Autoblog

Is the Lotus Europa set to be reborn as a Proton?

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lotus, Rumormill

Lotus Europa - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Lotus Europa died so that the Evora could live. Now it seems that Lotus-owner Proton is looking to revive the Europa and stick the Proton badge on the bodywork. The resulting Proton-badged Europa would provide a relatively affordable sports car for the Malaysian market.

In fact, this very car has recently popped up in the form of the Proton Lekir Concept, which is essentially a tiger-badged Europa. If this conceptual car ever comes to fruition, we'll be interested to see how the Malaysian market would respond to a Lotus they can truly call their own.

Gallery: Lotus Europa

[Source: PaulTan]

Is the Lotus Europa set to be reborn as a Proton? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus to euthanize Europa this year

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Lotus, UK

Lotus Europa - Click above for high-res image gallery

Given the recent launch of the more practical Evora, it shouldn't come as surprise that Lotus will be ceasing production of the ill-fated Europa later this year. According to our sources, European dealers have stopped taking orders for the Elise-based coupe and production will wind down within the next few months to fill what few orders remain.

Just as a refresher, the Europa launched in 2006 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four putting out around 200 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, and in hindsight, it was likely a stopgap used by Lotus to fill the need for a larger, more compliant coupe before the Evora debuted last year. Three variants were available, including the S and SE, the latter of which got a boost in output to 220 hp and an equal amount of torque in early 2008. We never got a shot behind the wheel, but judging by our drive of the all-new Evora, there's no love lost.

Gallery: Lotus Europa

Lotus to euthanize Europa this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV, now with cross-hairs

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Green, Chrysler, Dodge, Lotus

Click the Dodge Circuit EV for a high-res gallery

In spite of the large Dodge EV branding that was on this car when it first appeared last fall, it was obvious to all that it was simply a Lotus Europa. In spite of Chrysler's seemingly inexorable drive to insolvency in recent months, the engineers and designers in Auburn Hills have continued to try make the best use of the time they have left with a paycheck. The electric sports car now known as the Circuit EV has been the beneficiary of cross-hair nose job that is actually an improvement over the Lotus original. The tail has also been revamped and the plug socket has moved from the passenger side to the driver's side flank.

The specs haven't changed so the Circuit is still a bit slower than a Tesla Roadster with a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds. The range is also estimated at 150-200 miles. It's anyone's guess what the real world range would be though since no one outside Chrysler or Lotus has thoroughly tested the Circuit yet. The other guess is whether Chrysler LLC will be around long enough to actually sell the Circuit to customers. Maybe we should start a pool to see which company will hold longer, Chrysler or Tesla?

Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV, now with cross-hairs

Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV, now with cross-hairs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge EV takes to the streets

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Green, Dodge

Click above for hi-res gallery of the Dodge EV in the wild

While a lot of the legwork was done for them by Lotus, we still have to give Chrysler a little credit for getting an electric vehicle prototype on the road so quickly. When we first saw the Dodge EV a couple of months ago, it looked like it was ready to roll, with a Tesla-like blend of Lotus platform and electric powerpack. Soon after we heard that the car was likely to make it to production, with a delivery date that would challenge the Chevrolet Volt. While it had appeared that Chrysler was way behind its domestic rivals in developing an electric car, we know that through their GEM subsidiary, Chrysler has actually accumulated a lot of EV expertise and become the nation's leading electric car seller in the process.

The Dodge EV is essentially a Lotus Europa, but uses lithium batteries and a 268 hp electric motor in place of the standard 2.0L four cylinder engine and transmission. It promises a range of 150-200 miles and a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds. It's a full-blown, plug-in EV, just like the Tesla Roadster, and should require a 4-hour recharge from a 220V outlet or 8 hours on a 110. To help launch Chrysler's new ENVI electric car division, the Dodge EV has been traveling the show circuit, but today we spotted it at one of our favorite local cruise-ins.

It attracted quite a crowd. Not surprisingly, many folks at the show mistook it for a Lotus until they saw the Dodge badges. Even then a lot of people figured it was some type of joint venture between the two firms. Most were amazed to learn the car might be in Dodge showrooms by 2010. Try as we might we couldn't wrestle the keys from the Chrysler reps. Hopefully the car and the company make it through our current economic crisis so we can sample one when they hit the streets.

