met•a•mor•pho•sis n. pl. met•a•mor•pho•ses

1. A transformation, as by magic or sorcery.

2. A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.

3. Biology A change in the form and often habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage

With a perfect example of art in motion, Lotus are set to unveil Metamorphosis – a unique collaboration between Lotus and the award winning French artist Gérard Rancinan – on Friday (12th November) at an exclusive VIP event in Los Angeles. Metamorphosis is a selection of seven stunning images alongside a book created by French writer, Caroline Gaudriault. Both elements aim to capture the essence of Lotus' evolution.

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said: "Lotus is currently going through a complete metamorphosis and at times it can be a real challenge to communicate the transition of a brand, especially one as iconic as Lotus. The passion people have for our brand can be both a blessing and a curse, everyone has a strong opinion – for this reason, we are always looking for creative ways to reach out to the world. When the idea was presented to me, I couldn't resist. Gérard is an exceptional artist, I have followed his work closely over the years and I felt instinctively that he would be the perfect person to demonstrate our vision and encapsulate the spirit of our brand with his images. People are in for a real treat when they see all seven."

Gérard Rancinan creator of Metamorphosis said: "I can see a clear artistic link between the work of Lotus and my photographs in terms of commitment, the relevance of the subject matter, the audacity of the creator, the beauty of the gesture and the perfection of the object. We are engaged in a dialogue which takes place on the same terrain: the world of art."

Caroline Gaudriault author of the Metamorphosis book said: "Authors always look for a good story to use as a kind of canvas; their characters take on the form of living matter; they introduce twists and turns in their narratives in an attempt to surprise their readers. By immersing myself in the Lotus saga, I was able to find all the material I needed to create a feuilleton drawn from real life."

Lotus Director of Design Donato Coco said: "From a design perspective Lotus is in full metamorphosis and it's a natural progression for any forward thinking brand, in my view we are retaining the core DNA through everything we're doing – the way I see it, Lotus is more Lotus now than ever before. We obsessively seek innovation, we are unique and we are bold, that is what Lotus is about. With the Metamorphosis collaboration we are simply spreading our wings. The project means a great deal to me personally, I have known Gérard for many years and we inspire each other through our work – he completely understands our vision for the future of Lotus whilst still paying great respect to our past."

For a sneak preview of the collection which includes one image each of the new product range (Esprit, Elan, Elite, Elise and Eterne) and two enormous montages, watch the exclusive behind the scenes movie.

Steve Sutcliffe from "Autocar" writes:

"The Lotus Evora S is, according to Lotus, 'the car we always wanted to build'. In other words the version of the Evora we've all been waiting for. It's a more powerful, faster version of the already excellent base Evora, courtesy of a supercharger being added to its 3.5-litre V6 engine."

So was it worth the wait?

Watch the whole "Autocar" video.

We recently secured placement of a Lotus Evora in The Commuter – a short film starring Dev Patel, Ed Westwick, Charles Dance and Pamela Anderson.

Click here to view the entire short film online.

A fantastic PR story given that The Commuter was shot entirely with the Nokia N8 handset, plus we have created a new Lotus fan and potential buyer in actor Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) for whom we are hoping to arrange a day at Lotus very soon.

Hope you enjoy the film...

It's Official: The Lotus Evora IS the MOST Fun to Drive Car.

Further industry recognition for the multi-award winning Lotus Evora with the most 'Fun to Drive Car' award from U.S. magazine, Popular Mechanics* as they celebrate the Top 10 Cars of 2010.

The expert automotive editorial team at Popular Mechanics has tested over 100 vehicles during the course of the past year to identify the best in automotive design, execution and technology for 2011 model year vehicles in ten specific categories. When the tyre smoke settled and the engines and brakes cooled off, the ONE vehicle they found most Fun to Drive for 2011 is the all-new Lotus Evora.

Summarizing his automotive editorial team's findings, lead Popular Mechanics' automotive Editor Larry Webster said: "We're all car enthusiasts so every sports car is viewed with an especially critical eye. The Evora simply floored us. It combines everything we want in a performance car - gutsy engine, stunning looks, and a dash of practicality - with the driving dynamics we've come to expect from Lotus. It's the most entertaining car on the road."

One of the primary guiding principles through all of Lotus' 60 plus years of existence has been to build very pure, communicative and inclusive sports cars making them exceptionally fun to drive.

Commenting on the award Dany Bahar Chief Executive of Group Lotus said: "It's very gratifying to receive such a prestigious award from the editors at Popular Mechanics. With the Evora we set out to deliver a high performance sports car without sacrificing on comfort, a Lotus that you could happily and comfortably live with every day, yet still providing 100 percent of the exceptional ride and handling experience we're famous for. This award, and the many others the Evora has received, justifies our mantra of performance through relative light weight and fun to drive focus."

"This award is perfectly timed as we're set to head to the LA Auto Show where people can come and see not only the brand new Evoras, the S and the IPS but they can also experience the future of Lotus with our all new product line-up as we unveil the Esprit, Elite, Elan, Elise and Eterne."

*Popular Mechanics is an all encompassing and authoritative Automotive, technology and science magazine with 3 million readers.

Hell Freezing Over? No Problem

Lotus Evora "Ice Attack"

It's not enough to simply provide people with the gorgeous multi-award winning Evora, Lotus wants people to be able to drive the car come hell or high water (perhaps not too high water!). So after a great deal of careful thought and consideration, Lotus has united with four-time world rally driving champion Juha Kankkunen to develop the ultimate winter driving programme – Ice Attack - and it's not for the faint hearted!

Based on the winter ice tracks of Northern Finland just 60km south of the Arctic circle, in what has often been described as one of the world's most beautiful settings, the Lotus Ice Attack programme has been designed to offer the thrills and spills of powering around in the ice and snow.

During the trip drivers will learn first hand how to navigate safely in low grip conditions, how to brake and change direction effectively, as well as experiencing the limitations of driving in the most extreme conditions. Drivers will also explore the handling characteristics of the Evora.

A series of white-knuckle exercises have been designed to take the driver and the car to the limit on a safe and controlled track. Each session, with a professional instructor, can be tailored to meet individual needs throughout the day.

