From the lotus site:


Don't get me wrong - I love the concept. I love the car. I hope they sell a billion of them. I just wish they had stayed with their target price around 30K - that's what they originally were looking at. I also hope they don't make it too heavy. They have already added AC standard - my guess is they will add other options that will make it heavier too "for the US market" Not all of us want navigation systems and 32 cupholders in our sportscars. Too bad.

here's the european specs: ========================
of Lotus Elise 111s (European version) - U.S.A. version will be slightly different.

Engine Transverse mid engine
4 cylinders in line, 1796cc
Double overhead camshaft; 16 valves
All aluminum lightweight construction

Maximum output: 156bhp@7,500r/min

Maximum torque: 129lb.ft between 3,500 - 4,650r/min

Performance: Maximum speed 132mph
0 - 60 mph 5.1 seconds
0 - 100 mph 14.0 seconds

Fuel Consumption: Urban Cold 30.0 mpg
Extra Urban 51.8 mpg
Combined 40.9 mpg

Transmission: Close ratio 5-speed transaxle driving rear wheels

Dimensions: Wheel base 2301mm
Front track 1457mm
Rear track 1503mm
Overall length 3785mm
Overall width 1719mm (excluding door mirrors)
Overall height 1143mm

Weight: Dry weight 757Kg* [1665 lbs]
Unladen weight 806* [1773 lbs] (including full tank of fuel)
Weight distribution 39% front - 61% rear
============================================
I'll bet you money they will end up coming in over 2,000 lbs - that will negate the increase in power. Again - too bad.

As Colin Chapman said - "If you want to go fast in a sports car, add lightness"

Porsche made their reputation selling great handling, fast, light cars. (1973 S was 2200 lbs, 1970 ST was under 2,000) Now they sell high powered bloated sportscars (last turbo was over 3500 lbs!) Hope the Lotus stays true to their origins.

Then I might buy one used and strip it, tweak the engine a little (anybody know what sort of HP you could extract from the Toyota 4 banger with some mods?) then have a wonderful little track car.