- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Lotus, UK, Special/Limited Editions
Click above for a gallery of the Lotus Elise by Kahn.
Special edition Elises are becoming a dime-a-dozen, but Lotus decided Kahn Design should be tasked with creating its own bespoke version of the Elise to celebrate the automaker's 60th anniversary.
Kahn, primarily known for its body-kit-equipped Astons, Benzes, Landies and Rollers, has taken the standard Elise and given it an aesthetic once-over in an attempt to justify it's yet-to-be-disclosed price tag. The enhancements include a new front splitter, side skirts and rear wing, along with silver mesh fitted to the side air intakes and rear clam. The seats have replaced with thicker, leather thones and the Kahn logo has been embossed on the headrests, center console and steering wheel. In keeping with Kahn tradition, performance modifications are limited to 19-inch wheels, a new suspension and a sports exhaust.
The Kahn Elise will officially debut next month, with sales beginning later this year through the UK's Dream Machines Lotus dealership.
[Source: Autoblog.nl]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Videos, Lotus, UK
Click above for high-res gallery of the Lotus Concept Ice Vehicle
We can forget all about the price of gas when we get news like this. Sure, we'll probably never ride in the Concept Ice Vehicle (CIV), but just knowing that folks at Lotus are working on things like this while we sleep... well, it's like finding out that there is a Santa Claus.
The CIV was developed to aid research for the Moon Regan TransAntarctic Expedition. The biofuel powered, propeller-driven trike on skids is 4.5 meters long and 4.5 meters wide with an independent suspension all around. It also has an ice penetrating radar to detect crevasses and is light enough for a man to pull it across difficult terrain, which basically makes it an Elise for explorers. It also appears to have a spiked "foot" under the cockpit, perhaps for stopping on icy terrain.
The CIV will lead the way for two other, heavier support vehicles as the explorers make their way from one Antarctic coast to the other. If you think the CIV is cool, have a look at the Econoline van, each with six independently-driven 44" tires. These monster vehicles were engineered by those kooky folks in, where else, Iceland. Check out the gallery of CIV photos below, and follow the jump for two videos of the slickest sled on snow.
[Source: Zercustoms]Continue reading Lotus develops Concept Ice Vehicle for Antarctic expedition
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Green, I.C.E., Lotus
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel
Lotus Engineering has been hard at work developing new engine technologies that allow the use of sustainable alcohol fuels. It's recent Exige 270E Tri-Fuel concept showed that the British firm knows how to make an engine run on various fuels, including gasoline, ethanol and methanol. In fact, the 270E Tri-Fuel concept was the most powerful Exige ever conceived by the Hethel-based company and made its highest power output using synthetic methanol fuel. Lotus has started a new research project called the OMNIVORE engine -- cleverly indicating that it will run on anything -- that uses a single cylinder with direct injection and a variable compression ratio in order to maximize power and efficiency while running on various alcohol fuels. The higher octane rating of alcohol fuels will allow the engine to run with higher compression, thereby offering more power, while also toning itself down to run on lower-grade fuels as well. Read the press release after the break for more details.
[Source: Lotus]Continue reading Lotus developing efficient two-stroke OMNIVORE engine
Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Etc., Lotus
Back in April, fellow Autoblogger Chris Tutor caught the Veritas RS3 heading out onto the Nurburgring for a photoshoot. Today, Chris took a brief break from his day-job to see what he could spy on the 'Ring's webcam and found the same trio of lightweight, track-tools that dance in our minds when we hit REM sleep. A Lotus 211, a KTM X-Bow and an Ariel Atom were all getting ready for their close-ups at the entrance to the Green Hell, likely a feature story for a European buff. There's no way to tell who's doing the shooting, but don't be surprised if a video begins floating around YouTube of the three track toys in the next couple of months. We'll keep an eye out.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Lotus, Holden, Vauxhall, Rumormill
Click above for a gallery off the original Lotus Carlton.
Of all the sleepers in automobiledom, the Lotus Carlton holds a special place in our hearts. Based off the Vauxhall Carlton sold in Europe, Lotus stroked out the 3.0-liter inline-six of the standard car to displace 3615 cc, added a couple of Garrett turbos and sent the resulting 382 hp and 419 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed ZF transmission pulled from the original Corvette ZR-1. In short, it was the ultimate low-flying aircraft, with room for four, a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of over 175 mph - in 1990.
Lotus head Michael Kimberley told Autocar, that he would "like the company to build another car in the mould of the Lotus Carlton." What could form the basis of the sleeper sedan's revival? The recently unveiled Vauxhall Insignia is the modern equivalent of the Carlton, and with a modified 2.8-liter V6 packing a set of turbos and sending power to all four wheels, GM could have a serious performance package on its hands. And if the General decides to bring over the Insignia to the U.S... Lotus Aura has a nice ring to it.
