Lotus Elise nears production
Press Release
Lotus Elise nears production Date: March 5 1996 Contact: Patrick G. Peal Embargo: Immediate
Elise first deliveries to UK customers start in July 1996, shipments to mainland Europe will begin in September. The first pilot-build Elise off the Lotus production line is on display at the Geneva Motor Show.
With full European Type Approval successfully secured last year, the Elise project team is completing the last few details of the production specification. The durability of the bonded extruded aluminium structure has exceeded the team' s expectations, and the high torsional stiffness (greater than 10,000 N-m per degree) gives an excellent base on which the state-of-the-art ride and handling package has been developed.
Eager customers and the project team both have high expectations, shown by the volume of forward orders. With first UK deliveries on schedule for July, the factory order book already stretches over twelve months ahead totalling almost 1000 cars. The first batch of production cars will be delivered to UK customers to meet the August registration surge. Other European I markets will receive first shipments in September.
Tony Shute, Elise Program Manager is confident: "We set out to build a classic sports car for enthusiastic drivers, using the very latest technologies. We are all very excited with the results - owners are in for a treat!
Hethel, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 8EZ, England. Telephone: (01953) 608000 Telefax: (01953) 608300
source: Patrick Peal, Lotus Cars Limited