Commenting on Lotus Ice Attack, Juha Kankkunen said: "I'm delighted that Lotus chose my driving academy to partner with for this extreme weather driving event. I think that the Evora is the perfect car to put to the test in the special winter conditions created in Kuusamo and I'm very much looking forward to welcoming people to this incredible arctic experience."

Photo copyright © www.studiodinoeisele.de

Not even a broken bone from a motorbike accident could put a stop to Gianni Guidici's assault on the SRO GT4 Supersports European Cup at the final round this weekend. And it was no mere win for the plucky Italian, after carefully removing his plaster-cast he took the championship title with one race to go at the famous French circuit of Magny-Cours.

Commenting on his win, an understandably delighted Guidici said: "My team cut the plaster-cast off my foot just before the race, I put on my racing boots and less than an hour later I won the championship! I am so pleased with the result. The win is not just for me but also for the team supporting me: my immediate support crew as well as Lotus Motorsport in Hethel. I couldn't have wished for better back up and I am delighted to have made Lotus proud."

Racing under the title Scuderia Giudici with technical and engineering support from Lotus, the Italian driver and the 2-Eleven have had a superb season of GT racing. Not only did Guidici dominate the Supersports category, but throughout the season, he also finished ahead of many of the other competitors within the whole of the GT4 championships in cars with nearly twice the horsepower (and more weight of course).

Claudio Berro, Director of Lotus Motorsport said: "This championship victory, at the end of such an exciting season, marks the start of a new era of motorsport at Lotus, we will be returning to eight levels of global motorsport from next year. We have clearly demonstrated how we mean to carry on - with competitive cars which show the capability, capacity and all out performance of Lotus. I hope that our activities in all the areas where we will be racing, including GP2, IndyCar, LMP2 and GT2 will result in similar successes."

Gianni Guidici's Lotus 2-Eleven wasn't the only Lotus in the GT4 Supersports Championships, with Marco Fumagalli recording two second places and two thirds. Julian Griffin, also driving a Lotus 2-Eleven won round eight of the championships at the Nürburgring.

It is hoped that Guidici will be returning next season with Marco Fumagalli to race two Evora GT4 race cars as Lotus Sport Italia.

Peter was one of the Lotus greats, his contribution to Lotus during the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's will never be forgotten. We extend out heartfelt thoughts and condolences to his family.

18 June 1938 – 4 October 2010

Never before has an automotive manufacturer shown a new portfolio of five cars in one go at the Paris Motor Show. And who better to present the return of a great British automotive icon, the Lotus Esprit, than two British icons? Legendary Queen guitarist, Brian May and supermodel Naomi Campbell did the honours. Hollywood superstar Stephen Baldwin perfectly fitted the bill to unveil the new Lotus Elise, a car described as a sexy, agile beast. French-Canadian singing sensation Garou was the textbook gentleman as he unveiled the new gentleman's supercar, the Lotus Elite, and Academy Award nominee Mickey Rourke's powerful physique was the ideal match for the muscular new Lotus Elan as he whipped off the silk.

Commenting on the unveiling Gino Rosato, Director of Corporate Operations at Lotus said: "The Lotus family is a big one and we were delighted to welcome some of our exceptionally talented friends to share this historic moment with us. We are on an incredible journey and it's wonderful to see so many familiar faces along for the ride. On behalf of Lotus, I would like to say a big thank you to these old friends for taking the time out to take part in our special day." The celebrities in attendance all took time out from their hectic schedules to show their support for Lotus. Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May broke into his schedule for the promotion of 'Anthems'* to launch the brand new line up as he unveiled the new Lotus Esprit alongside supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Following the unveiling, Brian May said: "This is an incredible day for Lotus, and it's nice to take a moment to be proud to be British. The Lotus team have done an incredible job. Lotus Rocks!"

Lotus will be supporting Brian's Save-Me campaign, aimed at preventing cruelty to Britain's wild animals, by donating a brand new specially painted Lotus Evora to be auctioned off for the charity.

*Anthems is the debut rock album Brain May has produced for top musical theatre star Kerry Ellis.

The Lotus City Car concept provides a showcase for Lotus Engineering's Electrical and Electronic Integration and Efficient Performance competencies, featuring an advanced series hybrid drivetrain with the Lotus Range Extender engine. This innovative concept car highlights the adaptability of the drivetrain technology and the exceptional capability of Lotus Design.

Advanced hybrid technology from Lotus Engineering

The City Car concept features a Lotus Engineering designed and integrated series hybrid drivetrain, with a single-speed transmission that delivers low emissions, optimised performance and electric-only operating range for city use.

The drivetrain provides the vehicle with an EV range of 60 km to cover the majority of daily journeys operating as a plug-in EV, with the Range Extender engine enabling longer trips and alleviating "range anxiety". Using Range Extender technology allows the vehicle to be specified with a smaller, lighter and less expensive battery pack than a regular EV.

The 500 km full range and quick refuelling capability of the range extended City Car concept highlight the flexibility of this technology for use beyond the city environment. The City Car concept draws on Lotus Engineering's established core competencies of Electrical and Electronic Integration and Efficient Performance to optimise the highly complex integration of the series hybrid drivetrain.

With a total vehicle weight of less than 1400 kg and 240 Nm of torque instantly available, the Lotus City Car concept has class leading acceleration; 0 - 50 km/h in only 4.5 seconds and 0 - 100 km/h in 9 seconds, when operating as an EV under battery power. The top speed of the Lotus City Car concept is 170 km/h, with a charge sustaining top speed of 120 km/h and all this performance is achieved by a drivetrain that returns CO2 emissions of 60 g/km on the ECE-R101 test schedule.

The 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder Lotus Range Extender engine, specifically designed for hybrid vehicle applications, drives a 240 Nm, 54 kW continuous (162 kW peak) generator. The Lotus City Car concept boasts zero emission capability when running in EV mode and in keeping with Lotus Engineering's focus on sustainable transport, the Range Extender engine is designed for flex-fuel operation on ethanol and methanol as well as regular gasoline.

Exclusive Lotus Design

This stunning concept car created by Lotus Design brings Lotus exclusivity and brand character to a concept vehicle that revels in the city environment. It is beautifully sculptured, possessing a solid, purposeful sportscar stance, while offering features that maximise functionality in the city.

With its chic body and overtly sporty nature, the Lotus City Car concept exudes style and sophistication. The distinctive Lotus mouth and diffuser give the car purpose, with the wide track, low ride height and big wheels reinforcing the sportcar styling.

