New Lotus models on hold

[Cashmere]

From EVO:

New Lotus Models Temporarily On Hold
Lotus suspends much of its new model development - including the new Esprit - as owner Proton enters a 'lockdown' period
By Harry Metcalfe
07th March 2012

Lotus boss Dany Bahar has admitted to evo that much of the company’s development of new models has been suspended following the Malaysian government’s decision to sell its majority stake in Proton.

It’s only three months since evo spent a day with the Lotus CEO at Hethel, where rumours of Proton’s desire to get rid of the British sportscar brand seemed to be effectively disproved by the fact that Bahar had just signed a new four-year contract.

But only a few weeks later, Lotus’s future was thrown into turmoil when the Malaysian 
Government sold its 42.7 per cent stake in Proton to a large Malaysian industrial
 conglomerate (DRB-Hicom), which then bought a further seven per cent of Proton’s shares on
 the open market.

During our exclusive interview in Geneva, Bahar told evo that he was ‘completely taken aback’ when he heard the news, especially when it became clear that, under Malaysian takeover regulations, the whole Proton Group would enter a three month ‘lockdown’ where only normal trading activities could be continued, and anything outside normal business would have to be suspended.

The result at Lotus is that while car production has continued (at a reduced level), much of the company’s R&D work on new models has had to be delayed. This has led to a pushed back launch date for the new Exige S (for which there are already 400 orders in the bag) and the Evora GTE – plus a possible six month delay in the launch of the Esprit, now not expected until early 2014.

And Lotus’s future plans also depend on DRB-Hicom wanting to retain Lotus at the end of this ‘due diligence’ window. To try and ensure it does, Bahar is currently flying to Kuala Lumpur every Monday to talk company representatives through Lotus’ plans and the five-year programme it had agreed with Proton two years ago.

‘This difficult period for Lotus finishes at the end of March and that’s 
when we will know then whether DRB-Hicom will want to continue with our 
business plan,’ Bahar admits, ‘I really hope they will but I cannot call it at the moment, it’s still 50:50.’

Whatever happens, Lotus continues to push on with all of its motorsport activities, the opening of its Regent Street Lotus Store in June and will be the featured marque at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. With so much work already put into the reinvention of Lotus, many of the brand’s fans will be hoping the company gets the green light from DRB-Hicom soon.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

such a shame for such an esteemed automotive and engineering company. Curious how this will affect their F1 efforts.

 

[Sunny]

It is a shame none of the German companies are trying to bail/buy Lotus - it is one brand with both the history, cachet and even the technical knowhow (on the chassis side at least) to go up against both Porsche and Ferrari. Just throw in some capable engines and reliable electrical parts bin.

 

[Merc1]

I was thinking the same thing Sunny. Why hasn't one of the Germans bought them by now. Seems like to me they would be glad to have Lotus.


M

 

[mini_cooper4]

It is a shame none of the German companies are trying to bail/buy Lotus - it is one brand with both the history, cachet and even the technical knowhow (on the chassis side at least) to go up against both Porsche and Ferrari. Just throw in some capable engines and reliable electrical parts bin.

Rolls, Lotus, Mini sounds so right IMO
If not Lotus BMW should acquire TVR... now that will be epic!

 

[speed_kills]

I would like to see that, a BMW owned Lotus. With their CFRT and I series they could learn something from Lotus.
And we could finally put a comparison of three german supercars, SLS, R8 and Esprit.
But that's daydreaming, BMW is in the business to make money and Lotus needs to sell alot to be profitable.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Actually Lotus is on the border of being profitable as it was just few years ago.
It only needs to be promoted in a better and more loud way.
Lotus doesn't have a bad model in their line up and their cars are getting only better, quality, tech and design wise.
With BMW's help they can become a top brand. Lotus is known by everyone as one of the greatest sport car companies in history and that doesn't change even today
One more thing and I think it's really important: Buying Lotus BMW will finally shut enthusiasts mouths and regain some lost, previously loyal customers as me and many others.
I might be dreaming but in the same time I'm loudly offering my wallet and I'm sure many others will do the same

 

[speed_kills]

They need they're money to invest in R&D for the Esprit, new Elise, new Exige.
I agree with you, with could be BMW "Lamborghini", but more focus on lightweight cars, test they're carbon fiber tech.
The Elise could use Mini Engines, and the Esprit V8 be based on the S65. The Evora eventually switch to a straight six but I doubt it would fit transversally mounted.

 

[Levi68]

BMW has the top high end limos, Rolls Royce and the most prestigious small car, Mini, they could through Lotus enter in the sportscar fight against Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari. It would allow BMW M to continue developing NA engines.

 

[Rainer271]

Lotus CEO confirms the Esprit is dead
Company will also eschew in-house engines
Lotus announced plans to offer a new Esprit nearly four years ago but the model has been in limbo ever since the company abandoned their aggressive product strategy spearheaded by Dany Bahar.

While the model was almost complete, Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales dismissed the possibility of seeing a production version. As he explained to Auto Express, "... the answer is no. I don’t want to focus on the past, but there are some technologies and supplier relationships that we can take forward from the [Bahar] projects."

Gales also downplayed the possibility of Lotus-built engines - such as the V8 featured in Esprit - by saying "We cannot and should not develop our own engine – most small car makes that have gone that route have disappeared." Instead, the company will continue buying engines from Toyota because they are "reliable, good and we can trust them."

The executive also said their short-term lineup will be based on the Elise, Exige and Evora. He declined to go into specifics but said we can expect a number of improvements including better performance and improved ride and handling characteristics. Gales went on to say a crossover could be introduced in three to four years and could eventually be followed by a sedan.

Source: Auto Express

 

[Rainer271]

Lotus 3-Eleven details emerge; will have both road and track versions

Lotus 2-Eleven / Lotus

Due next year
New details are starting to emerge about the Lotus 3-Eleven scheduled to come out in 2016.

Lotus has been working for quite some time on a successor for the 2-Eleven and apparently the model will be available as standard as a track-only vehicle, but for more money clients will be able to order a road-legal version. The track car is believed to cost somewhere in the region of £70,000 ($109,000 / €97,500) and should be able to lap the Nürburgring in a little over 7 minutes.

Weight shouldn't surpass the 800 kg (1,763 lbs) mark in the track version which is getting an aerodynamic body, built-in roll cage, an abbreviated windscreen while on the inside there will be simple controls and composite seats. It will use an adaptation of the suspension and extruded aluminum monocoque chassis sourced from the Exige S.

In terms of power, the two-seater Lotus 3-Eleven is set to use the same Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V6 engine that will reportedly be upgraded to 420 PS (308 kW) which should be enough for a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) run in less than three seconds and a top speed in excess of 180 mph (290 km/h).

Source: autocar.co.uk