Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lotus model development on lockdown as company looks to change hands]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/lotus-model-development-on-lockdown-as-company-looks-to-change-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/lotus-model-development-on-lockdown-as-company-looks-to-change-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/lotus-model-development-on-lockdown-as-company-looks-to-change-h/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lotus Exige S live on show floor

Lotus has put a halt to all development of future models. The news comes after the Malaysian government sold its controlling stake in Lotus parent company Proton. According to EVO, the company's takeover regulations require all involved parties to enter into a "lockdown" wherein anything outside of normal business is brought to a halt. For Lotus, that means stalling development for 60 days and pushing back launch dates for vehicles like the Exige S, Evora GTE and the upcoming Esprit successor. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar is currently engaged in talks with DRB-Hicom, Proton's new owner, in an attempt to ensure the industrial conglomerate holds onto the sports car maker.

Odds are we won't know what the future has in store for Lotus until after the due diligence period comes to a close. In the mean time, Lotus will continue to build and sell cars as well as engage motorsports efforts. It will also be the featured marque at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Lotus model development on lockdown as company looks to change hands originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dany bahardrb-hicomespritexigelotuslotus carslotus saleprotonWed, 14 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20192382/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/14/lotus-model-development-on-lockdown-as-company-looks-to-change-h/20192382/article-detail.xml 20192382 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/lotus-exige-s-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/lotus-exige-s-628.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus Evora GTE is a refined racer for the road]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/lotus-evora-gte-is-a-refined-racer-for-the-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/lotus-evora-gte-is-a-refined-racer-for-the-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/lotus-evora-gte-is-a-refined-racer-for-the-road/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

lotus evora gte road car

Lotus has been teasing a tuned-up Evora for a few months now, as rumors flew that the automaker was planning a hardcore version for the street. Finally, however, the rumors have all been confirmed as Lotus pulls back the wraps on the production Evora GTE Road Car. This is similar to the white and gray concept concept car we saw in Monterey, except the car now wears a matte yellow paint scheme, different wheels and a glossy carbon fiber lid.

Lotus says this Evora GTE Road Car is the automaker's most powerful production vehicle to date. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 434 horsepower, which is transferred to the forged alloy wheels by way of an automated manual gearbox.

Originally, the Evora GTE was planned as a China-only special edition. The original allotment sold quickly, though, so Lotus has apparently decided to expand production and bring the GTE to a greater number of markets.

Continue reading Lotus Evora GTE is a refined racer for the road

Lotus Evora GTE is a refined racer for the road originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 frankfurt2012 lotus evora gteevoraevora gteevora gte road carfrankfurtfrankfurt motor showlotuslotus carslotus evoralotus evora gte road carWed, 14 Sep 2011 16:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20041529/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/14/lotus-evora-gte-is-a-refined-racer-for-the-road/20041529/article-detail.xml 20041529 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/01lotus-evora-gteiaa11-1315942816_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/01lotus-evora-gteiaa11-1315942816.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus in search of new buyers?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/01/lotus-in-search-of-new-buyers/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/01/lotus-in-search-of-new-buyers/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/01/lotus-in-search-of-new-buyers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and Toyota president Akio Toyoda
Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and Toyota president Akio Toyoda

There's no question that Lotus needs to sell more cars if it is to survive in an industry rapidly centralizing into major groups. But when CEO Dany Bahar talks about looking for new buyers, he's not talking about selling cars. He's talking about selling the company itself.

Of course, Lotus is not Bahar's to sell, strictly speaking. The company belongs to Proton. But the Malaysian state automaker may not have the necessary resources to provide Lotus with the synergies and shared development which Bahar identifies as crucial to Lotus' future success.

A new report from Inside Line quotes Bahar as saying that Lotus may need to partner with a larger automaker in order to develop into a serious player in the sportscar business. All eyes are on Toyota, the Japanese automaker whose engines and other components Lotus currently uses.

The partnership could emerge as something akin to what Aston Martin is fostering with Daimler - that is to say, some sort of an alliance that does not involve selling the company - or could result in the brand being sold, lock stock and barrel, to the auto giant. One way or another, Lotus probably can't go it alone.