The design features an impressive use of space with very efficient packaging constrained within the compact vehicle dimensions. The Lotus City Car concept provides enhanced visibility for the driver and low emissions to optimise use in urban life.

A dramatic glass roof is incorporated into the design to further increase visibility; under the glass roof the interior is upholstered in a luxuriant green and yellow tartan fabric and immaculately finished with a technologically advanced Lotus steering wheel. The high specification of the Lotus City Car concept is emphasised by the mix of carbon fibre, sumptuous leather and high quality equipment.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus said, "Lotus Design has created a vehicle that condenses the essence of Lotus into a low carbon city car, with many inspired design touches. The progressive technology from Lotus Engineering gives the car an advanced drivetrain that can be operated in Zero Emissions EV mode or run on its flex-fuel engine."

Adding "As you would expect from Lotus, the City Car concept is an exquisitely designed, highly efficient vehicle with class leading performance - in this concept car, Lotus Design and Lotus Engineering have provided the perfect solution for life in the contemporary city environment."

Lotus City Car Concept Specification

Layout: 3 door, 4 seater, rear wheel drive

Drivetrain: Series hybrid drivetrain

Range Extender engine: 35 kW, 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder engine

Engine fuel: Flex-fuel (methanol, ethanol and petrol)

Battery Capacity: 14.8 kWh

Power/Torque: 162 kW peak (54 kW continuous)/ 240 Nm

0-50 km/h: 4.5 seconds

0-100 km/h: 9.0 seconds

Top speed: 170 km/h

Range: 500 km

EV range 60 km

CO2 emissions: 60 g/km on the ECE-R101 cycle

Weight: Less than 1,400 kg

Transmission: Single speed transmission

World first for an automotive manufacturer as Lotus unveils entire new product line up and introduces the world to the new Lotus lifestyle.

World first for an automotive manufacturer as Lotus unveils entire new product line up and introduces the world to the new Lotus lifestyle.

We did it! At exactly 16.45 CET on September 30th 2010, via a live global webcast, surrounded by the world's press, Lotus made the ultimate statement of intent. Five new cars, two evolutions of existing models and a concept car. A sumptuous new magazine. A flashy new website. And a range of merchandise featuring not one, not two, but three separate clothing ranges.

There's so much to take in that we thought we'd keep the post event words simple. But for those who need details, fear not, we have a lovely media site where you can get all the information including technical specifications (see notes to editors). For now though, we're going to let the man behind the vision do the talking, here's what Lotus CEO Dany Bahar has to say:

The New Lotus Esprit (5.0 litre/V8/620 PS), the icon is back: "The Esprit is the ultimate supercar. There's a fine balance between acknowledging the greatness of the past whilst at the same time rapidly leaping forward to the future and ensuring that this car not only does the name Esprit justice but also the Lotus brand. I think we've managed to find the balance and in doing so created a new icon, a car people will find hard to resist. The design is aggressive, you have to see it to appreciate how low and wide the proportions are but it still retains a level of dignity, of class and most of all exclusivity. I'm very proud of this car."

The New Lotus Elan (4.0 litre/V6/450 PS), the end of compromise: "Perfect for both road and track, the Elan not only ticks all the boxes, it creates new ones too. It will convert people to Lotus, it will also go a long way towards dispelling the old misconceptions about this class, that in order to have high performance you must sacrifice usability – those days are gone. Once you drive an Elan you won't look back, it will give you things you didn't even realise you were missing – that's the essence of Lotus and the Elan perfectly captures that spirit."

The New Lotus Elite (5.0 litre/V8/620 PS), a new British expression of exclusivity: "The Elite is breathtakingly beautiful but it's so much more than that. One could say it's a car of perfect contradictions, it's compact yet spacious, high performance yet low emissions, lightweight yet still reassuringly solid. It's a car that we are exceptionally proud of at Lotus and we truly believe that there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of styling and performance. There will always be those who believe that Lotus should stick to small sports cars but we didn't take the decision to design something like the Elite lightly, it's based on months of careful research and planning."

The New Lotus Elise (2.0 litre/inline 4/320 PS), the grown up: "We worked very hard on getting the Elise 2015 exactly right, it's our entry level car so it needs to give a proper introduction to the Lotus driving experience. The Elise you can buy now is still a fantastic car and Lotus remains very proud of it, but this is a natural progression for us moving forward. The Elise 2015 will also be class-leading in terms of performance and efficiency but it will do more than that, it will take the Elise model to the forefront of its class across the board. It's the next generation Elise for a new generation of Lotus drivers."

The New Lotus Eterne (5.0 litre/V8/620 PS), the statement of intent: "The Eterne is sensational to look at and as with the rest of the range it also over delivers in all other aspects as well. Similar to the Elite, it's a car of perfect contradictions, it's compact yet spacious, high performance yet low emissions relatively lightweight yet still reassuringly solid. The biggest difference between the Eterne and it's class competitors is that it's not an evolution of an existing two-door model, it's a deliberate and considered stand-alone creation. It's the ultimate four door sports car."

The Concept City Car: "Lotus Design has created a vehicle that condenses the essence of Lotus into a low carbon city car, with many inspired design touches. The progressive technology from Lotus Engineering gives the car an advanced drivetrain that can be operated in Zero Emissions EV mode or run on its flex-fuel engine. As you would expect from Lotus, the City Car concept is an exquisitely designed, highly efficient vehicle with class leading performance - in this concept car, Lotus Design and Lotus Engineering have provided the perfect solution for life in the contemporary city environment."

The Evora S: "It's the next level of Evora experience. It communicates with you better, the suspension setting has been fine tuned for added power and control so it responds even more to direction. It's an instinctive car, the experience is pure. We were proud of the Evora but we're even prouder of the Evora S, I feel it does the Lotus experience true justice. The really great thing is that as we move forward the standard Evora should also benefit from some of these developments."

The Evora IPS: "The Evora IPS is set to broaden the appeal of the Evora and reach out to a slightly different market. We hope it will be popular with established automatic locations such as Asia, the Middle East and the US . It's been a long time since Lotus created an automatic and we've spent a great deal of time refining this one to make sure that it perfectly complements the Evora driving experience."

