Southrun Lotus News Archive
Lotus give first look at project Eagle
Lotus Cars show a first glimpse at project Eagle, progressing the VVA (Versatile Vehicle Architecture) to produce new model vehicles based around the same chassis design. Project Eagle will see the introduction to a new high range car; the long awaited Lotus Esprit replacement.
For the latest update visit the Group Lotus web site.
Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255
The Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255 builds upon the success enjoyed by the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 240 during the 2006 season. Based upon the road-going Exige S, the Exige Cup 255 is powered by a 1796 cc supercharged engine driving through a 6-speed close ratio C64 gearbox. Bespoke performance enhancements designed exclusively by Lotus Sport raise power and torque levels substantially to offer a car with levels of handling and acceleration that are capable of taming Europe’s most feared race circuits.
See the full Lotus press release
Lotus Cars Solid 5 Year Plan Heralds 3 New Models
Lotus commit to the future with a five year plan with 2 new models to be produced in the next 3 years as well as the new replacement Esprit.
Lotus has in recent years only concentrated on the Elise range with some derivatives such as the 340R and the Sports Exige, but now we have the Europa S and now a promise for a fuller range. The latest Lotus Cars press release says "The two additional models will be a new mid-range Lotus set for launch in December 2008 and a Lotus/Proton high-performance model, due in May 2008. The flagship Esprit replacement, whose introduction has been extended to incorporate more Lotus "DNA" and other enhancements to meet the changing needs of the global marketplace, will be unveiled in December 2009."
See the full Lotus press release
The Motorshow is back in London at the ExCel centre for 2006. The Lotus stand will include the Exige S and the all new Europa S, though Lotus will not be part of the supercar paddock this year, but hopefully the arrival of the new Esprit replacement will change that in 2007.
For full details, visit the official web site for this years event, British International Motorshow or the official Lotus Cars web site for the latest sports car details, Lotus Cars
The New Lotus Exige S
The Lotus Exige S - Breathtaking performance from the fastest accelerating Lotus ever to come off the production line.
A small lightweight sportscar weighing just 935 kg (2057 lbs), powered by a 162.5 kW (218 hp, 221 PS) high revving supercharged engine, giving a zero to 100 km/h time of just 4.3 seconds (0 - 60 mph in 4.1 seconds). It comes straight off the production line and isn't an "aftermarket special".
APX by Lotus Engineering
Lotus are to reveal the APX at the Geneva Motor Show on Stand 1255. Created using Lotus' named VVA technology (Versatile Vehicle Architecture), this new vehicle is said to have a V6 3ltr NEF engine, but more importantly will demonstrate the new chassis technology said to allow Lotus to produce new innovative designed vehicles.
The new Lotus Europa S - 'Business class by Lotus'
The new Lotus Europa S, a Grand Tourer (GT) inspired two-seater will provide Lotus customers with a spectacular sportscar with significantly enhanced levels of touring and cruising capability. It will provide drivers with higher levels of practicality and refinement to complement the simplicity of the Lotus Elise and Exige models.
Road Cars Ready for Track Use - Straight out of the Box
Lotus Sport, the motor sport division of Lotus Cars Ltd., has developed two higher performance versions of the 2006 Model Year Lotus Exige, the Lotus Exige Cup and the Lotus Exige Cup 240, both developed for track use straight out of the box.
The Lotus Exige Cup cars are based on the new 2006 Model Year Exige and are completely track ready sports coupés with uprated clutch, sports exhaust, adjustable suspension, uprated brakes, limited slip differential, switchable traction control, a T45 steel roll-over hoop and A-frame with harness mounts, fuel and ignition kill switches and a fully plumbed in fire extinguisher system.
full press release >The new Lotus Europa S - 'Business class by Lotus'
The new Lotus Europa S, a Grand Tourer (GT) inspired two-seater will provide Lotus customers with a spectacular sportscar with significantly enhanced levels of touring and cruising capability.
full press release >
Lotus Esprit claims top spot in two independent polls
The world-renowned mid-engined Lotus Esprit has claimed first place in two separate polls. Crowned as "the most memorable car in film history" by members of LOVEFiLM.com, and the "greatest performance car" of 1970-79 in Auto Express magazine's "50 years of Speed" feature of 24 August, 2005.
In a poll of 5,000 users of Europe's biggest online DVD rental service, LOVEFiLM.com, the Lotus Esprit as featured in the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me" was voted as "the most memorable car in film history."
full press release >
Lotus Cars seeks expansion in production capacity
Lotus announces it is seeking an expansion in its production capacity as it grows its product range.
Group Lotus plc has announced its need to seek manufacturing capacity beyond that already installed at its Hethel, Norfolk facility.
Mr Kim Ogaard-Nielsen, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented 'Lotus needs to grow beyond its current production levels in order to meet customer demand and to become a profitable, self-sustaining company. We have exciting new products coming forward and anticipate that demand will be stronger than ever. Production levels need to be raised above current capacity and that means looking at additional facilities'
full press release >