2011 Lotus Evora Coupe 2+2 With Technolgy Package, Black Out Package, Navi, on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Lotus introduces Certificate of Provenance program

Lotus is diving into its vast archives to make it easier for owners to trace their car's history. It launched a global program called Certificate of Provenance that provides historical information about a specific car. Available through authorized Lotus dealers, the Certificate of Provenance includes details like the car's VIN and its original color. It also notes the date the car rolled off the assembly line in Hethel, England, and the date it entered the company's dealer network. Key specifications, including the engine, the transmission, and the extra-cost options the original owner ordered, are printed on a personalized Build Specification Letter. Owners who order the certificate will also receive a letter from Lotus CEO Phil Popham in which he pledged to explain the changes going on at the company, and how it's preparing for the future. Summing up the situation in a letter will likely be easier said than done, because Lotus (which is now controlled by Geely) is undergoing a complete transformation that includes a major product expansion and a renewed focus on the American market. It called the Evija, its first electric model, a trailblazer whose technology will permeate other battery-powered cars.   Related: Geely, with Volvo's help, plans to grow into a global auto giant   In addition to the aforementioned documents, enthusiasts who order a Certificate of Provenance will also receive an aluminum plaque engraved with the owner's name, a leather keychain, a carbon fiber bookmark, and a Lotus pen. Pricing starts at GBP170 plus the cost of shipping in the United Kingdom, a sum that represents about $225. And any Lotus owner can order it regardless of whether they own a 1959 Elite or a 2020 Evora GT. The first car certified by Lotus is a 1981 Esprit Turbo (pictured) that stands out as the last company car ordered by company founder Colin Chapman. Wearing registration number UVF 464X, it remained in Chapman's possession until his death in 1982, and it was sold to a private buyer the following year. Lotus recently purchased it with 11,000 miles on its odometer, and it plans to restore it before adding it to its heritage collection. Chapman didn't settle for a regular-production Esprit Turbo. He ordered his car with power steering (which wasn't available on the Esprit at the time), a lowered suspension, and modified brakes. He also ordered BBS wheels. Related Video:

2017 Renault Alpine still looks like a Lotus

Two years ago, an oddly modified Lotus Exige was photographed speeding around the Nurburgring. While that car looked British, at the time Renault's engineers were reportedly developing the suspension for the future Alpine sports coupe underneath with some help from the folks at Ohlins. Now, our spies have spotted this weird Lotus-bodied mule out testing, and it might be a major hint that development for the reborn French brand is getting serious again. Unfortunately, it's hard to pull many details about the future Alpine just from this mule. Up front the air extractors are noticeably covered, and at the rear there's now a panel hiding the engine with just some small vents near the very back. The roof-mounted scoop appears to be the major means of sending cool air to the powertrain. Alpine has been back in the news as of late. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the brand's Celebration Concept was unveiled but without many real details. Then, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the car was filmed actually moving under its own power. Earlier reports suggest that a production version, possibly called the AS1, might come in 2017 with around 250 horsepower on tap from an engine mounted behind the driver. Engineers would keep weight as low as possible to make the most from that power. While no version in the US is likely, prices in Europe might be about the equivalent of $34,000 to $40,000.

Elise Time Attack could be most extreme Lotus yet

The Lotus Elise has given birth to some seriously fast and varied machinery. Aside from Lotus' own models like the Exige, 2-Eleven, 340R and Europa, electric vehicles like the Tesla Roadster, not to mention the never-released Dodge Circuit and Detroit Electric SP:01, are all based on the Elise's platform. As were/are the Melkus RS 2000, the Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220 and the Hennessey Venom GT. But this could be the most extreme use of the lightweight chassis yet.
This Series 1 Elise has been built by one performance-obsessed Brit with a single purpose: to compete in the UK's Time Attack championship. For those unfamiliar, Time Attack is something like a rally or a hillclimb event, only it takes place on a racing circuit. Each vehicle goes out on the track by itself and sets the best time it can, without needing to worry about other competitors until the finish line is crossed and it's the next racer's turn. That's what drove Lee to modify his Lotus so thoroughly, with more wings, diffusers, flaps and carbon fiber than a Boeing factory. Check it out in the video below.