Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Lamborghini

2010-06-14T13:10:39Z

SUPERCARSOFMOSCOW:

{{List Of Lamborghini Models}}
'''Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.''', commonly known as '''Lamborghini''', is a manufacturer of high performance [[sports car]]s based in the small Italian village of Sant'Agata Bolognese, near Bologna. The company was founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini (April 28, 1916 - February 20, 1993) as a spin-off from his very successful tractor factory, ''Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A.''. Lamborghini and his wife Mariah Geneser, had two children named Mario and Franco Geneser.

In 1998, VW bought the company and it's now a subsidiary of Audi. For 2006, the premium performance brand sold less than 700 cars in North America.

[[Image:Lamborghini_Logo.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Caption|The official automobili Lamborghini logo]]

Ferruccio Lamborghini was an enthusiastic owner of sports [[automobile|car]]s, including a [[Ferrari]]. There are several versions of why Lamborghini started his own company, all of them involving a conflict between himself and Enzo Ferrari. The most common version, as told by Lamborghini's son, is that Ferruccio Lamborghini went to meet Enzo Ferrari at the Ferrari factory to complain about the quality of the clutch in Lamborghini's Ferrari 250 GT. Enzo Ferrari sent him away telling him to go and drive tractors because he was not able to drive cars. Lamborghini went back to his factory, had his Ferrari's clutch dismantled and realized that the clutch manufacturer was the same who supplied the clutches for his tractors. In his warehouse he found a spare part which he thought suitable, and when it was installed the problem was solved.

Featuring bodies designed by Franco Scaglione, Touring of Milan, Zagato, Mario Marazzi, Bertone, ItalDesign, Marcello Gandini and Luc Donckerwolke, Lamborghini's cars are not only amongst the most expensive and powerful road-going vehicles made, but are also considered by many to be amongst the most stunning and impressive in appearance. Contrary to a frequent misunderstanding, Ferruccio himself never was a bullfighting supporter but loved bulls and was a Taurus, which explains why most models have a name somehow related to bulls.

==Models==

Lamborghini's products include the [[Lamborghini 350GTV|350GTV]] (1963), [[Lamborghini 350GT|350GT]] (1964), [[Lamborghini 400GT|400GT]] (1965), [[Lamborghini Miura|Miura]] (1966), [[Lamborghini Flying Star II|Flying Star II]] (1966), [[Lamborghini Marzal|Marzal]] (1966), [[Lamborghini Espada|Espada]] (1968), [[Lamborghini Islero|Islero]] (1968), [[Lamborghini Jarama|Jarama]] (1970), [[Lamborghini Countach|Countach]] (1974), [[Lamborghini Bravo|Bravo]] (1974), [[Lamborghini Silhouette|Silhouette]] (1976), [[Lamborghini Jalpa|Jalpa]] (1982), [[Lamborghini LM002|LM002]] (1986), [[Lamborghini Diablo|Diablo]] (1990), [[Lamborghini Cala|Cala]] (1995), [[Lamborghini Murciélago|Murciélago]] (2001) and the [[Lamborghini Gallardo|Gallardo]] (2003). Although Lamborghini has continuously shown engineering expertise with the more civil models such as 350GT, 400GT, Espada, Jarama, Jalpa and Gallardo, it is the outrageous supercars that have established the Lamborghini name and look with the public. The Miura, the Countach, the Diablo, and the Murciélago continue to be the most desired sportscars of all of their peers.

The current (2006) range consists of the [[Lamborghini Murciélago LP640|Murciélago LP640]], the [[Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster|Murciélago Roadster]] and the smaller, less expensive Gallardo and Gallardo Spyder. All are very fast, mid-engined 2-seaters with all-wheel drive as standard. The hard-edged styling is largely the work of Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke. Future models may include a revived Miura supercar to rival the Ferrari Enzo. A [[Rear wheel drive|rear-wheel-drive]] version of the Gallardo and possibly an SUV in the spirit of the [[Lamborghini LM002]] might also appear. Future Lamborghini models will be penned by Walter de'Silva, who designed the 2006 [[Lamborghini Miura#2006 Miura concept|Miura concept]] car and who replaced Luc Donckerwolke as head of Centro Stile Lamborghini, Lamborghini's in-house design department.

