Lotus Cars releases its latest limited edition this month - the exciting 'Club Racer' a visually distinctive

version of the Exige S.

The Club Racer represents a real value proposition, benefiting from standard upgrades as well as

featuring a number of unique additions, for a recommended retail price of £39,950.

The prominent use of the track logo on the Club Racer pays homage to its racing heritage and passion

so fundamental to the Lotus marque. The Cub Racer features a sky-blue and black paint scheme

reminiscent of the 1960's racing era with which the Lotus name is synonymous.

25 limited edition Club Racers will be available from Lotus dealers nationwide with the following vehicle

specification:

· Exige S

· Sport Pack

· Touring Pack

· Super Touring Pack

· Sports Exhaust (post-registration fitment)

· Air Conditioning

Additional Components:

· Hethel track decals

· Special Edition Paint – Sky-blue (non-metallic) with Phantom Black Tri-Stripe Design

· Unique Interior Trim - Black leather and carbon fibre effect leather with colour

coded stitching

About Group Lotus plc:

The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd. which has two operating divisions –

Lotus Cars and Lotus Engineering. Lotus Cars builds and commercialises Lotus sports cars, Elise and

Exige; builds sportscars for General Motors and manufactures the advanced composite front and rear

crash structures for Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and

versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full

engineering service from initial concept and project design through development to full production

prototype build.

Lotus Exige S

The Lotus Exige S is based purely around phenomenal performance and handling, Using a

development of the supercharger and intercooler package developed first for the already legendary

Lotus Sport Exige 240R, the Exige S has peak power of 162.5 kW (221 PS, 218 hp) at 7800 rpm, 215

Nm (158.6 lb ft) of torque at 5500 rpm (but 80% is produced at just over 2000 rpm). Maximum engine

speed is 8000 rpm (8500 rpm transient for up to 2 seconds). 162.5 kW (218 hp, 220 PS) is the figure

that has been achieved by Lotus Engineers whilst retaining full vehicle type approval for the markets in

which it is sold.

The Lotus Exige S is one of the quickest cars on normal roads and also around a circuit. Key to this

incredible performance is the aerodynamic package, which creates 41.2 kg (90.64 lbs) of downforce -

19.3 kg (42.46 lbs) at the front and 21.9 kg (48.18 lbs) at the rear - at 160 km/h (100 mph). This

downforce ratio between front (47%) and rear (53%) is balanced and remains constant at the speeds of

which the Exige S is capable.

In order to further streamline and realign Group Lotus operations worldwide, to meet

the new 5 year strategic business plan, (which includes 3 new models and a rapid

expansion of the Lotus Engineering technology business), effective today 18

September 2007, Michael J Kimberley has assumed the role of President and CEO of

Lotus Cars USA Inc (LCU) in North America, in addition to his existing role as CEO of

Group Lotus plc.

This rationalization brings the two organizations of Lotus Cars Limited and LCU closer

together to ensure optimal market input into the future new models and engineering

activity in the USA.

Bob Braner continues to support Lotus in a new role as consultant for lifestyle

marketing and special projects, reporting directly to Michael J Kimberley.

Michael J. Kimberley

Chief Executive Officer - Group Lotus Plc

Lotus Cars Ltd, the sportscar subsidiary of Group Lotus plc, is pleased to announce the

appointment of Lotus Tallinn to retail Lotus cars in the Estonian capital.

With the appointment of Lotus Tallinn as an official Lotus dealer, Lotus is demonstrating its

commitment to the Estonian market and to sportscar enthusiasts in the Baltic States. Lotus

Tallinn has planned an impressive launch for Thursday 20th September with a Lotus display

and reception at the British Embassy in Tallinn hosted by the British Ambassador Nigel

Haywood. Lotus Tallinn will also be unveiling their modern, high quality Lotus showroom and

facilities as part of the launch.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc comments "I would like to welcome Lotus Tallinn to

the Lotus family and brand. We are very pleased to have teamed up with such a dedicated

and professional organisation. Here at Lotus we are in the process of expanding our line-up to

include exciting new products such as a mid range super sportscar for launch at the end of

2008 and a stunning high specification supercar that will enter production at the end of 2009.

We are a Global High Tech Company and expanding fast. Estonia is a big step forward for

Lotus and the 32nd country to join the team."

Jussi Pärnpuu, General Manager of Lotus Tallinn said, "We are looking forward to exhibiting the

multi-award winning, high-tech Lotus brand to the astute customers of the Balkan states. The

Lotus Tallinn showroom provides a great location to display the unique Lotus brand of style,

performance and technology".

British Ambassador to Estonia Nigel Haywood comments "I see the opening of the Lotus

dealership in Estonia as a sign post in Estonian-British trade relations. Economic ties between

the two countries have strengthened over the past decade and have now come to the stage

where not only simple products are traded, but those with high design, quality and technological

value - and that is what Lotus stands for."

Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire

Track: International Circuit (2.249 miles long)

The Lotus Ultimate Track Day is open to all Lotus owners with their own cars and also to those

who are interested in the Elise and the Exige via the Lotus Dealer network.

The day will be a complete Lotus Experience, with a legendary Lotus F1 car from Classic Team

Lotus, a Lotus Service Clinic, Lotus Merchandise sales and attendance by several Lotus Dealers.

The newly launched Lotus 2-Eleven and the Lotus Exige GT3 Concept Road Car (first shown at

the Geneva Motorshow earlier this year) will also be on display.

Driving Packages Available:

Lotus Owner Driver Bookings - A full-day driving place for Lotus owners, bringing their own

cars to drive on track. This would entitle each driving place booking to a minimum of 20 minutes

track time in every hour and a two-course seated lunch in a pit-lane hospitality suite.

Cost: Full Day - £225 incl VAT

Additional Drivers – this will permit each additional driver to drive the same car as the main

driving place booking. The two course seated lunch is included.

Cost: Full Day - £75.00 incl VAT

Non Driving Guests / drivers' passengers – Guests are also able to attend with driving guests

on the day. Each guest will be entitled to passenger rides with their driver and also a two-course

seated lunch in a pit-lane hospitality suite.

Cost: Full Day - £50 incl VAT

Track Tuition - For those drivers wishing to improve their driving skills or for those who simply

want to improve their "lines and technique" on the International Circuit.

Cost: Per Hour £75.00 incl VAT

Helmet hire - Available by advance booking, if required. A deposit will be required on arrival and

refunded in full on safe return of helmet at the end of the event.

Cost: £20.00 per helmet incl VAT

Bookings - All bookings must be made in advance and made through RMA trackdays:

www.rmatrackdays.com or Telephone: 01628 779 000

Those who have yet to experience the driving excitement of a Lotus Elise or Exige should contact

their nearest official Lotus dealer (contact details at www.grouplotus.com)

For further details please contact:

PR Department, Group Lotus plc, Group Lotus plc, Potash Lane, Hethel, Norfolk, UK, NR14 8EZ

Tel: +44-(0)1953-608264, Fax: +44-(0)1953-608111; Email: pr@lotuscars.co.uk

Lotus Cars Ltd, the sportscar division of Group Lotus plc, is delighted to announce the launch of

its latest dealership located in the prestigious surroundings of Park Lane.

London Lotus has a fantastic day planned for the launch on Thursday 5th July. It will start with an

open day commencing at 9:30 am, and includes charity events and a fully stocked showroom of

Lotus cars, complete with the GT3 Concept and Lotus' latest offering, the 2-Eleven. At 5:30 pm,

Mike Kimberley CEO of Group Lotus Plc will formally open the showroom accompanied by

celebrities, VIP's and key exclusive guests of Lotus and London Lotus.

Mike Kimberley comments "I would like to welcome London Lotus to the Lotus family. We are

pleased to have teamed up with such an enthusiastic and professional organisation who have

so much knowledge and understanding of what Lotus is all about. Lotus cars, which are so well

regarded as drivers' cars are not out of place in the capital, with their head-turning looks and

safe, agile chassis. Performance enjoyment comes from the Lotus philosophy of lightweight

design, which means better fuel economy and reduced environmental impact. This Lotus

philosophy is more true today than it has ever been, taking into account the need for

environmentally friendly, but exciting driving."

Geoff Hodge, Managing Director of London Lotus said "We are looking forward to exhibiting the

Lotus brand to the discerning customers of central London. The Park Lane location provides a

great 'shop window' with which to display the multi-award winning, high-tech Lotus products and

show the unique Lotus brand of style, performance and technology".

London Lotus,

Avenfield House,

118-127, Park Lane,

Mayfair,

London

W1K 7AF

Tel.: 0207 629 7020

Fax.: 0207 629 7040

http://www.londonlotus.co.uk/

America On Line (AOL) has approximately 50 million subscribers worldwide and, as such, is

one of the world’s largest internet service providers. It was, therefore, considered a huge

compliment to the management and staff of Group Lotus, when a poll in the highly rated AOL

motoring section recently placed Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus, as thirteenth in the Top

50 All-Time Most Influential People in the Automotive Industry. Heading the list was Porsche’s

Wendelin Wiedeking with VW’s Dr. Ferdinand Piech in second place.

“In the last twelve months, Lotus has been turned around,” said Kimberley in response to the

AOL poll. “The company has a clear strategic direction for the future and has returned to its

philosophical roots as a lean, focused and highly motivated cars and high technology

engineering business which, I’m sure is a key fact to Lotus featuring so highly in the AOL poll”.

A subsequent publication of the “Power 100” as a supplement in the Eastern Daily Press, the

East Anglian regional newspaper, assessed the impact of key businesses and individuals

throughout the region, again in a poll format. Mike and Lotus featured in seventh position in

the list competing with the region’s major businesses and industry.

“Our third party high technology engineering business is one of the most successful and

prolific in our industry and has an enviable global reputation”, commented Mike Kimberley.

“Our standing in these polls is clearly a reflection of this, as well as the passion and

enthusiasm that surrounds our wonderful brand. Lotus will be 60 years old in 2008 and we

expect to grow towards an even more exciting future and, through our management and staff’s

efforts, to further worldwide successes.”

Following the Ultimate Track day held at Silverstone, Northamptonshire on the National Circuit back in October 2005, Lotus Cars are building on this success, and will be hosting another event this year in July.

Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire

Track: International Circuit (2.249 miles long)

Date: Monday 16th July 2007

The Event:

The event will be open to all Lotus owners including Club Lotus members, existing customers with their own cars and also prospect customers via the Lotus Dealer network. We would aim to make this day the complete Lotus Experience, potentially with additional representation from Lotus Dealers, Lotus Club International, Classic Team Lotus, a Lotus Service Clinic plus Lotus Merchandise sales opportunities.

Existing Customer Driving Place Bookings:

A full-day driving place for existing Lotus owners bringing their own cars to drive on track. This would entitle each driving place booking to a minimum of 20 minutes track time in every hour and a two-course seated lunch in a pit-lane hospitality suite.

Cost: Full Day - £225 incl VAT

Additional Drivers - Bookings for additional driver(s) are will permit each additional driver to drive the same car in the same track session (if sessions apply) as the main driving place booking. Lunch is included.

Cost: Full Day - £75.00 incl VAT

Non Driving Guests (and / or drivers' passengers) – Guests are also able to attend with full paying driving guests on the day. Each guest will be entitled to passenger rides with their driver and also a two-course seated lunch in a pit-lane hospitality suite.

Cost: Full Day - £50 incl VAT

Instruction - For novice drivers wishing to improve their driving skills or for more experienced drivers simply wanting to improve their lines and technique on the International Circuit, Track Instruction is also available.

