Lotus isn’t exactly planning a repeat of the Paris show at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, but after a new Elise S and Evora GTE, apparently more will be announced. To start with the new Lotus Elise S will replace the SC model and will offer a new 1.8-litre supercharged engine with 220 hp. It’s aim is also to introduce reduced fuel consumption and emissions on the model.

A Lotus Evora GTE special edition model will also appear with more than 438 hp. New technology being presented includes the Lotus Serial Precision Shift transmission on the Elise and the Intelligent Precision Shift on the Evora S. After that we’ll get another two Lotus models at Frankfurt.

Details are utterly scarce right now (damn you Lotus), but the PR spin is that one will be one of the quickest roadgoing Lotus’ ever produced and the other will mark Lotus’ return to an adrenalin-filled motorsport discipline.

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In a detailed report from InsideLine, Lotus CEO Dany Bahar is looking to larger car manufacturers to buy Lotus so that the company can continue to develop its standalone models and make the investment required to build its line-up. The publication mentions a name like Toyota as an example of the kind of pairing up the CEO would like to see, as he embarks on a mission to do the following:

• expand the Lotus product portfolio
• reposition (we add relaunch) the brand as a premium marque competing with the likes of Porsche
• increase annual sales to six to eight thousand units a year by 2015

With that plan in mind, it’s clear that added investment and a significant backer is probably required. In the meantime, amongst all the marketing glitter from Lotus of late, the road to product development has been a rocky one. After recent reports that the Lotus Elan is being shelved, Autocar now says that Lotus has a hit list of 150 things it wants to change about the Elise and Evora.

Continue reading: Lotus sale and 150 changes to Elise and Evora?

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Bear with us as we try and piece this story together. Spanish Autoblog quotes an EVO interview with Dany Bahar in which the Lotus CEO says that the Elan project is being postponed indefinitely. So far we haven’t been able to find the story on the EVO site so we’re guessing it’s in their latest print edition.

The Elan was one of the many models that the revived (or perhaps reviving is more appropriate?) Lotus brought to the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Apparently though, Lotus now considers the V6 Elan to be too close to the Evora model, although reports currently said the Elan and the Esprit were too similar. And so the company is considering undertaking significant updates to the Evora itself, and lengthen its career instead.

Other news has been revealed in the interview, including the fact that work on the Esprit and Elite is continuing, and that the two models will share many components, most important a V8 engine with 550 hp. On this particular project, we’ve already heard that Lotus is planning on develop the engine in-house. It could prove to be a purist’s powertrain with a sequential transmission or manual, but no dual-clutch. More after the jump.

Continue reading: Lotus Elan abandoned?

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Three special edition Lotus Elise and Exige models will be produced for the North American market come July to see out final production numbers of the 1.8 Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine. There will be a Lotus Elise SC Final Edition available in Ardent Red, Aspen White, Chrome Orange and Carbon Grey. It will be equipped with the 1.8-litre engine with 220 hp. Each model will come with a Touring Pack which includes Alcantara seats, Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks, LSD Torsen differential, rear diffusor and a matte black roof.

It will cost about 57,000 euros and 15 models will be produced. The Lotus Exige 260 will be available in two versions: the Final Edition and the Final Edition Matte Black. Both use a tuned engine with an extra 20 hp up to 260 hp and will have a similar Touring Pack as the Elise. A Track Pack is also available with adjustable Ohlins suspension, Launch Control and five-spoke forged alloy wheels. The Final Edition model has a metallic tint and costs about 67,500 USD (30 units will be made) while the Matte Black is as its name suggests, with a production run of 25 units and costs an extra $2,400.

Source | GGLotus

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The Lotus Elise Club Racer provides for another gorgeous stand from the company, this time at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The Elise gets an update with the Club Racer package, already seen on the S2 model, and created to make a pared back model. The Lotus Elise Club Racer weight has been reduced by 24 kg and features offered on this car include Bilstein shocks with Eibach springs and a new Dynamic Performance Management system. This version of the Elise also gets an improved engine as the four-cylinder, 1.6-litre model reaches 142 hp and 165 Nm of torque.

The Lotus Concept Bespoke is an Evora S model tuned by Mansory. They’ve created a new aerodynamic kit for the car and have used some added carbon fibre (it’s the material of choice at this year’s show). The model showcases some of the future personalisation options that will be available from Lotus and could possibly signify a sneak look at the upcoming Evora restyling.

In addition to the 2011 Lotus Formula One car at the stand, another impressive little model on display was also the Lotus Evora Enduro GT Concept. It’s a new GT2/GTE competition version which will participate in this year’s endurance races, including the 24 hour Nurburgring. The Evora Enduro GT concept is equipped with a four-litre V6 engine prepared by Cosworth.

Lotus Bespoke Concept and Elise Club Racer live at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Continue reading: Live at 2011 Geneva Motor Show: Lotus Elise Club Racer and Concept Bespoke

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The 2014 Lotus Elite is a beautiful car designed to steal customers away from Porsche, Ferrari and co. and it might just achieve that. The Elite is intended to be the epitome of Lotus tradition and technology in a mix of gorgeous styling and technical prowess. While you’d expect the company to wax lyrical about its own vehicle, the Elite is definitely the favourite in the Lotus garage - described as fantastic, seductive and a ‘different breed of sportscar’. It’s their ‘gentleman’s’ car and seeing this video with all its elegance and classical music, we’d have to agree.

But, as at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Lotus doesn’t stop there. A new era? Bring it on, we say. After the jump you’ll find more pics and videos from the rest in the Lotus line-up and frankly, we’ll forgive them for going way over the top. Our wish list just got very long….