===Model List===
{| class="wikitable"
!Vehicle
!Year
!Engine
!Displacement
|-
|[[Lamborghini 350GT|350GT]]||1964-1967||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3464 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini 400GT|400GT 2+2]]||1965-1968||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Miura|Miura]]||1966-1973||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Espada|Espada]]||1968-1978||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Islero|Islero]]||1968-1970||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Jarama|Jarama]]||1970-1978||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Urraco|Urraco]]||1970-1979||[[Lamborghini V8]]||2463 cc/2996 cc/1994 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Countach|Countach]]||1974-1989||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc/4754 cc/5167 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Silhouette|Silhouette]]||1976-1977||[[Lamborghini V8]]||2996 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Jalpa|Jalpa]]||1982-1989||[[Lamborghini V8]]||3485 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini LM002|LM002]]||1986-1992||[[Lamborghini V12]]||5167 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Diablo|Diablo]]||1990-2001||[[Lamborghini V12]]||5707 cc/5992 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Murciélago|Murciélago]]||2001-Present||[[Lamborghini V12]]||6192 cc/6496 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Gallardo|Gallardo]]||2003-Present||[[Lamborghini V10]]||4961 cc
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Lamboghini_traktor.jpg|Lamborghini tractor
Image:800px-Lambo.diabolo.green.arp.jpg|Lamborghini Diablo
Image:800px-Lamborghini_Gallardo_silver.jpg|2004 Lamborghini Gallardo
Image:Lamborghini_Police_Car.jpg|Lamborghini Gallardo operated by the Italian Motorway Police
Image:800px-Lamborghini_Murciélago_Roadster_2005.JPG|2004 Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster
Image:Museum.jpg|The facade of Lamborghini's Factory Museum.
Image:Cartier concours goodwood 06.jpg
Image:Lambo.jpg
</gallery>

==Ownership==
Lamborghini has had a number of owners, as shown in this simplified list:
* Ferruccio Lamborghini 1963–1972
* Georges-Henri Rossetti and René Leimer 1972–1977
* bankrupt 1977–1984
* Patrick Mimram (managed 1980–1984) 1984–1987
* [[Chrysler]] 1987–1994
* Megatech 1994–1995
* V'Power, Mycom (1995 - 1998)
* [[Volkswagen Group]] ([[Audi]]) since 1998

==Foreign operations==
''Automovil Lamborghini de Latin America'' was set up by Jorge Antonio Fernandez Garcia in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1994. It is officially licensed to produce two handbuilt variants of the Diablo called the Eros and the Coatl. They were first produced in 2001 and are available only in Latin America since 2003.

==See also==
*[[Ferrari]]
*[[Lamborghini Concept S|Concept S]]

{{Lamborghini}}

{{Lamborghini Timeline}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.lamborghini.com/ Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.]
* [http://www.lambocars.com/ LamboCars, the enthusiast site]
* [http://www.lamborghiniregistry.com/ The International Lamborghini Registry]
* [http://www.lp112.com/ LP112.com (Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo enthusiast site)]
* [http://www.lambo-power.com/ Lambo-Power (Lamborghini enthusiast forum)]
* [http://www.tuneauto.com/autolinks/Lamborghini-ADT456-384.html Lamborghini related web sites.]
* [http://www.lamborghini-talk.com/ Lamborghini-Talk (Lamborghini enthusiast forum)]
* [http://www.all-car-photos.com/Lamborghini/Lamborghini_photo_index.php Lambo photos]
* [http://www.talklambo.com/ Talk Lambo! (Lamborghini enthusiast forum & photo gallery)]
* [http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/10/lamborghini-bringing-personalization-to-naias/ Detroit 2008: Lamborghini bringing personalization with Ad Personam program]
* [http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080111.006/lamborghini-ad-personam-program-at-2008-naias Lamborghini Ad Personam Program at 2008 NAIAS]
* [http://www.supercarsofmoscow.ru/html/lambo.html Lamborghini Gallery spotted in Moscow] Lamborghini Gallery spotted in Moscow
* [http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/04/lamborghini-goes-podcasting.html Lamborghini Goes Podcasting]

