Lotus Ready For Model Launch

[Mark H]

Lotus ready for model launch

08 August 2005

 

 

Sports car manufacturer Lotus is poised to announce the launch of its most important new model since the Elise.

 

The new GT car, which is expected to be called the Europa, is designed to bolster production at Hethel and attract a different sort of car buyer to the Lotus marque.

 

Based on the Elise platform, it will boast a more luxurious interior and, with a taller roof line and lower door sills, will be easier to get in and out. It is rumoured to have a hatchback and there is certain to be more luggage space than the Elise.

 

The car is likely to be powered by the four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-litre Vauxhall engine from the VX220 Turbo.

 

Lotus confirmed the car is due to be announced in the next few days - but refused to reveal its name. It is expected to be priced around £30,000, competing with Porsche Boxsters and Audi TTs.

 

The Europa was the name of Lotus' first mid-engined road car - made between 1969 and 1975. Other names such as the Excel have also been considered.

 

It is part of a 10-year plan devised by new chief executive Kim Ogaard-Neilsen to turn Lotus into a financially sustainable business.

 

The Europa is likely to be one of several models developed from the Elise platform, following the Exige and the Elise circuit car, which was announced earlier this year.

 

Lotus is aiming to build up production of the Elise-based products at Hethel to between 5000 and 6000 cars a year.

 

In addition, the car maker is planning a replacement for the much larger Esprit which will be launched in around 18 months time and be built at the headquarters of parent company Proton in Malaysia.

 

 

http://business.edp24.co.uk/story.aspx?bra...3A22%3A34%3A227

[Mark H]

Lotus may return to International Motorsports

 

Will Lotus come back?

 

Lotus has hinted it could one day return to international motorsports and go up against Corvette, Aston Martin and Ferrari in the GT1 ranks, according to new Lotus Cars boss Kim Ogaard-Nielsen. However, Ogaard-Nielsen also said the company might concentrate instead on club racing and the track-day market. He said a decision on which way Lotus will go should be made in the next couple of months.

 

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102906

[Mark H]

Looks like it may be Geneva before its launched:

 

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=106800

 

 

Lotus to Revive Europa Nameplate for New 2+2 Coupe

 

Date Posted 08-10-2005

 

HETHEL, England — British sports carmaker Lotus will revive the Europa nameplate for its new 2+2 coupe, which will be unveiled at next March's Geneva Motor Show.

 

The Europa is based on a widened and lengthened Elise chassis, giving it two small rear seats and easier access. It will fit between the rough-and-ready Elise/Exige sports cars and the planned new Esprit coupe. It will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0- or 2.2-liter GM engine from the "hot hatch" Opel Astra — making between 200 and 240 horsepower. According to the company, it will be quieter, more luxurious and less harsh-riding than the Elise, which will give it greater appeal in the U.S.

 

The Europa will be built at Lotus' Hethel plant; the Esprit, due in 2007, will be made in Malaysia. The all-aluminum Esprit will have a midengine V8 power plant and composite body panels.

 

The previous Europa was built between 1967 and 1975, and was Lotus' first midengine production car. Around 9,000 were made.

 

What this means to you: The Elise and Exige are fine, if you're 5 feet 2 and weigh less than 130 pounds. The Europa will offer more comfort — while keeping the Lotus DNA.

[darren5591]

good to hear esprit coming back in 2007

[Rich111s]

Here's a pic - I think it looks great

 

 

a bit too similar to a TT from the rear maybe...

 

 

I'm seriously considering putting down a deposit

 

Views?

[darren5591]

Im not so sure about the slits in the rear but all else looks nice

[Rich111s]

Im not so sure about the slits in the rear but all else looks nice 

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I agree - rear lights and three-quarters look a bit like new SLK to IMHO...

 

[steve]

[strees]

Hmm ... available just in time for partnership car

[darren5591]

imagine one of those for a company car

[darren5591]

no lotus badge at rear either

[Rich111s]

no lotus badge at rear either 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I imagine that it would be where the black cover is in the photo... probably the LOTUS text rather than the round badge...

[Steve J]

I must be alone in this as I'm not impressed. Doesn't look that good an effort to me

[Tango190]

I must be alone in this as I'm not impressed.  Doesn't look that good an effort to me 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmm, I'd say the Orange car is the Lotus car, the Red car is the Vauxhall version as it looks crap !!

[Jonathan E]

I don't think it'll look anything like that if the're not launching it until Geneva.Its most unlike Lotus to let pics slip out prior to launch,The S2 Elise came from nowhere and the S2 Exige was spied way back in 2002 iirc,Lotus said they would never do the Exige and then as soon as Yota were onboard out it came,also lots of turmoil surrounding Lotus at present with the VW vs Proton thing.

If it is the new Europa then I have to say I'm dissapointed,it just looks a bit boring,plenty of time for them to get the body shape looking as a Lotus should,remember the pressed grp panels can be moulded into some very strange shapes,I hope they will put a lot more work into the shape of the car prior to launch.

Regards

Jon

PS,that tail gates got to be off a Calibra hasn't it????