanks whoever you are!

Took pics with my phone-cam:

 

another one...

 

Nice pics, GR!

The sticker is from Marquette University. That's definitely a BASKETBALL school, but the sticker could just be on there because they go there or they just like the school.

Keep us informed of any other phone-cam sightings!

WayneTN

 

Do you own a Lotus Elise? One day I will have one, whenever they bring them on over here to the US (hope they choose a more powerful engine).

-Joe

 

Hey Girl racer...nice pics on your album.. I'm going to UK on business in August and will be shipping my Z over there, as I expect to be there for 1 year.

Musician huh? What kind of music are you into?

 

Why? The whole point of an elise is that it's light and agile, OK it may 'only' have 156BHP (111S) but this is in a car that only weighs 780Kg, or in other words about half that of a 'normal' car. 0-60 in around 5 sec. is pretty good to me!

 

Thanks Paul - I was just gonna say the same thing. That is exactly the point behind Lotus's. Although I expect they *will* have a more powerful engine in the US, because you will need to have airbags, traction control, etc. etc. and that will make the car heavier, which in turn will need a more powerful engine to go as fast as they do now. Then it will become as expensive as a Porsche Boxster, so they will have to add electric toys so that they can compete in that market.... and then you've got one fat expensive Lotus!

Of course I hope this doesn't happen. I hope they launch it just as it is because it's perfect. It feels as fast as my TVR Tuscan did because it's so agile, and it feels 10 times more grippy. You hardly ever need to use the brakes, you just point and go This is truly the most fun car I have ever owned, and I've had some fun cars.

Armanid27 - you can hear my band at www.thesuddenmoves.com (click on audio/video to reach the mp3's). Short catchy pop songs, often about driving

Where abouts in the UK will you be moving to?

 

What's wrong with more power? I didn't say add more weight, I said add more power. There are many 4-cylinder engines that weigh in around the same as the rover they are using now, but produce more power. I love the twisties, but I also like straightline performance. More power would also help out in acceleration at higher speeds to combat the drag. The Elise needs more power, even many owners admit it. And I'm saying that more power is possible without adding more weight, and Lotus knows it, and that's why the US version will have more power!

-Joe

 

Yes, more power is certainly possible without added weight. But any US car needs airbags, and the market probably also demands central locking, electric windows, etc. ie: more weight.

Don't get me wrong - more power would be awesome! But I personally don't feel the car is underpowered. The specs don't look much on paper, but the car is incredibly small and lightweight, and handles like you're wearing it not driving it - all these things add up to one quick drive.

My last car was a TVR Tuscan (360bhp, 0-60 in 4.2 secs), so I know a thing or two about powerful cars, and I honestly don't feel the Elise is underpowered. But hey - what do I know? I only drive one...