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Lamborghini|*]]
[[Category:Ultra-luxury Cars]]
[[Category:Sports Cars]]

File:070816 10.jpg

2010-04-26T18:30:56Z

SUPERCARSOFMOSCOW:

Lamborghini

2010-04-26T17:54:12Z

SUPERCARSOFMOSCOW:

{{List Of Lamborghini Models}}
'''Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.''', commonly known as '''Lamborghini''', is a manufacturer of high performance [[sports car]]s based in the small Italian village of Sant'Agata Bolognese, near Bologna. The company was founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini (April 28, 1916 - February 20, 1993) as a spin-off from his very successful tractor factory, ''Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A.''. Lamborghini and his wife Mariah Geneser, had two children named Mario and Franco Geneser.

In 1998, VW bought the company and it's now a subsidiary of Audi. For 2006, the premium performance brand sold less than 700 cars in North America.

[[Image:Lamborghini_Logo.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Caption|The official automobili Lamborghini logo]]

Ferruccio Lamborghini was an enthusiastic owner of sports [[automobile|car]]s, including a [[Ferrari]]. There are several versions of why Lamborghini started his own company, all of them involving a conflict between himself and Enzo Ferrari. The most common version, as told by Lamborghini's son, is that Ferruccio Lamborghini went to meet Enzo Ferrari at the Ferrari factory to complain about the quality of the clutch in Lamborghini's Ferrari 250 GT. Enzo Ferrari sent him away telling him to go and drive tractors because he was not able to drive cars. Lamborghini went back to his factory, had his Ferrari's clutch dismantled and realized that the clutch manufacturer was the same who supplied the clutches for his tractors. In his warehouse he found a spare part which he thought suitable, and when it was installed the problem was solved.

Featuring bodies designed by Franco Scaglione, Touring of Milan, Zagato, Mario Marazzi, Bertone, ItalDesign, Marcello Gandini and Luc Donckerwolke, Lamborghini's cars are not only amongst the most expensive and powerful road-going vehicles made, but are also considered by many to be amongst the most stunning and impressive in appearance. Contrary to a frequent misunderstanding, Ferruccio himself never was a bullfighting supporter but loved bulls and was a Taurus, which explains why most models have a name somehow related to bulls.

==Models==

Lamborghini's products include the [[Lamborghini 350GTV|350GTV]] (1963), [[Lamborghini 350GT|350GT]] (1964), [[Lamborghini 400GT|400GT]] (1965), [[Lamborghini Miura|Miura]] (1966), [[Lamborghini Flying Star II|Flying Star II]] (1966), [[Lamborghini Marzal|Marzal]] (1966), [[Lamborghini Espada|Espada]] (1968), [[Lamborghini Islero|Islero]] (1968), [[Lamborghini Jarama|Jarama]] (1970), [[Lamborghini Countach|Countach]] (1974), [[Lamborghini Bravo|Bravo]] (1974), [[Lamborghini Silhouette|Silhouette]] (1976), [[Lamborghini Jalpa|Jalpa]] (1982), [[Lamborghini LM002|LM002]] (1986), [[Lamborghini Diablo|Diablo]] (1990), [[Lamborghini Cala|Cala]] (1995), [[Lamborghini Murciélago|Murciélago]] (2001) and the [[Lamborghini Gallardo|Gallardo]] (2003). Although Lamborghini has continuously shown engineering expertise with the more civil models such as 350GT, 400GT, Espada, Jarama, Jalpa and Gallardo, it is the outrageous supercars that have established the Lamborghini name and look with the public. The Miura, the Countach, the Diablo, and the Murciélago continue to be the most desired sportscars of all of their peers.