Lotus in search of new buyers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bahardany baharlotuslotus carsprotonWed, 01 Jun 2011 16:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19955205/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/01/lotus-in-search-of-new-buyers/19955205/article-detail.xml 19955205 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/bahar-toyoda_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/bahar-toyoda.jpg <![CDATA[First U.S.-bound Lotus Evora S batch heads to U.K. port]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/first-u-s-bound-lotus-evora-s-batch-heads-to-u-k-port/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/first-u-s-bound-lotus-evora-s-batch-heads-to-u-k-port/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/29/first-u-s-bound-lotus-evora-s-batch-heads-to-u-k-port/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Lotus Evora S under hard cornering

A spokesperson for Lotus Cars USA has notified us that on Monday, the first Evora S allotment of press cars left its Hethel U.K. factory and headed to port in both the 2+0 and 2+2 seating arrangements.

We already go gaga over the $64,000 276-horsepower Evora 2+0 for its crispy dynamics and on-track lust. Now we have to get a 330-hp Porsche Cayman R ($66,300 before adding a mountain of options) ready to pit against the $75,000, 346-hp fairly loaded Evora S once the latter clears its U.S. port of call at the very end of April.

Scheduled to make its North American debut at the New York auto show on April 21 alongside the 276-hp Evora IPS with automated manual six-speed and paddles at the wheel, the Evora S gets that 25 percent extra supercharged power and 295 pound-feet of torque (a 14 percent increase). In addition, the Sport Pack dynamics calibration button and sport-ratio six-speed manual - accounting for $2,775 in options on the base Evora - plus the more better sport exhaust all come standard on the Evora S.

First U.S.-bound Lotus Evora S batch heads to U.K. port originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Evoraevora sLotuslotus carsLotus Evora STue, 29 Mar 2011 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19893340/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/29/first-u-s-bound-lotus-evora-s-batch-heads-to-u-k-port/19893340/article-detail.xml 19893340 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/evora-s-driving-action-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/evora-s-driving-action-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Lotus to overhaul Exige, Evora ahead of Esprit production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/05/report-lotus-to-overhaul-exige-evora-ahead-of-esprit-productio/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/05/report-lotus-to-overhaul-exige-evora-ahead-of-esprit-productio/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/05/report-lotus-to-overhaul-exige-evora-ahead-of-esprit-productio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lotus Exige Cup 260
2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's no secret that Lotus has monumental plans in the coming years, announcing no fewer than four new models at the 2010 Paris Motor Show that it says will gradually roll out over the next several years. But there's no denying that the British firm's current level of success was built on the excellence that is the Lotus Elise, Exige and, most recently, Evora.

That being the case, we're hoping that a report from Autocar in the UK is accurate and that Lotus has plans to overhaul the Exige and give the Evora a heavily updated interior before the Esprit goes into production in late 2012. We certainly wouldn't expect wholesale changes to either machine - engineering budgets are surely being diverted elsewhere - but a little something to keep its current models fresh in the eyes of consumers would go a long way towards bridging the gap between the present and the Ferrari-fighting future.


Gallery: 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260

2010 Lotus Exige Cup 2602010 Lotus Exige Cup 2602010 Lotus Exige Cup 2602010 Lotus Exige Cup 2602010 Lotus Exige Cup 260

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Lotus to overhaul Exige, Evora ahead of Esprit production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 lotus evora2012 lotus exigeevoraexigelotuslotus carslotus evoralotus exigeWed, 05 Jan 2011 16:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19787870/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/05/report-lotus-to-overhaul-exige-evora-ahead-of-esprit-productio/19787870/article-detail.xml 19787870 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/exige-cup-260_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/exige-cup-260.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Bob Lutz gives Lotus a 60% chance of success]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/report-bob-lutz-gives-lotus-a-60-chance-of-success/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/report-bob-lutz-gives-lotus-a-60-chance-of-success/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/report-bob-lutz-gives-lotus-a-60-chance-of-success/#commentsFiled under:

Bob Lutz in front of reporters

If anyone knows about turning things around, it's Bob Lutz. After all, he was a naval aviator, and those guys can pull some serious G forces. He's also widely credited with keeping Chrysler alive for longer than it might have been otherwise. But what's he up to these days?