Cost: Per Hour £75.00 incl VAT

Helmet hire - Available by advance booking, if required. A deposit will be required on arrival and refunded in full on safe return of helmet at the end of the event.

Cost: £20.00 per helmet incl VAT

Bookings - All bookings must be made in advance and made via RMA by the following channels. The quickest and most preferable booking method is on-line using the RMA website below.

Web Site: www.rmatrackdays.com

Telephone: 01628 779 000

Lotus Prospect Customer Bookings:

Lotus Cars are offering a limited number of driving places to Lotus prospect customer bookings to attend the Ultimate Track Event at Silverstone Circuit on Monday 16th July 2007. Bookings would be on a half-day basis, either Morning or Afternoon, and will be organised by the Lotus Cars Sales & Marketing team.

Each prospect booking will be forwarded to Lotus Cars as a referral from an Official Lotus Cars Dealer, to qualify customers as serious prospects. Only serious prospect customer referrals from Official Lotus Cars Dealers will be accepted.

Non Driving Guests are welcome to attend the event with the driving participant at the cost of £25 per person.

The Lotus product available for track demonstration purposes will be Elise S, Exige, Exige S, and 2-Eleven, and as such prospect customer bookings should be made with these models in mind.

Additionally, The Lotus Europa S will also be available for road demonstration.

Other models such as GT3 concept car will be present as static display.

Cost: £99 per half-day driving place

Note: Prospect customers should be 25 years of age or over and hold a full and valid driving licence, which will need to be supplied on the day. Should a successful sales conversion be made in the following 10 working day period after the event, the attendance fee would be refunded to the customer.

http://www.grouplotu...etail.php?id=87

unique Lotus Exige 265E flex-fuel technology demonstrator. Also on display will be Lotus

Engineering's advanced optical access research engine. These cutting edge developments

are part of Lotus Engineering's continuing research into new and exciting technologies to

reduce the environmental impact of the internal combustion engine.

The world-class Lotus Engineering innovations will feature on the UK's Pavilion and are set to

be star attractions of the show.

Lotus Exige 265E flex-fuel demonstrator

Lotus Engineering's Exige 265E technology demonstrator, developed to run on any mixture of

BioEthanol from 100% gasoline to E85 BioEthanol (15% Gasoline), will be the centrepiece of

the UK's stand at JSAE.

One of the world's quickest road-legal bio-ethanol fuelled cars, the Exige 265E is powered by

a modified version of the supercharged and intercooled 4-cylinder engine from the production

Lotus Exige S. With 197 kW (268 PS) the Exige 265E accelerates to 100 kph in 4.1 seconds

and to a top speed of 254 kph. It is an example of Lotus Engineering's commitment to

developing eco-friendly powertrain solutions that also provide an exciting and engaging driving

experience.

The powertrain of the Exige 265E incorporates a modified fuel system and sophisticated

Lotus-developed engine management programme. A sensor in the fuel tank diagnoses the

real-time bio-ethanol/gasoline mix and the ECU adapts the engine fuelling, timing, camswitching

and ignition strategies accordingly.

Lotus Engineering Optical Access Active Valvetrain engine

The UK engineering consultancy is also showcasing one of the most sophisticated research

engines in the world. The Optical Access AVT™ engine combines Lotus Engineering's

pioneering fully variable active valvetrain (AVT™) technology and its optical access

combustion chamber technology. Each is used independently for leading edge powertrain

research and development, and in combination offer engineers a suite of extremely powerful

capabilities. It is being used by Lotus Engineering and its clients to gain in-depth

understanding and knowledge of the very latest engine technologies.

Optical access allows engineers to use advanced diagnostic techniques such as high speed

imaging and laser Doppler anemometry to examine and record airflow and fuel spray

characteristics, soot and particulate formation and the combustion event itself. The fully

variable electro-hydraulic valvetrain technology, pioneered by Lotus Engineering, allows

engineers to infinitely vary the profile of the valve events in real time. It allows rapid

assessment of different valve profile strategies and of the impact of those variations on events

in the chamber.

So advanced is the unique technology as a powertrain research tool, many global OEMs have

purchased the technology from Lotus Engineering.

Lotus Engineering – world leaders in the development of efficient performance

solutions

The Optical Access AVT™ engine and the Exige 265E bi-fuel demonstrator are part of a range

of world-class efficient performance solutions and technologies developed by Lotus

Engineering. At the Geneva Motorshow in March, the UK automotive consultancy showcased

a hybrid technology demonstrator and an integrated exhaust manifold design concept, and it is

involved in a number of electric vehicle programmes for clients.

consultancy, has joined forces with green energy company Ecotricity in its drive to minimise its

carbon emissions and become genuinely green in its energy supply. Innovative engineering

will now be partnered by wind energy to be the power behind the Lotus manufacturing plant in

the UK.

Under their Merchant Wind Power (MWP) scheme Ecotricity, the UK's largest independent

green energy supplier, has submitted a request for a Scoping Opinion to South Norfolk District

Council for their views on potential plans for a wind park at the Lotus Manufacturing Plant and

Test Track, at Hethel near Wymondham.

The turbines could provide up to 100% of Lotus' electricity needs. Excess power will be fed

into the local grid and can be used by local residents.

Switching to a green energy supplier is the biggest single contribution an individual or

business can make to help reverse the onslaught of climate change.

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, commented: "This is an exciting project, and I'm delighted

that Lotus is taking its responsibility to the environment so seriously. There are many myths

about what it takes for a business to become truly green, and the Lotus wind turbine project

will be an important example for other organisations. The company won't be spending any

additional money on its energy supply, but will have peace of mind knowing that it's part of a

growing movement to redress climate change."

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer, of Group Lotus plc said: "Lotus is globally recognised

as a pioneer in vehicle technology and is now working worldwide in environmental and green

transport research. By sourcing our electricity needs for our Hethel headquarters in Norfolk

from these Wind Turbines, we can contribute to reducing our corporate CO2 emissions

dramatically and provide a definitive demonstration of our commitment to the environment."

Lotus has carried out extensive assessment of its premises at Hethel near Wymondham,

demonstrating the potential for a wind park – specifically three turbines located in the centre of

the test track. The request for a scoping opinion represents the next stage in progressing the

development of the site. It will seek the views and advice of all statutory bodies concerned,

such as the Environment Agency, the Ministry of Defence and Natural England.

By using wind turbine generated electricity, a number of areas of Lotus will benefit from a

100% renewable energy source, such as the Lotus Cars manufacturing facility, including the

assembly halls, paint shop and composite shops, the engine test facility, the computer aided

design and analysis tools, project and administration offices.

A Lotus car is substantially more efficient and economical than other sports cars because its

low mass gives a high power to weight ratio without the penalty of high fuel consumption. This

"performance through light weight" philosophy is key for all Lotus vehicles. Lotus also has an

extensive and diverse portfolio of green technologies. They have developed the Bio-Ethanol

powered Lotus Exige 265E, and conducted extensive research in to compressed natural gas

powered cars and hybrid technology. It is also working with a number of clients worldwide to

engineer advanced electric vehicles.

The burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity is this country's single biggest cause of

climate change, responsible for over 30% of our carbon emissions. Dale Vince OBE, founder

of Ecotricity, commented: "Wind turbines are essential in the fight against climate change. The

biggest thing we can all do is change where our energy comes from."

Ecotricity supplies homes and business across the UK. Switching where your electricity comes

from is the single biggest thing you can do to help fight climate change and it only takes five

minutes! Sign up online at www.ecotricity.com or by calling the company's free customer

helpline on 08000 326 100.

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

Group Lotus is pleased to announce that its debt capitalisation was completed on 31st March

2007, with the support of its shareholder, Proton Holdings Berhad.

The arrangement has secured the restructuring of approximately £45m of loans to equity,

returning the company to a positive balance sheet.

Mike Kimberley, CEO, Group Lotus said: "This capitalisation strengthens our balance sheet,

reduces our interest payments going forward and improves our credit rating, which raises

confidence among our dealer network and suppliers alike."

The debt restructuring is another positive sign for Group Lotus, together with significant growth

in its engineering consultancy business (revenues up 32% year on year) and strong progress

with its new 3 Car Model line-up and 5-year Strategic Business plan.

Mike Kimberley concluded: "Thanks to the very positive support of our shareholder, this

arrangement is a mandate for us to continue to move strongly forward. We are extremely

optimistic about our future."

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

Lotus Cars Ltd, the sportscar division of Group Lotus plc, is pleased to announce the

appointment of Niche Cars Co., Ltd for the retail of Lotus cars in Thailand.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc comments "I would like to welcome Niche Cars to the

Lotus family and brand. The Thai market is important to us and we are pleased to have

teamed up with such an enthusiastic and professional organisation who have so much

knowledge and understanding of what Lotus is all about. Looking to the future, we are

expanding our line-up to include new products such as a mid range supersports car for launch

at the end of 2008 and a stunning high specification supercar that will enter production at the

end of 2009."

With the appointment of Niche Cars as an official Lotus dealer, Lotus is demonstrating its

commitment to the Thai market and to true sportscar enthusiasts in the region.

Khun Seree Rakvit, President of Niche Cars Co., Ltd commented: "I am delighted to be

awarded the franchise for Lotus in Thailand. Thailand has had a void in the sportscar market

and now with Niche Cars re-appointment, the sportscar enthusiast has the opportunity to own

and drive a true sports car built on a heritage that spans almost 60 years."

Khun Seree continues: "Niche Cars strategy has always been to be the premium sportscar

and supercar supplier in Thailand and with the addition of the Lotus product range, we have

achieved a giant step forward in being able to meet our goal of being the largest supplier of

Sport and Super Cars in Thailand."

The first allocation of 6 hand-built Lotus cars has already arrived in Thailand and the Elise R

and Exige S are ready for the launch of the Lotus brand on 3rd of April at Siam Paragon

Shopping Complex in Bangkok. Pricing starts from THB 5,200,000 for the Elise R and from

THB 6,100,000 for the Exige S. The Exige Cup 255, the Elise S and the new Lotus 2-Eleven

will be joining the Lotus product line-up over next 12 months.

Niche Cars is committing US$260,000 to re-establish the Lotus brand and service network in

Thailand to underline its commitment to the brand and its future customers along with a new

and exclusive Lotus showroom at the Auto Gallery in the Siam Paragon Shopping Complex in

Bangkok. The new facilities will all be in line with the corporate image and training standards

set out by Lotus Cars.

The Lotus Launch in Thailand

The launch of the Lotus brand in Thailand will reflect a lifestyle concept to compliment the

sports nature of the Lotus brand. The launch event, at Siam Paragon's Fashion Hall on

Tuesday 3rd of April 2007 at 19:00 will include a fashion display by prominent international

couture labels, models and celebrities, as well as a vehicle display for potential customers and

the press.

Notes:

About Niche Cars Co., Ltd

Niche Cars Co., Ltd supplies "high end" cars, supercars and sportscars in Thailand. Other brands in the

Niche Cars stable include Lamborghini, Hummer, Sport Service Lorinser, and - through a mutual

agreement with Aston Martin Lagonda South East Asia based in Singapore - Aston Martin which

completes the line-up. The Company currently has 3 showrooms, two boutique galleries based in the

exclusive Siam Paragon Shopping complex and a showroom and service facility on Srinakarin Road in

the Bangkapi area of Bangkok. A new showroom and service facility is currently being built in the

exclusive up-market area of Sukhumvit.