The current (2006) range consists of the [[Lamborghini Murciélago LP640|Murciélago LP640]], the [[Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster|Murciélago Roadster]] and the smaller, less expensive Gallardo and Gallardo Spyder. All are very fast, mid-engined 2-seaters with all-wheel drive as standard. The hard-edged styling is largely the work of Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke. Future models may include a revived Miura supercar to rival the Ferrari Enzo. A [[Rear wheel drive|rear-wheel-drive]] version of the Gallardo and possibly an SUV in the spirit of the [[Lamborghini LM002]] might also appear. Future Lamborghini models will be penned by Walter de'Silva, who designed the 2006 [[Lamborghini Miura#2006 Miura concept|Miura concept]] car and who replaced Luc Donckerwolke as head of Centro Stile Lamborghini, Lamborghini's in-house design department.

===Model List===
{| class="wikitable"
!Vehicle
!Year
!Engine
!Displacement
|-
|[[Lamborghini 350GT|350GT]]||1964-1967||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3464 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini 400GT|400GT 2+2]]||1965-1968||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Miura|Miura]]||1966-1973||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Espada|Espada]]||1968-1978||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Islero|Islero]]||1968-1970||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Jarama|Jarama]]||1970-1978||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Urraco|Urraco]]||1970-1979||[[Lamborghini V8]]||2463 cc/2996 cc/1994 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Countach|Countach]]||1974-1989||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929 cc/4754 cc/5167 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Silhouette|Silhouette]]||1976-1977||[[Lamborghini V8]]||2996 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Jalpa|Jalpa]]||1982-1989||[[Lamborghini V8]]||3485 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini LM002|LM002]]||1986-1992||[[Lamborghini V12]]||5167 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Diablo|Diablo]]||1990-2001||[[Lamborghini V12]]||5707 cc/5992 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Murciélago|Murciélago]]||2001-Present||[[Lamborghini V12]]||6192 cc/6496 cc
|-
|[[Lamborghini Gallardo|Gallardo]]||2003-Present||[[Lamborghini V10]]||4961 cc
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Lamboghini_traktor.jpg|Lamborghini tractor
Image:800px-Lambo.diabolo.green.arp.jpg|Lamborghini Diablo
Image:800px-Lamborghini_Gallardo_silver.jpg|2004 Lamborghini Gallardo
Image:Lamborghini_Police_Car.jpg|Lamborghini Gallardo operated by the Italian Motorway Police
Image:800px-Lamborghini_Murciélago_Roadster_2005.JPG|2004 Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster
Image:Museum.jpg|The facade of Lamborghini's Factory Museum.
Image:Cartier concours goodwood 06.jpg
Image:Lambo.jpg
</gallery>

==Ownership==
Lamborghini has had a number of owners, as shown in this simplified list:
* Ferruccio Lamborghini 1963–1972
* Georges-Henri Rossetti and René Leimer 1972–1977
* bankrupt 1977–1984
* Patrick Mimram (managed 1980–1984) 1984–1987
* [[Chrysler]] 1987–1994
* Megatech 1994–1995
* V'Power, Mycom (1995 - 1998)
* [[Volkswagen Group]] ([[Audi]]) since 1998

==Foreign operations==
''Automovil Lamborghini de Latin America'' was set up by Jorge Antonio Fernandez Garcia in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1994. It is officially licensed to produce two handbuilt variants of the Diablo called the Eros and the Coatl. They were first produced in 2001 and are available only in Latin America since 2003.

==See also==
*[[Ferrari]]
*[[Lamborghini Concept S|Concept S]]