Lotus Elite

Continue reading: Lotus models videos: Esprit, Elan, Eterne, Elite and Elise

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There is so much eye candy at the Lotus stand at the 2010 Paris Motor Show that frankly, we didn’t know where to look. An incredible line-up from the company includes the Lotus Elise, the Elite, the Esprit, the new Elan and finally the Eterne. All clearly named with the letter ‘E’ as per tradition and meaning that no-one will ever name a Lotus after me. Anyway, Lotus gave us the full range from a classic, historical model right down to a new, revolutionary (to say the least) member.

The Lotus Esprit, icon of the company is still quite something to look at. The new version has a 5.0-litre V8 with 620 hp (from Toyota). The Lotus Elan, described as perfect for both road and track, has a 4.0-litre V6 with 450 hp while the Elite, future grand touring model for Lotus, has the same impressive eight-cylinder as the Esprit but in a different costume. What’s more, Lotus is making its V6 and V8 engines available in the future in hybrid form with a kind of KERS technology that will go alongside the standard version.

The new Lotus Elise is also on show having a 2.0-litre turbo engine with 320 hp and start&stop technology. It will arrive only in 2015 though, so that’s a long wait if you just happened to be in the market for one of these. Then there’s the surprising, but lovely, Lotus Eterne sedan-coupé with the same V8 as the Esprit and Elite. Meanwhile, the Concept CityCar almost disappeared in this tidal wave from Lotus, but the prototype model is equipped with a flexfuel engine and an electric motor which can work independently. And if you’ve not had your fill yet, the Evora S and Evora IPS are also at the show.

Continue reading: Lotus Esprit, Elite, Elan, Eterne and Elise live at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

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These Lotus spy shots show a revamped Lotus Exige masquerading as what could possibly be the new future Lotus Esprit. In fact, the rear is almost unbelievable and it is what indicates the new Esprit powertrain, according to reports. There are plans to build a new Lotus Esprit, considered essential to the brand, which would have an impressive power-to-weight ratio.

The new Esprit engine is unknown as yet, but it could be a V8 from Toyota, and it’s not entirely certain how modifications to the aluminium chassis will play out. The project is apparently in a very early stage, and will use a version of Lotus’ Versatile Vehicle Architecture.

The Lotus Esprit would be the top-of-the-range model, described as the “ultimate expression of the brand”. We should soon get a full Lotus product plan from the new CEO Danny Bahar, and reports already show a rough idea of what that will be. The Exige, Europa and Elise will be entry-level models with their four-cylinder engines, while the V6 Evora will take up the middle in the Lotus range, with the Esprit right at the top.

Lotus Esprit spy shots

Source | Autocar

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Lotus has released these pics of the Elise Club Racer prior to its Frankfurt show debut this month. The Special Edition Elise Club Racer is being described as a “high performance”, “low emission sportscar”.

The model will be made in 1960’s classic colour scheme colours of Elite Yellow, Carbon Grey, Sky Blue and Old English White, and then matched with a Club Racer interior. The car is based on the 134 hp Elise S model, and can reach 100 km/hr in 6.1 seconds. It has CO2 emissions of 179 g/km and a combined fuel consumption of 7.6 l/100 km.

The Elise Club Racer will be on sale from September 15 at prices ranging from 33,125 euros in Germany, to 34,770 euros in Italy and 25,712 pounds in the UK.

Lotus Elise Club Racer

Continue reading: Lotus Elise Club Racer pics

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Lotus has appointed a new CEO to its ranks with Dany Bahar, previously Senior Vice President for Ferrari’s Commercial and Brand division. The appointment will be effective from October 1st, as Bahar replaces Michael Kimberley, who retired from Lotus in July.

In a statement from Lotus, Bahar says: “I am looking forward to taking on the challenges as CEO of this legendary and iconic company with a peerless motorsport history. Lotus has a worldwide reputation for innovative engineering and superb sportscars that lead the world in efficiency, design and dynamics. With the recent launch of the award-winning Evora, there is proof that Lotus is better placed than many to capitalise on the rapidly changing automotive market. I can’t wait to get my plans underway in October.”

The appointment coincides with the release of the new Lotus Elise Club Racer which will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month. See our post on the Elise Club Racer for more details.

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The Geneva motor show revealed a suprise from Lotus with the presentation of its Exige S Model Year 2010. This new version has updated aerodynamics, and reduced emissions at 199 g/km of CO2. Not easy for a sports car, figures also reveal that fuel consumption is down to 8.5 l/100km, with highway driving further reduced to 6.5 l/100km.

With this new Exige S, Lotus shows of its luxury car qualifications with the Touring package that includes everything from leather seating, central console in leather, i-pod connection and glass holders. The Sport package has Bilstein suspension, traction control and anti-roll bar. The Performance package is different again, with AP four- piston braking system and 308mm discs, larger air intakes and a power kit that takes this car from 220 to 240hp.

The Evora was also on show, with its interior finally displayed to us, snap-happy bloggers. One disappointment though is the confirmation that the rear seats have no room whatsover, for legs. The driving position is, however, more comfortable and luxurious than with the Elise-Exige models. With more detailed interiors, this model aims at a different clientele and shows a Lotus touring style.

Continue reading: New Lotus Exige S revealed

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This a rumour too juicy to be denied: or better, a dream, even a mirage. But if it’s true… According to reports from Leftlane, following more on Abarth rumours, Fiat could have reached an agreement to develop its future spider on the base of the next Elise. There’s no trick here - we are talking about the Lotus Elise.

Luca DeMeo, general manager of the “Scorpione”, has let out a dream declaration: one day, they might produce a product all of their own. The English site, at this point, has put two and two together, a difficult sum in these situations, and has come up with the solution that Abarth will need technical resources, and so would ask the Hethel company to provide them.

Continue reading: Spider Abarth: close relative of the future Lotus Elise?

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