Historical Background to Lotus

The first Lotus car was built in 1948 by Colin Chapman (1928-1982) who was an innovative engineer

and passionate racer. In 1952, the Lotus Engineering Company was created to manufacture simple

sports and racing cars at a North London facility. Success came swiftly and within 15 years the

company moved to its current headquarters in Hethel, England. Between 1958 and 1994 Lotus

campaigned one of the most successful motor racing teams in Formula 1 history, winning 79 Formula 1

Grands Prix, seven Formula One Constructor's Championships and six Formula 1 Driver's

Championships. Lotus has also had class wins at Le Mans, has won the World Rally Championships,

won a gold medal at the Olympics Games (with the Lotus Bike) and won the prestigious Indy 500 in the

USA.

About Group Lotus plc:

The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has two operating divisions –

Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive

engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Its global facilities include those in Michigan, USA and

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and offices in Germany and China. Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive

and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full

engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the

complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party

'niche vehicle' engineering and manufacture worldwide. Lotus Cars builds and sells Lotus sports cars,

Elise, Exige and Europa for global sale and manufactures the advanced composite front and rear crash

structures for the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.

Lotus Elise R

The multi-award winning Lotus Elise range is regarded by many as amongst the finest sportscars in

production. The Elise R, with its 141 kW (192 PS) engine, has performance figures of 0-100 km/h in 5.2

seconds and a top speed of 241 km/h. Key to this phenomenal performance is the Elise R's low weight

from just 860 kg, making this British built sportscar not just one of the lightest sportscars on the market

but one of the lightest and safest cars on sale of any type. Coupled with a very strong and stiff

aluminium chassis the Elise range continues to set standards by which all other sportscars are judged.

The Elise R benefits from new standard and optional equipment including lighter weight components,

airbags, traction control and limited slip differential, enhanced trim, adjustable suspension and new

ProBax™ driver and passenger seats. A new range of colours has been added, from standard solid

shades to metallic and fashionable lifestyle colours. The total number of colours available is now 20,

excluding the bespoke custom option.

Standard specification includes electric windows, auxiliary front driving lights, full black leather or suedeeffect

interior, full carpet set, high specification radio and CD player, and sound and temperature

insulation.

Lotus Exige S

The Lotus Exige S is the latest addition to the Lotus product range and is a real sportscar that redefines

the term "Extreme Performance". The advanced 1.8 litre VVTL-i supercharged engine produces 90.5

kW / litre (123 PS / litre) making the Exige S one of most powerful production cars in the world for its

engine size.

Because the basic car is so immensely strong but lightweight (935 kg), giving a power to weight ratio of

173.8 kW/tonne (236.4 PS/tonne), performance is phenomenal, with 100 km/h being reached from a

standing start in 4.3 seconds and 160 km/h being reached in 11.1 seconds before topping out at 238

km/h.

Key to this phenomenal performance and handling is the total aerodynamic package (which gives 41.2

kg of downforce at 160 km/h - 19.3 kg: front and 21.9 kg: rear) and light weight, the latter made possible

through innovative engineering and creative design.

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

Lotus Sport Cadena are pleased to announce a three car team entry in the 2007 Avon Tyres

British GT Championship.

Following on from their overall GT3 Team Championship honours last season (the team's

debut in the championship), Lotus Sport Cadena are firmly targeting the double this season –

retaining their Team crown and adding the overall Drivers' Championship.

Said Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus:

"Lotus Sport Cadena had a superb debut year in 2006, taking the Team Championship with a

race in hand and securing several overall podium finishes. In a relatively short space of time,

we developed the Lotus Sport Exige GT3 race car to a standard capable of taking on and

beating the likes of the Aston Martin DBRS9 and Porsche 997. We are very excited about the

2007 Lotus Sport Exige GT3 contender, which is a major evolution of our championshipwinning

car from last year. We are also delighted to further develop our relationship with

Cadena in the highly competitive British GT arena - and together we look forward to

consolidating Lotus' already enviable tradition in GT sports car racing."

The MY07 Lotus Sport Exige GT3 boasts increased engine power to 350 bhp from the charge

cooled 1.8 litre 4 cylinder Toyota unit (previously intercooled at 285 bhp), together with all-new

engine mounts. An increased rear track accommodates 10J rear split rim wheels, with a

revised AP Racing brake system all-round. New all-aluminium centre lock uprights provide

enhanced stiffness with less weight. The race car also features new quick release

aerodynamically developed z-preg carbon front and rear clamshells, oversills and roof and

engine cover with flush fitting side windows. A 100 litre fuel cell (previously 74 litres)

completes the significantly enhanced package for '07.

The 2007 British GT Championship will feature just two classes, GT3 and GTC, with the

overall champion being decided by the teams and drivers competing in GT3. This new

championship structure has a clear and immediate appeal for Lotus Sport Cadena Team

Owner, Paul Whight:

"I'm delighted that the GT3 class will be the premier class in the British GT Championship this

season. The GT3 category has proven to be a huge success across Europe – and rightly so,

because it allows professional teams like ourselves to race sophisticated sports cars on a

sensible budget. It also means that more manufacturers will be represented this season which

is great news – we more than welcome the competition!"

Lotus Sport Cadena will field three 2007 specification Lotus Sport Exige GT3 race cars this

season. The first car will make its debut at the opening meeting of the season at Oulton Park

in Cheshire and will be driven by the highly successful pairing from '06, Barrie Whight and

Gavan Kershaw. The other two cars – one to be campaigned by George Mackintosh/Sam

Blogg and the other to be spearheaded by Paul Whight – will make their respective debuts in

Rounds 3 & 4 at Donington Park, Derbys, over the weekend of 21st and 22nd April. This is to

enable Lotus to attend the FIA Balance of Performance Tests at Adria (Italy) in early April, to

ensure international homologation of the MY07 Lotus Sport Exige GT3.

The 2007 Avon Tyres British GT Championship season kicks off with two 60-minute races at

Oulton Park Circuit, Cheshire, over Easter Bank Holiday weekend (Sat 7th and Mon 9th April).

The 16-race series visits Snetterton, just outside Norwich, for Rounds 5 and 6 on Sunday 3rd

June. For further information please visit www.britishgt.com.

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

The Lotus 2-Eleven – Track Day Driving Just Got Serious

Exceptional Performance Coupled with High Levels Of Usability and Safety

Geneva, Switzerland (6th March 2007), Lotus Sport, the race car performance arm of Lotus

Cars Ltd, today unveiled the new Lotus 2-Eleven. Launched at the 77th annual Geneva

International Motor Show, the Lotus 2-Eleven is aimed at the true track day enthusiast, taking

Colin Chapman’s philosophy of ‘Performance Through Light Weight’ to its most extreme level

yet.

Weighing in at just 670 kg (1,477 lbs) - dry weight with base specification - 745 kg (1639 lbs) -

kerb weight, fully loaded – and with 255 PS (252 bhp / 188 kw) on tap courtesy of its

supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine, the Lotus 2-Eleven boasts a power to weight

ratio similar to that of a 1960’s Formula One car. Designed with the most serious of track day

enthusiasts in mind, the Lotus 2-Eleven offers race car levels of performance coupled with

legendary Lotus Ride and Handling to deliver a truly outstanding track day car.

Said Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc: “The Lotus 2-Eleven takes

our core brand values to the extreme. It is the ultimate track day vehicle - not only

phenomenally quick, but also very user-friendly. In short, the 2-Eleven delivers everything that

the modern track day warrior and clubman racer demands, and more.”

Production of the Lotus 2-Eleven is scheduled to commence in April 2007 at the awardwinning

and world-class Lotus manufacturing facility at Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk,

UK. The 2-Eleven build will be completed in dedicated Lotus Sport workshops and each

vehicle will be given a Lotus Sport build plate.

The Lotus 2-Eleven is initially available in Launch Edition specification only, which boasts a

dynamic and unique three-way Lotus Sport colour scheme complete with decal pack. The

Launch Edition is available in two versions - Road Going Version (UK Single Vehicle Approval)

fitted with front and rear lights, exhaust catalyst, single plane rear wing and other items to

achieve compliance with UK road legal requirements and Track Only Version with an

enhanced aerodynamics package including high downforce single plane carbon fibre rear wing, high downforce front splitter, brake lights and rear indicators and FIA approved driver’s

race seat.

The recommended selling price (incl UK VAT) of the Lotus 2-Eleven Launch Edition will be

£39,995. In the UK, the SVA version (Single Vehicle Type Approval) which includes delivery,

Pre Delivery Inspection, first service, number plates, first registration fee, valet, 12 months’

Road Fund Licence, a full tank of fuel and SVA test costs an additional £1,100. The Lotus 2-

Eleven is only available as a track-only option outside of the UK at 49,575 excluding local tax

in mainland Europe. Pricing in Japan, South Africa and Lotus other international markets will

be announced shortly.

The Lotus 2-Eleven in more detail

Engine

The supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine in the Lotus 2-Eleven has a maximum

power output of 255 PS (252 bhp / 188 kw) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately

242 Nm (179 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque now

available together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and

linear surge of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm. The

Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it

does not require the use of the engine’s oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral

bypass valve for part load operation. Four high capacity injectors and an up rated fuel pump

add additional fuel under hard acceleration or high speed driving.

An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir

back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure

remains constant.

Twin oil coolers complete the powertrain package. Transmission

A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to

the lightweight aluminium C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) – with the same

perfectly spaced ratios as the Exige S. An open type differential is fitted as standard. The

Lotus switchable Traction Control System (LTCS) works through the engine, reducing power

to maintain traction; it is active above 8 km/h (5 mph) and reacts much more quickly than

many brake-based systems.

Chassis & Integral Safety Features

The Lotus 2-Eleven uses a unique high-sided variant of the Lotus Elise lightweight chassis

structure featuring epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions with modified Exige S based

running gear. This strong and stiff package features a comprehensive safety system with a

glass fibre reinforced composite front crash structure allied to a high sill chassis for side impact

protection. Additional chassis safety features include an FIA compliant 6-point rollover

structure with integral harness mounts and lightweight rear sub frame incorporating a further

crushable structure.

Body

The Lotus 2-Eleven features all new ultra-lightweight (40 kg / 88 lbs) composite bodywork

featuring core-mat technology. All external panels are bolted on for ease of removal,

maintenance and repair.

Wheels & Tyres

5-spoke lightweight forged black alloy wheels (front 7Jx16, rear 8J x 17) are shod with Lotus

Sport specific Yokohama A048 R LTS tyres (front 195/50 R16, rear 225/45 R17), designed to

maximise grip and achieve the exacting ride and handling targets set by Lotus. Brakes

The brake system includes 288 mm cast iron cross drilled and ventilated discs, upgraded

Pagid RS14 sports brake pads set into the brake calipers (aluminium alloy AP Racing 2-piston

at the front and Brembo single sliding piston at the rear), high grade silicone brake fluid and

stainless steel braided hoses. In addition, the proven Lotus track tuned servo-assisted fourchannel

ABS system enhances braking performance and minimises stopping distance without

taking over from the skill of the driver.

Suspension

Fully independent suspension utilising unequal length wishbones; Öhlins 2-way adjustable

dampers with coil over springs and Lotus Sport adjustable front anti-roll bar. A rear double

shear track control arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during heavy

track day driving, with unique steering arms and front upper wishbones to suit ultra-low ride

height.

Performance

0-60 mph 3.8 secs (estimated)

0-100 km/h 3.9 secs (estimated)

0-160 km/h (0-100 mph) 9.1 secs (estimated)

Max Speed 155 mph (250 km/h)

Max Power 255 PS (252 bhp / 188 kw) at 8000 rpm

Max Torque 242 Nm (179 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

‘EVE HYBRID’ TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR SHOWCASES

RETRO-INTEGRATION OF HYBRID SOLUTIONS

An Innovative R & D project by Lotus Engineering and Proton Holdings Bhd features

hybrid solutions that deliver up to 22% CO2 reduction and are advancing towards

readiness for integration into current models.

