2009 Lotus Exige S 260 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Lotus nearing decision on sedan versus crossover

Lotus may be comfortable for the time being developing newer and better versions of its existing sports cars, but it won't necessarily skate by on its aging product portfolio forever. According to a report from Reuters, Lotus and its Malaysian parent company DRB-Hicom are currently considering adding a new model to the British automaker's lineup. And in a further sign of the times, it seems likely that the new model would be either a sedan or crossover. "I'm a bit torn between an SUV and a four-door sports car – but in the end I can see that the SUV has the bigger market," Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales told Reuters. "We'd do an SUV that is very light, very fast on the track and has outstanding handling," in keeping with what Lotus is known for. It would not be the first sports car manufacturer to delve into either category, of course. Porsche rebuilt its business by expanding into both categories with models like the Panamera, Cayenne and Macan. Maserati has long offered successive versions of the Quattroporte, more recently launched the Ghibli sedan and will soon introduce the Levante crossover. Aston Martin has toyed with both, as has Lamborghini. Other marques like Ferrari and McLaren, however, remain resolutely opposed to either proposition. This past December, we reported that Lotus was preparing to go a slightly different route by offering a high-riding version of the Evora instead of a proper four-door sport-ute. This latest development, however, would appear to be quite different. The company's engineering division showcased the APX crossover concept back in 2006, and revealed the Eterne sedan concept as part of the grandiose plans of the previous Bahar administration in 2010. The last time the proposition came up this past August, nearly half of respondents to our online poll voted that Lotus should build a sedan, but not a crossover. Over a quarter of you said Lotus should built both, 2 percent voted for the crossover over the sedan, and 22 percent said Lotus should steer clear of either.

Lotus reveals Exige 360 Cup, limited to 50 cars

After over a decade on the market, Lotus keeps finding ways to sharpen the already razor-like Exige, and for the new 360 Cup the company incorporates even more improvements for the venerable sportscar. Chief among the upgrades is freer flowing induction and an improved exhaust to take the supercharged 3.5-liter V6 to 355 horsepower, a 10-hp improvement over the standard V6 Cup. In a vehicle weighing just 2,491 pounds, that should be plenty, and the Brits promise the engine sounds better too. On the outside, these Exiges, which are limited to 50 copies, wear new lightweight pieces for the front access panel and louvered rear tailgate. The rest of the body uses the V6 Cup's aero package that produces 93 pounds of downforce at 100 miles per hour. Improved brake discs are hidden behind Motorsport Red wheels, and each car comes with a numbered build plate. They're eligible to race in the Lotus Cup series, and for those really wanting to hit the track, the options include adjustable anti-roll bars, Ohlins dampers, a fire extinguisher, electrical cut-off, FIA carbon seats, air conditioning, and a removable steering wheel. Lotus is returning to the US market with the Evora 400 in December and plans to bring back the Elise in 2020. You need to be in Europe to get one of these Exiges, though. Prices in the UK start at 62,995 pounds ($98,558), including a 20 percent tax. THE LOTUS EXIGE 360 CUP 14/08/15 Limited edition - 1 of 50 - Exige V6 Cup Increase in power of 10 PS New lightweight louvered tailgate and front access panel Lotus Motorsport redefines the Exige V6 Cup with the introduction of the Exige 360 Cup. New lightweight panels and an increase in power mean the Lotus Motorsport Cup model continues to provide a benchmark in handling and performance. The Exige 360 Cup bespoke styling signals an evolution in design, with an option of four colours (Metallic White, Metallic Grey, Metallic Black and Metallic Silver) and stealth matt black roof, front access panel and louvered tailgate. This design is a limited edition run of 50 vehicles and each of these special Exige 360 Cup cars will receive a numbered Lotus Motorsport build plate. This new model boasts an increase in power of 10 PS with freer flowing induction and a sports exhaust system, which combined with a low vehicle weight of 1130 kg gives an incredibly pure driving experience on road and track. The powertrain updates also give the Exige 360 Cup a sportier soundtrack to enhance the driving experience.

Lotus Emeya 'hyper-GT' teased before September 7 debut

The Lotus Type 130 became the battery-electric, 1,972-horsepower Evija coupe. After an ICE diversion for the Type 131 to become the Emira, the Type 132 became the battery-electric Eletre "hyper-SUV." The Type 133 four-door is nearly upon us, and we now know its name will be the Emeya. This corrects the error of thinking the sedan will be called the Envya, based on Lotus filing to trademark that name. A brief Emeya teaser for the "hyper-GT" before a debut September 7 announces a challenger to EVs like the Porsche Taycan, spicier variants of the Lucid Air, the Tesla Model S Plaid, and less obviously, the Polestar 5 from the also-Geely-owned sibling brand.  Naturally, the teaser offers just a small taste of what's ahead. We see a quartet of thin, hockey-stick LED headlights, finally exposed after Lotus hid the upper lights behind camouflage on prototypes. There's a full-width LED light bar in back, underneath the active spoiler at the base of the rear window. And a brief moment 18 seconds into the video shows a large front brake caliper in yellow, painted with the automaker's name and the words "Carbon Ceramic."    The Emeya will be based on the same internal package as the Eletre. If the sedan gets two output ratings like the SUV, the template indicates baseline performance from a dual-motor powertrain of around 595 or 893 horsepower, and battery packs of either 92 kWh or 120. European range estimates for the SUV come in at 373 miles for the less powerful S trim, 304 miles for the stouter R. With the sedan having less of a battle to fight against the wind, we'd expect those spec-sheet numbers to improve. Practical use could tell a different story, engineers saying they tuned the Emeya to be a driver's car and benchmarked the Taycan. The feature list should include an 800-volt architecture and fast charging up to 350 kW, all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, active roll control, and the Eletre's active front intake shutters. Figured to be less than two inches longer than a Taycan, spy shots from last year showed the same minimalist driving space as the Eletre, but a dedicated four-seat interior. That extended center console could have been part of an option package, though. The SUV isn't making it to the U.S. until next year. We figure the sedan should arrive here afterward, likely for the 2025 model year. We'll know more on September 7.  Video Green Lotus Electric Future Vehicles Luxury Performance Sedan