Well for one thing he's sitting on the senior advisory board for Lotus, giving Dany Bahar and company some guidance as they endeavor to usher the House that Colin Built into a new era. And an ambitious endeavor it is, rolling out five new models all at once while expanding its motorsports program tenfold and then some.

So what does Lutz think of Lotus' chances? Well he's optimistic, but cautiously so. Lutz reportedly gives the prospects at least a 60 percent chance to succeed, but importantly, he thinks it's more viable than the company's current path. According to Lutz, "It's a risk. But I'm quite certain it stands a better chance than the Lotus status quo, which for sure would eventually lead this great brand into terminal decline."

In other words, while there are no guarantees, it's a good plan - not a perfect one - and it'll take some good ol' fashion elbow grease to make it work - something Lutz knows all about.

[Source: Autocar | Image: Stan Honda/AFP]

Report: Bob Lutz gives Lotus a 60% chance of success originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzgroup lotuslotuslotus carsrobert lutzWed, 15 Dec 2010 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19760483/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/15/report-bob-lutz-gives-lotus-a-60-chance-of-success/19760483/article-detail.xml 19760483 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/was2997002_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/was2997002.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus Cars and Lotus F1 embroiled in naming rights dispute]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/lotus-cars-and-lotus-f1-embroiled-in-naming-rights-dispute/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/lotus-cars-and-lotus-f1-embroiled-in-naming-rights-dispute/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/lotus-cars-and-lotus-f1-embroiled-in-naming-rights-dispute/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Stick with us here, because this is going to get a little complicated. We have on the one hand Lotus Cars and Group Lotus. On the other we have the current Lotus F1 team. The former - producers of such sportscars as the Elise and the new Elite - is owned by Malaysian state automaker Proton. The former is also Malaysian-owned, but by businessman Tony Fernandes (pictured above, owner also of Air Asia), and uses the name Lotus under license from Proton.

Still with us? Hold on. We recently reported that the F1 team that currently runs as Lotus Racing was switching its name to Team Lotus. That name, which was used on the famous grand prix team of yore, was claimed by one David Hunt (brother of the late world champion James Hunt), who acquired many of the assets of the old team. Fernandes wanted to bridge that gap, and acquired those rights from Hunt. Thing is, Group Lotus (the automaker and engineering firm, not the F1 team) disputed Hunt's claim on the name in the first place.

As a result, Proton has now terminated its licensing agreement with Fernandes, demanding that his outfit cease using the Lotus name - in any permutation, be it Lotus Racing, Team Lotus or any derivation thereof. Fernandes, girded by his rights acquisition, isn't likely to back down, and we're smelling a messy legal battle ensuing. So keep your eyes peeled on this space, and follow the jump for official statements from both outfits.

[Source: Lotus | Image: SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading Lotus Cars and Lotus F1 embroiled in naming rights dispute

Lotus Cars and Lotus F1 embroiled in naming rights dispute originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david huntfernandesgroup lotushuntlotuslotus carslotus f1lotus grouplotus racingmalaysiateam lotustony fernandesTue, 28 Sep 2010 18:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19651386/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/28/lotus-cars-and-lotus-f1-embroiled-in-naming-rights-dispute/19651386/article-detail.xml 19651386 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/hkg3358590_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/hkg3358590.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus announces Dr Robert Hentschel and Paul Newsome as engineering directors]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/lotus-announces-dr-robert-hentschel-and-paul-newsome-as-engineer/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/lotus-announces-dr-robert-hentschel-and-paul-newsome-as-engineer/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/lotus-announces-dr-robert-hentschel-and-paul-newsome-as-engineer/#commentsFiled under: ,

Robert Hentschel (L) and Paul Newsome (R)

While most people know Lotus for its sportscars, engineering has always been at the heart of the business. The car production side has rarely if ever made much money, and Lotus Engineering has been the cash cow that keeps the lights on. Lotus Engineering recently picked up three new contracts from Chinese automakers, and to help keep on top of the new business, Dr Robert Hentschel is joining up as the new director of the engineering consultancy. Hentschel previously held top posts at German engineering firm EDAG.