Lotus Engineering will unveil the ‘EVE Hybrid’ (Efficient, Viable, Environmental) technology

demonstrator at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show. Developed for, and in close R & D

Engineering cooperation with, our shareholder, Proton Holdings Bhd, it showcases how OEMs

can introduce lower emissions variants to existing model ranges that currently only offer

conventional gasoline and diesel powertrains.

Lotus Engineering believes the application of hybrid technology is a key route for CO2

emissions reduction and that for the next five years it may remain more viable to integrate

hybrid technologies into existing model ranges than to develop expensive new dedicated

hybrid platforms. Solutions that Lotus Engineering can provide to its OEM clients will help

them keep price premiums for hybrid variants at a minimum, thanks to lower development

costs, and are available immediately for introduction within current and next generation model

lifecycles.

The EVE Hybrid programme is focussed on establishing the processes for integrating hybrid

technology with minimal development time and cost, overcoming many of the challenges

associated with integrating hybrid technology into existing platforms through intelligent,

compact and discreet packaging of additional systems.

Ultimately, Lotus Engineering’s solutions aim to provide strong, viable business case

propositions for our OEM clients to offer a hybrid variant of a medium-high volume production

car.

The research and development programme was undertaken by a cross-functional team of

Lotus and Proton engineers working seamlessly together at Lotus Engineering’s Hethel

headquarters and Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur. The resulting EVE Hybrid demonstrator, based

on a Proton Gen.2 compact midsize car with a 1.6litre gasoline engine, showcases a trio of

production-representative technologies:

(1) a ‘micro-hybrid’ start-stop system

(2) a full parallel hybrid drive

(3) Continuously Variable Transmission

Compared to the baseline Proton Gen.2, tailpipe emissions are reduced from a competitive

172g/km to just 134g/km, a reduction of 22%, while fuel economy improves from 39.2mpg to

50.2mpg, a 28% improvement.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, said: “The technologies and knowhow

showcased in the EVE Hybrid are the latest addition to our suite of efficient performance

solutions for the industry. As an automotive consultancy and Global OEM, Lotus is able to

manage all elements of a hybrid integration project under one roof, with extensive drivetrain,

vehicle, electrical and control systems expertise from design and development through to

production. Our technologies and world-class engineering capabilities mean we are in a great

position to help OEMs apply advanced hybrid technology to their products in order to reduce

average CO2 emissions.”

Mr Kimberley continued: “This project is yet another example of how the Proton / Lotus family

continues to successfully deliver exceptional projects and products and the EVE Hybrid

technology we have developed further reinforces the Group’s position as creative technology

leaders in ‘green’ automotive engineering. The addition of the EVE Hybrid solutions to Lotus

Engineering’s extensive capabilities, together with the experience of developing our Bio

Ethanol flex-fuel Lotus Exige 265E means that Lotus Engineering is an ideally placed high

Technology organisation suited to helping the global industry to find a solution for future low

emission personal transport needs.”

Technologies in the EVE Hybrid technology demonstrator

A number of the technologies featured in the EVE Hybrid are production-ready, employing

systems deliberately sourced from established tier one suppliers in order to demonstrate the

availability of components, the minimisation of development costs and to maximise business

case viability.

The EVE Hybrid features three key technologies:

(1) ‘Micro-hybrid’ stop-start system:

A starter-alternator system was integrated that switches the engine off when the vehicle stops,

during town driving for example. The engine restarts automatically when the brake pedal is

released.

As a result, noise, emissions and fuel consumption are reduced. The unit runs on the standard

vehicle 12volt electrical system and combines both starter motor and alternator functionality.

Fuel savings of 5% have been demonstrated with a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions.

(2) Full parallel hybrid technology:

A bespoke 30kW, 144V motor is packaged between the engine and transmission. It delivers

electric drive or regenerative braking via an additional clutch linking the motor to the drivetrain.

The motor provides the same start-stop functionality as the micro-hybrid with the additional

benefit of electrical drive or drive assist, either boosting the drivetrain performance or providing

economy and emissions benefits by operating as an electric vehicle. The motor is powered by

a 144 volt battery located in the boot.

Testing has confirmed simulation predictions of 28% fuel efficiency improvement and 22% CO2

emissions reduction.

(3) Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

The CVT is a transmission in which the ratio between the input and output shaft can be varied

continuously within a given range, providing an infinite number of possible ratios. The

integration of a CVT gives benefits in fuel consumption and emissions control. In addition, its

compact package assisted in the application of a hybrid electric drive and it provides smooth

acceleration and low transmission noise.

Performance benefits of EVE Hybrid technologies

Extensive performance and drive cycle modelling of a production hybrid variant using the

technologies on the EVE Hybrid indicate the following comparative vehicle performance

figures:

(1) EVE Hybrid in micro-hybrid mode with start-stop system:

MPG: 41 (5% increase from baseline)

Max torque: 148Nm @ 4000rpm

Max power: 82kW / 110hp @ 6000rpm

0-62 mph (0-100kph): 12.6 sec

Top speed: 118mph

CO2: 164g/km (5% reduction from baseline)

(2) EVE Hybrid with full parallel hybrid configuration:

MPG: 50.2 (28% increase from baseline)

Max torque: 233Nm (limited to180Nm continuous) @ 1500rpm

Max power: 105kW / 141hp @ 5500rpm

0-62 mph: 9 sec

Top speed: 118mph

CO2: 134g/km (22% reduction from baseline)

(3) Continuously Variable Transmission configuration

MPG (EU combined cycle): 41 (5% increase from baseline)

Max torque: 148Nm @ 4000rpm

Max power: 82kW / 110hp @ 6000rpm

0-62 mph (0-100kph): 12.6 sec

Top speed: 118mph

CO2 (combined cycle): 164g/km (5% reduction from baseline)

Proton Gen.2 1.6litre 4-cyl gasoline (manual transmission) baseline for comparison:

MPG (EU combined cycle): 39.2

Max torque: 148Nm @ 4000rpm

Max power: 82kW / 110hp @ 6000rpm

0-62 mph (0-100kph): 12.6 sec

Top speed: 118mph

CO2 (combined cycle): 172g/km

Technical details of EVE Hybrid technology demonstrator

Engine

Various changes have been made to the Proton gasoline 1597cc CamPro engine. The main

modification is the redesign of the front end accessory drive (FEAD). This was done to

accommodate a Valeo ‘StARS’ starter/alternator, which drives the micro hybrid start-stop

system.

The redesigned FEAD also accommodates a Sanden hybrid Heating Ventilation and Air

Conditioning (HVAC) compressor that operates by conventional belt drive and has an

additional electrically driven capability which enables continued air conditioning operation

when the engine is stopped.

During the FEAD redesign the opportunity was also taken to replace the belt driven Power

Assisted Steering (PAS) and water pumps with electric units to enable the investigation into

the economy benefits of such units.

To accommodate the additional hybrid functionalities the Engine Management System (EMS)

was updated to a Siemens VDO torque-based unit and re-calibrated by Lotus Engineering.

Motor/Generator

Due to tight packaging constraints and to minimise any loss in overall vehicle performance,

bespoke electric motor and power electronics were developed in conjunction with specialist

suppliers ElektroMagnetix and Turbopower Systems. The motor/generator and power

electronics are water-cooled and include an auxiliary power unit to support the vehicle’s 12volt

systems.

An additional clutch supplied by AP Racing is packaged inside the motor and connects the IC

engine to the traction motor. This enables the engine to be switched off for electric drive only

use.

Gearbox

A Punch Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has replaced the conventional

transmission and a modified bell housing accommodates the electric traction motor.

Battery Pack

The EVE Hybrid uses a Cobasys Series 1000, NiMH, 30kW 144V module that incorporates an

integrated cooling system. This traction battery pack is securely mounted on the boot floor,

displacing approx 47 litres of luggage space.

Control System

A sophisticated bespoke Lotus Engineering control system was developed to implement the

energy management function by monitoring and controlling all sub-control systems including

the engine management, motor/generator, transmission, HVAC, additional clutch,

starter/alternator and battery pack.

Brake System

To maintain the integrity of the braking circuit when the petrol engine is off, a Mes-Dea electric

vacuum pump maintains the vacuum assist for the brakes.

Steering System

An off-the-shelf TRW electro-hydraulic power assisted steering pump has been fitted, which

allowed the retention of the existing steering column and hydraulic steering gear. This pump

also provides hydraulic pressure for the additional clutch that engages the hybrid motor.

Interior

The instrument panel incorporates an additional LCD display developed by Lotus Engineering

to show battery charge, power split between engine and motor, fuel economy and

charge/discharge rate, and incorporates associated warning indicators where appropriate.

Also fitted to the dash are new switches to select the car’s operating mode - micro hybrid, full

hybrid or electric vehicle.

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

Lotus Launches the Exige GT3 Concept Road Vehicle

UNLEASHED! The Most Extreme Exige Variant To-date

Geneva, Switzerland (6th March 2007), Lotus Sport, the race car performance arm of Lotus

Cars Ltd, today unveiled the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle. With its debut at the 77th

annual Geneva International Motor Show, the 275 PS (271 bhp / 203 kW) Exige GT3 is a bold,

no-holds-barred, lap record-breaking, breathtaking performance machine that embraces all

that is expected of a race-bred Lotus.

Building on the Lotus racing pedigree, this concept car can deliver more grin-factor than ever

before; there are no intended compromises and no limits except those that are self imposed by

the driver.

This is one concept that commands your full attention.

Said Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc:

“The Exige GT3 concept road car is a fantastic showcase product from our race car

performance division, Lotus Sport. The car’s racing background becomes immediately

obvious from its aggressive stance, extreme width of rear track and innovative threedimensional

rear wing. The foundation of all Lotus products is phenomenal handling and ride

characteristics, but the Exige GT3 takes these into another dimension altogether where

supreme road holding and outrageous acceleration come evenly matched with sensational

stopping ability.”

The Exige GT3’s pure bred racing brother will be again competing in the GT race arena in

2007, taking over the mantle from the hugely successful 2006 British GT3 Championshipwinning

car. On road or track the Lotus Exige GT3 winning pedigree will continue in time

honoured Lotus racing tradition.

A new one-piece front clam-shell with fully masked front wheels and wheel arch venting leads

the aerodynamically cleaned silhouette of this car. A menacing stance is enhanced by the

aggressively flared rear wheel arches and aero-efficient three-dimensional rear wing and

blended end-plates. The visual message is clear; this vehicle means business and the squat

wide hindquarters symbolise the latent power harnessed within.

That power is provided by the same charge-cooled supercharged engine that the GT3 race car

employs, producing 275PS (271bhp / 203kw) driven through ten inch rear wheels with 255

width tyres making the final connection to the road. Max speed (257kph / 160mph) and peak

torque have been electronically limited but acceleration is left untouched and unimpaired. The

up-rated front brakes and brake pads all round ensure that on road or track this car’s stopping

ability is more than capable of harnessing its acceleration performance.

The end-plate mounted three-dimensional rear wing is highly efficient and fully complements

the widened and flattened rear deck shape in reducing the overall drag as well as maintaining

front to rear downforce balance. The performance of this car will amaze and reward all drivers

with incredible road holding (developed with the help of its 2-way Ohlins adjustable dampers

together with Lotus Sport adjustable front stabiliser bar and rear suspension double-shear

track control arms) and stunning acceleration.

Simply put, the Lotus Exige GT3 will redefine your concept of a road car by re-affirming that

unique proposition that is, above all else, a Lotus.

