RE: Prior Convictions: Solving Lotus
Discussion
Lotus need to get out of the toy business, and get into the car business.
The market for tiny, cramped, expensive, uncomfortable, noisy, draughty, leaky, completely impractical sports cars which are almost impossible for anyone over 6 feet tall & 15 stone to get in and out of with any dignity is tiny, and it always will be.
The Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster and Cayman are just as enjoyable to drive as Lotus’ products, but without any of the downsides. They are cars, not toys.
The market for tiny, cramped, expensive, uncomfortable, noisy, draughty, leaky, completely impractical sports cars which are almost impossible for anyone over 6 feet tall & 15 stone to get in and out of with any dignity is tiny, and it always will be.
The Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster and Cayman are just as enjoyable to drive as Lotus’ products, but without any of the downsides. They are cars, not toys.
Oilchange said:
Didn't they stop making that recently? IIRC the entry point is now the supercharged version at quite a bit more. I'm not totally ruling out something like this coming back now that they could actually make it happen financially. But why should they if they can make more profit / unit elsewhere?The good news for those (myself included) who can't easily spend 50k on a toy -- now that they've got some proper backing, I'm sure they will use some of the money to professionalize their sales and service.
Some possibilities:
- Have a dedicated team + bank work out rental strategy. The depreciation on the current cars is very, very good. It will stay that way for a long while even if volumes go up. But annoyingly there's no lease/pcp/finance deals to take advantage of this. Exige S for 400 per month is totally realistic. But you have to take the risk and do all the work yourself. Might also be the ticket to tempt some current owners out of their Elises.
- Offer service at many and sales at selected Volvo dealers. That would _massively_ increase exposure and remove after sales concerns that many potential customers have. Will also help attracting (a few) company car buyers. The combo of daily Volvo and toy Lotus might also appeal to some. And they can now sort out the parts stock so waiting times go down to some normal level...
- Expand offer by including access to selected Volvos to complement the sports car. Buy an Elise, pay a little extra on the monthly rental to grab a V60 when required. And the other way around as well. Want a track day toy a few times a year to complement the Volvo? Tick that box and give us a ring when you feel like driving something a bit more exiting.
- Give the heritage branch some proper funding and start building ex-factory restomods as everybody else is doing. Cheap exposure that also refreshes the memory in the 'old countries' and helps transmit the heritage to emerging markets.
plenty said:
jpf said:
I was tempted to purchase a 4-6 year old Evora.
When I was reading that clutches were failing in less than 30,000 miles and the cost would be $8,000, it was enough to scare me away.
Clutches that are properly driven should last significantly longer.
In essence, more durability and a more reasonable cost of ownership.
Not sure where you're based, but Lotus Silverstone will do a clutch for not much more than £2k.When I was reading that clutches were failing in less than 30,000 miles and the cost would be $8,000, it was enough to scare me away.
Clutches that are properly driven should last significantly longer.
In essence, more durability and a more reasonable cost of ownership.
My 2011 Evora S in 17 months and 9k miles has cost me tyres, £800 for two services and £500 to replace a plastic engine cover that cracked (purely cosmetic).
Still on original clutch - that was factored into the purchase price but as it happens seems to be in rude health (car is now on 43k miles) and that's with a car that's been upgraded with the Komo-tec kit to 430/345.
I'm sure there are cars whose clutches have failed sooner, but just wanted to provide a counterpoint. If running costs are a concern I think that's one of the strongest arguments to buy an Evora - Toyota underpinnings make it a pretty strong bet. My costs have been lower than I've expected and certainly lower than the equivalent ///M or Porsche, let along the junior Fez or AM that an Evora can conceivably be compared with.
He's also clearly unaware that Lotus stands for "Lots of Trouble - Usually Serious" which is another clue.
Kolbenkopp said:
- Have a dedicated team + bank work out rental strategy. The depreciation on the current cars is very, very good. It will stay that way for a long while even if volumes go up. But annoyingly there's no lease/pcp/finance deals to take advantage of this. Exige S for 400 per month is totally realistic. But you have to take the risk and do all the work yourself. Might also be the ticket to tempt some current owners out of their Elises.
They have bloody good residuals, but you need money to put down.
I was going to look at their current finance deals to compare them, but the link on the website menu bar doesn't do anything.
On to the future product range now. This is really difficult IMO, interesting article and lots of good posts as well.
I'll break ranks and start from a position that I don't see the SUV happen soonish. Yes it's what the market demands, yes the segment still grows. But tell me, why would anyone (select audience on here excluded
) want a Lotus SUV and not one from LR, Volvo, BMW or Porsche?