The Magazine: "In order to do our very special brand justice, just as with our new cars, we've brought together the great and the good from the magazine industry to bring you a work of reading glory, we're not only a car magazine, we're a lifestyle choice and over the coming pages you'll find a collection of intriguing articles highlighting the very best of British culture accompanied by fashion and sublime photography. The magazine isn't a glorified sales pitch, it's the gateway to the new Lotus world, it's a sneaky insight into our game plan. Lotus rules apply. Come join us on our journey. Don't be left behind."

The Website: "The website is our shop window to the world and should provide the first taste of the new Lotus lifestyle. We have worked exceptionally hard to make sure we achieve the perfect look and feel to match our new range of cars – people will visit www.lotuscars.com and find so much more than just a website selling cars!"

The Merchandise: "Welcome to the world of Lotus, where style is more than a simple trend. As with our cars we aim to break new ground in traditional areas offering an interpretation of Lotus lifestyle that is true to itself. Product is key. The focus is on product uniqueness. Lotus is once more synonymous with excellence. The product range reflects the diversity and values of the brand in every detail. The Lotus merchandise collection reflects all facets of the brand in three different lines: Originals, Heritage and Performance."

Enter the Eterne, the four door super saloon from Lotus. If the Elite is elegance incarnate then the Eterne is elegance redefined.

The Eterne is a true four door, four seater sports GT. It's the ultimate expression of refined style, sophistication and grace. But wait. An elegant, graceful sports car? Surely not.

A sports car by definition can't be graceful. Powerful, exciting, aggressive yes, but not graceful. Yet here it is, the ultimate paradox - the Eterne. Power and grace, performance and elegance, beauty and strength all in one stunning package.

With a 5.0 litre pressure charged V8 engine delivering up to 620 PS the Eterne is aiming for best in class performance and efficiency.

In keeping with the rest of the new line-up, the Eterne will benefit from hybrid technology.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: "The Eterne is sensational to look and as with the rest of the range it also over delivers in all other aspects as well. Similar to the Elite, it's a car of perfect contradictions, it's compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, relative lightweight yet still reassuringly solid."

"We truly believe that there is a market for the Eterne, there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of design, capacity and performance. The biggest difference between the Eterne and it's class competitors is that it's not an evolution of an existing two-door model, it's a deliberate and considered stand-alone creation. It's the ultimate four door sports car."

Sometimes there are no rules to be broken, so it is time to define them instead.

Specifications

* Layout 4 seater, front-mid-engined, rear wheel drive, all wheel drive is optional

* Engine Petrol, hybrid optional

* Hybrid Technology Hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS

* Cylinder V8

* Capacity 5.0 litre

* Power/Torque 620 PS / 720 Nm

* Rev limit 8,500 rpm

* 0-100 km/h 4.0 seconds

* Top speed 315 km/h

* CO2 approx (CO2/km) 220 g/km**

* Weight 1,800 kg

* Seats 4

* Transmission Full Hybrid transmission

* Drive RWD, AWD optional

* Start of production Early 2015

* Enters the market Spring 2015

* Price indication Circa £120,000

Oh yes, here it is! There's still room for the Elise at Lotus but what a difference a decade or two makes. The Elise due for release in 2015 is a sexy, agile beast of a car. Finally the Elise comes of age.

Aesthetically it's definitely pleasing to the eye, it's bold directional body gives you subtle hints of the Elise of old so it still seems a touch familiar but at the same time, it couldn't be more different.

Perhaps a small example of how the car has changed would help. Aside from strong graphic styling, the practicality of the car has had a major overhaul too with sizeable improvements made to the ingress and egress – in simple terms, no more acrobatics but still all the fun you expect from the Elise.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: "We worked very hard on getting the Elise 2015 exactly right, it's our entry level car so it needs to give a proper introduction to the Lotus driving experience."

"The Elise you can buy now is still a fantastic car, make no mistake, Lotus remain very proud of it, but this is a natural progression for us moving forward. The Elise 2015 will also be class-leading in terms of performance and efficiency but it will do more than that it will take the Elise model to the forefront of its class across the board."

"The design of the Elise 2015 is perfect for the target market, it's young, strong, confident, verging on ruthless, it mirrors the engineering and technology. It's the next generation Elise for a new generation of Lotus drivers."

Fear not though, despite the dramatic upgrades the Elise 2015 has lost none of the cheeky charm that made the two-seater sports car famous, it still retains performance through lightweight and handles like a dream – albeit a quite aggressive and tension filled dream. With a 2.0 litre inline 4 pressure charged engine delivering up to 320 PS, the Elise 2015 should reach 0-100kph in under 4.5 seconds.

The Elise 2015, proving great things come to those who wait.

Specifications

* Layout 2 seater, mid-engined, rear wheel drive

* Engine Petrol with start/stop option

* Hybrid technology Mild hybrid, i.e. start/stop technology

* Cylinder 4

* Capacity 2.0 litre

* Power/Torque 320 PS / 330 Nm

* Rev limit 7,800 rpm

* 0-100 km/h 4.3 seconds

* Top speed 270 km/h

* CO2 approx (CO2/km) 150 g/km**

* Weight 1,095 kg

* Seats 2

* Transmission 6 Speed Manual, DCT optional

* Drive RWD

* Start of production Early 2015

* Enters the market Spring 2015

* Price indication Circa £35,000

As the old saying goes, you can't have your cake and eat it. In the past we were educated to believe we can't have it all. But that was the past. Today's driver demands more and the Elan delivers.

The Elan is the beating heart of the new Lotus line-up. It's a high performance sports car, that much is clear, it's a Lotus after all, but thanks to some clever innovations the Elan also has everyday usability too.

With a 2+2 variant, the Elan should be the only car you need.

Set for release during the second half of 2013, the Elan features a 4.0 litre V6 pressure charged engine capable of delivering up to 450 PS and taking into consideration its relative light weight of 1,295kg, the Elan's performance edges on supercar.

From a styling perspective, the Elan is built like an athlete with a muscular physique and perfect poise. It's a thoroughbred, rigid with tension, ambitious and addictive, nothing but best in class will suffice for this car.

It's not enough to simply provide performance and exceptional looks, innovation is also integral to the Elan's appeal. In keeping with the rest of the new Lotus range, the Elan features optional hybrid technology with KERS.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: "If there was ever a car to make you drive the long way home, it's the Elan. Perfect for both road and track, the Elan not only ticks all the boxes, it creates new ones too."