{{Lamborghini}}

{{Lamborghini Timeline}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.lamborghini.com/ Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.]
* [http://www.lambocars.com/ LamboCars, the enthusiast site]
* [http://www.lamborghiniregistry.com/ The International Lamborghini Registry]
* [http://www.lp112.com/ LP112.com (Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo enthusiast site)]
* [http://www.lambo-power.com/ Lambo-Power (Lamborghini enthusiast forum)]
* [http://www.tuneauto.com/autolinks/Lamborghini-ADT456-384.html Lamborghini related web sites.]
* [http://www.lamborghini-talk.com/ Lamborghini-Talk (Lamborghini enthusiast forum)]
* [http://www.all-car-photos.com/Lamborghini/Lamborghini_photo_index.php Lambo photos]
* [http://www.talklambo.com/ Talk Lambo! (Lamborghini enthusiast forum & photo gallery)]
* [http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/10/lamborghini-bringing-personalization-to-naias/ Detroit 2008: Lamborghini bringing personalization with Ad Personam program]
* [http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080111.006/lamborghini-ad-personam-program-at-2008-naias Lamborghini Ad Personam Program at 2008 NAIAS]
* [http://www.supercarsofmoscow.ru/html/lambo.html Lamborghini Gallery spotted in Moscow]
* [http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/04/lamborghini-goes-podcasting.html Lamborghini Goes Podcasting]

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Lamborghini|*]]
[[Category:Ultra-luxury Cars]]
[[Category:Sports Cars]]

Noble

2010-04-25T07:49:52Z

SUPERCARSOFMOSCOW:

{{List Of Noble Models}}
'''Noble Automotive Ltd.''', more commonly known simply as '''Noble''', is a British [[sportscar]] manufacturer.

It was established, in 1999, by [[Lee Noble]] in Barwell, Leicestershire, for producing high-speed sports cars with a [[MR layout|MR drivetrain layout]]. Lee Noble is the chief designer and owner of Noble.

Noble is an independent low production British sports car company, which currently produces the M12-GTO3R, [[Noble M400]] and the [[Noble M15]]. The M12 and M400 are essentially the same, but with different engines, suspension etc. The M15 has a new space frame chassis. The body of the Noble is built to a very high standard by Hi-Tech Auto in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Once the body shell is completed, it is sent to the Noble factory where the engines, suspension etc are added.

==Noble M10==

The ''Noble M10'' is a two-door, two seater model built in convertible form only. It is powered by a naturally-aspirated (i.e., non-turbocharged) 2.5-litre engine. It was introduced in 1999, but is no longer in production, having been replaced by the M12. The only place new Noble vehicles are available in the United States is 1G Racing, located in Ohio.

==Noble M12==
[[Image:Noble M12 GTO-3R front.jpg|thumb|right|Noble M12 GTO-3R at the 2003 [[Goodwood Festival of Speed]]]]
The ''Noble M12'' is a two-door, two-seater model, available in three [[coupe]] variants (GTO-3, GTO-3R and M400). A [[convertible]] variant (The M12 GTC) has been shown at motorshows but is yet to make production. All versions are powered by modified [[turbocharged]] [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[Duratec]] [[V6]] [[internal-combustion engine|engine]]s. The standard M12 has a 3.0-litre, twin Garret turbo-charged engine, which produces 310 bhp (231 kW).

All M models have a full steel roll cage, steel frame, and G.R.P. (fibre glass) composite clam shell body parts. These cars are extremely lightweight and stiff. Although looking to be track derived, the M12 performs very well on both road and track, with surprisingly good ride quality, but a rigid feel. This is achieved by having no anti-roll bars on the car (with the exception of the hardcore M400). This allows suspension to be made hard without making a back breaking ride.<br>

The GTO3R weighs 2380 lb (1080 kg), has 352 bhp (262 kW) and does 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. Its top speed is listed at 170 mph (274 km/h). Lateral Gs are reported in excess of 1.22.<br>

The M400 weighs 100 lb (45 kg) less (no A.C.), has 425 bhp (317 kW) and has been reported as doing 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, although the maker modestly lists it as under 4.0 seconds. Its top speed is listed at 185 mph (298 km/h). Lateral Gs are reported in excess of 1.4. The model designation M400 is derived from the fact that the power and weight specifications for the car correspond to 400 bhp (298 kW) per tonne. It has both a 3 point seatbelt and a 4 point harness. Upgraded [[Pirelli]] P Zero tyres, a front anti-roll bar, a smoother gearchange and bigger turbos all make the M400 the M12's big brother. Amazing on the circuit, and pleasant to drive on the road.<br>

==Noble M14==

The [[Noble M14]] debuted at the 2004 [[British Motor Show]] and generated significant interest in the motoring press. It was planned to compete with the [[Porsche 996|Porsche 911 Turbo]] and [[Ferrari F430]]. It was based on the chassis of the M12, with only minor modifications. It had a new body and a more up market interior. Following the debut of the car [[Lee Noble]] decided that the car was insufficiently different to the M12/M400 to justify the price increase despite having taken a number of deposits. Noble instead developed a brand new car, the M15, developing further from the M12 and M14.

