dpeilow,
my opinion ist the same. But maybe, as someone pointed out on the thread already, it is maybe the worst possible scenario if they could not find another solution at negotiations with lotus.
I am absolutley no lotus expert, but from what I have read somewhere, elise/exige is one platform, and evora is a complete, new developed (first after more than a decade now) other platform. Tesla cant switch from elise to evora platform for that.
best
Martin
Actually, I think you're all pretty much missing the point. Not only can Tesla switch from Elise to Evora for that, they would have very strong reasons to do just that.
Evora is a larger car, and MUCH easier to get into and out of by all reports. More importantl, it is a 2+2, with a very generous area behind the front seats for two additional seats, or for storage. That's where the Tesla pack is now if I"m not mistaken.
Picture a larger, roomier Tesla Roadster with ah...I'm guessing 400 mile range....
The Evora is expected to price at $78K vice $48K for the Elise. That's a bit of a bump. And I'm guessing with a waiting list already, they are NOT going to give Tesla the first few off the line, ergo the delay.
If Tesla Roadsters are selling, the only thing that makes business sense is for Tesla to keep selling them. The ONLY reason I can imagine they would stop is If they are unable to obtain them, then they have to adjust.
And the Evora would mean a huge step FORWARD for Tesla after its done. The only reason the "conversion" would not be utterly trivial for Tesla, is that there is so much opportunity for improvement given the larger more spacious frame. That means a new battery module, and I guess I think that a Roadster that is easier to live with and goes 400 miles instead of 244 would be attractive.
We looked at doing an Elise conversion ourselves as a "poor man's Tesla". I decided against it basically for the same reason. It can be done better on an Evora, so we'll just wait. To my amusement, it appears ironically that Tesla is in the same position....
Jack Rickard
EVTV/url]