Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

The M100 (new Elan). Produced jointly by Lotus, GM, and Isuzu when the General owned them both.

It was a hand-made low production two seater. While it never really caught on, it was a pretty nice car. Very reliable and easy to maintain.

Had an initial issue with the CAS (Cam Angle Sensor), but these were corrected on production models and through recall. The only other real issue was that the top tended to leak, not a lot, but annoyingly so, drivers used to drape a towel across their lap because the leak was at the winshield header - known as Wet Thigh Syndrome.

It was a front mid-engine design, transverse DOC in-line turbocharged 1.6L 4 cyl. producing 162BHP and 148 ft.lbs. of torque, with a maximum boost of 9.7PSI or 0.65BAR.

With a Curb Weight of 2,422lbs., the Elan went from 0-60 in 6.2 sec. and a Top Speed of 137 MPH (220KPH).

Lotus produced 3,855 M100 Elans in total with only 539 being imported to the US (117 of these in California Spec). Later, Bugatti bought the rights to the design, after purchasing a Lotus Factory wharehouse and finding 1,200 Isuzu 1.6L Crate engines inside. They produced another 1,100 Gen II M100s, though none of these were imported to the US.

I actually looked for one instead of the Boxster, but it sold out from under me and so I went ahead with the Porsche. To me, they were same-same with the M100 having a slight edge because it handles much better than the Boxster, lighter, more nimble...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Yeah, what's next, a front drive Lotus or a Lamborghini SUV or a 4 door Maserati or...oh...

Auto manufacturers are continually trying out new markets. It's nothing new. Some see it as dilution, others see it as survival.

Originally Posted by porschegeorg

The picture looks strangely similar to my 914....I wonder if Porsche will set the price point at $3999.00? They may have to.

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

Actually there is a 4-door Maserati too. Or at least a protoype that I have seen made.

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

Here is a Porsche 4-door. Makes me sick. :barf:
http://www.dancewithshadows.com/auto/images/porsche-panamera.jpg

Originally Posted by Dr. Kill

I think it is a wonderful thing - a car like that would be very useful to me. I can only imagine my Box with more power and a backseat - :D. At the price point I am hearing Porsche is planning their 4-door at, I am imagining that it will be an amazing car indeed.

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

That's just wrong!!

A luxury sedan is a big risk I think for Porsche but it could in theory work if they make it very very expensive and give it "unmistakably Porsche" looks.
If it ends up looking like a Lexus with a Porsche crest on the hood it won't work.
Now if it looks truly exotic like a Quatroporte Maserati with a Porsche crest that will definitely make some more dough and maintain the brand image.

so no on the pick up and low cost anything...

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

How come no one ever looks at the links I post? Here is the picture that was in the link that I posted earlier. It looks like an elongated Viper to me. With an extra door. The shape is cool, but the whole concept should NEVER have been attempted to begin with. NO 4-DOOR PORSCHES!!!!! I think this is the death of the sports car. :barf:

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

How come no one ever looks at the links I post? Here is the picture that was in the link that I posted earlier. It looks like an elongated Viper to me. With an extra door. The shape is cool, but the whole concept should NEVER have been attempted to begin with. NO 4-DOOR PORSCHES!!!!! I think this is the death of the sports car. :barf:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...nameraAll1.jpg

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Yeah, what's next, a front drive Lotus or a Lamborghini SUV or a 4 door Maserati or...oh...

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

If I were a Porsche Company dude I would come up with a game plan to spin off a new car company with a New brand name and Crest design. Maybe call it Hockhenheim Motors, Rennsport Ltd., Schumacher & Co.,..whatever, get David Beckham to be the spokesman for some cheesy Euro Glam appeal. But It would be strictly to build very high end Sedans and GT's all starting at $150K.
The Luxury brand of Porsche if you will. You've got to strike while the whatever is hot!!

Originally Posted by Porschekid

That Lotus Elan was also made as a Kia in its later years... ouch.

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

Ouch? That's ignorant. The Kia Elan was produced by Kia from 1996 to 1997. It was a licensed copy of Lotus Type M100 Elan, which was built from 1989 to 1995.

After the final production run of the Lotus Elan in 1995, Kia began manufacturing their own version under license. The Kia version is identical to the original. The biggest difference is the 1.8 liter, 151 hp NA engine Kia used in place of Lotus 1.6 liter, DOC Turbocharged 162 hp Isuzu engine.

The Elan made by Kia was never imported here, but Lotus North America had one in Atlanta, which I drove. It is identical to the Lotus M100, except for the power delivery which due to the NA lower power engine, really gelded it. But, the manufacture, Fit & Finish and quality of components were all top knotch.

Lots of companies make cars under license from the original creator. Lotus spun the M100 off because they, and their current parent - Maylaysia's National Automobile Enterprise - Proton, wanted their production facility back to produce the Elise and fulfill a contract with GM to manufacture the Vauxhall VX220, VXR220, and Opel Speedster. This is not at all unusual.

BMW in fact, started in the Car business by producing a licensed version of the Austin 7. Kia is an excellent manufacturer with a very high customer satisfaction rating. The fact that they choose to build mid-end economy cars shouldn't be construed as a sign of inferiority...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99