Gallery: Dodge EV in the wild

Dodge EV takes to the streets originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: Dodge EV sports car, range-extended Town & Country, Wrangler previewed

Alex Nunez — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:08:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Performance, SUV, Green, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

CNBC's Phil Lebeau got a sneak peek at the new EVs Chrysler is developing, and it looks like Auburn Hills is pulling a Tesla, among other things. The yellow Dodge EV you see here is basically an electrified Lotus Europa. Presumably equipped with lithium ion battery power, the Dodge EV has a reported operating range of 150 - 200 miles and can be plugged in to household 110 or 220 outlets. Figure a four-hour charge on the latter, and 8 or so on the former. Zero-to-sixty is said to be under 5 seconds. Like we said, this is basically Chrysler's Tesla, right down to the Lotus-sourced donor vehicle.

We'll see the Dodge EV introduced formally later this afternoon, along with range-extended EV versions of the Chrysler Town & Country (can you say, "killer app"?) and Jeep Wrangler. With regard to timing, Chrysler says it would like to have "at least one" of these vehicles on the market by the end of 2010, the unofficial official year of the electric/plug-in car.

Look for all three prototypes to head to D.C., where they'll be showcased for Congressional leaders who have a say in whether or not Washington will show Detroit the money they've been asking for.

For now, you can watch the preview unveiling of the cars on CNBC by watching this video. Chrysler's got something planned for 1PM today, so we expect to have a lot more info and photos then. Stay tuned.

UPDATED: Full details now posted here.

Gallery: Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV

[Source: CNBC]

Breaking: Dodge EV sports car, range-extended Town & Country, Wrangler previewed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Lotus adds Europa SE for 2008

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:03:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lotus

Click above for a gallery of the Lotus Europa SE.

As we reported earlier, Lotus has a new range of Europas for 2008, at least in their eponymous market. Still not coming to the States as far as we've heard, but with the "Eagle" already soaring, we think we can wait. Not that the Europa is a bad car, but the new model should be even better. Until the Eagle lands, however, the European market still has the perfectly adequate Europa and a new Europa SE. The Europa SE is here in Geneva and it has some spiffy new wheels, 17-inch in front, 18-inch out back. It's painted in a sort of monochrome fashion that makes us think of the '80s for some reason too. There's also a real (for Lotus at least) interior that is swathed in leather. The idea was to make it a bit more comfortable for the few people who are thinking of purchasing one. The car's 2.0L turbo four remains basically the same, but here it's tuned to 225 hp and 221 lb.-ft. of torque. Expect a 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and a top end of 143. While the new entry level Europa will start at £27,950 / €37,500, the SE will command £32,995 MSRP / €41,500. Like we said, not a bad car, but even with the touch-up, we'd hold out for the Eagle.

Press release is after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Lotus Europa SE

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Lotus adds Europa SE for 2008

Geneva 2008: Lotus adds Europa SE for 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Lotus "Eagle"

Dan Roth — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Lotus

Yes, we know it looks like the Esprit. Please don't bombard us with comments about how it looks like the old Esprit. It really is the new GT from Lotus, known for now as the Eagle. It's wearing Esprit body panels, so yes, we know it looks like the old Esprit. Based on a heavily revised Elise structure and powered by a Toyota V6 plunked down in the middle of the chassis and kicking out 300 hp, the coupe will cost about $100,000 (£48,000). Even though Lotus isn't fond of them, the transmission will be a paddle-shift automated manual. Lotus cites market desires for the about-face on the transmission. The Eagle will spawn several different models, including a convertible and a replacement for the reviled Europa. When they're done, the Eagle won't look like the Esprit. Instead, the bodywork will more closely follow the M250. Cramming four seats into a mid-engined chassis takes some cleverness, and who's more clever than Lotus?

[Source: Autocar]

Spy Shots: Lotus "Eagle" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The future of Lotus

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Trends, Sedan, Performance, Supercars, Lotus

The new CEO of Lotus Cars, Mike Kimberley, has ambitious plans for the British marque, including doubling production in the next five years.

In an interview with Autocar, Kimberley said he's aiming for annual production of around 8,000 units, roughly twice current levels, based on anticipated sales growth for the current Elise and Europa models, and introduction of the much-anticipated new Esprit late next year.

Like Lotus' current models, the Esprit will be mid-engined, but targeted at the luxury supercar market. A BMW V8 is said to be the powerplant of choice, and the Esprit will showcase Lotus' expertise in extruded aluminum chassis manufacturing (as used in the APX concept car).

The interview also suggests that we may see more "Lotus-tuned" cars from other manufacturers, following in the footsteps of the Lotus Cortina of forty years ago (shown at top right with the legendary Jim Clark at the wheel), and the Vauxhall-based Lotus Carlton of the early '90s (lower right).

[Source: Autocar]

The future of Lotus originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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