Official Ethos Thread.

[Martin]

It will be hitting the presses everywhere this month. Soon there will be a big buzz (no pun intended) surrounding this car. I figured I would start this thread to get things going till we know more about it.
And your guess is as good as mine....Ethos....or maybe something else?

Either way folks, I can tell you that I have seen a picture of it. Yes, the real thing with no coverings and the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. I hope this car sells well even with the economy the way it is. It won't be easy but it would be that much more of a sweet victory.

[eurosport]

Facelesspeople.com

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2238138/Faceless-figures-cause-a-stir-at-Wimbledon,-Harrods-and-Elton-John's-ball.html

...and now for something completely different from Lotus marketing :wacko: or :icon18: you decide. :D

Eric

[Autocross7]

Well, they are sporting Lotus colors and logos arn't they?


Cameron

[Kylie]

Well if they wanted publicity its certainly worked. It reminds me of a scene out of Pink Floyd video clips. A bit odd.

[Martin]

I'm not 100% sure those are Lotus logos. It looks like the guy to their right has that same logo. Maybe it's a pass?

[WayneB]

Wonder which genius thought this one up?:huh:

My view is that If the car is terrific it will sell itself ,so why ponce about with all this faceless dummy look nonesense?:sleep1:

[Mark B.]

When I first saw it I thought how weird and stupid, but on reflection I think it's quite clever / controversial as it's got everyone talking. Lotus needs to make a big fuss about this new car in the UK, they don't have much money so it's a cheap way of getting Lotus some publicity. All the UK press are talking about it, including the Telegraph and Daily Mail. A more conventional marketing campaign wouldn't have made the press.

I just really hope this car is a winner and the press support Lotus. Lotus can't afford another Europa S episode.

[WayneB]

Lotus should just give the first one to Prince William (or Harry or both ) If they want to see publicity (relitively cheaply)!:lol:

Not sure I would like to be known as the faceless dummy that drives an Lotus Ethos:001_unsure:

[Mark B.]

Mike Kimberely has discussed this marketing campagn on LEF: http://www.lotusespritforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17799&st=30&start=30

[WayneB]

Thanks for the link Mark:)

I have read MJK's reply with interest and obviously the "advertising campaign" (for want of a better discription) is obviously not aimed at the likes of me! (older knowledgable Lotus enthusiast):crying:

But the younger, more trendy , hip, metrosexual kind of a person who has no idea who or what a Lotus car is and or has never herd of Colin Chapman etc., but wants to own a new buzz word kind of latest automobile:crying::crying:

It makes me realise that the new Lotus Ethos forum (when Andy Bibs forms it) will be populated by bunch of even bigger pillocks than the current Elise ones.:crying::crying::crying:

Im off now to have a soothing Bacardi and coke (or two):)

[Autocross7]

Well... I can see the idea. I can even see it tied into the car and the cars debut. However it is not the direction I would take exclusively to sure. After all it is way easy to take this in the wrong direction. Do you really want people to go "Oh.... I get it now" just because they see the car? I am not sure. I am sure that there needs to be some major trotting out of the heritage Lotus has for the "come back". Let's face it, the Elise and Exige are great cars... but people are still acting as if there is a "come back". I asked several folks around here in the car club circles why this is, to get past my own opinion, and the reply was almost always the fact that there has not been a "heritage" push yet. People are waiting for that connection to be made by Lotus loud and clear. This is not going to cut it for the long haul... especially with the future new Esprit.


Cameron

[eurosport]

Not sure I would like to be known as the faceless dummy that drives an Lotus Ethos:001_unsure:

I guess the presumption is that once you're driving an Ethos, you're no longer faceless but full of character. I only hope that when the characters are revealed along with the Ethos after the build-up, if it's not something on the order of Brad and Angelina it may be a let down...:huh:

[dpr59]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=559906&nmt=Lotus%20Eagle%20Pic%20&%20details!

From Autocar I believe

[Mark B.]

Here's another pictures of it. It's on LEF and SELOC too. Definate overtones of the M250. I'm undecided on the styling, not very fluid but maybe that was the idea:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/12-1.jpg

[talon]

I quite like it

[WayneB]

It looks like a fat girl in a tight dress:(

I agree with Mark, it is not very fluid and lithe (stubby). The crease along the top of the back fender is part of the culprit, a little higher so it could join up with the one from the front fender would help. That door handle sitting there is not good either (due to cost?) Maybe it will look better in other colours and other angles? (I hope so) I have a feeling red and yellow will be popular. I do like the front clip though and the air intake on the rear fender.

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/images/news/2008/03/Coke_Bottle.jpg

Having said all that, I think the Elise guys will love it (which is the whole point I guess)

[dpr59]

I really hope it's a success.

