When did new Lotus cars stop smelling like glue?

[sonor8s]

I considered buying an Elise in 2010. I recall the showroom models having that distinct model airplane glue smell, clearly from the bonded aluminum. The dealer had the new Evora then too, but I cannot recall if it had the same smell as the Elise and Exige but I think it did. Having bought an Emira this past fall, I am pleased it does not have this smell, but honestly, it would not change my decision to buy the car. For those following the brand more closely than I have, when or with what model did new Lotus cars lose their characteristic "aroma"?

 

[geoffbland]

I considered buying an Elise in 2010. I recall the showroom models having that distinct model airplane glue smell, clearly from the bonded aluminum. The dealer had the new Evora then too, but I cannot recall if it had the same smell as the Elise and Exige but I think it did. Having bought an Emira this past fall, I am pleased it does not have this smell, but honestly, it would not change my decision to buy the car. For those following the brand more closely than I have, when or with what model did new Lotus cars lose their characteristic "aroma"?

When I got my Elise 111S new in 1999, it didn't smell of glue. If I remember it mostly smelt of "new car" mainly the leather from the seats. But then again, having been out with the girlfriend when testing new perfumes, apparently I have absolutely no sense of smell.

 

[cdn_alien]

I don't recall my Elise or Evora having smelled like glue when new.

 

[sonor8s]

Very strange, I remember the smell vividly. I found this post on another forum:
https://www.lotustalk.com/threads/glue-smell.7776/

 

[Jinba ittai]

This is my first time smelling a lotus so I don’t know. But the older cars smelling like glue is definitely something that people talk about.

 

[Neil D.]

The "glue" smell is not from the bonded aluminium, but the glass reinforced fibre. Just stick you head in the boot "trunk in the US" and breath in....Typical Lotus smell.

 

[cdn_alien]

LOL. Well, I just stuck my head in the trunk. Now, THAT I smell. To me, it doesn’t smell like glue or anything bad. It just smells like… a proper Lotus.

 

[sonor8s]

The "glue" smell is not from the bonded aluminium, but the glass reinforced fibre. Just stick you head in the boot "trunk in the US" and breath in....Typical Lotus smell.

Okay, that does make more sense now that you mention it. I did some fiberglass layups in college and the resin smell was very distinct.

 

[Porter]

The "glue" smell is not from the bonded aluminium, but the glass reinforced fibre. Just stick you head in the boot "trunk in the US" and breath in....Typical Lotus smell.

It's pungent on some days. Smells like acetone.

 

[Rapture]

Smells like Bondo curing to me. I always notice it when I open the trunk.