Check the gallery below for more shots of the original Lotus Carlton and make the jump to watch Tiff Needell work his magic with the boosted sedan.
[Source: Autocar]Continue reading Rumormill: Lotus considering a Carlton successor
Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Coupes, Lotus
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lotus Evora, with six new images.
After the Evora was officially revealed in London, Lotus CEO Michael Kimberley has made it clear that more variants of the 2+2 were on the way. Six different versions are planned, including a convertible - originally confirmed the day the Evora debuted - that will keep the coupe fresh over its eight-year lifespan.
While a drop-top is nice, power is what the people crave. So within two years expect another naturally aspirated variant that boosts the 3.5-liter V6's engine from 280 to 320 hp. After that, it's all about forced induction. The mid-mounted V6 has been positioned in the engine bay to accept a supercharger, which will bring output up and over 400 hp, dropping the 0-60 time to under four seconds and making the Evora "S" a serious contender to the Porsche 911 Turbo.
[Source: Autocar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Etc., Green, Lotus, Toyota
Click above for gallery of Lotus' Safe and Sound Hybrid
Hybrid vehicles have the potential to save a few bucks at the pump, but advocates for the blind have continued to warn about their potential to harm to the seeing impaired. Lotus' automotive consultancy arm is trying to avert the risk of hybrids quietly running in electric mode with its "Safe and Sound" demo car.
This specially equipped Toyota Prius has been fitted a waterproof speaker mounted above the radiator that can emit a sound similar to a flat-six or V8, based off the vehicle's speed and throttle position. Once the internal combustion engine kicks in, the system is muted, allowing the 1.5-liter inline four to sing its siren song.
Hit the jump to read the press release and see a video of the "Safe and Sound" demo car in action. Also keep in mind that we've yet to run across a report of a blind person being hit by a hybrid car, though there was that one kid who got knocked off his bike.
Continue reading Lotus gives hybrids a V8 soundtrack
Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Lotus, Toys, UK
The Lotus Evora, which you can't drive on real streets yet, has already been driven in GT5. Attendees at the British Motor Show got a chance to put Lotus' latest over the kerbs, thanks to a tie-in between the folks at Hethel and those at game developer Polyphony. If you didn't attend the show, fear not: you can be pretty sure there'll be a version of it in an upcoming batch of downloadable content for GT5 Prologue.
[Source: Autocar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Coupes, Euro, Lotus, FIAT
Rumors of a new sports car from Abarth have been circulating for months, and although details are still sketchy, one thing's for sure: a mid-mounted engine is part of the package. Autocar is confirming previous rumors that Fiat's sport division has struck a deal with Lotus to use the next Elise as the basis for the new sports car.
The third generation Elise will debut in 2010, with an all-new aluminum architecture that will be slightly wider and longer than the current model. The Abarth version will feature different composite body panels, and will make use of new 240 hp, turbocharged and direct-inject four-cylinder currently being developed by Fiat. The Abarth roadster will debut in Europe a year after the Elise, and if Fiat's plans of coming to the U.S. are realized, we might even get our own version in the States.
[Source: Autocar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Sports/GTs, Supercars, Lotus
Lotus' limited resources were apparently tapped out by the fast-tracking of the new Evora, so the Esprit replacement has been delayed until 2011. According to Autocar, the new Esprit will be based off the same chassis as the Evora, but it will be widened and stretched to fit a longitudinal engine mounted amidships. But what kind of engine? Lotus boss Mike Kimberley says that he wants to offer "guilt-free, high performance motoring" and Autocar maintains that to reach that goal, the new Esprit could be fitted with a hybrid drivetrain based on a mix of Lotus and Toyota technology.
Lotus has its hands full with several other projects, including six different versions of the Evora -- ranging from a convertible to an automatic variant -- as well as developing S3 versions of the Elise and Exige and working on 340 different projects for 147 separate companies. For the first time in several years, Lotus posted a profit, and if the automaker continues its trajectory, more money and compelling products are on the way.
[Source: Autocar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Coupes, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for high-res gallery of the Lotus Evora
Project Eagle has finally been unveiled today at the 2008 British Motor Show as the Evora, and Lotus is beaming over its little eaglet. The Evora will be the most grown up and accessible Lotus in the British manufacturer's lineup. To illustrate, the automaker claims it will fit two American males in the front seats (did they just call us fat?). It's a mid-engine, 2+2 coupe (a convertible is planned) with 3.5L V6 sourced from Toyota but elevated by Lotus above its humble origins to produce 276 horsepower. The car weighs just 2,976 lbs., which might be a lot for a Lotus but is well below the average weight of most cars. The interior is unlike any you've seen from this automaker, which is to say that occupying one won't be like staying in a hostel compared to a four-star hotel. You've got leather all around, a nav system, and Lotus promises ingress and egress have been vastly improved over its other models.