It is intended that the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle will be further developed into a full

production car for limited markets, to go on sale in late 2007 with an estimated price tag of

between £50,000 and £60,000.

The Lotus GT3 in more detail

Engine

The supercharged and chargecooled 1796 cc engine in the Lotus GT3 has a maximum power

output of 275 PS (271 bhp / 203 kw) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately 258 Nm

(190 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque now available

together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear surge

of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm. The Roots-type

Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not

require the use of the engine’s oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve

for part load operation. Four high capacity injectors and an up rated fuel pump add additional

fuel under hard acceleration or high speed driving.

An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir

back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure

remains constant.

Twin oil coolers complete the powertrain package.

Transmission

A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to

the lightweight aluminium C64 six-speed gearbox – with the same perfectly spaced ratios as

the Exige S. An open type limited slip differential is fitted as standard. The Lotus switchable

traction control system (LTCS) works through the engine, reducing power to maintain traction;

it is active above 8 kph (5 mph) and reacts much more quickly than many brake-based

systems.

Chassis Structure

Lotus designed lightweight structure of epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions with crash

structure, extruded aluminium door beams, integral steel seat-belt support structure and

lightweight galvanized steel rear sub frame incorporating a structural shear panel.

Body

GT3 derived one-piece front clamshell and wide track rear clamshell with full length roof scoop

design taken from the Cup Exige 255. New full width rear wing with integral end plates

mounting to rear clam. Race style full width front splitter; standard Exige door and body sides

retained. Multi element rear diffuser with carbon option.

Wheels & Tyres

5--spoke lightweight forged alloy wheels (front 7Jx16 and rear 10Jx17) are shod with Lotus

Sport specific Yokohama A048 R LTS tyres (front 195/50 R16 and rear 255/40 R17), designed

to maximise grip and achieve the ride and handling targets set by Lotus.

Brakes

The brake system includes 308 mm diameter 2 piece aluminium belled cross drilled and

ventilated front discs and 288 mm diameter cross-drilled and ventilated rear discs. AP Racing

two-piece radially mounted 4 piston calipers at the front and Brembo single sliding piston at

the rear. Pagid RS14 sports brake pads all round. High grade silicone brake fluid; stainless

steel braided brake hoses. In addition, the proven Lotus track tuned servo-assisted fourchannel

ABS system enhances braking performance and minimises stopping distance without

taking over from the skill of the driver.

Suspension

Fully independent suspension utilising unequal length wishbones; Öhlins 2-way adjustable

dampers with coil over springs and Lotus Sport adjustable front anti-roll bar. A rear double

shear track control arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during heavy

track day driving.

Performance

0-60 mph 3.9 secs (estimated)

0-100 km/h 4.0 secs (estimated)

0-100 mph 9.8 secs (estimated)

(0-160 km/h)

Maximum Speed 160 mph (257 km/h) - electronically limited

Max Power 275 PS (271 bhp / 203 kw) at 8000 rpm

Max Torque 258 Nm (190 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm (electronically limited)

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

Lotus Engineering launches ‘Integrated Exhaust Manifold’ Design Capability

Cuts Cost, Emissions and Weight

Lotus Engineering will showcase a highly advanced cylinder head with integrated exhaust

manifold (IEM) at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show. The production-ready technology

can significantly reduce manufacturing costs, emissions and weight on most gasoline-engined

passenger vehicles.

The cylinder head on display, for a small 3-cylinder engine, is the latest of a number of IEM

designs developed by Lotus Engineering as part of its world-renowned consultancy business.

Following its development programmes, the UK automotive engineering consultancy estimates

that for a typical DOHC 16-valve 1.6 cylinder gasoline engine, an IEM has potential to:

· cut up to 5% of the total build cost

· reduce catalyst light-off time by up to 20% (approx five seconds)

· reduce powertrain mass by up to 5 kg

· improve engine durability

Geraint Castleton-White, head of powertrain, Lotus Engineering said: “Two key drivers for

OEM’s are cost-down and the reduction of CO2 emissions. Our IEM technology brings to a

practical reality an established principle that has been very challenging to implement in

production. Over a series of design projects, we have developed a proven expertise in the

application of IEM designs, and we can now deliver the significant benefits of this technology

to our clients.”

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus plc, said: “Efficient performance is a core

focus of Lotus Engineering and we are working on many ways to drive down CO2 emissions.

With our numerous on-going bio-fuel, Hybrid and electric vehicle projects based on Lotus’

fundamentally ecologically-designed products using all-aluminium low weight structures for

exceptional fuel economy with extreme driving pleasure, we are continually reinforcing our

position as world leaders in ‘green’ automotive engineering.”

By integrating the manifold tracts into the cylinder head the parts count is reduced significantly,

saving costs throughout the development cycle and supply chain, from inventory and

assembly to aftermarket supply.

Emissions reduction is achieved by locating the catalyst very close to the cylinder head which

reduces exhaust gas heat loss upstream thereby cutting the catalyst light-off time. The

reduction in overall engine heat loss is achieved through minimising the surface area of the

manifold by keeping the exhaust tracts within the head. Through intelligent cooling jacket

design, heat is retained in the engine rather than lost to the engine bay, accelerating engine

warm-up so it more quickly reaches optimal efficiency. This also benefits the HVAC

performance, reducing windscreen demist and passenger cabin warm-up periods.

Engine durability is improved as a result of the reduction of thermal stresses in the engine.

With the exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head, the stresses usually associated at

the interface of different materials, for example where the cast iron exhaust and the aluminium

cylinder head meet in a conventional design, are eliminated. Also, due to the design of the

cooling jacket and coolant routing, the coolant heats up far quicker, resulting in a more uniform

heating of the entire engine, again contributing to reduced stresses in the engine.

Integrating the exhaust manifold reduces the mass of the engine, further increasing overall

vehicle efficiency. It also results in a more compact overall engine and reduced packaging

demands for the engine under the hood, delivering a range of subsequent benefits for vehicle

packaging.

Lotus Engineering has already proved the concept to production readiness in several

demonstrator programmes with a variety of cylinder head configurations.

Detailed benefits:

· Ultra-low CO2 emissions with reduced cost

o Reduction in emissions through faster light-off of close-couple catalytic converter

o Reduced BOM and assembly cost

o Reduced catalyst loading requirement

· Vehicle integration benefits

o Reduced overall weight

o Reduced package space requirements

o Improved underhood thermal management

o Faster cabin heater warm-up

o Higher vehicle integration flexibility

o Improved NVH

· Additional benefits

o Reduced windscreen demist time

o Reduced thermal distortion

o Improved overall engine durability

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

Luxury Touring Pack Option for Lotus Europa S

More Choice for the Discerning Lotus Driver

The Europa S, the Lotus that introduces the brand to enhanced levels of practicality and

refinement, has a new Luxury Touring Pack Option which stretches the Europa S towards the

more luxurious end of the spectrum.

The Luxury Touring Pack Option dresses the interior in the smart attire of saddle tan leather,

chocolate coloured leather and brown carpets. Where the standard Europa S uses lightweight

composite components for items such as the steering column shroud, dash top, instrument

and ventilation binnacles and sill covers, the Luxury Touring Pack Option on the Europa S

covers these and other components with four hides of soft high-grade saddle tan coloured and

chocolate coloured leather. Supportive sports seats are fitted and are also clad in saddle tan

and chocolate coloured leather in a stripe pattern. Safety critical composite components such

as the passenger airbag door are coated in a high-tech soft-to-the-touch material. An engine

start button and a solid Walnut and Tulip wood gearknob finish off the interior package.

The Luxury Touring Pack Option also stretches to the boot: with brown carpet covering the

whole of the boot area including the battery cover, a saddle tan coloured leather trimmed

tailgate inner, luggage straps to prevent luggage from moving in the boot (Lotus still expects a

laden Europa S to be driven hard!), and a saddle tan coloured leather oddment bag which is

fixed to the boot compartment.

Exterior additions to the Luxury Touring Pack Option include tinted rear and rear three-quarter

glass, body coloured front driving lamp surrounds, side air-intake surrounds and roof air-outlet

grill. All other exterior grilles such as the front radiator grilles and the rear light grille surrounds

are coloured silver.

All these added luxuries add very little weight to the feather-light Europa S so spirited drivers

will not be penalised by opting for the Luxury Touring Pack.

Availability

The Luxury Touring Pack Option is available on the Lotus Europa S from April 2007 priced at

£1,250 in the UK and 1,750 in Europe (excluding local taxes), with prices in other markets to

be announced shortly.

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

technical demonstrator vehicle designed & developed by Lotus Engineering

ZAP-X features all wheel drive, 10 minute recharge time, a 350 Mile Range and will be the

centre piece of the NADA Exhibition, 3rd to 6th of February 2007.

Automotive pioneer ZAP [OTC BB: ZAAP] today announced plans to display Lotus

Engineering’s advanced APX concept car at the North American Dealers Association (NADA)

annual meeting and exhibition, February 3 to 6, 2007, confirming their choice to move ahead

using Lotus’ revolutionary platform and body structure design as the basis for the development

of the high performance electric ZAP-X.

ZAP and Lotus Engineering will begin the first phase of an engineering project to use the

British consultancy’s APX (“Aluminium Performance Crossover”) as a basis for designing a

production-ready electric all-wheel drive crossover high performance vehicle for ZAP in the

USA market.

A combination of the lightweight aluminium vehicle architecture, a new efficient drive and

advanced battery management systems is intended to enable a range of up to 350 miles

between charges, with a rapid 10-minute recharging time. An auxiliary power unit is planned

to support longer distance journeys.

Lotus’ APX’s conventional gasoline V6 engine will be replaced by revolutionary in-hub electric

motors, delivering 644 horsepower in all wheel drive mode, theoretically capable of powering

the ZAP-X to a potential top speed of 155mph. A new strong, lightweight and highly efficient

structure based on the Lotus technology is planned to give the car a very attractive power-toweight

ratio.

Steve Schneider, CEO of ZAP, said: “Lotus Engineering's APX technology demonstrator

vehicle is a perfect fit for our plans to introduce a full product portfolio of electric cars. Due to

the initial design by Lotus, our cost and time to production will be significantly reduced. We

believe that the ZAP-X will become the most advanced, most practical and most appealing

flagship electric vehicle to date and will revolutionize the industry providing the driver with the

enjoyment of a sports car and the practicality of an SUV.”

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, said: “Lotus Engineering’s APX is a world-class

innovative concept and was developed to showcase real solutions to new challenges facing

the automotive industry. So it’s very satisfying that ZAP’s proposed new model will make use

of a great deal of the APX concept’s advanced body structure and chassis technology. The

bringing together of these next-generation vehicle technologies represents another significant

step forward for automotive technology.”

The APX showcases Lotus Engineering’s Versatile Vehicle Architecture technology, combining

lightweight aluminium vehicle architecture with exceptionally strong and stiff structural rigidity,

as well as lower manufacturing investment requirements. Having first been shown to the world

at the Geneva motor show in 2006, the APX concept has won the 2006 European Aluminium

Awards in the “Transport and Automotive” category.

The innovative placement of the power train leaves the space previously occupied by the

conventional engine and drive train for additional battery capacity and amenities, making it a

very consumer-oriented electric car concept. These design features will give the ZAP-X

crossover the structural strength, and potentially storage and range that no electric vehicle has

yet achieved publicly.

The development programme is proposed to be managed from a new centre of excellence for

research and development of environmentally-friendly vehicle designs and technologies.

Engineering input will come from Lotus Engineering Inc, and the British technology

consultancy’s other R&D centres in the UK, Malaysia and China.