==Noble M15==
[[Image:Noble M15 front.jpg|thumb|right|Noble M15 at the 2006 [[British International Motor Show]]]]
Production of the M15 is expected to begin early in 2006. The Noble M15 is intended to appeal to a far broader market and compete directly with the [[Porsche 997|Porsche 911 Turbo]] and [[Ferrari F430]]. As a result the Noble M15 will have a number of features not previously found on Nobles such as [[Sat nav]], [[traction control]], [[Power window|electric windows]] and [[Anti-lock braking system|ABS]].

Despite increased comfort and usability compared to previous Noble cars Lee Noble has stated that he expects the M15 to be significantly quicker than the M400 around a race track.

The car is based on a brand new platform with a longitudinally mounted engine connected to a [[bespoke]] gearbox created by [[Graziano]]. The [[double wishbone]] suspension is a development of the system mounted on the M400. Mounting the engine longitudinally allowed the designer to increasing cooling flow to the engine which allows the 3.0l twin turbo V6 to produce 455bhp. The engine has been designed to meet emissions regulations and the new steel/aluminium space frame has been designed with a view to passing crash test regulations around the world. The M15 is planned to be the first Noble which gains European and US [[Type Approval|type approval]].

The car appeared in [[Top Gear]] and presenter [[Richard Hammond]] was very impressed. It was a lot quicker around the Top Gear-track than the old Noble. According to Richard this has to do with the placement of the engine.

The owner's opinion:

“The M12 is a great car, but it’s very focused and I wanted to produce a supercar people could use everyday,” said founder Lee Noble.
“It was time for Noble to take a big step up in terms of refinement, practicality and style.”

==Future Models==
*[[Rossion Q1]]
==Current Models==
*[[Noble M15]]

==Discontinued Models==
*[[Noble M10]]
*[[Noble M12]]
*[[Noble M400]]
*[[Noble M14]]

== See also ==

*[[List of car manufacturers]]
*[[Lotus 23|Noble Lotus 23 Replica]]

{{Noble}}

==External links==

*[http://www.noblecars.com/ Noble Cars] - official website
*[http://www.autozine.org/html/Noble/M12.html Autozine Noble M12 site]
*[http://www.1gracing.com/ 1G] - racing website
*[http://www.kerridges.co.uk/noble-index.html Noble Dealer Kerriges Noble]
*[http://www.supercarsofmoscow.ru/html/D.html Noble in Moscow]

== References ==

* [http://www.carenthusiast.com/news.html?article=418 "Noble steals the (British Motor) show with a surprise new supercar"], a [[The Car Enthusiast|Car Enthusiast]] article

[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sports car manufacturers]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]
[[Category:Mid-engined vehicles]]
[[Category:MR layout vehicles]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Makes]]

Lotus Elise

2010-04-11T20:25:03Z

SUPERCARSOFMOSCOW:

[[Image:2011-Lotus-Elise-1small.jpg|right|frame|'''2011 Lotus Elise''']]
[[Image:Lotus Elise.jpg|thumb|right|450px|The '''[[Lotus]] Elise''']]
The '''Lotus Elise''' is a roadster conceived in early 1994 and released in September 1995 by the English manufacturer [[Lotus|Lotus Cars]]. The car has a hand finished fiberglass body shell atop its innovative aluminium extrusion frame that provides a rigid platform for the suspension, while keeping weight and production costs to a minimum. The Elise was named after then Lotus' chairman Romano Artioli's granddaughter, "Elisa". The base price on the Lotus Cars website is $ 42,990. The Elise is also the lightest car sold in America at 1980 lb.

