Lotus shopping Evora chassis to other automakers?
Back in the Nineties, shortly after Lotus introduced the original Elise, the company made it known that its new sportscar platform was designed to be easily adapted to different applications – including different powertrains. Companies that were interested in a platform for a niche products using their own powertrains were welcome to contract with Lotus for use of the Elise's underpinnings. Over the years, it spawned several race and concept cars, to say nothing of the production Opel GT, Vauxhall VX220, and of course, the Tesla Roadster.
Now that Lotus finally has its first all-new car in 14 years and several hundred Evoras have been delivered to customers, the same offer is again on the table. In fact, this time the presentation from Lotus Engineering even shows the Evora chassis carrying an electric powertrain.
The versatile vehicle architecture is made largely from aluminum extrusions which can be cut off in different sizes, allowing the chassis to readily be adjusted for length and width as needed. To date, no company that we're aware of has adopted the Evora's architecture. However, given Tesla's relative success in using the Elise as a starting point – and the increased size of the Evora – it should be even more attractive to potential customers. You can check out the full presentation after the jump.
Gallery: LA 2008: Lotus Evora
[Source: LotusEnthusiast]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Clavius 6:09PM (10/28/2009)
Koenigsegg um... Lotus is waving a HUGE flag infront of your face.. buy these!!!
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Clavius 6:11PM (10/28/2009)
...for Saab of course I mean hehehe!
larry raines 6:40PM (10/28/2009)
Thank GOD they are doing this! Maybe we will have some mid-"engine" electric sports cars to choose from besides the Tesla.
We need more performance oriented electric & hybird cars out there in the world, so the hard core piston heads will start to take a second look at this technology.
+ the more there out there, the lower the prices will become.
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Pedro 6:52PM (10/28/2009)
Umm...the Opel GT is based on GM's Kappa Architecture. Were you thinking of the Opel Speedster?
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cc-carsten 11:45PM (10/28/2009)
Yep - the speedster is a rebadged Elise, while the (new) GT is a Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky.
tankd0g 8:03PM (10/28/2009)
Dodge didn't seem to have any problem getting one.
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briznad 8:44PM (10/28/2009)
@tankd0g exactly what I was thinking!
"To date, no company that we're aware of has adopted the Evora's architecture."
Um, isn't the Dodge Circuit EV based on the Evora?
wilsoch 9:19PM (10/28/2009)
I think the Dodge EV is based on the Lotus Europa, not the Evora.
tankd0g 12:35AM (10/29/2009)
Ah yes you are right, I forgot that thing existed.
viper 9:38PM (10/28/2009)
Why not a Viper succesor based on the Evora platform (a bit reworked at the front to allow bigger displacement engine plus single-seater coupe style). It has the same wheelbase, height, just 3 inches thinner. Dodge Circuit sucks.
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BoxerFanatic 9:53PM (10/28/2009)
Are you kidding?
Viper is a big brute of a front engined muscle monster.
Evora is a lithe, light, small scalpel of a sport coupe, with a MID ENGINE transverse layout. There is no engine in the front at all.
There is nothing other than the wheelbase and roof height in common.
RX-8 9:50PM (10/28/2009)
Wait a second wait a second. Did anyone else look at the powerpoint deal? Forget the battery in the Evora and take a look at the Esprit reference. I'm pretty sure that this is the first from Lotus on the new Esprit. I know there has been lots of speculation and rumors but this looks like confirmation from Hethel. 325 bhp/ton works out to around 500 hp from a 3200 lb car. All that in a Lotus chassis...
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F50 3:15AM (10/29/2009)
If Pontiac still lived it might have made a nice new Fiero. or maybe a new MR2 for Toyota. and a proper Z4 fighter for Lexus(Instead of the overpriced failure thats called the SC430)
I think Dodge would be better with a Kappa, making a new Stealth and new Crossfire for Chrysler with a Pheonix V6 with Challenger gearboxes. and also a new Brera.
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Rich 11:10AM (10/29/2009)
I believe the Kappa (Sky, Solstice) is a modified Elise-based platform. To my understanding, it was based on the VX220/Opel Roadster.
Rich 11:07AM (10/29/2009)
What's funny is that the Elise was based on the Austin Metro chassis turned backwards.
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