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

New Electric Car Concepts

Electric car pioneer ZAP [OTC BB: ZAAP] announced today that a feasibility study is being

carried out in its joint development of new electric car designs with Lotus Engineering.

ZAP is moving forward with an aggressive programme to stay at the forefront of advanced

transportation with new technologies and products. ZAP selected Lotus Engineering, one of

the world's leading automotive design consultancies, to undertake engineering concept studies

for a number of electric vehicles.

The feasibility study is a comprehensive research project into the creation of a new generation

of ultra-efficient electric automobiles from concept to production. Of particular interest in the

project is the challenge of advancing the electric car market by incorporating new technologies

which will maximize the consumer appeal.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, said: "Initial assessments conducted by ZAP

indicate that there is a strong opportunity to create a new generation of electric cars that

provide a superior driving experience while being practical and affordable. We will use our

automotive technology background to look in greater detail at a range of factors to produce a

detailed analysis of these opportunities."

Steve Schneider, CEO of ZAP, said: "This feasibility study is a critical part of the programme

that will clearly identify the correct direction that future work should take. With the appropriate

diligence at this stage we can look forward to incredibly exciting design and development

projects that meet the real needs of the market head on."

The study, with input from Lotus Engineering's technical centers in Hethel, UK , Ann Arbor,

Michigan and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will look at a variety of critical success factors. These

cover several technical issues including the integration of major components, new motor

designs, controllers, batteries and charging systems. Marketing considerations such as styling,

performance, and features will be studied, as well as manufacturing process engineering,

project timing and costs.

The goal in the feasibility study phase will be to provide a comprehensive analysis to support

ZAP in the process of commercializing the new automobile concepts.

http://www.mloc.net/...pr_download.pdf

Lotus Training Scheme open for applications

The Lotus Training Scheme which has been run very successfully over the last 6 years, is once again open to applicants to join us in September 2007. The deadline for applications is Friday 9th February. See link for further details: Lotus Training Scheme

British automotive engineering consultancy, Lotus Engineering, has been selected by Obvio!

Automotoveiculos S.A., based in Rio de Janeiro, to develop two 'trybrid' high-performance

microsports cars for markets across the globe, in a deal potentially worth over £70 million.

The lightweight urban microsports cars, designated 828 and 012, are the first products for the

new Brazilian OEM. The full engineering programme will include the development of an

advanced vehicle safety structure based on aerospace technology, the integration of 'trybrid'

engines that will run on gasoline, bio-ethanol or natural gas, and other powertrain variants.

Ricardo Machado, Chief Executive, Obvio!, said: "Lotus Engineering was a clear first choice as

our engineering consultancy. It has an impressive track record in managing complex

engineering projects and in developing exciting, efficient cars; its wide range of expertise will

be invaluable to us. We will now move forward together at a fast pace to bring these high

performance "ultra-safe urban microsports cars" to the US, European and Japanese markets."

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive, Group Lotus, said: "I am delighted that Lotus Engineering

has been selected by Obvio! to deliver the entire design and development programme for

these ground-breaking cars. Lotus Engineering has a very strong heritage in developing

innovative solutions for clients and we look forward to working with Obvio! in what we believe

will be a radical new approach from a dynamic new automotive player."

Lotus Engineering will work with a range of Brazilian 'supplier partners' to develop two variants

of the new chassis concept which will be engineered incorporating Niess Elliptical Survival

Rings, already well-proven in the aerospace industry. Providing exceptional chassis

performance as well as class-leading safety, the concept also allows for very light structures -

target weight for the 012 is 750kgs (1,648 lbs) and for the 828 is 600kgs (1,318 lbs). This will

enable the vehicles to feature exceptionally good performance characteristics while also

running with highly efficient and economical power plants.

Obvio! is committed to ensuring its highly distinctive and innovative new models are fun to

drive and are practical for everyday use. They are configured with the driver and two

passengers sitting three-abreast and also feature scissor-opening doors to aid access and

parking in tight spaces.

Initially, power will come from a 1.6-litre unit produced by Brazilian engine manufacturer Tritec

Motors. Lotus Engineering will develop a new engine management unit, which will give the

engine "trybrid" capabilities, running automatically on natural gas, bio-ethanol or gasoline. In

parallel, Lotus will develop 170hp and 250hp turbocharged variants for higher performance

models in the Obvio! range. Electrically-powered variants of both cars are expected to follow

shortly after the trybrid models.

Obvio! has already signed a US$700m pre-paid contract to supply a total of 50,000 units per

annum, spread between the 012 and 828 models, to its exclusive North American distributor,

California-based ZAP - Zero Air Pollution (OTC BB:ZAAP.OB). Distributors for other major

world markets will be appointed over the next 18 months. The Brazilian firm has committed to

exceeding all worldwide safety regulations for passenger cars, while exciting performance will

be achieved through an impressive power-to-weight ratio and class-leading driving dynamics.

A core Obvio!-Lotus engineering management team will be based in a dedicated project centre

at Lotus' Hethel headquarters. It will manage the engineering programme for the two vehicles,

which will be delivered by Lotus Engineering facilities worldwide and for the first time by a

group of high-profile Brazilian-based tier one suppliers who will be heavily involved from the

very earliest stages. The two vehicles will be built in Brazil, with production expected to start

late in 2008.

Mr. Kimberley concluded: "This agreement means a great deal to us – not only are we

delivering a very strong technical offering but we will once again have the opportunity to

'connect' our iconic Lotus brand to Brazil. Three of the country's most famous sports

personalities, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna, played a major role in

helping Team Lotus to win 79 Grands Prix and seven Constructors' Championships in Formula

One. With this heritage behind us, we are proud to be able to play a leading role in the

development of the Brazilian car industry.

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

'Straight Out Of The Box' Thrills

Model Year 2007 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255

Lotus Sport, the motor sport division of Lotus Cars Ltd, has unveiled the MY2007 Lotus Sport

Exige Cup 255. Unveiled at the Essen Motorshow, the Exige Cup 255 is powered by a 1796

cc supercharged engine developing 252 bhp (255 PS) 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

capable of taming Europe's most challenging race circuits.

Building upon the success enjoyed by the Exige Cup 240 during the 2006 season, the Exige

Cup 255 presents Lotus' most radical 'road to track' offering yet with a visually striking new

roof design which gives it true standout appeal.

In traditional Lotus style, weight saving is paramount. Weighing in at sub 950 kg, the already

significant power to weight ratio has been further enhanced by increasing the power output

from 243 bhp to 252 bhp. Such a fantastic power to weight ratio alone of course does not a

superlative track car make, so the Exige Cup 255 has a list of standard equipment that

includes LTS branded Yokohama A048R tyres, new for 2007 uprated 4-piston front brakes,

adjustable dampers and anti-roll bar, the latest FIA 6-point roll cage and sports driver and

passenger seats. The options are even more race-focused with slick tyres*, an FIA approved

Recaro/Lotus Sport driver's seat*, an FIA approved 70 litre fuel cell*, 'Level Two' stainless

steel sports exhaust with de-cat pipe*, dog gearbox* and a plate type Lotus Sport limited slip

differential (*track use only and special conditions apply).

The Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255 is one of the quickest cars around a circuit. Key to this

incredible performance is the aerodynamic package, which produces over 40 kg at 160 kph

increasing grip and ultimately safety at higher speeds. With a top speed of close to 260 kph

and a zero to 160 kph slingshot in just less than 9.8 seconds (the 100 kph sprint takes just

under 3.9 seconds), the MY2007 Exige Cup is the perfect partner for the serious racer. At a

MRSP of 56,034.48 (exclusive of local taxes and on the road charges), customers will have

to queue on a first ordered, first delivered basis.

Said Mike J Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer Group Lotus plc:

"In keeping with our racing and high performance sports car heritage, we are very pleased to

launch this exceptionally exciting, phenomenal-handling Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255. This is

yet another example of how Lotus Cars and high-tech engineering – our Lotus Sport division -

can transform an already brilliant road car into an exceptionally high performance product for

the track."

Note: the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255 is not available in the UK market.

Further details about the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255:

Engine

The supercharged and intercooled engine in the Exige Cup 255 has a maximum power output

of 252 bhp at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately 179 lb-ft at 7000 rpm. This

significant amount of extra power and torque now available together with the VVTL-i variable

cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear surge of power from low engine speeds

all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm. The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a

sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine's oil)

is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation. Charge air

(air under pressure from the supercharger) is cooled through an air-to-air intercooler (the air

enters via the enhanced roof scoop) before being fed into the engine itself. All charge air

ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes to ensure that the bends

in these ducts are not too tight, to the benefit of throttle response and efficiency. Four high

capacity injectors and an uprated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or high

speed driving.

A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to

the lightweight C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) – with the same perfectly

spaced ratios as the Exige S. A plate type limited slip differential is fitted as an option. The

Lotus switchable traction control system (LTCS) is standard and works through the engine,

reducing power to maintain traction; it is active above 8 kph and reacts much more quickly

than many brake-based systems.

An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir

back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure

remains constant.

Twin oil coolers complete the powertrain.

Roof Scoop

This panel has been designed to provide an increased intake flow area. An increase of over

50% has been achieved over the standard Exige S roof, feeding a new enlarged 2-row 50mm

intercooler which, in turn, provides additional power. This new roof scoop improves the intake

ambient air flow rate, so allowing the Exige Cup 255 to gain a higher charge density in the

cylinders.

Wheels and Tyres

16-spoke cast wheels are shod with LTS branded Yokohama A048R tyres to maximise grip

and achieve the ride and handling targets set by Lotus.

Brakes

The brake system includes large diameter 308 mm 2-piece aluminium belled cross-drilled and

ventilated front discs and 282 mm cross-drilled and ventilated discs at the rear, upgraded

Pagid RS14 sports brake pads set into the brake calipers (AP Racing two piece radially

mounted, 4 piston at the front and Brembo sliding at the rear), high grade silicone brake fluid

and stainless steel braided brake hoses - all linked to the proven Lotus track tuned servoassisted

four-channel ABS system that enhances braking performance and minimizes

stopping distance without taking over from the skill of the driver.

Suspension

Suspension is provided by Öhlins springs and two-way adjustable dampers (which boast 22

bump and 60 rebound settings) and an adjustable front anti-roll bar (five settings). Full

instructions and recommended settings are provided to allow customers to tailor the handling

characteristics of the car to their own requirements.

As the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255 cars are modified for track use, a double shear track control

arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during racing or hard track day

driving.

Safety Equipment

Lotus Sport Exige Cup 255 cars have the safety equipment expected of a race car, with sports

seats and 4-point driver and passenger seat belt harnesses. The 6-point roll cage is FIA

approved and completing the additional safety equipment is a mechanical ignition kill switch

with cockpit and external activation and a plumbed electrical fire extinguisher system, again

with cockpit and external activation.

Exhaust System

A 'Level One' stainless steel sports exhaust is fitted with the bifurcated exhaust pipes exiting

from the centre of the anodized-finished 3-piece rear diffuser. A 'Level Two' stainless steel

exhaust with de-cat pipe is available as an option.

Options (all subject to local taxation rates)

FIA approved 70 litre fuel cell* - 2812.87

Lotus Sport limited slip differential (plate type) - 2499.46

Air conditioning - 1641.17

Metallic paint - 776.47

Lifestyle paint - 1188.10

Race battery and holder - 195.88

(*track use only)

Other more hardcore track options are available – prices on application (ie 'Level Two' exhaust

with de-cat pipe, dog gearbox, Recaro/Lotus Sport driver's seat with 6-point harness etc).