===Recent Changes===
* The 2010 [[Geneva Motor Show]] played host to the unveiling of the '''2011 Elise''', which will receive the second-generation's first ever mid-cycle facelift. A new Toyota-sourced 134 hp (at 6,800 rpm) and 118 pound-feet of torque (at 4,400 rpm) 1.6-liter gasoline engine also comes to the party as well as other mechanical tweaks. The 1.8 Toyota four-pot with 192 hp naturally aspirated, 217 hp supercharged also remains.all cars remain equipped with their 6-speed Manuals, however, the aesthetic changes add up to a 4 % decrease in the cars coefficient of drag.[http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/02/2011-lotus-elise-restyled-gets-new-16.html]

<gallery>
Image:2011-Lotus-Elise-1.JPG
Image:2011-Lotus-Elise-2.JPG
Image:03-2011-lotus-elise-press.jpg
</gallery>

* On November 25, 2007, Lotus unveiled a limited edition model of the Elise dubbed '''Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition''' in the automotive 'blogosphere' to commemorate the historic Hethel plant's 40 years of service. The special edition version comes in Burnt Orange Premium Paint with a matching color hardtop. Other features entail the leather trim in orange stitching, painted diffuser and wheels and country specific unique decals. The Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition will be offered in just 50 units across Europe with Germany getting 15, Switzerland 10, France 5, Belgium 5, Italy 6 while other countries in mainland Europe (not specified by Lotus) will get 9 units.[http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071124.001/40th-anniversary-lotus-elise-s-announced]

<gallery>
Image:LTELIS40 1.jpg
Image:LTELIS40 3.jpg
Image:LTELIS40 4.jpg
Image:LTELIS40 5.jpg
</gallery>

==Series 2==

Announced on October 9th 2000, the Series 2 Elise was a redesigned Series 1 using a slightly modified version of the Series 1 chassis and the same [[K-series]] engine with a brand new Lotus-developed [[ECU]].

The design of the body paid homage to the still-born [[Lotus M250|M250]] project and was the first Lotus to be designed on computer. The Series 2 Elise is built on the same production line also created for the [[Vauxhall VX220]]/[[Opel Speedster]] in a newer facility at Hethel. Both cars shared many parts, including the chassis, although they have totally different drivetrains and powerplants. The Vauxhall / Opel version has since ceased production.

The series 2 was also available as a 111S model, with the [[VVT]] engine technology. Also released was the Lotus Sport 160, which is a Lotus 111S Series 2 with the additional track handling package. The 111S models were discontinued in 2005.

===111R===

This Series 2 Elise model comes in European 111R version or a version sold in North America, called the Federal Elise. It is powered by the all-aluminium 189 [[HP|hp]] (141 kW) Yamaha-designed, Toyota-produced [[Toyota ZZ engine#2ZZ|2ZZ-GE]] engine, has a Toyota gearbox and is acclaimed as the best version of the Elise to date, with tremendous performance numbers, with many tests resulting in 0-60 mph in approximately 4.5 s.

The 2005 Lotus Elise was the first to be sold commercially in the United States, in the summer of 2004. Approval for the Elise, however, required intervention by the [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA) who provided a three-year exemption for the car, as it had failed to meet US bumper regulations. The next-generation Elise, due in 2007, will be required to comply with the rules unless Lotus gets an exemption extension, like it did on multiple occasions with its previous USA distributed car, the [[Lotus Esprit|Esprit]].

This model has been followed up by the 2006 Model Year Elise 111R and SportRacer models.

==Series 1==
[[Image:LotusEliseSnetterton.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Series 1 Lotus Elise "Above the Apex" at Snetterton's Russell Chicane]]
The design philosophy of Lotus is "Performance through low weight", a philosophy first adopted by the founder of Lotus, [[Colin Chapman]]. The motto drives Lotus to obtain very high performance with lightweight cars in spite of their relatively modest power outputs, with a strong emphasis on driving purity and dynamics. This concept was taken to an extreme by the London-based engineer Max David.