"The Elan will convert people to Lotus, I would challenge people not to become addicted to driving it. It will also go a long way towards dispelling the old misconceptions about this class, that in order to have high performance you must sacrifice usability – those days are gone."

"Once you drive an Elan you won't look back, it will give you things you didn't even realise you were missing – that's the essence of Lotus and the Elan perfectly captures that spirit."

One car, zero compromise.

Specifications

* Layout 2 seater (optional 2+2), mid-engined, rear wheel drive

* Engine Petrol, hybrid optional

* Hybrid technology Optional KERS

* Cylinder V6

* Capacity 4.0 litre

* Power/Torque 450 PS / 465 Nm

* Rev limit 7,800 rpm

* 0-100 km/h 3.5 seconds

* Top speed 310 km/h

* CO2 approx (CO2/km) 199 g/km**

* Weight 1,295 kg

* Seats 2

* Transmission 7 Speed DCT

* Drive RWD

* Start of production Summer 2013

* Enters the market Autumn 2013

* Price indication Circa £75,000

The most eagerly anticipated Lotus makes its return. Without doubt, this is the car that the true Lotus aficionados have been waiting for: The ultimate Lotus.

The new Esprit represents the very essence of exclusive supercar driving. It picks up and exceeds the legacy of it's forefathers. Think of it as a statement of superiority. Think of it as Lotus CEO Dany Bahar's personal statement of intent, his vision for the future of Lotus.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: "The Esprit is the ultimate supercar. In the past when people thought of the Esprit, they thought of the movies, Bond, Pretty Woman,

Basic Instinct but this time around, the car is the star of the show."

"One has to be very careful when taking on the challenge of reinventing such an iconic classic as the Esprit – everyone has an opinion. There's a fine balance between acknowledging the greatness of the past whilst at the same time rapidly leaping forward to the future and ensuring that this car not only does the name Esprit justice but also the Lotus brand. I think we've managed to find the balance and in doing so created a new icon, a car people will find hard to resist."

"Not only does the Esprit look incredible but it has the performance to match. We've stuck to the Lotus core values of performance through lightweight and teamed them with future technology and exceptional engineering to ensure that the Esprit will be the leader of the pack. The design is aggressive, you have to see it to appreciate how low and wide the proportions are but it still retains a level of dignity, of class and most of all exclusivity. I'm very proud of this car."

Powered by a 5.0 litre V8 pressure charged engine delivering up to 620 PS, the Esprit retains exceptional performance through it's unique lightweight design making it the ultimate expression of Lotus supercar ownership. It is the supercar that will redefine ride and handling, performance, comfort and exclusivity.

The styling of the Esprit echoes the performance with strong lines throughout the sleek low body. The symmetry through the mass and proportion of the Esprit give it an intense look, it's the perfect example of the new Lotus DNA in action.

The Esprit is more than an evolution, it's a redefinition.

Specifications

* Layout 2 seater, mid-engined, rear wheel drive

* Engine Petrol, hybrid optional

* Hybrid technology Optional KERS

* Cylinder V8

* Capacity 5.0 litre

* Power/Torque 620 PS / 720 Nm

* Rev limit 8,500 rpm

* 0-100 km/h 3.4 seconds

* Top speed 330 km/h

* CO2 approx (CO2/km) 250 g/km**

* Weight 1,450 kg

* Seats 2

* Transmission 7 Speed DCT

* Drive RWD

* Start of production End of 2012

* Enters the market Spring 2013

* Price indication Circa £110,000

Not able to fly off to Paris to experience the Mondial de l'Automobile first hand? No problem. Lotus has the answer.

Weeks ago we launched our special countdown clock screensaver which has been tirelessly counting down the seconds, minutes, hours and days for the thousands of you that downloaded it.

What most people didn't realise when they downloaded that little clock is that when the online countdown (as seen at www.lotuscars.co.uk) reaches 00:00:00:00 the screen will morph into a live broadcast direct from the Paris Motor Show.

That's right folks, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we are delighted to inform you that you will be able to watch the live unveiling of Lotus' future from the comfort of your own desks/homes/PDA (delete as appropriate).

Following the live broadcast you'll be delivered automatically to our brand spanking new website with the new address www.lotuscars.com. Be the first to get a taste of the new Lotus lifestyle.

So, what's to come? What have we had you waiting for over the past 100 days? What exactly are we going to unveil in Paris? And why should you care? There's only one way to find out.

September 30th 16.45 CET (15.45 GMT).

Don't miss out.

Clark, Senna, Andretti, Moss, Mansell, Hill, Fittipaldi, F1, IndyCar, Le Mans . Lotus and motorsport go together like fish and chips and jelly and ice-cream.

With a pedigree like ours it should come as no surprise that we announce a new 360° race program, a statement of intent including: multiple race series, grassroots driver development and Exos - the ultimate in exclusive driving experiences.

Lotus Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro summed it up perfectly when he said: "Lotus is motorsport and racing is in our DNA. We have a special place in motorsport history and now as we unveil the beginning of our future plans it's important for people to realise just how committed we are to doing our heritage justice. There is no better platform to demonstrate the transfer of technology from track to road car than a full range of pure motorsport activity, we have to tick all the boxes."

"As with our new product line up set to be unveiled in just a few days time at the Paris Motor Show we are entering a new era for Lotus Motorsport - there's lots more to come and trust me, there will be something to please every motorsport enthusiast, from the committed fan to the Senna of the future."

So what exactly are we talking about? There's a lot to take in and we've got the Paris Motor Show around the corner so let's keep it top line:

IndyCar: The 2011 IndyCar season will see Lotus continue to work with KV Racing Technology providing further technical and engineering support, fielding a minimum of two cars on the grid. We'll also commence development on new body work and chassis - in line with the new regulation scheduled for implementation in 2012.

GP2 and GP3: In collaboration with seasoned championship winners ART Grand Prix, we have now confirmed our participation in the 2011 GP2 (Europe and Asia series) and GP3 series. The contract with ART Grand Prix sees us commit to providing technical and engineering support for the GP2 and GP3 race series for a minimum of three years.

Evora GT4: So an update on our Evora GT4 development. We've made the decision to develop the car to be eligible in GT2 and GT3 categories. And on top of this news, a total of 20 orders have been received for the GT4 since it's launch in Pebble Beach , the first lucky customer should be receiving his car at the end of October.