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/uploa...pr_download.pdf

The newest Grand Challenge, the Urban Challenge, is an open competition where full sized computerized vehicles will drive in city conditions for up to 6 hours with no human intervention whatsoever. In the Urban Challenge, these robotic vehicles will drive on city streets, avoid obstacles, stop at intersections, maneuver traffic circles, park, pass traffic and determine the best way to accomplish a mission assigned by DARPA. Vehicles will be required to follow California driving laws in the event. The final event is scheduled for November 3, 2007.

The Insight Racing team is a cooperative effort formed in 2003 to develop autonomous robotics solutions. The team is sponsored by NC State University and North Carolina businesses. The team includes several NC State University students, faculty and alumni.

"Lotus is happy to support Insight Racing in the Urban Challenge," said Don Graunstadt, Chief Executive Officer & President of Lotus Engineering. "We are impressed with Insight's proven record and are looking forward to working together. Driving exciting technology leadership is the foundation of activities at Lotus Engineering ." As part of the sponsorship, Lotus Cars USA will provide an Elise to Insight Racing for the race and Lotus Engineering in Ann Arbor Michigan will contribute the controls interface engineering.

"We are proud to have Lotus as a sponsor. Their leadership will certainly contribute greatly to our efforts." said Grayson Randall, Insight Racing founder. "The development of this smart vehicle technology has many applications and will ultimately change how we drive in the not too distant future."

Insight Racing team's Desert Rat in Grand Challenge 2. Insight Racing finishing 12th in the finals in a field of nearly 200 entries.

"While the technology is being developed for defense purposes, it has potential for spin-off into everyday life," said Dr. Robert Fornaro, NCSU professor of computer science and director of the Senior Design Center. Under Dr. Fornaro's direction, Computer Science students at NCSU have utilized aspects of the Grand Challenge in their Senior Design Projects.

Dick Dell, Executive Director of the Advanced Vehicle Research Center feels that this effort is advancing the state's position as an automotive leader. "It is exciting to think about the many ways this technology will change the automotive industry. It is great to see North Carolina in a leadership position with this powerful Lotus-Insight partnership." Insight Racing plans to use the Advanced Vehicle Research Center when testing the vehicle.

Other sponsors include: Comtrol, SICK, Ascot Technologies, Inc., BD Micro, and PC MedEvac.

The Advanced Vehicle Research Center (AVRC) is a modern automotive testing facility for use in the design, development, testing and certification of advanced vehicle technologies, sub-systems and components. The Advanced Vehicle Research Center is a public-private partnership that matches the talents of multi-national automotive companies with those of North Carolina's leading universities. The AVRC is world class and focused on next generation research and development in the automotive industry (www.avrnc.com).

Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognized automotive engineering consultant based in Hethel, Norfolk, UK. Its global facilities include those in Michigan and North Carolina, USA and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and offices in Germany and China. It provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's car manufacturers and tier one automotive suppliers, from initial concept and project design through development to full production prototype build.

Insight Racing is a North Carolina based robotic vehicle racing team sponsored by NC State University and North Carolina businesses to compete in the DARPA Grand Challenge events. (www.insightracing.org)

North Carolina State University was founded as a land-grant institution in 1887. A nationally recognized leader in science and technology with historic strengths in agriculture and engineering, NC State provides a high-quality education in the humanities and social sciences, design, education, life sciences, management, natural resources, physical and mathematical sciences, textiles and veterinary medicine.

MY2007 Lotus Sport Exige Cup –adrenaline boosting fun from the

latest Lotus track car – USA Specification

Los Angeles, CA (November 30 2006) – Lotus Cars USA, the subsidiary of Lotus Cars in

North America, today unveiled the MY2007 Lotus Sport Exige Cup. Unveiled at the Los Angeles

International Auto Show, the 252 hp, supercharged and intercooled sportscar is a completely

out-of-the-box track car with a specification designed to prepare the budding driver for the grid

at some of the finest and most challenging circuits in North America.

Weight has been kept to an ultra low 1800 pounds and the phenomenal power to weight ratio

has been further enhanced by increasing the power output from 243 hp to 252 hp. Weight

saving (or adding lightness!) has been achieved through the effective use of lightweight

materials and through the eradication of all non-essential components such roof trim, carpets,

front mudflaps, central locking and bulkhead trim. Of course just having fantastic power to

weight doesn't make a car a high performer on the track, so the Lotus Sport Exige Cup has a list

of standard equipment that includes track only slick tires, uprated 4-piston front brakes,

adjustable dampers and adjustable anti-sway bar, the latest SCCA-compliant roll cage, FIA

approved Lotus Sport branded driver's seat with six-point driver harness (there is no passenger

seat) and a lightweight rear screen (instead of glass). The options are even more race focused

with a FIA approved 70 litre fuel cell, air-jack system and level two stainless steel exhaust with

de-cat pipe, a plate type limited slip differential and Star Shield.

The Lotus Sport Exige Cup is one of the quickest cars around a circuit. Key to this incredible

performance is the aerodynamic package, which produces over 90 pounds of downforce at 100

mph increasing grip and ultimately safety at higher speeds.

With a top speed of close to 160 mph and a zero to 100 mph slingshot in just less than 9.8

seconds (the 60 mph sprint takes just under 3.9 seconds), the MY2007 Lotus Sport Exige Cup

is the perfect partner to a serious track day enthusiast. Even the most exotic supercars would

struggle to keep up! At a MSRP of just $84,990, plus options, delivery and taxes, customer will

have to queue on a first ordered, first delivered basis.

Further details about the Lotus Sport Exige Cup:

Engine

The supercharged and intercooled engine in the Lotus Sport Exige Cup has a maximum power

output of 252 hp at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately 179 lb-ft, at 7000 rpm. This

vast amount of extra power and torque now available means that the cam change between the

low-speed cam and the high-speed cam is variable to ensure that there is a smooth and linear

surge of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm. The Roots-type

Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not

require the use of the engine's oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve

for part load operation. Charge air (air under pressure from the supercharger) is cooled through

an air-to-air intercooler (the cooling air enters via the roof scoop) before being fed into the

engine itself. All charge air ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes

making sure that the bends in these ducts are not too tight, to the benefit of throttle response

and efficiency. Four high capacity injectors add additional fuel under hard acceleration or high

speed driving.

A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfers the engine power and torque to

the lightweight C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminum casing) – with the same perfectly

spaced ratios as the Exige S. A plate type limited slip differential is fitted as an option as is the

Lotus switchable traction control system (LTCS). The LTCS system works through the engine,

reducing power to maintain traction, is active above 5 mph and operates much more quickly

than many brake-based systems.

An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir

backup for extreme track use ensuring that, under these conditions, the engine oil pressure

remains constant.

Twin oil coolers complete the powertrain package.

Wheels and Tires

5-spoke lightweight forged alloy wheels in silver are shod with Lotus specific Yokohama slick

tires to maximise grip and achieve the ride and handling targets set by Lotus.

Brakes

The brake system includes large diameter 308 mm 2-piece aluminum belled cross drilled and

ventilated front discs and 282 mm cross-drilled and ventilated discs at the rear, upgraded Pagid

RS14 sports brake pads set into the brake calipers (AP Racing two piece radially mounted, 4

piston at the front and Brembo sliding at the rear), high grade silicone brake fluid, stainless steel

braided brake hoses all linked to the proven Lotus track tuned servo-assisted four-channel ABS

system that enhances braking performance and minimising stopping distance without taking

over from the skill of the driver.

Suspension

Suspension is provided by Öhlins springs and two-way adjustable dampers (which have 22

compression and 60 rebound settings and ride height adjustable perches to reduce the ride

height from 130 mm to 120 mm) and an adjustable front anti-sway bar (five settings). Full

instructions and recommended settings are provided to allow customers to tailor the handling

characteristics of the car to their own requirements.

As the Lotus Sport Exige Cup cars are modified for track use, a double shear track control arm

brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during racing and hard track day

driving.

Safety Equipment

The Lotus Sport Exige Cup cars have the safety equipment that is expected for a track car with

6-point seat belt harness on the driver's side (with an FIA approved Recaro / Lotus Sport seat) –

there is no passenger seat. The full roll cage is SCCA compliant and completing the additional

safety equipment is a mechanical ignition kill switch with cockpit and external activation and a

plumbed electrical fire suppression system, again with cockpit and external activation.

Exhaust System

A "Level One" stainless steel sports exhaust is fitted with the bifurcated exhaust pipes exiting

from the centre of the anodized-finished 3-piece rear diffuser. A "Level Two" stainless steel

exhaust with de-cat pipe is a no cost option.

Option costs:

FIA approved 70 litre fuel cell – $3095

Lotus Sport limited slip differential (plate type) – $1595

Lotus Traction Control System – $495

Air jack system (special conditions apply) – $5495

Air-conditioning – $2495

Metallic paint – $590

Lifestyle Paint – $1200

Star Shield protection – $995.

Pictures in the gallery here:

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/index...d=sc&cat=97

appointment of Quadis, for the retail of Lotus cars in Spain.

Quadis will open its first dealership in Sant Quirze del Vallès in Barcelona. The new showroom

and service facility, to be called "Lotus Barcelona" will be opened on 09 November 2006. The full

range of Lotus cars will be available from launch: the phenomenal Lotus Elise, the award

winning race-bred Lotus Exige and brand new Lotus Europa.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc comments "I would like to welcome Lotus Barcelona to

the Lotus family and brand and we are pleased to have teamed up with such an enthusiastic

and professional organisation. We already sell into 17 countries in Europe and I believe that the

Spanish market will grow in importance for us over the next few years as we are expand our

model line-up to include 3 all new cars in the next 3 years. This can only mean good news for

Lotus fans and driving enthusiasts!"

Mr. Xavier Gaspar, M.D. of Lotus Barcelona said: "We are delighted to have secured the

franchise for Lotus in Barcelona. Our corporate brand strengths are built around customer

service and the ability to sell high profile brands into the discerning Spanish market. We sell

nearly 50,000 cars a year so the Lotus brand will add an exclusive niche to our portfolio and will

have access to our infrastructure and networks. The new facilities will all be in line with the

corporate image and training standards set out by Lotus Cars. We are keen to launch Lotus by

highlighting the brand's philosophies in building lightweight, agile and innovative performance

cars and its British engineering and manufacturing heritage."

The Lotus range will be priced in Spain as follows:

Elise S 38.063

Elise R 46.234

Exige 49.545

Exige S 56.508

Europa S 53.120

All prices include tax but exclude transport, registration and delivery charges.

Lotus Barcelona is at

QUADIS AUTOCENTRE VALLES

C/R. CARRASCO I FORMIGUERA NO. 22

08192 S.QUIRZE DEL VALLES (BARCELONA)

Tel: 00 34 93 720 61 70

Web: www.lotusbarcelona.es.

Email: ventas@lotusbarcelona.es

company in China.

UK automotive engineering specialists, Lotus Engineering, will become the lead engineering

and development consultant for Jinhua Youngman Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

(Youngman) which is launching a new range of cars under a new brand name over the next

five years.

Albert Lam, managing director of Lotus Engineering, said: "For the last two and a half years,

Lotus Engineering has been working with Youngman on a number of projects. We have built

an excellent working relationship based on trust and the shared values of entrepreneurship

and innovation.

"It is on these foundations that we will be working with Youngman's engineers on the design

and development of new vehicles to help them to establish their new brand in the Chinese

automotive industry."

Youngman is a leading domestic commercial vehicle manufacturer and recently secured a

licence from the Chinese authorities to produce passenger vehicles. Youngman's senior

management has aggressive plans for their new brand in the domestic and export market and

plans to have a full four-strong range of models in place within five years of the first launch.

