Caterham Elise !?
Discussion
Our sources tell us that a team of engineers, many ex-Lotus, are beavering away in the Hethel Engineering Centre. Word has it they are working on an Elise chassis powered by a Renaultsport engine/transmission, and that the car will launch under the Caterham banner next year. Whether the car will carry the Elise name is unknown.
Rumour suggests the Renaultsport-powered Caterham could launch under a new name and with unique bodywork. This sharing of assets would allow Group Lotus to move forward with its larger, upscale Elise project, while effectively turning over the old car to Tony Fernandes and the boys at Caterham. Expect to see the Team Lotus name ‘sold’ to Group Lotus as payment for this deal.
Those close to the situation strongly suggest that, although this is a prelude to even greater cooperation between the two companies, it isn’t the end of the battle between Tony Fernandes and Dany Bahar. Some even suggest the move makes it more likely that Fernandes will eventually take control of Lotus and run Caterham and Group Lotus as complimentary companies on the road and in Formula 1 once Bahar leaves.
Fernandes would scoop up a revamped Lotus for pennies on the dollar. Proton and the Malaysian Government would be able to preserve their honour by turning control of the UK sports car maker over to a man who is a considered a national treasure in his home country.
We will keep an eye on this story as it progresses.
[Chris Sawyer is the creator of the Virtual Driver website]
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/10/01/news-el...
I dont think there is anybody who would not approve of this if it turns out to be true....
So what do you think? Likely or made up ?
Why would they do this?
The vast majority of customers will want a lotus as they will know that the Caterham is the obsolete version of the same car.
Changing the driveline is rather fundamental. It sounds a very expensive way to add no real benefit.
Unless they can do something to give a serious driving advantage such as a significant weight saving or far more revvy engine what is the point?
The vast majority of customers will want a lotus as they will know that the Caterham is the obsolete version of the same car.
Changing the driveline is rather fundamental. It sounds a very expensive way to add no real benefit.
Unless they can do something to give a serious driving advantage such as a significant weight saving or far more revvy engine what is the point?
You just don't get the points at all.
Fitting yet another different engine with all the testing and other costs is extra expense for no obvious reason.
The Seven is unique among production cars, an Elise variant isn't as its still in production as a more up to date Lotus.
So before they sell a single car there will be upfront costs for no obvious benefit and a more up to date variant of the same car on sale somewhere else.
Fitting yet another different engine with all the testing and other costs is extra expense for no obvious reason.
The Seven is unique among production cars, an Elise variant isn't as its still in production as a more up to date Lotus.
So before they sell a single car there will be upfront costs for no obvious benefit and a more up to date variant of the same car on sale somewhere else.
cymtriks said:
You just don't get the points at all.
Fitting yet another different engine with all the testing and other costs is extra expense for no obvious reason.
The Seven is unique among production cars, an Elise variant isn't as its still in production as a more up to date Lotus.
So before they sell a single car there will be upfront costs for no obvious benefit and a more up to date variant of the same car on sale somewhere else.
Well the change of driveline could be simply because Caterham do not have a contract with Toyota but they do with Renaultsport. The costs to do this in comparison to new chassis and crash tests, minimal. If I were Caterham its the best way to become a manufacturer...Oh hang on thats what they did do back in the 60s right?Fitting yet another different engine with all the testing and other costs is extra expense for no obvious reason.
The Seven is unique among production cars, an Elise variant isn't as its still in production as a more up to date Lotus.
So before they sell a single car there will be upfront costs for no obvious benefit and a more up to date variant of the same car on sale somewhere else.
The Seven is unique, except for the many very similar cars like Westfields.
And the point about having another variant that is similar to an existing model...
It is hinted that this will be very much like the 7, a sell off of the rights to Caterham when the production run ends, ahead of the new Lotuses which are due in the next 3-4years.
Can't see the problem with this idea. Except Bahar is not the sort of guy in my opinion to let it happen.
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