GT2: More exciting news - we are currently developing a new GT2 car based on one of our eagerly anticipated future road cars, set to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The new GT2 car will be in line with the new regulations.

LMP2: This very special project is under the expert direction of technical genius Paolo Catone. The car is being developed to meet new ACO rules, it will have a closed cockpit and is due to be on-track late 2011, with an assault on the 24 Hr Le Mans planned for 2012.

Lotus Driving Academy (LDA): Reconfirming our dedication to grassroots motorsport activity there is a planned global roll out of the popular LDA. Set to start early in 2011, the roll out will begin with the redevelopment of the existing concept and facilities in Hethel followed by plans for two new locations to come on line, one in the UAE and one in Eastern Europe. We'll follow this with the addition of two more sites, one in the mid USA and one in Japan in 2012. Further expansion in 2013 will see sites in Moscow, Malaysia and a second Academy in the US operational. In addition to developing grassroots talent the LDA provides the perfect facilities for individual driving courses and for Lotus customers to test drive product.

Lotus Cup: We are pleased to confirm plans to expand and reorganise our factory owned championship programme in key territories including Europe, Japan , USA and the UAE including a re-branding exercise to harmonise corporate identity across the globe. All series will continue to enjoy support from Lotus Motorsport, based at the Company's HQ in Hethel. The Lotus Cup series allows Lotus drivers around the world the opportunity to put their production type cars to the test in a competitive race environment.

Type 125 and the Exos Experience: Phenomenal interest followed the official unveiling last month at Pebble Beach. The first 10 cars have now been provisionally allocated to buyers. Testing is due to start before Christmas, with further extensive hot weather testing in early 2011. The first cars are scheduled to be delivered in April with the first Exos club event earmarked for May 2011.

Not too sure what Exos and the 125 is? Read on…..Exos is a club in which a limited number of owner drivers can refine their driving skills and challenge themselves in Formula 1™ inspired technology combined with expert one-to-one advice from former Grand Prix drivers and trainers. The Lotus 125 is an F1™ inspired race-car complete with Cosworth V8 engine, is an innovative program to energize the Lotus spirit, to challenge convention and allow the customer experience something unique and inspirational.

The New Lotus Test Track: Great progress is currently being made on our new FIA regulation test track. Located next to the Lotus factory in Hethel, Norfolk, the new track boasts 12 pitlane garages capable of hosting 24 cars and will comply with all current FIA safety regulations. With a length of 3.6 kilometres and width of 12 metres the track will be ideal for customer experiences, GT racing and F1 testing.

So, you must be wondering, why pick now to increase our interest in motorsport? Really the question shouldn't be why we have now upped our motorsport participation, for a brand with such a unique and extensive racing history, the question should really be: why not?

ENDS

There is and always has been only one

Lotus, the Lotus started by Colin Chapman. From the beginning Lotus made

road cars and raced racing cars. Until 1994, Group Lotus, the road car

manufacturer and Team Lotus, which operated the Formula 1 team, were in

common ownership with common directors. In 1994, Team Lotus failed and

Lotus has not raced since. Since 1994, David Hunt has claimed to have

acquired assets of Team Lotus, including its name, from the liquidator.

He has never raced as Lotus. Mr. Hunt's attempt to acquire the name Team

Lotus was ineffective. Group Lotus is the owner of all rights in the

"Lotus" automotive brand including those relating to Formula 1.

Last year, Tony Fernandes and 1 Malaysia Racing Team recognised this by

taking a licence from Group Lotus to use the "Lotus" brand for the

"Lotus Racing" team in the current Formula 1 season. With PROTON's

agreement, Group Lotus has now terminated its licence to 1 Malaysia

Racing Team to use the "Lotus Racing" brand in the 2011 and future

Formula 1 seasons as a result of the flagrant and persistent breaches of

the licence by 1 Malaysia Racing Team, which were damaging to the

"Lotus" brand.

Following that termination, neither 1 Malaysia Racing Team, nor any

other company associated with Mr. Fernandes such as Tune Group Sdn Bhd

or Team Lotus Ventures Limited, has the authority of Group Lotus to use

any "Lotus" brand in the 2011 Formula 1 season. This includes the use of

the brand "Team Lotus".

Group Lotus understands that Mr. Fernandes intends to rebrand the

current "Lotus Racing" Formula 1 team to "Team Lotus" for the 2011

Formula 1 season. Mr. Fernandes indicates that Tune Group has acquired

the rights to the name "Team Lotus" from a business formerly owned by

David Hunt called Team Lotus Ventures Limited. Group Lotus believes

these rights to have no proper legal foundation, a fact of which Mr.

Fernandes was well aware when his company purchased them.

PROTON will support Group Lotus in taking all necessary steps to protect

its rights in the "Lotus" name, including resisting any attempts by Mr.

Fernandes or his companies, or any other unauthorised person, to use the

"Lotus" name in the 2011 Formula 1 season.

Dato' Sri Mohd. Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh, Chairman of PROTON Holdings Berhad

and Group Lotus commented, "We believe the Lotus brand to be one of the

most valuable brands in Formula 1 today. We are the owners of this

brand, and will take all necessary steps to protect it. Tony Fernandes

has no rights to use the Lotus brand in the 2011 Formula 1 season, and

we will strongly resist any attempts by him to use our brand without our

permission and will withdraw our sponsorship of the Lotus Racing team."

"To put it simply, Group Lotus is everything Lotus. The fact that 1

Malaysia Racing Team entered into an agreement with Group Lotus to use

the brand means that both Mr. Fernandes and 1 Malaysia Racing Team

recognises and acknowledges Group Lotus' rights," he added.

The best of British meets the best of France as Lotus Motorsport and GP2 championship winners ART Grand Prix unite to create the ultimate GP2 and GP3 race teams.

Lotus Motorsport in collaboration with seasoned championship winners ART Grand Prix can confirm their participation in the 2011 GP2 (Europe and Asia series) and GP3 series. The contract with ART Grand Prix sees Lotus commit to providing technical and engineering support for the GP2 and GP3 race series for the foreseeable future.

Lotus Motorsport and ART Grand Prix share a hunger for success, the facts speak for themselves. With seven F1 Constructers Championships, six F1 Driver Championships and numerous other considerable accolades, Lotus has a unique racing pedigree making them the perfect partner for ART Grand Prix.

