The Europa should be considered as an S3
It really is a step in the same direction. S1 owners will say a step too far.
It appears to be impossible to oversteer the car and so makes it very road safe and FWD driver friendly.
It has termainal understeer on track and as Andy said it's not any fun for the experience RWD driver, but it covers road miles at a similar rate to any other Lotus in comfort and cool, the music box can be heard at all speeds and the central locking and electric windows make it so easy to jump in and out of just like an ordinary car. Extremely usable in fact and there a few storming deals available at the moment. Once it's secret is out these cars will prove to be the best road car Lotus has made since the Elan Turbo as it's so very similar to it in many ways.
It's certainly not designed as a track car which is probaly why Lotus did the 2-11
Hubba Hubba
Like the Europa in white 
I still think Lotus should do Europa R - stiffer suspension, A048s, and more power. It could be fantastic - all the comfort and usability of the Europa on road and a good track car too. I guess they would be worried it would simply drain sales away from the Exige rather than attracting buyers new to Lotus which is what they really need long term.
Mark
I still think Lotus should do Europa R - stiffer suspension, A048s, and more power. It could be fantastic - all the comfort and usability of the Europa on road and a good track car too. I guess they would be worried it would simply drain sales away from the Exige rather than attracting buyers new to Lotus which is what they really need long term.
Mark
Great summary Lawrence - as ever. Sorry to hear it dulled the FF experience trackwise...but getting from one to another must have been perfection 
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy
For Lotus to appeal to a new customer base they would need to completely change their designs, how many average joes want to climb in and out of their plastic cars?
It needs to look less like a plastic car aswell. Performance through light weight design which is the Lotus way is difficult to sell in the market place.
Look at the way the main players address the problem, stonking power don't worry too much about the weight. And luxury, even comfy seats!!!!!!
Lotus can't appeal to anything other than a very narrow niche market unless they completely give up on what they do best. If that were to happen they would then give up on manufacturing little plastic cars which don't make enough money and head down the TVR route, oh dear.
The competition in the high performance main stream market is too stiff and there is no room for another M3/RS4, etc.
It needs to look less like a plastic car aswell. Performance through light weight design which is the Lotus way is difficult to sell in the market place.
Look at the way the main players address the problem, stonking power don't worry too much about the weight. And luxury, even comfy seats!!!!!!
Lotus can't appeal to anything other than a very narrow niche market unless they completely give up on what they do best. If that were to happen they would then give up on manufacturing little plastic cars which don't make enough money and head down the TVR route, oh dear.
The competition in the high performance main stream market is too stiff and there is no room for another M3/RS4, etc.
if evolution don't take care of it, redesign it
It's true that if all you want is a nice quick car to drive from A to B in then you might well buy a German 2 seater sports car and get the same performance, comfort, etc., but if you actually want a Lotus and you already have a track car or two, then the Europa is surely a great idea!
I'll bet Andy would have traded the RLC for the Europa on a number of occasions on FF ...
If you can only afford one Lotus then you need an S2 135R
Cheers,
Robin
I'll bet Andy would have traded the RLC for the Europa on a number of occasions on FF ...
If you can only afford one Lotus then you need an S2 135R
Cheers,
Robin
I is in your loomz nibblin ur wirez
#bemoretut
#bemoretut
The way my Elise is riding/handling just now *, a shiny comfy Europa is most tempting!!! Would have to sell one of the kids to raise the funds though...second thoughts, doubt they'd fetch enoughrobin wrote:It's true that if all you want is a nice quick car to drive from A to B in then you might well buy a German 2 seater sports car and get the same performance, comfort, etc., but if you actually want a Lotus and you already have a track car or two, then the Europa is surely a great idea!
I'll bet Andy would have traded the RLC for the Europa on a number of occasions on FF ...
If you can only afford one Lotus then you need an S2 135R
Cheers,
Robin
Campbell
* - sadly Steve Butts says Lotus claim end Sept before they can ship the dampers he's got on backorder for my new kit
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy
Nah, if you can only afford one Lotus you want a 255 Cup Exige, fully tricked out with Accusump, upgraded brakes, and, dare I say it, the extra sound deadening etc from the touring pack - can't think of any car I would rather have this side of a 997 GT3. But, er, I can't afford itrobin wrote:It's true that if all you want is a nice quick car to drive from A to B in then you might well buy a German 2 seater sports car and get the same performance, comfort, etc., but if you actually want a Lotus and you already have a track car or two, then the Europa is surely a great idea!
I'll bet Andy would have traded the RLC for the Europa on a number of occasions on FF ...
If you can only afford one Lotus then you need an S2 135R
Cheers,
Robin
N/A Exige is a pretty damn good substitute though Mark
