Lotus to create four new platforms beyond sportscars
Lotus has confirmed four new vehicle architectures that will underpin its future product offensive: Elemental, Extreme, Evolution and E-Sports, the latter two powering two as-yet unknown all-new models.
The one we’re most curious about? That has to be Evolution, the name on the underside of new Lotus models that will include, if not an SUV, then certainly a “lifestyle” model. Lotus says this platform will be the firm’s first global automotive architecture and will be the basis of “an all-new range of lifestyle vehicles… (that) will catapult Lotus into a new era of higher retail volumes and significant revenues.”
This not-an-SUV has been defined and designed in the UK with input from companies within the Geely group in China, Sweden and Germany. Lotus says the car it is “born British, raised globally”.
The new Lotus Emira sportscar base, known as Elemental, is an extruded aluminium platform as was pioneered by the Elise, but with Lotus promising a ”massive step change technically” and completely different dimensions from any existing models. It is clear it is far more than just more of the same.
The Extreme platform is the one beneath the body of the electric Evija hypercar, which we’ve seen at Goodwood on a number of occasions and is due for launch later this year.
The fourth architecture is E-Sports which is being developed jointly by Lotus Engineering and Group Renault’s Alpine brand. The platform that comes from this partnership will provide the basis for new electric models for both Lotus and Alpine.
The Lotus E-Sports will be “an exciting new sportscar brand, with contemporary styling, class-leading ride and handling, explosive performance and that unmistakable Lotus character,” according to Matt Windle, Lotus Cars Managing Director. He adds this battery-electric machine will target the weight of a combustion-engined sportscar.
Lotus’s pledge with all its new models is that they will offer class-leading performance, proven wherever possible in motorsport, based around signature Lotus principles of light weight, exceptional ride and handling and advanced aerodynamics. In addition there is to be a big push on intelligent technology as well as an an all-new look for Lotus showrooms around the world, as well as a new online buying platform.
It’s all go at Lotus then! About time too, many will say. Hethel has always had the cleverest and most passionate of people and now here is more evidence of what massive backing and global resources can do for it. Today Norfolk, tomorrow the world? Every car enthusiast will surely be hoping so.
Meanwhile, make a date with Goodwood on 8th July and be the first to see what the new Lotus Emira can do up the Hill!
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