The Evora will be built on a new assembly line at the company's assembly plant in Hethel, England at the rate of 2,000 annually, but has been designed to meet safety and emissions requirements around the world. That many cars for so many markets means the Evora will be exclusive, although we don't expect Lotus to leave money on the table if there's big demand for its new, softer, more accessible sports car. Other vehicles will also eventually be built on the Evora's new aluminum chassis, which is called the Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) and was first seen on the Lotus APX Concept. It can be stretched, widened and carry a vehicle weighing over 4,000 lbs. One new Lotus is enough for now, though, as we try to wrap our heads around a Hethel-based car with creature comforts.
[Source: Lotus]Continue reading London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Coupes, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for more shots of the Lotus Eagle.
Lotus gave up some initial details about the 2+2(ish) tentatively known as the "Eagle" yesterday, and now Autocar has procured a few more shots of the coupe ahead of its unveiling at the London Motor Show next week.
Just to put the Eagle's dimensions into perspective, its wheelbase is approximately 275mm (about 13 inches) longer than the Elise/Exige, or slightly shorter (80mm) than the Porsche 911. The extra space makes for a more livable cabin for at least two of its occupants and allows Lotus to use the international automotive metric for measuring capacity - it can fit one golf bag in the boot.
As previously reported, a 3.5-liter Toyota-sourced V6 will send 276 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque through a Toyota-derived six-speed transmission that's been re-engineered by Lotus with a new clutch and a revised gear set. The Eagle's weight is estimated at just over 3,000 pounds.
According to Autocar, Lotus plans an eight-year life cycle for the Eagle, and a convertible version will be released two to three years after sales begin in May of next year.
[Source: Autocar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Coupes, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for a high-res image of the Lotus "Eagle."
Lotus has released the first image and all the details on its new coupe ahead of its unveiling at the London Motor Show next week. A 3.5-liter Toyota V6 mounted amidships, producing 276 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque will power the new 2+2. Performance estimates are sketchy right now, but assuming Lotus holds with tradition and keeps the pounds off, the 0-60 time should be below five seconds, with a top speed approaching 160 mph.
While it's still not clear if the new Lotus will carry an Eagle badge at its debut, it will be packing an extra set of "Isofix" seats behind the front seat passengers that can accommodate children up to nine years old or cast members from the Cirque du Soleil. Thankfully, there will be an option to convert the rear seats into a storage compartment.
Inside the leather-lined cabin, drivers get to enjoy amenities previously thought frivolous on the Elise/Exige, including storage bins, cup holders, blue LED lighting, air conditioning, traction control, tire pressure monitoring and a Alpine stereo with a seven-inch screen, Bluetooth connectivity and iPod connections.
Sales will be limited to around 2000 units per year when the Eagle hits dealers in the spring of 2009, with an approximate sticker of £45,000. A convertible version and a high-performance variant are also planned, and according to sources, the Eagle is considerably faster than the Elise around the Nurburgring and more planted at speed than the Exige.
The Eagle is part of the automaker's effort to broaden its appeal, and that will also include two new models due out in October of 2011.
Make the jump for the press release.Continue reading First Lotus Eagle pic surfaces, along with details on the 2+2
Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Etc., Lotus
Click the image above for a high-res view.
For those readers sweltering in the summer heat, we have some winter-inspired news to cool you off. Back in February, Ferrari revealed that its engineering group would team with the Italian Olympic Committee to develop advanced equipment designs for Olympic sports, one such event being the bobsled. Apparently at about the same time, another automaker was also knee-deep in its own bobsled adventure. Group Lotus was commissioned by the Royal Air Force (RAF) to make some repairs on a sled the team intended to use for the 2008 Inter-Services Ice Championships. In general disrepair with significant nose damage and body cracks, the bobsled required complete refurbishment before it would be deemed competition-worthy. The RAF team approached Lotus based on the group's experience working with composite materials. The combination of RAF's aerospace engineering knowledge teamed with Lotus's roadgoing experience was sure to create one mean sleigh.
The 70 hours of engineering time dedicated to the sled's makeover saw it achieve speeds approaching 85 mph, sending the RAF team to third place at the Inter-Services Ice Championships with Sergeant Michelle Coy at the helm and Junior Technician Caroline Gray at the brakes. Although there weren't reports on the number of competitive entries, a podium finish for the new development team sounds respectable to us.