Lotus products as they are known for a long time are diametrically opposite from the SUV idea. Porsche had GT cars for ages, it's a natural segment for LR and Volvo, BMW to some extent as well. But there's no story / rationale to make one think a Lotus SUV is going to be better than say SQ of either badge.
Yes it's mainly about image with SUVs and no major focus on product competence, but I don't think the Lotus brand is ready to carry this. Would anyone buy a Ducati chopper? Harley in MotoGP?
So I'd do this later. Just badge engineering a Volvo and giving it a farting exhaust is not the way forward IMO.
How many cars do they sell at the moment? 2000 / year? Let's double that every year until we are at Porsche's output (of sportscars). Should give them ~ 5 years to re-establish the brand. Were do the sales come from?
That leaves us with the difficult problem of what to build next...
I'll break ranks and start from a position that I don't see the SUV happen soonish. Yes it's what the market demands, yes the segment still grows. But tell me, why would anyone (select audience on here excluded
) want a Lotus SUV and not one from LR, Volvo, BMW or Porsche?Lotus products as they are known for a long time are diametrically opposite from the SUV idea. Porsche had GT cars for ages, it's a natural segment for LR and Volvo, BMW to some extent as well. But there's no story / rationale to make one think a Lotus SUV is going to be better than say SQ of either badge.
Yes it's mainly about image with SUVs and no major focus on product competence, but I don't think the Lotus brand is ready to carry this. Would anyone buy a Ducati chopper? Harley in MotoGP?
So I'd do this later. Just badge engineering a Volvo and giving it a farting exhaust is not the way forward IMO.
How many cars do they sell at the moment? 2000 / year? Let's double that every year until we are at Porsche's output (of sportscars). Should give them ~ 5 years to re-establish the brand. Were do the sales come from?
- Some stolen from Porsche, Audi, BMW et al. People that want a real sports car but could not live with a cottage industry Lotus. But can with the sales and service network of a big company behind the product.
- Start building up a Chinese track day scene. A couple of hundred million citizens are bound to live near the 12 race tracks Wikipedia lists for China. Give them equipment that works and outperforms. If done right this could fill their current books until the end of time.
- Get the existing customer base to buy a new car. Ideally every couple of years. Good finance deals and attractive combined offers with other Geely products should help.
That leaves us with the difficult problem of what to build next...
My two pennies worth.
I think Lotus should look to the future and use their engineering skills to build EV cars similar to the Tesla 3. I think Volvo intend to move to EV within 5 years. Chapman was an innovator often looking at the aviation industry for new ideas and concepts. Lotus stands for lightweight / fast cars with good handling. They could possibly use a standard platform for sports, SUV and sports saloons. I don't see V8/10 petrol engined Esprit type sports cars selling in any quantity in 5/10 years time.
Rob
I think Lotus should look to the future and use their engineering skills to build EV cars similar to the Tesla 3. I think Volvo intend to move to EV within 5 years. Chapman was an innovator often looking at the aviation industry for new ideas and concepts. Lotus stands for lightweight / fast cars with good handling. They could possibly use a standard platform for sports, SUV and sports saloons. I don't see V8/10 petrol engined Esprit type sports cars selling in any quantity in 5/10 years time.
Rob
saaby93 said:
Elite electric aka iPace
Hothouse said:
If an SUV is necessary, then they need to go a little left field and re-define what a Sports Utility Vehicle should be all about. I'm thinking a light weight (Aluminium) tub with flexible load carrying and seating configuration. Suspension and handling to cope with variety of terrain (Lotus speciality) yet solid and dependable (Volvo)
Wait a minute...has this space not just been left empty by the passing of the Defender 90. Would not need to be as industrial as a Defender, but just a bit more cred than a Vitara. Open space IMO.
Indeed.Wait a minute...has this space not just been left empty by the passing of the Defender 90. Would not need to be as industrial as a Defender, but just a bit more cred than a Vitara. Open space IMO.
i) SUV/family car - Revised aluminium tub, basically using a Volvo car as a CKD, with all the same connection points, and lightweight seats, nifty styling.
ii) Sports car with, as many previous posters stated, friendlier interior and entry and practical glass fresh air roof, no tents.
Squeeze out lots of models from the above using economic panel changes including a defender type effort.
Powertrain - Volvo electric powertrains obviously, with range extender to keep battery size small (and light and cheap).
Also styling that makes grown men (and women) wet their knickers, if its not beautiful, go away and try again until it is.
New Lotus Elise is all but announced, we all know one is coming. Will it be Carbon Fibre? quite possibly. Lotus has certainly been adding more and more Carbon Fibre to its Exige and Evora range, also In order to keep the weight below 1000kgs whilst at the same time meet American standards means it has to be CF.