Pang Qingnian, the chairman of Jinhua Youngman Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd., said:

"Lotus Engineering is a globally recognised leader in automotive technology and vehicle

engineering and in our recent work together we recognised its formidable professional

capabilities. As a result Youngman identified Lotus Engineering as the ideal consultants to

support the development of our new range of cars over the next five years.

"With our British friends we will produce passenger cars designed, engineered and built to

exceptional standards. I have no doubt this prestigious collaboration will be a momentous step

towards a glittering future for Youngman."

Lotus Engineering is one of only a few global engineering businesses that have the skills and

expertise to manage turnkey, full vehicle engineering programmes from concept to production

and is one of only two consultancy companies that also design, develop, manufacture and sell

their own high quality cars to a global customer base (28 countries).

Development work on the first model for the new car producer, a four-door saloon, is due to

start early in 2007 and will be carried out at Lotus Engineering's Hethel headquarters and at its

other engineering centres around the world. It is expected that the development of further new

models will lead to a range of cars benefiting from the expertise of Lotus Engineering.

Lotus Engineering is working with a number of clients in the fast-expanding Chinese and

Indian markets. It opened a dedicated Chinese office three years ago and is planning on

opening a similar office to serve clients in India in the next six months. As well as establishing

an engineering centre in China, Lotus Engineering has a major European Technical Centre at

its Hethel, UK headquarters dedicated to the Chinese automotive industry.

– the latest high performance, lightweight sportscar from the stable of Lotus Cars, the largest

employer in his South Norfolk parliamentary constituency.

Mr Bacon was handed the keys to the Magnetic Blue Lotus Europa S by the CEO of Group

Lotus plc, Mike Kimberley, following a meeting to discuss the company's growth plans. Richard

will be using the sportscar to promote Norfolk as a business location, holiday destination and a

region with great investment potential. To aid this promotion, a decal has been fitted to the rear

of the car stating "Support Norfolk Business, Drive a Lotus!"

Whilst at Lotus, Richard Bacon was briefed by Mike Kimberley about the new 5 year business

plan for Group Lotus plc. The business plan includes opportunities for growth in Lotus

Engineering (including expansion in new markets, joint ventures and strategic alliances) and the

launch of three new Lotus models over the next three years for Lotus Cars.

On handing over the keys, Mike Kimberley said, "The Lotus Europa S, being the latest model

from Hethel is the perfect car for Richard. It is a sportscar that goes as far as we feel we can

towards a Grand Tourer style Lotus, without compromising what the Lotus Brand stands for –

namely fun, involving and safe driving. So Richard can arrive promptly at Westminster in

sophisticated style and at the end of the day take the long route home, enjoying the fabulous

roads that we have in this region. On a more serious note, I am very grateful for the support,

both publicly and behind the scenes, that Richard has given to Lotus over the years."

Richard Bacon MP said, "Lotus is a vital business within my constituency. It is the largest

employer in South Norfolk and a flagship company not just for the region but for the United

Kingdom as a whole. It is marvelous to have a company with so many prospects and so much

potential on our doorstep. It is also reassuring to hear from Mike that Lotus and its shareholders

are committed to Norfolk for a long time to come. Finally, I would like to thank Lotus for allowing

me to test drive this brilliant car – and in such a suitable colour scheme too! I never realised how

enjoyable driving can be!"

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awarded a major industry award for its innovative and technologically leading Versatile Vehicle

Architecture (VVA).

Lotus Engineering won the European Aluminium Award 2006 in the "Transport and

Automotive" category held at "Aluminium 2006" - 6th World Trade Fair and Conference in

Essen, Germany.

At "Aluminium 2006", Versatile Vehicle Architecture technology was demonstrated by the "APX

by Lotus Engineering" prototype vehicle that was first shown to the world at the Geneva

Motorshow earlier this year. The APX (Aluminium Performance Crossover) is the first example

of a complete vehicle built on the innovative Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) – the first

Lotus production car using this technology will be the new Lotus Esprit flagship sports car to

enter production in December 2009.

The innovative VVA technology offers a fast-to-market, cost-effective approach to

differentiated niche products by spreading the development, investment and bill of materials

burden across a range of niche vehicle variants, without the compromise that stems from

conventional 'platform sharing'. The key to the VVA architecture is the extensive use of

Aluminium in the form of high-pressure die cast corner nodes that are combined with extruded

and pressed aluminium via bonding and mechanical fasteners.

The European Aluminium Awards Jury recognised that Lotus used its knowledge in lightweight

materials, such as Aluminium, to its advantage to build the APX, and that Lotus satisfied the

Jury's key criteria of originality, functionality, design, durability and recyclability.

Lotus won this award back in 1996 for the Lotus Elise chassis - at the time a ground-breaking

and innovative technology itself.

More about the European Aluminium Awards

The European Aluminium Awards (EAA) are organised by the EAA , the Gesamtverbandes der

Aluminiumindustrie (GDA)., the Dutch Aluminium Centrum, and "Aluminium 2006" - 6th World Trade Fair and

Conference and supported by global players of the aluminium industry : Alcan, Alcoa, Corus and Hydro

Categories of the European Aluminium Award 2006

"Aluminium End Product Award", aimed at the customers of aluminium and presents three prizes for

· Design

· Innovation

· Environment & Sustainability

"Industrial Innovations Award" aimed at the three main application areas of aluminium:

· Transport & Automotive

· Building & Construction

· Machinery & Electronics

The jury consisted of:

· Prof. Laurens Katgerman, Technical University Delft, Netherlands (Chairman)

· Ms. Roberta Bordiga, Editorial staff Edimet, Aluminio e Leghe Italy

· Mr Eur.Ing. Steve Harmer BSc, The Institute of Materials, UK

· Mr Elmar Schueller, Vice-President Red Dot, Germany

· Mr Rein van de Velde, Aluminium Centrum, Netherlands (secretary)

The jury, in the assessment of the entries took the following criteria into account:

· a) Originality and functionality of the use of the materials; he degree to which the metal aluminium is

used in an original and useful manner.

· Functionality of the product; the degree to which the part meets both its primary user function and

and its technological function. The functional combination of the use of materials, construction and

ergonomic adjustments

· c) Design; the degree to which the total design reaches a harmonic unity or a solution. In particular

the construction and assembly of the designed product and the details of the shape, all this in

relation to the material used.

· d) Durability; in relation to the life cycle costs.

· e)Recycling; the possibility to recycle the applied materials.

· f) Representational and promotional value for aluminium.

More about Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) and the APX by Lotus Engineering

Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) has been developed to bridge a gap in the investment-volume

curve to exploit the benefits of producing at medium volumes but for niche markets, thereby giving the best

chance of business case success and favourable returns.

The philosophy of VVA is based on the commonality and versatility of key elements of the vehicle structure

and body systems across a 'family' of niche vehicle variants, with a combined annual production rate of up to

around 50,000 units. Structural components common to each family member are arranged in different

configurations in each variant around the ingenious corner nodes.

The great advantage of this technology is that it can be used by one OEM looking to develop a range of niche

products, or by a group of OEMs looking to share investment, but still retain a high degree of end product

separation.

APX is a demonstration of Lotus Engineering's ability to create innovative and exciting, high performance

products through its world class capability in Vehicle Design, Performance Powertrain Engineering and niche

vehicle development, the first production car from this technology will be the new Lotus Esprit flagship sports

car to enter production in December 2009.

It is a 7-seater (in reality a 5 + 2 with the two rear seats being occasional) four-wheel drive "Crossover"

vehicle with a front mounted 300 hp supercharged V6 petrol engine. Weighing in at just 1570 kg and with a

power to weight ratio of 191 hp per tonne, the APX has sportscar like performance of 5.4 seconds to 100

km/h (5.0 seconds to 60 mph) before reaching a top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph). These performance

figures are as good as the highest performing 4x4 "Crossover" vehicles from other brands with up to 195 hp

per tonne. Crucially though, whereas those vehicles need higher output engines to compensate for heavy

weight, APX does not. Combined fuel consumption for APX is estimated to be 8.7 litres / 100 km (or 32 mpg)

– impressive on its own and more so when compared to its production rivals which often consume more than

13 litres per 100 km (22 mpg).

APX is manufactured predominantly from aluminium in the form of high-pressure die-cast corner nodes,

stampings and extrusions. It uses advanced assembly techniques, including adhesive bonding, self-piercing

rivets and flow-drill screws for construction – joining techniques that Lotus calls Riv-Bonding. Lotus has

optimised the use of these technologies thus significantly reducing the number of mechanical fixings within

the monocoque structure. This has reduced the level of investment required in manufacturing equipment.

Example VVA families

The following represents illustrative VVA families that could be achieved:

Family A

· Front engine 4WD crossover 15,000 / year

· Mid engine RWD supercar 5,000

· Front engine RWD coupe 10,000

· Front engine RWD saloon 20,000

Family B

· Front engine FWD coupe 10,000

· Front engine 4WD SUV 25,000

Family C

· Mid engine RWD coupe 5,000

· Front engine FWD saloon 25,000

· Front engine 4WD crossover 30,000 – i.e. APX by Lotus Engineering

About Lotus Engineering

The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has two operating divisions –

Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars.

Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK.

Its global facilities include those in Michigan, USA and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and offices in Germany and

China. Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's

OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through

development to full production. This includes 3rd party "niche vehicle" engineering and manufacture

worldwide.

Lotus Cars builds and sells Lotus sports cars, Elise, Exige and Europa; and manufactures the advanced

composite front and rear crash structures for the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.

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In its first year of competition, Lotus Sport Cadena has secured outright GT3 Team Championship honours in the highly competitive British GT Championship.

Such has been the Lotus Sport Cadena dominance this season, they secured the title with one race in hand.

Said Chris Arnold, General Manager Lotus Sport:

"I am absolutely thrilled that Lotus' re-entry into British motorsport at this highly competitive level has been so successful. We have a great team of people here at Hethel, both working at Lotus Sport and the Cadena team. This has been a team effort in the truest sense of the word. I'm very pleased with the technical progress we have made this year and the car's reliability has been fantastic. We are now starting to see the real potential of the Exige on the race track."

Paul Whight, Team Principal Lotus Sport Cadena, confirmed:

"It is with a true sense of achievement that I look back on the British GT Championship this year. Working shoulder to shoulder with Lotus Sport, Cadena has developed the GT3 Lotus Exige race car to a standard proven capable of taking on and beating the likes of the mighty Aston Martin DRRS9 and Porshe 997. These are cars which come with significantly higher horsepower and of course, significantly higher price tags! To win the Team Championship in our first year is a reflection upon all our team members, each of whom has worked tirelessly both at the workshop and at the track."

For Lotus Sport Cadena, the 2006 season was scheduled to be a development year, with the Cadena team and Lotus Sport working hand in hand to develop the Lotus Exige GT3. However, there were early indications that both team and race car were capable of challenging for overall honours, crystallised by a brace of sensational outright second places (and class victories) at Mondello Park in Ireland back in June.

The new-for-2006 FIA GT3 regulations were always going to encourage intense competition across Europe-and that has certainly been the case with the British GT Championship. Former British Touring Car entrants Barwell Motorsport fielded two 550 bhp Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3 cars, the Damax team, which has been at the forefront of GT racing for many years, boasted the works Ascari entries, with Trackspeed, Tech9 Motorsport and RP Mall relying on the popular 997 Porsche.

Not withstanding the level and depth of GT3 competition this year, Lotus Sport Cadena has proven that the 1.8 litre, 285 bhp Lotus Exige GT3 race car is the leader in its class. Lotus would like to thank its suppliers and many supporters worldwide for their valued contribution to this year's programme.

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