For those who missed the SCAA Consumer Homecoming this weekend, Kent Bakke gave a presentation on the history of LM in the U.S. and the development and future of the GS3. Then we pulled shots on the latest prototype for about a half hour after the official end of the event. I asked Kent several questions that had been raised on the Internet, and when he was in doubt, he called Bill Crossland for confirmation.
So, for those on the edge of their seats about this machine, I can report the following:
1. It's a home machine. It's a home machine. It's a home machine. The "catering" description was only added at the insistence of certain people in Florence who didn't think it would be taken seriously otherwise.
2. It will be built entirely at the existing LM factory in Florence. They want it to be a true LM machine in every possible way.
3. Production will begin in the fourth quarter of 2006, quickly growing to about 200 each year. Initial production will be solely 110v machines for the North American market. Everyone in the first 100 of the waiting list here (and probably more) should have their machine within a year of this writing.
4. Changes are still being made. The reservoir on the version we saw is neatly wrapped in stainless steel around the back and bottom, but cannot be removed and can only be filled through two smallish openings. This will be changed to a removable reservoir, easily accessible under the machine. Given that no cooling flushes are necessary, and the drip tray is huge, leaving it unplumbed will not be much of a hardship. Boiler insulation is being considered. Other changes may happen, too.
5. The price remains $4,500 (U.S.).
And, oh yes, after dialing in the grinder, I pulled two picture-perfect and tasty shots in a row of Coffee Klatch's House Blend. The machine never let up, brewing shot after shot for the crowd at stable temperature.
[Also cross-posted on CoffeeGeek]