New Evora Roadster, this has been shown off as a prototype for ages. Will it eventually come to fruition? hopefully. A convertible Evora would be an awesome car to own for those in warmer climates.
New Esprit, A V8 and sitting around the 200k price range. Lotus most famous model the Esprit is a no brainer really. Guaranteed to garner interest in name alone.
New Elite, A V10 Hyper car using the Lexus LFA powerplant. Why the hell not?
New Evora Roadster, this has been shown off as a prototype for ages. Will it eventually come to fruition? hopefully. A convertible Evora would be an awesome car to own for those in warmer climates.
New Esprit, A V8 and sitting around the 200k price range. Lotus most famous model the Esprit is a no brainer really. Guaranteed to garner interest in name alone.
New Elite, A V10 Hyper car using the Lexus LFA powerplant. Why the hell not?
If Lotus built an SUV with their company values, then the Jeep Wrangler would have competition:
I'm not sure its needed. Do the 'aspirational' types aspire to own Lotuses the same way that they aspire to own Porsches and Lamborghinis? People on this thread have derided the idea of a Panamera rival but I could see this being Lotus' money maker and could be marketed as a 21st century Lotus Carlton.
I would first invest the money in replacing the Elise, Exige and Evora. Focus on build quality and use Volvo engines. Then I'd make the Panameray-thingy.
After that, I would make the new Esprit. I'd go for something special, a twin turbo V8 to rival a Ferrari 488. Have a works GTE program to run WEC and Le Mans and sell GT3 racing versions to private teams all over the world. Make a big deal every time one of these cars wins a race and use this to draw people in to look at the rest of the new and improved lineup.
I'm not sure its needed. Do the 'aspirational' types aspire to own Lotuses the same way that they aspire to own Porsches and Lamborghinis? People on this thread have derided the idea of a Panamera rival but I could see this being Lotus' money maker and could be marketed as a 21st century Lotus Carlton.
I would first invest the money in replacing the Elise, Exige and Evora. Focus on build quality and use Volvo engines. Then I'd make the Panameray-thingy.
After that, I would make the new Esprit. I'd go for something special, a twin turbo V8 to rival a Ferrari 488. Have a works GTE program to run WEC and Le Mans and sell GT3 racing versions to private teams all over the world. Make a big deal every time one of these cars wins a race and use this to draw people in to look at the rest of the new and improved lineup.
Hard to get very excited about many of the prospects. On the one hand, I'm pleased Lotus is getting some backing that is likely to ensure its survival for some time yet. That has not been a given for as long as I've known. On the other hand, I cannot see them ever making cars that interest me again. I know they can't sell small, very light enthusiast cars, seemingly nobody can, so I can have no complaints about the directions they'll inevitably have to take but I struggle to drum up even a modicum of enthusiasm.
Like many on here, I have a soft spot for Lotus, having owned a few.I think the Geely involvement could be exactly what they need.
There's no point going to the effort of the roofless Evora on the present underpinnings: on the Lotus stand at Goodwood FoS I was talking a guy who, without giving his identity away, is a big cheese in the management of the dealer network, and this is essentially what he told me. Disappointed (as I would love a roofless 410) but they need to put their efforts into building a great next gen model.
We talked about the Geely management, and he was very optimistic - said they've got the right kind of attitude but before they can make an impact, there were one or two big problems that needed solving - and the biggest had just been dealt with (JMG, I said? Yep. Apparently he was not a well liked figure in the ranks, despite what his public persona was like).
lotuslover69 said:
New Lotus Elise is all but announced, we all know one is coming. Will it be Carbon Fibre? quite possibly. Lotus has certainly been adding more and more Carbon Fibre to its Exige and Evora range, also In order to keep the weight below 1000kgs whilst at the same time meet American standards means it has to be CF.
Presumably they'll need to release the next gen Elise before the Geely cash comes on tap - and let's not be under any illusions that the £1.5bn isn't all going to arrive in lorry loads in one hit. Maybe the true benefit of the mass produced, cheaper Elise won't be available until the next gen one has been around for a few years, and it'll be the one after that which makes the most of the finance, the expertise that's brought in and grown etc.lotuslover69 said:
New Evora Roadster, this has been shown off as a prototype for ages. Will it eventually come to fruition? hopefully. A convertible Evora would be an awesome car to own for those in warmer climates.
