Lotus is not a high production company but. They do not have the means to go and make their own engine or heavily modify existing ones. Like I said, perhaps they needed more room for the suspension linkage attachment points etc, something that a wide boxer engine would not be able to fit in to.
I FULLY understand your point, there is NO be all and end all answer for a "perfect" car design. Everything and anything can be made good in its own way, we're on the same page there, I'm just playing devils advocate
In hindsight, and this isnt directed st you SUB, people are being too, what's the word, crazy, NO, needy. You CAN'T have a CHEAP, RELIABLE, LIGHT, FAST, WELL BALANCED, WELL DESIGNED and GOOD LOOKING car that is to EVERYBODYS taste.
Oh I'm not gonna buy it if it weighs/costs/has this much power. Then don't.. Who the hell cares? You think Toyota cares? They have a design and they has market research and they have already made their target figures.
Want it lighter? Strip some shit out
Want it faster? Get a different engine/FI/lighter
Want it to look better? Get a paint job/fully sick chromies/body kit/cannon muffler(this one was be cus I think the car looks good)
Want it cheaper? Go get something else..
Be happy that you have such a great car on offer.. Remember that this car has to pass STRINGENT crash/impact/emissions regulations to even be released.. This isn't 1990 any more. You can compare cars today with stuff that was released then.
/rant