If Lotus made a saloon car............

[Oliver-2optb]

I have been thinking over the weekend about the above title and following the announcement back in 2014 that there may be one.
What would it look like? what would the layout be? what would the priorities be?
There would have to be such a culture change to anything they have produced so far( discounting the Carlton and Cortina), as it has all been about power to weight and handling, making most Lotus's for most people not the most convenient car to live with, even if one did have the will.
If Lotus did make a saloon car, I like to think I would like one, but budgets permitting it is very unlikely, so it has got me thinking, what saloon car COULD share similar attributes to a future Lotus saloon, and what mods would be necessary to get it closer to that end?
2 spring to mind but for different reasons.
The Honda accord Type R(great chassis engine and gearbox, lithe, yet comfortable and practical)
The Impreza S202 (techy looking, great seats, power etc....)
Neither are prefect, but could be a good base to get started.

Give me your thoughts.

Edited by Oliver-2optb on Tuesday 31st May 12:39

Edited by Oliver-2optb on Tuesday 31st May 12:46

[kambites]

If they ever did build one, I rather suspect it'd be a range extender hybrid, built to showcase Lotus Engineering's technology. That makes "front engined" or "rear engined" a bit irrelevant but if I had to guess I'd say we'd see the petrol engine mounted transversely at the front with motor(s) at the back driving the rear wheels.

It's far more likely that such a car would be a "crossover" type SUV, though.

[Impasse]

I wonder if it would look a bit like a pumped up Vauxhall Carlton and painted Imperial Green?

[Leins]

Impasse said:

I wonder if it would look a bit like a pumped up Vauxhall Carlton and painted Imperial Green?

That would never take off, politicians would just try to ban it these days!

[JordanTurbo]

Impasse said:

I wonder if it would look a bit like a pumped up Vauxhall Carlton and painted Imperial Green?

Don't be silly. If Lotus were going to do anything, it would be more Cortina size.

[s m]

Oliver-2optb said:

I have been thinking over the weekend about the above title and following the announcement back in 2014 that there may be one.
What would it look like? what would the layout be? what would the priorities be?

2 spring to mind but for different reasons.
The Honda accord Type R(great chassis engine and gearbox, lithe, yet comfortable and practical)
The Impreza S202 (techy looking, great seats, power etc....)
Neither are prefect, but could be a good base to get started.

Give me your thoughts.

I think it might be more like the Civic FD2 saloon - quicker and lighter than the Accord

[Oliver-2optb]

I think it might be more like the Civic FD2 saloon - quicker and lighter than the Accord

Thanks SM
I too thought that might be a better start, but the FD2 has more in common with the Elise, being very hard and noisy, although you could add sound proofing and dampen the springs, but that might get you to an Accord type R starting point.

[ChilliWhizz]

[k-ink]

I always loved their Extreme concept: two inline seats. They should do this now but with electric power.



Ok not a saloon, but hey.