The Evora targa and roadster idea is dead. Never going to happen with the current architecture, even with revisions based on the 400. Yes, there were engineering drawings from the original Project Eagle that showed they could take the roof off, but they haven't in the 10 years since the Evora appeared. A targa or roadster might be the key to really unlocking the US, but it would be expensive when compared to contemporaries that have a much newer cabin and engineering design.There's no point going to the effort of the roofless Evora on the present underpinnings: on the Lotus stand at Goodwood FoS I was talking a guy who, without giving his identity away, is a big cheese in the management of the dealer network, and this is essentially what he told me. Disappointed (as I would love a roofless 410) but they need to put their efforts into building a great next gen model.
We talked about the Geely management, and he was very optimistic - said they've got the right kind of attitude but before they can make an impact, there were one or two big problems that needed solving - and the biggest had just been dealt with (JMG, I said? Yep. Apparently he was not a well liked figure in the ranks, despite what his public persona was like).
lotuslover69 said:
New Esprit, A V8 and sitting around the 200k price range. Lotus most famous model the Esprit is a no brainer really. Guaranteed to garner interest in name alone.
We'd all love a new Esprit, and like Prior says, sitting somewhere between the 911/R8 and the McLaren 5xx range would be ideal. Would it make enough money, though? It would need to be a halo car that could attract people to the brand while aiming to break even or a bit better - certainly not something to do until the plans for the bread and butter SUVs, Elise and maybe Elan are well on their way.lotuslover69 said:
New Elite, A V10 Hyper car using the Lexus LFA powerplant. Why the hell not?
Let's all dream, eh? Lexus haven't exactly done anything at all with the LFA engine, in the 7 years since it came out, and it wouldn't have a prayer of passing new emissions regs.lotuslover69 said:
New Lotus Elise is all but announced, we all know one is coming. Will it be Carbon Fibre?
New Evora Roadster, this has been shown off as a prototype for ages. Will it eventually come to fruition? hopefully. A convertible Evora would be an awesome car to own for those in warmer climates.
New Elite, A V10 Hyper car using the Lexus LFA powerplant. Why the hell not?
I’m afraid your sources are wide of the mark on all of the above.New Evora Roadster, this has been shown off as a prototype for ages. Will it eventually come to fruition? hopefully. A convertible Evora would be an awesome car to own for those in warmer climates.
New Elite, A V10 Hyper car using the Lexus LFA powerplant. Why the hell not?
There won’t be a new Elise - well not in the foreseeable.
The focus is on a Cayman competitor not a track toy.
Expect an ali tub too (not carbon)
As has been mentioned previously - all engines will be Geeley Group sourced so LFA v10 is off limits.
Basically look at what VW have done for Porsche.
bobo79 said:
Some strange ideas in the article and some of the comments.
ELISE
Firstly, the £30K Elise will never, ever return. I doubt any Elise will be sub £50K in the new world. Possibly more. The interior has to be improved massively. It probably needs to be slightly larger. It will probably need to be slightly heavier than the current model. Plenty of engine choice from Volvo parts bin. Or maybe full electric it it could be made light enough... Based on Evora architecture but smaller. Engine transverse.
ELAN (maybe call it Exige)
Based on Evora architecture. Geely have a suitable 3.5 V6 with EU (and I think US) certification that could be breathed on by Lotus, plus a AISIN dual clutch 8 speed gear box, think £90K, 911 rival. Good bye manual. Varying specs from decent GT car to wild GT3 rival. Some may be Hybrids, but only if weight allows. Engine transverse.
ESPRIT
Halo model supercar. Would probably require a carbon tub to compete with McLaren Top Trumps. Geely own 10% of Daimler (and is the largest individual share holder...), so using an AMG V8 twin turbo with some Lotus stickers on it seems a no-brainer. Hybrid an option. Needs to look awesome and sound great. But also have comfort, mod cons, designed to attract new customers who may otherwise consider Ferrari, Aston, top end Porsches, Mclaren. Engine Longitudinal.
EXCEL
Based on a medium Volvo SUV, 4x4. May not be sold in US/Europe. Manufactured in China and sold all over Asia. If brand does well enough elsewhere it will be introduced worldwide, probably via Volvo dealer network.
ELITE
Based on a large Volvo SUV, 4x4. May not be sold in US/Europe. Manufactured in China and sold all over Asia. If brand does well enough elsewhere will be introduced worldwide, probably via Volvo dealer network. Hybrid.
A few of things:
They shouldn't even consider a Panamera rival. Too expensive to develop (as there is no obvious Volvo platform to base it on) and with very low sales. No Lotus brand equity here, either.
SUVs being based on Volvos is fine. Lotus values do not translate well to SUVs. Volvos are well engineered, hi tech and great basis for making even more premium ones with a badge with a lot of potential. Chapman would approve of money coming in from these, and besides, if they are not being sold in Europe and US (at least initially) this will not negatively effect perception of Lotus as sports car, either (not that I think it would in this day and age).
