Three New Models From Lotus

[Bruce]

Lotus has committed to the new Esprit, a new mid-range model and a road car project with its owner Proton as part of a new five-year plan, unveiled this afternoon.

The firm's board has given its approval to the plan, which was conceived by new CEO Mike Kimberley and includes two previously-unconfirmed models. The first is described as a "mid-range Lotus" - our sources suggest this could be a 2+2 based on an extended Elise floorpan (in other words, the car the Europa should have been). Lotus says it it will launch in December 2008.

Before then, in May 2008, Lotus says it will launch a performance model developed in conjunction with Proton. Kimberley has said since his first day in the job that he'd like Lotus to get back to breathing on other manufacturers' cars for performance variants, and while the Malaysian brand's range is pretty tame, this could still be encouraging progress towards a greater range of Lotus-tuned machinery.

The news isn't all good, though. The Esprit, widely tipped for launch in 2008, will not appear until December 2009. Lotus says the launch has been put back "to incorporate more Lotus 'DNA' and other enhancements to meet the changing needs of the global marketplace".

Lotus CEO Kimberley said, "We are very pleased to have secured board approval for a high-level five-year strategic business plan - the first such approved plan that this company has had in the last six years. We have some great opportunities ahead of us and some already under way. It's a very bright future but we have to work hard to bring all the opportunities to fruition." (AutoCar)

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I don't understand much.
So no buisness plan 'till now.
How can a company survive like that ?!

 

[Rainer271]

It´s a very old thread but the new posting fits in this discussion so it´s not necessary to create a new similar one. I think so.

Lotus confirms plans for SUV and sedan but will first update current lineup

Initially will upgrade Elise, Exige and Evora models
Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales has confirmed rumors saying the British marque is planning an SUV and a sedan, following a decision made recently to cut 325 jobs.

Troubled British automaker Lotus has a new CEO who used to be president of Peugeot and Citroën and he says the initial plan is to improve the current lineup which encompasses the Elise, Exige and Evora. The upgraded versions will hopefully boost sales also enhanced by a more generous dealer network.

Talking to Autocar, Gales said "you will see many new variants of familiar Lotus models over the next nine months, and even more in the next two years." If all goes according to plan, their lineup will be further expanded to include "cars in other categories than the sports car" such as an SUV and a sedan. He went on to say he is confident Lotus will get back into shape but it will be a difficult and lengthy process.

So far this year they have been doing quite well as sales went up by 46 percent and by the end of 2014 they estimate to sell a total of 2,000 cars. Reaching this objective will also be possible by adding 20 dealerships in the next few months, following the recent inauguration of nine showrooms. Gales believes that with the current model range the annual production rate could hit 3,000 units.

Source: autocar.co.uk

 

[Rainer271]

2016 Lotus Evora spied for the first time
Slated to debut in Geneva
The 2016 Lotus Evora has been spied for the first time.

Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the facelifted model has a new front bumper, a revised grille and larger air intakes with LED daytime running lights. The rear end largely carries over but there's a new rear wing and an aggressive rear diffuser.

Interior changes appear relatively limited as there's circular air vents, a three-spoke steering wheel and a familiar instrument cluster.

Engine options will likely carryover with minor modifications for improved performance. There's no word on specifics but the entry-level model currently has a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 276 bhp (205 kW) and 258 lb-ft (349 Nm) of torque. It enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds before hitting a top speed of 163 mph (262 km/h).

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115020588430/2016-lotus-evora-spied-for-the-first-time

 

[Rolf]

What happened to Lotus launching the new Esprit? Is it going to happen this year or is that car on hold?

 

[KiwiRob]

What happened to Lotus launching the new Esprit? Is it going to happen this year or is that car on hold?

In the Car interview Gales basically said there was no new Esprit, what had been designed wasn't good enough to be a Lotus. He want's Lotus to be profitable before expanding nto new markets.

 

[Rolf]

Their production figures are still very low, if a small company like McLaren can make 5000 cars a year then Lotus should be able to do it with some more aggressive marketing and major facelift and updates to its existing cars. All it's cars are good products, I think they are selling themselves short, they need to learn from McLaren on how to sell sports cars!

 

[ThroughandThrough]

Lotus says their 2019 crossover will be better than a Porsche Macan
Adrian Padeanu
June 27, 2016

Will be built in China

Lotus has released some preliminary details about their first ever crossover programmed to come out in 2019.

Speaking to Auto Express at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales criticized rival automakers for coming out with big and heavy SUVs and added the high-riding Lotus is going to be light and fast. He went on to specify its closest rival will be the Porsche Macan, but the Lotus crossover due to come out in 2019 "will be better." An exact figure about the weight has not been revealed, but a previous report stated it will be 200 kg (440 lbs) lighter than its key rivals. To put that into perspective, a Porsche Macan S weighs 1,865 kg (4,111 lbs).

It will be manufactured in China and sold initially only there, with a decision regarding other markets to be taken at a later date. Gales said that if the Lotus crossover will turn out to be a success, it will be sold outside China.

Lotus will continue its partnership with Toyota and is expected to offer the crossover with gasoline engines and a hybrid setup. However, a potential Euro-spec variant will get a turbodiesel engine which would make it the first ever diesel-powered Lotus.


Source: autoexpress.co.uk
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