[Source: Gizmag.com]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Filed under: Etc., Euro, Supercars, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lotus E-somethingoranother.
Lotus hasn't done something silly, like just spill the beans on the name of its new 2+2 that's set to debut at the British International Motor Show on July 22nd. The new four-placer's moniker will start with an E, and it will be an all-new name. Naturally, Esprit has been reserved for the new range-topper, so that's out. Ethos has reportedly been registered by Lotus in the United States, though it's reportedly not the front runner among the three contenders rumored to be under consideration. Eagle, the name of a much-spied mule, is probably going nowhere, lest Lotus pick a fight with Chrysler. If this one-legged name dance is any indication, we're going to go with Excruciate.
[Source: Autocar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Archive for the 'LOTUS' Category
Friday, September 17th, 2004
Details info: Lotus Esprit Coupé 2d
The Photo preview - please click on the Link \”Review Big Image\” below
Alternative names:
Sales Company:
Available version:
V8 - 3.5 V8 32v
Previous version:
Variation:
Coupé 2d
Info:
It may have its roots firmly based in the history of Lotus (25 years old), but continual updates and regrades have ensured that the Esprit is still one of the world’s great supercars.
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
Posted in LOTUS | No Comments »
Friday, September 17th, 2004
Details info: Lotus Exige Coupé 2d
The Photo preview - please click on the Link \”Review Big Image\” below
Alternative names:
Coupé 2d
Sales Company:
Available version:
1.8 16v 132kW
1.8 16v 141kW
1.8 16v Kompressor
240R - 1.8 16v Turbo
Previous version:
Variation:
Exige
(2003 - )
Info:
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
Posted in LOTUS | No Comments »
Friday, September 17th, 2004
Details info: Lotus Elise Roadster 2d
The Photo preview - please click on the Link \”Review Big Image\” below
Alternative names:
Elise
(2000 - )
Sales Company:
Available version:
111R - 1.8 16v
111S - 1.8 16v
1.8 16v
Previous version:
Variation:
Brandes&Dschüdow (Germany) Esthi 2.7
Lotus Specials (Germany) Lotus Elise tuning
Info:
The pretty Elise, designed by Julian Thompson (now with Jaguar Cars), was named after Artioli’s granddaughter. It was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1994. Several different versions of the car have appeared, including the Exige. However, in “Mark Two” form, the Elise continues in production.
Assembly Plants:
Donors:
Posted in LOTUS | No Comments »
Thursday, September 16th, 2004
Details info:
Type :
Amount of the Doors : 2
The Place Seatings : 2
The Place Seatings . : 2
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 3726 x 1701 x 1202 : Wheel base, mm : 2300 : Mass, kgs : 714 : Volume of the luggage rack, l : 150
Type of the engine : gasoline
Preparation to air gas : forced
Design of the engine : order right
: No
Amount cylinder : 4
Amount valve on cylinder : 4
Volume of the engine, sm3 : 1796
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : 88 / 120
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines : 5500
Maximum turning moment, Nm : 166
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines : 3000
Class bad material : Euro2
Drive : back
Gearbox : manual
Amount of the issues : 5
Front springs : spring
Back springs : spring
Front brake : disc
Back brake : disc
Buses : 185/60R15V
Buses back travell about : 205/50R16V
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. : 5.9
Maximum velocity, km/ch : 202
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km : 0.0
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km : 0.0
Volume of the tank, l. : 40
Type fuel : Super
Posted in LOTUS | No Comments »
Thursday, September 16th, 2004
Details info:
Type : coupe
Amount of the Doors : 2
The Place Seatings : 2
The Place Seatings . : 2
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 4414 x 1883 x 1150 : Wheel base, mm : 2420 : Mass, kgs : 1330 : Full mass, kgs : 1566 : Service load, kgs : 236 : Volume of the luggage rack, l : 200
Type of the engine : gasoline
Preparation to air gas : forced
Design of the engine : V-
: turbo
Amount cylinder : 8
Amount valve on cylinder : 4
Volume of the engine, sm3 : 3506
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : 260 / 354
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines : 6500
Maximum turning moment, Nm : 400
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines : 4250
Class bad material : Euro2
Drive : back
Gearbox : manual
Amount of the issues : 5
Front springs : spring
Back springs : spring
Front brake : disc
Back brake : disc
Buses : 235/40R17Z
Buses back travell about : 285/35R18Z
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. : 4.9
Maximum velocity, km/ch : 283
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km : 20.0
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km : 9.3
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km : 13.3
Volume of the tank, l. : 73
Type fuel : Super plus
Posted in LOTUS | No Comments »