Now that the Evora has been introduced, Lotus is preparing to update and expand the rest of its production car lineup starting with an all-new Esprit in a couple of years. Paul Newsome will be heading up product engineering for Lotus Cars. In addition to the Esprit, Lotus is bringing forth an Evora convertible and eventually updated versions of the Elise and Exige.

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus announces Dr Robert Hentschel and Paul Newsome as engineering directors

Lotus announces Dr Robert Hentschel and Paul Newsome as engineering directors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>director of engineeringDirectorOfEngineeringDr Robert HentschelDrRobertHentschellotuslotus carslotus engineeringLotusCarsLotusEngineeringpaul newsomePaulNewsomeFri, 15 Jan 2010 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19316534/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/15/lotus-announces-dr-robert-hentschel-and-paul-newsome-as-engineer/19316534/article-detail.xml 19316534 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/robert-hentschel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/robert-hentschel.jpg <![CDATA[Hammond, May, Brosnan and Craig all in line for Lotus Evora]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/hammond-may-brosnan-and-craig-all-in-line-for-lotus-evora/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/hammond-may-brosnan-and-craig-all-in-line-for-lotus-evora/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/hammond-may-brosnan-and-craig-all-in-line-for-lotus-evora/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view high-res image gallery of the Lotus Evora

We're apparently not the only ones in love with the Lotus formula, as celebrities are reportedly falling all over each other to get on the list for an Evora. We had a blissful visit with an Exige recently, but our main gripe was that we could only share the joy with one other person. When you've got a car that's such a delight, you want to pack the whole family in it, car seats and all. We're not sure if the 2+2 Evora will have LATCH anchors in the back seats, but that wouldn't stop us from trying to sign up for the upcoming four-place Lotus were we able to swing the payments. We'd be in good company, automotive celebrities Richard Hammond and James May are on "the list," along with TWO James Bonds. We wonder if the Evoras destined for Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig have been fitted with Q-approved submarine conversions, but even if they can't go swimming, it's clear that the Evora is the "it" car of the moment for a sizable list of celebrities, no Autoblog scribes included.

Gallery: LA 2008: Lotus Evora


Gallery: Lotus Evora


[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Hammond, May, Brosnan and Craig all in line for Lotus Evora

Hammond, May, Brosnan and Craig all in line for Lotus Evora originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actor lotusActorLotusactors lotus evoraActorsLotusEvorahollywood lotus evoraHollywoodLotusEvoralotus carslotus evoraLotusCarsLotusEvoratop geartop gear evoratop gear lotus evoraTopGearTopGearEvoraTopGearLotusEvoraWed, 03 Dec 2008 08:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1387520/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/03/hammond-may-brosnan-and-craig-all-in-line-for-lotus-evora/1387520/article-detail.xml 1387520 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/lotusevoralalive_02_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/lotusevoralalive_02_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Done deal! Lotus will build the Tesla Roadster in Hethel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/29/done-deal-lotus-will-build-the-tesla-roadster-in-hethel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/29/done-deal-lotus-will-build-the-tesla-roadster-in-hethel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/29/done-deal-lotus-will-build-the-tesla-roadster-in-hethel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

tesla Roadster

Well, we knew that Lotus personnel had been working with the folks from Tesla Motors on their sexy electric roadster, and today we received a bit of interesting related news. According to a report on EDP24.com (the Norfolk Eastern Daily Press website), Group Lotus' involvement with the Tesla Roadster project is now very much official: the Roadster will be built by Lotus at its Hethel facility.

The move is part of Lotus honcho Mike Kimberley's ongoing plan to increase the company's involvement in outside design and engineering projects. It comes on the heels of Lotus' new deal with Nanjng Automotive to aid in the development of new MG vehicles.

We'll bring you more info on the Tesla/Lotus deal when the companies issue formal announcements in the coming days.

[Source: EDP24]

Done deal! Lotus will build the Tesla Roadster in Hethel originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Jul 2006 22:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>group lotusGroupLotushethellotuslotus carslotus groupLotusCarsLotusGroupteslatesla motorstesla roadsterTeslaMotorsTeslaRoadsterSat, 29 Jul 2006 22:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/648414/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/07/29/done-deal-lotus-will-build-the-tesla-roadster-in-hethel/648414/article-detail.xml 648414 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/tesla_profile_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/tesla_profile.jpg -1 2