Since the GP2 series was launched in 2005, Lotus' new collaborators ART Grand Prix have won the GP2 championship three times, first with Nico Rosberg (2005), then with Lewis Hamilton (2006) and last year with Nico Hülkenberg (2009) under the expert management of team founders Nicolas Todt and Frédéric Vasseur. Vasseur and Todt's complementary abilities guarantee the best possible management of the team, day in, day out. Frédéric Vasseur is in charge of the team and the factory on the ground, while Nicolas Todt runs the commercial and marketing side of the organization.

Commenting on the news Gino Rosato, Director of Corporate Communications at Lotus said: "This deal means a lot to me personally; I've known Nicolas Todt for many years and have already had the opportunity to work alongside him in the past. Lotus is proud to be partnering ART Grand Prix and in doing so uniting with the most successful and recognized team in GP2 Series. We come together with a common goal: to continue our great success in motorsport."

Frédéric Vasseur Team Manager of ART Grand Prix said: "It is a fantastic opportunity for ART Grand Prix to be working with Lotus. The goal is clear: winning together the future GP2 and GP3 championships. I can't wait to see the new livery of our racing cars."

As part of the celebration, Lotus ART will field two cars in the GP2 Europe and GP2 Asia series and three cars in the GP3 Europe series. The GP2 Series, one of the World's premier racing categories, is widely recognised as the breeding ground for future F1 talent. Almost half of the current F1 grid got their chance to race at the pinnacle of motorsport after proving their worth in the GP2 Series including Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Timo Glock and Heikki Kovalainen. The goal of the new GP3 Series is to give young upcoming drivers a chance to develop their driving skills and jump to the next step: GP2.

Lotus Motorsport Director of Operations Miodrag Kotur said: "The move into GP2 and GP3 solidifies Lotus Motorsport's commitment to promoting driver development and supporting the search for the world champions of the future. Lotus won't simply be partner in name only, ART Grand Prix will also benefit from Lotus' considerable engineering and technical support and experience."

The new Lotus Elite

EXCLUSIVE: The new Lotus Elite. Ten days ahead of the official unveil at the Paris Motor Show take a look at the first images as the sun starts to rise on the dawn of Lotus new era........

….enjoy the new British Expression of Exclusivity

Ten days ahead of the official unveil at the Paris Motor Show the sun starts to rise for the dawn of Lotus’ new era - the Elite will redefine “modern classic”.

So here it is, the Lotus Elite, the first taste of what’s to come from Lotus in the future. Look up elegant in the dictionary and you’ll find variations on the following 1. dignified grace in appearance, movement, or behaviour, 2. superb taste in design, style and 3. something elegant; the ultimate refinement.

The ground-breaking new Elite is exactly that. It’s compact yet chic body is elegance incarnate. It’s not only exquisitely elegant, in keeping with Lotus’ core values, it’s a car of substance incorporating some of the very latest technological innovations Lotus has to offer. The slick retractable hard top version and the optional use of hybrid technology with KERS are typical examples of Lotus tailoring technology to deliver perfect performance.

Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus said: “There’s no denying that the Elite is breathtakingly beautiful to look at but it’s so much more than that, it’s a car that over delivers in all other aspects as well. One could say it’s a car of perfect contradictions, it’s compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, lightweight yet still reassuringly solid. It’s a car that we are exceptionally proud of at Lotus and we truly believe that there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of styling and performance.

“Make no mistake, there’s a definite market requirement for the Elite – it’s the ultimate sports car feel with comfort and space. There will always be those who believe that Lotus should stick to small sports cars but we didn’t take the decision to design something like the Elite lightly, it’s based on months of careful research and planning. It’s worth noting this sector has been very successful for us in the past and now the Elite raises the benchmark higher still.”

Set for release in spring 2014, this is an innovative, exciting GT that will set a new benchmark in design, performance and emissions. And it’s not all about sleek lines and stunning bodywork with this particular 2+2, what hides beneath this shark like exterior perfectly does the aesthetics justice. A front-mid positioned 5.0l V8 engine delivering up to 620 PS meaning drivers can expect to go from 0-100 km/h in approximately 3.5 to 3.7 seconds.

Elite Specification*

Layout: 2+2 seater, front-mid-engined, rear wheel drive

Dimensions: Length: 4.60m

Width: 1.90m

Height: 1.32m

Engine: Petrol, hybrid optional

Hybrid technology: Hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS

Cylinder: V8

Capacity: 5.0 litre

Power/Torque: 620 PS / 720 Nm

Rev limit: 8,500 rpm

0-100 km/h: 3.5 to 3.7 seconds

Top speed: 315 km/h

COâ‚‚ approx (COâ‚‚/km): 215 g/km**

Weight: 1,650 kg

Seats: 2+2

Transmission: Full Hybrid transmission

Drive: RWD

Start of production: Early 2014

Enters the market: Spring 2014

Price indication: Circa £115,000

* Whilst the vehicle shown in this release is a Production Intent Prototype, it represents a concept vehicle being designed and developed by Lotus Cars. Lotus Cars reserves the right to change the external and internal design of the Production Intent Prototypes, the specification, performance, dimensions, weight, fuel consumption, powertrain details and any other product information at anytime and without notice for any reason whatsoever.

Details of performance, weight, fuel consumption and other production information relating to the Production Intent Prototypes are not official or proven figures and represent the intended performance, weight, fuel consumption and other product information of the Production Intent Prototypes.

The design, specification and performance figures for all Production Intent Prototypes will be confirmed following official testing and will be available from Lotus Cars.

The price quoted includes VAT at 17.5%.

**Using optional hybrid

Call to action - new official Facebook page now online……

Interested in finding out more about what's going on at Lotus in the final fourteen days before the big launch of Lotus new era at the Paris Motor Show?

Or perhaps you're still not convinced that we'll live up to the hype?

Join us on our new official Facebook page by going to http://www.facebook.com/LotusCars and clicking 'like' and see what Confucius has to say.

Twitter more your thing? Then follow us at @grouplotusplc.