The result is a sports car which weighed in at less than 680 kg (1500 lb). The production version of the 1996 Lotus Elise tipped the scales at an unprecedented 675 kg (1488 lb). Compare this to a [[Porsche Boxster]] which is also considered to be an extremely lightweight sports car but weighs nearly twice as much - 1250 kg (2756 lb).

As a result the Elise's acceleration, braking, cornering, and fuel consumption (all of which are improved by reductions in a car's weight) was nothing short of astonishing in spite of the fact that the engine put out a relatively modest 120 bhp (89 kW). Compare that to 201 bhp (149 kW) produced by the 1997 Porsche Boxster.

Although high-tech, it represented affordable cost of ownership for sports car lovers on a budget who still wanted performance and looks.

===111S===
[[Image:Elise111S.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Lotus Elise 111S at speed on a Trackday]]

The original Elise, called the Series 1 was augmented by a faster edition called the 111S, named after the Lotus type-number of the Elise - M111. The 111S was introduced in early 1999 and contained the [[VVC]] engine, a [[Rover (car)|Rover]] [[K series]] with a modified head and [[VVT]] type technology rather than the standard [[Rover (car)|Rover]] 1.8 L [[K-series]] unit. It also had more padding in the seats to the horror of purists and the relief of those with nerve endings in their bottoms.

===340R===

In [[2000]], the [[Lotus_340R|340R]] limited edition model, based on a Series 1 Elise was introduced. This roofless car was a special edition, limited to only 340 cars being built.

===Lotus Elise GT1 (also known as the Lotus GT1 and known internally as Type-115)===

In 1997 Lotus needed a replacement for the Esprit GT1s as there only other product at the time the Elies was there only other useable car.[http://wikicars.org/en/Lotus_Elise_GT1]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Lotuselise.jpg|
Image:Clark type 25 elise sc front 3qtr 1280.jpg|Lotus Clark Type-25 Elise SC Special Edition
</gallery>

==See Also==
{{Lotus}}

==External links==
*[http://www.grouplotus.com/ Lotus Official Site]
*[http://www.lotuscars.com/ Lotus USA Official Site]
*[http://www.elisetalk.com/ Lotus Elise America unofficial message board]
*[http://www.seloc.org/ SELOC, a not-for-profit global internet-based Lotus Enthusiasts Club, with a very active message board]
*[http://auto.howstuffworks.com/lotus-elise.htm "How the Lotus Elise Works" from Howstuffworks]
*[http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/11/lotus-elise-s-40th-anniversary-limited.html Lotus Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition]
*[http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080215.015/2008-lotus-sport-exige-cup-260-unveiled 2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 unveiled]
*[http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/lotus/lotus-releases-special-edition-clark-type-25-elise-sc/ Lotus releases special edition Clark Type 25 Elise SC]
*[http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/lotus-releasing-elise-purist-edition-for-43-995/ Lotus releasing Elise Purist Edition for $43,995]
*[http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/09/special-edition-lotus-elise-club-racer.html Special Edition Lotus Elise Club Racer Announced for Frankfurt Show]
*[http://www.lotusauctionwatch.com Lotus Elise auctions]
*[http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/16/2011-lotus-elise-gets-evora-esque-facelift/ Geneva Preview: 2011 Lotus Elise gets Evora-esque facelift]
*[http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/02/2011-lotus-elise-restyled-gets-new-16.html 2011 Lotus Elise Restyled, gets New 1.6-Liter Entry-Level Engine ]
*[http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/02/geneva-2010-evorified-2011-lotus-elise-shows-its-new-nose/ Geneva 2010: Evorified 2011 Lotus Elise shows its new nose]
*[http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/09/the-car-could-solve-everything-european-2011-lotus-elise-s-rate/ The Car That Could Solve Everything: European 2011 Lotus Elise S rated at 46.7 mpg]
*[http://www.supercarsofmoscow.ru/ Lotus gallery on SupercarSofMoscow.ru]

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Elise Lotus Elise], which includes these [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lotus_Elise&action=history contributors].

[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:Lotus vehicles|Elise]]
[[Category:Mid-engined vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]