Wednesday 21st November 2007

Lotus Toys With Design Direction

New Hot Wheels concept gives clues to future Lotus models

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Lotus has given the world a sneak preview of its future design direction with this, the Lotus Design Hot Wheels Concept.

You may be wondering why they named it after a toy car, and that is because the concept will be made into a Hot Wheels 1:64 scale model.

But the same team who created the concept is responsible for designing the new range of Lotus’s, including Project Eagle, which will go into production at the end of the year.

The all new car, codenamed Eagle, is expected to be a four-seat coupe with a mid-mounted Toyota V6, and rumour has it the finished car could have design cues from the Hot Wheels Concept.

To celebrate its 40 th anniversary next year, Hot Wheels approached Lotus with the challenge of producing a vehicle that embodies its own engineering philosophy and brand.

Steven Crijns, Design Manager at Lotus Design and creator of this concept design said: 'The car needed to be recognisable as a Lotus without having to turn it over to look at the badge underneath, so I took elements from the Elise and Exige such as the headlight design, the Lotus "mouth", the pronounced wheel arches and trademark bonnet graphics.

'I was keen for the design to express the Lotus philosophy of performance through lightweight: the shrink wrapped body is kept to an absolute minimum to save weight.

'The dynamic voluptuous curves make the car look agile and fun to drive.

'Bold aerodynamic aids are incorporated to achieve exceptional Lotus handling.

'The top exit radiator at the front, a distinctive Lotus design feature, the rear diffuser and a large rear wing all provide down-force helping the vehicle stick to the road.'

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc added: 'The same design team who created this stunning concept is also designing our new range of cars, the first of which, codenamed Project Eagle, will go into production at the end of next year.'

 

[Adrian W]

Pleeeeeaaaasssee where do i sign?

[northap]

Don't kids get great toys these days...

[Martin_Bpool]

How big is that back wheel?

[Essex Gtr]

Ha ha thats mint, looks a bit like a hot wheels toy though!

[Addersuggs]

very can-am esk

[Stu_00]

I have 3 please ! If only this would be the next Elise - Less weight more Green, More power! or something like that ....

Has made my day

[Lordbenny]

Yeah, but I bet It cant wizz across my kitchen floor at 500mph (Scale speed!!!) have a head on with a 70's JPS Lotus F1 car & end up in the cat's dinner with only a couple of minor scratches!

[beasto]

Golden rule of future car design --

Visit Toys 'r' Us, and see what's on the shelves from Tonka, Hot Wheels and co.

Young boys' tastes are a sure guide to the future. If it sells as a toy, it'll 'go large' later.

2-5 years later, you'll probably see the real thing.

[TonyHetherington]

Love it

[anonymous-user]

that is mint
i wonder how big the rear brake disc's wud be though

[Boggy]

Oh my god that is stunning

Boggy

[ads_green]

Problem is this has been designed by stylists and not engineers so in all likelyhood it won't be legal or even possible.

And yes, what the hell is going on with the rear wheels?

Edited by ads_green on Wednesday 21st November 12:44

[AL666]

Apart from the rear wheels being twice the size of the fronts, and with, what look like, larger brakes I think it's quite good-looking...

[baSkey]

front have is good, daft back wheel makes the back look...daft. so when they DO match the back to the front it'd be a nice mk3 elise.

[chris7676]

Great and bold styling but hold on...

• They forgot to add the doors and it's supposed to be a 4 seater, hmmmm
• 40 inch rear wheels, come on, are you insane ?
• Rear visibility ? Oh forgot we have the light big alloys there...
• Holy S..T - just noticed it doesn't have a roof...

Edited by chris7676 on Wednesday 21st November 12:57

[lord summerisle]

ads_green said:

Problem is this has been designed by stylists and not engineers so in all likelyhood be legal or even possible.

And yes, what the hell is going on with the rear wheels?

yip cos its a concept thats going to be made into a toy car

[jazzyjeff]

chris7676 said:

Great and bold styling but hold on...

• They forgot to add the doors and it's supposed to be a 4 seater, hmmmm
• 40 inch rear wheels, come on, are you insane ?
• Rear visibility ? Oh forgot we have the light big alloys there...

Remember this is just a concept, not a prototype of Eagle (which is probably already at the running stage - there's already been a mule testing).

JJ

[135sport]

I swear some of you don't read the article before posting.

Is there some sort of competition going on to see who can post first when a new story appears.....

[chris7676]

Sure, but the concept should make sense too. This is supposed to be a car. Still like the looks

Edited by chris7676 on Wednesday 21st November 12:59

[cowellsj]

Nice Hennessey Lotus concept but what's going on with those truck tyres at the back? I can see understeer being a large part of the driving experience.