However, with the current financial climate and a recession looming it's not fallen well for the launch.
That together with the horrendous depreciation you see on the Europa S this model is going to have to make a real impact to tempt people to part with cash (or credit).

Fingers crossed.

[Autocross7]

I must say I like it. I wish this was not silver... I am in the minority I know, but I never cared for silver cars on the whole. This is a car that might look really good in one of the "off" colors like burgundy wine or pruna matalic...

As for the door handles, they do not bother me. I think a more Mondial or 1st gen Miata type handle would look better though. I also never cared for the more 'integrated" door handle look. I like little chrome handles or, in fact, i prefer the larger style handle on the early s cars... I know... minority opinion again.

However, I'll take one in Bugundy or BRG with tan leather interior!:thumbup:

Cameron

[WayneB]

Part of the dissapointment (for me) is the majority of the styling is based on a concept that is over 10 years old, hence the lack of "wow look at that!" factor.
Glad I dont work at Lotus design, it must be quite frustrating for the staff going over old mostly ground again with this car.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/12-1.jpg
http://members.fortunecity.com/freecarwallpapers/images/lotus_m250_01.jpg
http://img.infocoches.com/img/lancia/1973-Stratos/lancia_1973-Stratos-001_2.jpg
http://www.madle.org/ms05cfeno.jpg

[Autocross7]

I see it as good design come full circle. We have had the crap... and personally the cars from Japan that get praised for "future thinking" by all the car mags are horrible looking. I give you that it is my opinion... but if I had to toss out an example of a great new car that the Ethos might could be compared to is the CCX...

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t132/Autocross7/CCX.jpg

IMO, things that work are just being utilized again... I like the Stratos above... like to have that in my collection!

Cameron

[GregWO]

I like it, but I don't like it. I can see the styling of the M250 but also see the s.o.s. of the Elise/Exige. I hope it sells well. With the economy tanking, its going to be difficult. Good Luck Lotus!!! I like it enough to still buy one if I were in the market for a new spots car.

The Koenigsegg CCX...... Very good styling and performance.. my Ultimate Car!

[Kylie]

For what it is I quite like it. I cant wait to see the inside. I am so glad they finally did something with the M250 styling even if it is old now. Anyway well done Lotus and get busy with designing the new Esprit pls :yes:

[Mark B.]

Here are a few more pics. Odd that they've taken so much influence from the 9 year old Elise S2 design. You would have thought they would have been more radical and forward thinking, seeing as this design has to last a good 8 years. The interior looks good.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/157885308.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/1578853144.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/1578853349.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/1578853411.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/1578853651.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/1578853923.jpg

[Kylie]

Thanks for posting pics Mark. Looking at the rear, I got to say it does not do much for me. But all all other areas look real good. The interior I could certainly live with that, it looks sharp.

[WayneB]

So those are Autocars pics, is it a production version or still a styling version?

I am impressed with the interior (from what I can see) and hope the dash cluster has a more quality look than the Elises ultra cheapo looking Stack unit.

Looking again at the styling, its still not very radical or even all that exciting, but I suppose they are aiming it at the 911/Cayman market, and it is better looking than either of those cars IMO.

As Kylie said, the rear is the biggest let down styling wise, it just looks like the budget didnt stretch to some more sexy and dynamic looking lamp clusters so they just went with the old faithfull default round led units (shame). Mind you pininfarina always seems to get a nice looking more interesting rear using similar units!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NCTKUEHu-jQ/RzpSBMV25nI/AAAAAAAAB9E/3if0eX6ad4o/Ferrari+430+Modena+Scuderia.jpg

Also has anyone realised that the photo Lotus previously released of the car (draped in a cover) had a light signiture that implied that the car had driving lights set down low in the outer edges of the grille? (which this car clearly does not)

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/06/2010-Lotus-Eagle.jpg

[Mark B.]

Hi Wayne,
that's an Elise under there. They conned us!
And yes, the Autocar pictures are the final design. Here's a picture of the car in better light:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/mark_88_turbo/Lotus_Project_Eagle.jpg

[WayneB]

Lotus conned us?:ohmy::ohmy::ohmy:

Car looks better in that shot, I like the Guigiaro inspired waist line that now shows up.:) (reminds me of a 1969 Stingray)

What european car did they steal the door handle off?:huh:

http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1960/1969/69silver2.jpg

[Mark B.]

Mike Kimberely is on LEF at the moment discussing the car's design. He says view it in the skin, it's much better than the pictures suggest.

[WayneB]

I must admit it looks ALOT better in that last photo Mark, the body features are much more defined. (almost looks airbrushed or slightly out of focus in the first ones released.)

I bet Mike is as proud as any new father is showing off his latest offspring.:)