Tuesday 27th March 2012

Lotus announces partnership with Mansory

German 'styling' house to become Official Customisation Studio for Lotus

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Lotus has announced today that it is to enter into an official partnership with Mansory, as the German company becomes the Official Customisation Studio for Lotus Cars. To celebrate the deal, Lotus will use the Paris motor show in September this year to unveil a new Mansory-ised model.

Mansory will be tasked with creating bespoke bodywork, trim and finishes for the Elise, Exige and Evora, a move that actually seems fitting for a company that bridges the gap between tuning house and full-on coachbuilder.

Mansory's connection with Lotus began at the Geneva show in 2011, when the firm presented the Evora Concept Bespoke. Since then Lotus has worked with Mansory on several projects, including the chrome-red Evora GTE 'Swizz Beatz' and, most recently, the raw carbon-fibre Lotus F1 Team Evora GTE

Mansory says its titivation of Lotus designs will include 'amplifying the existing options with harmonically designed aerodynamics' (whatever that means) and fitting 'ultra-light aluminium rims' (that, we understqand). 'High-quality accessories and stylish interior fittings' will also be part of the service. Which is nice.

"There's a strong market for official customisation, and Mansory is the perfect partner in ensuring the quality and style we strive to maintain at Lotus," says Maurizio Parlato, Commercial Director of Group Lotus. "For customers who are seeking Lotus' principals (sic) of speed, innovation and fun, but with added exclusivity, our Official Customisation Studio is the answer."

As long as Mansory doesn't do this to an Elise, we won't be too upset...

[P4ROT]

.....

[DanDC5]

This will not end well.

[The Danimal]

The won't learn will they?..........

[ewenm]

Deckchairs and Titanic spring to mind...

[harryowl]

[KennyGT]

Lotus + Mansory = .................

It's not a match which I would of thought of, perhaps Bentley and Mansory but Lotus er............

[Chris Harris]

I am going out for a long walk in the woods where I intend to shout and hit things. Then I will look at pictures of my S1 Elise from 1998 and remember the good times. I was bewildered by the Bahar Lotus at first: then confused, then irritated - then sad. Now I'm just angry.

[stephen300o]

The purists will hate it, but it might be good for Lotus having a bit of a change in image.

[Bahnstormer]

W....T.....F !!!!!

Who's next to join Lotus , Peter Cruddas as treasurer !!!!!

Someone call Tony Fernandes , quick, while there is something left of the company to actually buy !!!!

[Benbay001]

Maybe a tuning house that would sell MAD performance upgrades for MAD customers.
But a styling house? OW NO...
As Chris Harris just tweeted "Lotus Cars - You are now dead to me"

[MarJay]

All we need now is to appoint an american hip hop artist as 'head of styling'...

... Oh.

What's next? Swarofski crystal trim as an option? 22" spinnaz? Optional cuddly toy hanging from the towhook? Partnership with Caddilac on the Lotus Escalade?

Even a rat look Evora would be considered good taste in comparison with what we'll end up with... :-/

[ewolg]

Chris Harris said:

I am going out for a long walk in the woods where I intend to shout and hit things. Then I will look at pictures of my S1 Elise from 1998 and remember the good times. I was bewildered by the Bahar Lotus at first: then confused, then irritated - then sad. Now I'm just angry.

I'm sure you are not the only one who thinks these bizarre partnerships are diluting the brand so much so that they'll be taking full page adverts in Max Power to attract new punters. Dreadful situation.

[fatboy69]

Oh dear.....

[lordlee]

I thought April 1st had come early. I think we need a PH and Dany Bahar live Q&A session. That or a live brawl....

[JonRB]

stephen300o said:

The purists will hate it, but it might be good for Lotus having a bit of a change in image.

Maybe they should smear their cars in dog excrement and then paint clear lacquer over it? It would be cheaper and would have much the same effect.

[johnpeat]

How are they even still in business!?

I've not seen a "new" Lotus in years - are they shipping cars to the Far East laden with Coke or something?

[DanS]

what a totally stupid idea, sure the nouveau riche of the developing world want crystal covered big-wheeled monsters to roam the pot-holed roads of the new frontier in, but FFS, why do they have to do it by ruining Lotus: a nice company from Norfolk which makes lightweight cars which handle well and suffer from iffy reliability. It's a scandal I tell you.

[kambites]

[Ozzie Osmond]

There is only one thing Lotus should be concentrating on right now - getting the Exige V6 Convertible built and into the showrooms, then built and into the hands of customers. Everything else is just fiddling about at the edges.

Mind you, sorting out the IMO very poor Evora styling would make a good Job 2.

[Thorburn]

If they keep it tasteful I fail to see the problem. The Mansory Evora concept car and Evora GTE (which uses Mansory supplied carbon fibre body panels) have both had a mostly positive reception.

If the option of some customisation helps them win new customers without affecting the ride, handling or aesthetics of the core models then it can only be a good thing. There are plenty people who think the Evora in-particular needs a more aggressive front-end for example.

At least wait to see what they're offering before knocking it.