New low carbon vehicle programme to deliver a REEVolution in performance of premium electric cars

The Technology Strategy Board alongside the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV) has today announced funding for the next stage of its Integrated Delivery Programme (IDP) Competition for Low Carbon Vehicles. A consortium of automotive partners has been awarded £9.5million to expand and enhance technology for range extended electric vehicles (REEV) in the premium sector in a research project called REEVolution.

The consortium partners – Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus Engineering, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd, THINK, Axeon, EVO Electric and Xtrac – will contribute between them a total of £11million to the programme which, in addition to the competition funding makes a £20million project investment in the future of low carbon vehicle technologies. The consortium companies will collaborate over the next two years to develop advanced electric powertrains and a greater understanding of the commercial requirements needed for high performance electric and range extended electric vehicles. The work will accelerate the development of new technologies and key commodities whilst laying the foundations for a globally competitive supply base.

The REEVolution programme is the next phase of a previously successful project led by Jaguar Land Rover and involving Lotus Engineering called Limo Green, a series hybrid range extended electric Jaguar XJ. The project was part funded by the Technology Strategy Board and the concept demonstrator delivered sub 120g/km tailpipe CO2, had fuel consumption bettering 57mpg, a top speed of 180kph, an overall range of 600 miles and in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, an impressive 30 miles. This new project will develop components and systems, as demonstrated on Limo Green, onto global levels of quality and reliability as required by production vehicles.

Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Pete Richings, Chief Engineer of Hybrid Technology at lead partner Jaguar Land Rover said: "REEVolution is going to take us to the next level of understanding in delivering high end performance on premium and desirable electric and hybrid cars. With three demonstration vehicle programmes from three companies, Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus and Nissan, the learning and feedback from this project will be invaluable on the road to vehicle electrification."

The REEVolution target is to deliver advanced Jaguar, Lotus and Nissan engineering demonstrator vehicles with a sub 50g/km tailpipe CO2 emissions, which is typically a 70-75% saving over a similar vehicle with a conventional powertrain. These vehicles will benefit from technology developed by each of the consortium partners in the project and further the EV and HEV competency in the UK. The knowledge and results from this REEVolution project will also feed into the development of next generation components from the emerging UK supply base.

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, said: "The work that we are doing through the Low Carbon Vehicles Integrated Delivery Programme reinforces the Automotive Council's focus on both supply chain and technology. Both these areas will be vital if the mass production of low carbon vehicles in the UK is to become a reality. We are delighted to support the REEVolution project, which will develop new technologies while helping to build a globally competitive supply base."

The funding for REEVolution was awarded as part of Stage 4 of the Technology Strategy Board's Low Carbon Vehicle Integrated Delivery Programme Competition.

Want to see what the Lotus CEO drives on his day off?

Check out Dany Bahar's original Lotus Esprit V8. It's probably the finest example of the iconic super car on the road today. This car

is a labour of love and has undergone a complete ground up restoration and rebuild, finished off with a new body respray in a striking pearlescent "Ice White" colour scheme. There's been a lot of talk about Lotus unveiling a new Esprit in Paris, there's only one way to find out if this is fact or fiction…..stay tuned for our live webcast of the Paris Motor Show unveil at 16.45 CET on September 30th 2010.

Lotus commemorated their successful relationship with Toyota today (17th

September) at a celebration at the British Embassy in Tokyo where Lotus

CEO Dany Bahar presented Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio

Toyoda with a specially equipped Lotus Elise powered by the last ever

Toyota 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine. The occasion marked the end of an era and

the start of an even stronger relationship between the two companies.

As part of the celebration, Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said: "The presentation of

Toyota's last 2ZZ engine in the Elise is a symbolic gesture of our continued

respect and deep appreciation for our partner not only acknowledging our

past but also looking forward to our future together."

Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda responded: "A Toyota

engine in a Lotus car creates a completely unique drive feeling – a special

blend featuring the best of Lotus and Toyota that we hope many car lovers

continue to experience and enjoy."

Based on the successful cooperation with Toyota so far, Lotus has decided to

take the relationship with Toyota to a new level that will enable Lotus to

create tailor-made powertrain solutions for future Lotus cars.

For more details on exactly how Lotus will be partnering with Toyota in the

future, simply look to the Lotus global unveiling at the Paris Motor Show on

September 30th where Lotus will showcase their new line up to the world's

media. The eagerly anticipated event marks the dawn of a new era for Lotus

and will highlight exactly why both companies are so proud of their

relationship.

The Lotus Vehicle Service Information centre is an online resource providing access to the full suite of service and repair documentation for Lotus vehicles.

Once registered, users can download documents by purchasing a time limited pass. Passes allow logged in users unlimited access for 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or a year. All users can search the resource by model and variant or Vehicle Identification Number.

http://vsi.lotuscars.com/

Lotus Engineering is delighted to announce that it has been commissioned by the Air Resources Board of California to undertake the second stage of a study investigating efficient, lightweight vehicles manufactured using lighter, stronger materials.

Lotus Engineering will conduct a detailed structural design and analysis of the prototype vehicle from an earlier study to demonstrate it meets the crashworthiness and stringent safety requirements for vehicles sold in the United States.

In April this year, Lotus Engineering concluded the first part of the study, released by the International Council on Clean Transportation in California, which recognised that a reduction in vehicle mass of 38% can be achieved for medium volume vehicles (around 50,000 units a year) with just an increase in 3% in vehicle cost and giving a 23% reduction in fuel consumption.

It is widely recognised in the automotive industry that a reduction in vehicle mass gives more efficient vehicles; with the global drive to reduce emissions, manufacturers are working hard to take mass out their cars. Lightweight vehicles have additional benefits in terms of performance, agility and cornering, (the lighter the car, the less power it needs to propel it along the road for the same performance as a heavier car).

For 62 years, Lotus has been leading the car world with ‘performance through light weight’ engineering. The strict adherence to this philosophy enabled Lotus to develop some of the finest sportscars of all time such as the Lotus Elite, Elan, Esprit from Lotus’ peerless past and the Elise, Exige and Evora from the current line up – all of which are the lightest cars in their class. But it is not just sportscars; Lotus’ consultancy division, Lotus Engineering has been applying its light weight principles behind the scenes for other car makers for years on many types of vehicles, both low volume and mass production.

This study will be led by Lotus Engineering’s Michigan, USA office with completion in April 2011. The vehicle design will use a mixture of materials best suited to its application including aluminium, magnesium, composites, high strength lightweight steel and plastics.