2 Lotus F1 teams

Latest press release from Lotus.



Group Lotus plc and Genii Capital are joining hands and we will soon see the Renault F1 Team renamed as ‘Lotus Renault GP’ from the start of the 2011 racing season onwards.



Group Lotus plc will acquire a major equity stake in the team from Genii Capital. Genii, an investment holding company with a portfolio of automotive technologies, bring non-F1™ technologies such as lightweight braking systems, variable compression engine technology and on board software systems to the partnership. In addition to this, Genii is also offering Proton the ability to leverage on its existing business relationships in Russia and other parts of the world, as a means to expand Proton's global reach. Through Genii, Proton can also potentially access advanced automotive technologies by virtue of Genii’s association with Mangrove, a venture capital group.



However, I wonder where that leaves Team Lotus (also powered by Renault) led by AirAsia CEO Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.



Some quotes:



Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar:

"I can think of no better platform for automotive brand communications than motorsport and F1™. We’re well aware that there has been a lot of controversy around the usage of our brand in F1™ and I’m delighted to be able to formally clarify our position: We are Lotus, and we are back.”

Dato' Sri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, Chairman of Proton, Lotus majority shareholder:

"We know that Group Lotus has much to offer Formula 1™ and vice versa. After careful consideration, we believe this arrangement will be fruitful, both from a commercial and marketing point of view."

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Proton advisor and former Prime Minister of Malaysia:

"This is an exciting development which delivers strategic benefits to both Group Lotus and Proton. I fully support the partnership."

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault:

“This multi-partner alliance will bring a new dynamic to the team and enable it to compete with the sport’s best from next season.”

Gerard Lopez, founding partner of Genii Capital:

“For Group Lotus, access to Formula 1™ opens up new marketing opportunities and a major platform for business exchanges and development. In this regard, Genii Capital possesses shareholdings in, and direct access to, cutting edge companies in the automotive industry. Our tie-up with Group Lotus and Proton, which will enable its future road car ranges to take advantage of significant new technologies, is a natural step.”

Best Automotive Lotus Exige S Exotic Car

Lotus Exige S 1

Lotus Exige S 2

Lotus Exige S 3

Lotus Exige S 4

2010 Lotus Sport Cars Elan Concept

2010 Lotus Sport Cars Elan Concept

At Paris Auto Show 2010 Lotus automaker manufacture has display six new models super car sport. One of the six models is the Lotus Elan Concept. 2010 Lotus Elan Concept Cars, a high performance sports car, is the beating heart of the new Lotus line-up and thanks to some clever innovations the Lotus Elan also has everyday usability too.

2010 Lotus Sport Cars Elan Concept

Elan is expected to go to production in summer of 2013 and will be available for purchase in fall of 2013. Like the Evora, the Lotus Elan features 2+2 seating, suggesting that the new Evora may not really have a long life at Lotus. Prices for the production Elan are estimated to start around $118,500 ( £75,000 ).

Lotus Elan Concept Power is provided by a mid-mounted 4.0-liter V6 engine with 450 PS (331 kW / 444 hp) and 465 Nm (343 lb-ft) of toque. It is backed up by a seven-speed DCT transmission, which enables the 1,295 kg (2,855 lb) car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph). If that fails to attract your attention, perhaps you’ll be interested in the hybrid variant which will have CO2 emissions as low as 199 g/km. With performance specs like that, there's a little double that Elan is supercar.

From a styling perspective, the Elan is built like an athlete with a muscular physique and perfect poise. It’s a thoroughbred, rigid with tension, ambitious and addictive, nothing but best in class will suffice for this car.

It’s not enough to simply provide performance and exceptional looks, innovation is also integral to the Elan’s appeal. In keeping with the rest of the new Lotus range, the Elan features optional hybrid technology with KERS.

2010 Lotus Sport Cars Elan Concept

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: “If there was ever a car to make you drive the long way home, it’s the Elan. Perfect for both road and track, the Elan not only ticks all the boxes, it creates new ones too.”

“The Elan will convert people to Lotus, I would challenge people not to become addicted to driving it. It will also go a long way towards dispelling the old misconceptions about this class, that in order to have high performance you must sacrifice usability – those days are gone.”

“Once you drive an Elan you won’t look back, it will give you things you didn’t even realise you were missing – that’s the essence of Lotus and the Elan perfectly captures that spirit.”

2010 Lotus Sport Cars Elan Concept

The new Lotus Elite

Lotus is set to unveil the brand new "Elite" at the Paris Motor Show. Reviving the old name, the company says that the car will redefine “modern classic”.



The car is powered by a front-mid positioned 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine with the optional use of hybrid technology with KERS. According to their press release, the car can go from 0-100 km/h in approximately 3.5 to 3.7 seconds.



There are plans for a retractable hard top version as well.



The car is set for release in spring 2014 and will be priced around £115,000.

The picture here is a Production Intent Prototype, it represents a concept vehicle being designed and developed by Lotus Cars.