We have S1,S2 and Elise sections, but no Esthi section. Why not?
is there actually anything left of the Esthi project ?
Esthi Rantsen?
Saw your post on seloc Ken , looks good. hope to see it some day.
is there actually anything left of the Esthi project ?
Yes. I own one.
Hi Ken
I guessed that but i wasn’t sure if there were going to be any more… wasn’t it a bit of a saga?
Anyway, when it was originally being touted I thought it was possibly the best sports car package i’d ever seen… especially if the blurb was to be believed.
So what’s the story ?
is there actually anything left of the Esthi project ?
Yes. I own one.
Does that mean you own ‘the’ one?
Well done for getting hold of it and when can we see you on track with it…
KenP, you should cross post your seloc thread here for the benefit of Exiges.com.
Not everyone from here enjoys the rough and tumble that goes on over there!
just been over for a read… nice one Ken, superb buy.
I noticed you had asked people for opinion about what to do with it… i’d stay away from big mods like changing to RHD or swapping out the engine and stick with sorting out the major cosmetics and obvious weaknesses (for example you suggested it needs another engine mount and wiring loom ?). Then drive it a lot and at the track and see what else needs done after that
but anyway… i’m jealous
heres a link to the SELOC thread for anyone that wants to go there Esthi on SELOC
Out of the blue today, I had a phone call today from the engineer/mechanic who built and developed the car (I am already in touch with the original designer) and clearly loves it. The car is virtualy roadworthy. Probably needs about 4-6 hours superficial attention to turn it into a reliable runner. For reasons which I won’t go into the car was auctioned as a non-runner with a list of problems. It turns out to be quite different, especially once you throw the concealed master switch!
In the long term I intend to replace/improve some of the ‘prototype features’ in order to turn it into the car it was intended to be. Not only have I the support of the engineer and mechanic, but he is also willing to travel to the UK to lend a hand. The engine is currently certified as 428bhp, but can be pushed to 600bhp through reprogramming.
I have also had a number of emails offering to buy it! I have also discovered that the development cost were in excess of 800,000 euros.
Excuse my ignorance, but what the hell is an Esthi???
We have S1,S2 and Elise sections, but no Esthi section. Why not?
Because you’d only be talking to yourself !
Excuse my ignorance, but what the hell is an Esthi???
An S2 with a 2.7 bi-turbo Audi engine and transaxle in the back …
Fancy a trip to Dorset
Excuse my ignorance, but what the hell is an Esthi???
An S2 with a 2.7 bi-turbo Audi engine and transaxle in the back …
Fancy a trip to Dorset
Pics, Pics!!!
I ventured over to SELOC (God, I feel dirty all over) and nabbed these two, hope you don�t mind Ken .
[image]SELOC | Lotus Enthusiasts Club
[image]SELOC | Lotus Enthusiasts Club
She looks lovely by the way, congrats! .
David
Sean
if your not too scared you could follow the link to SELOC above and within that post there are a few other links which show quite a few pics of it and give lots of details.
Go on… you know you wanna
I’m sure that Ken will clarify, but I seem to recall that it is in fact a “seperate/unique” model, as far as engine/gearbox/bodywork go, which had the offcial approval for manufacture from Lotus. I don’t know the circumstances as to why it ultimately didn’t come to fruition, but in the meantime, EVO Mag did do a road test of the prototype.
Also, Ken did place a pucker order for one, but was eventually forced to cancel it.
Over to you Ken…
Pesky
The project went bust i think
Cheers Rox (good to hear from you again, btw). The details may well be on Seloc, but…
I’m sure that Ken will clarify, but I seem to recall that it is in fact a “seperate/unique” model, as far as engine/gearbox/bodywork go, which had the offcial approval for manufacture from Lotus. I don’t know the circumstances as to why it ultimately didn’t come to fruition, but in the meantime, EVO Mag did do a road test of the prototype.
Also, Ken did place a pucker order for one, but was eventually forced to cancel it.
Over to you Ken…
As usual, you are quite right. Brandes Dschudow were a Lotus, Ferrari, Masserati, Jaguar dealership in Germany. Lotus gave them permission to manufacture a S2 Elise based variant under the Lotus badge.B+D set up a separate car manufacturing subdivision. Originally they envisaged two models, the Esthi 2.3 using a 420bhp,V6, 2.7l, Audi-Cosworth, biturbo engine (limited to 10 cars) and an unlimited number of model Esthi 3.7 using a turbocharged 250bhp ‘K’ series engine. The car is slightly wider and longer and has bespoke front and rear clams. The rear clam being hinged backwards. In addition both models had sideskirts and larger/wider wheels (18" front,19"rear). the 2.3 model uses the gearbox from an audi A8 diesel in order to cope with the massive torque.
Three prototypes were built. Two model 3.7 (1xblack and 1xyellow) and one model 2.3 (yellow). The company overreached itself by spending in excess of 800,000 euros on development and promotion costs (icluding a 24hr race event) and went into liquidation last year. The rest is history.