No hot hatch, and don't do Lotus 'editions' of Volvo cars (21st Century 'Carltons'). That would devalue a brand that is reaching skyward.
Don't do an MX5 clone. They can never, ever compete with the MX5 volume/quality/price. Don't even bother.
Aim further up the market. No point chasing existing customers when they buy a car and never sell it. They need other brand's customers.
Don't waste money making a front engined platform, or making VVA flexible enough to use front engined layouts. Sports cars should be mid engined exotics. SUVs should be based on Volvos.
Use VVA (or a modern derivative) for Elise and Evora to save costs and allow them to be developed rapidly.
Don't spend any of that money going motor racing, at least until the Esprit is in show rooms.
This all seems terribly cogent.ELISE
Firstly, the £30K Elise will never, ever return. I doubt any Elise will be sub £50K in the new world. Possibly more. The interior has to be improved massively. It probably needs to be slightly larger. It will probably need to be slightly heavier than the current model. Plenty of engine choice from Volvo parts bin. Or maybe full electric it it could be made light enough... Based on Evora architecture but smaller. Engine transverse.
ELAN (maybe call it Exige)
Based on Evora architecture. Geely have a suitable 3.5 V6 with EU (and I think US) certification that could be breathed on by Lotus, plus a AISIN dual clutch 8 speed gear box, think £90K, 911 rival. Good bye manual. Varying specs from decent GT car to wild GT3 rival. Some may be Hybrids, but only if weight allows. Engine transverse.
ESPRIT
Halo model supercar. Would probably require a carbon tub to compete with McLaren Top Trumps. Geely own 10% of Daimler (and is the largest individual share holder...), so using an AMG V8 twin turbo with some Lotus stickers on it seems a no-brainer. Hybrid an option. Needs to look awesome and sound great. But also have comfort, mod cons, designed to attract new customers who may otherwise consider Ferrari, Aston, top end Porsches, Mclaren. Engine Longitudinal.
EXCEL
Based on a medium Volvo SUV, 4x4. May not be sold in US/Europe. Manufactured in China and sold all over Asia. If brand does well enough elsewhere it will be introduced worldwide, probably via Volvo dealer network.
ELITE
Based on a large Volvo SUV, 4x4. May not be sold in US/Europe. Manufactured in China and sold all over Asia. If brand does well enough elsewhere will be introduced worldwide, probably via Volvo dealer network. Hybrid.
A few of things:
They shouldn't even consider a Panamera rival. Too expensive to develop (as there is no obvious Volvo platform to base it on) and with very low sales. No Lotus brand equity here, either.
SUVs being based on Volvos is fine. Lotus values do not translate well to SUVs. Volvos are well engineered, hi tech and great basis for making even more premium ones with a badge with a lot of potential. Chapman would approve of money coming in from these, and besides, if they are not being sold in Europe and US (at least initially) this will not negatively effect perception of Lotus as sports car, either (not that I think it would in this day and age).
No hot hatch, and don't do Lotus 'editions' of Volvo cars (21st Century 'Carltons'). That would devalue a brand that is reaching skyward.
Don't do an MX5 clone. They can never, ever compete with the MX5 volume/quality/price. Don't even bother.
Aim further up the market. No point chasing existing customers when they buy a car and never sell it. They need other brand's customers.
Don't waste money making a front engined platform, or making VVA flexible enough to use front engined layouts. Sports cars should be mid engined exotics. SUVs should be based on Volvos.
Use VVA (or a modern derivative) for Elise and Evora to save costs and allow them to be developed rapidly.
Don't spend any of that money going motor racing, at least until the Esprit is in show rooms.
Edited by bobo79 on Monday 13th August 21:43
I cannot see the Elise straying too far from its current package, since it might be a mistake to alienate existing hardcore-Louts fans. NA>ND MX-5 might be an example.
The Esprit end is concerning; has McL stolen their thunder?
Perhaps the investment ought to be used to lose the unfortunate 'Kit-car' image - better interiors and panel fit ought to widen interest. McLs and NSXs are mostly panelled in plastic, but don't look like they are.
Porsche911R said:
make a bigger Elise, keep the Exige brand, bin the Evora and bring out a Hybrid Elan.
No special ed, no new car every month, no SUV keep it simple stupid on 3 year life cycles aim for 4k cars a year.
sell off Norfork and move it all to Silverstone.
I guess your user name is no coincidence No special ed, no new car every month, no SUV keep it simple stupid on 3 year life cycles aim for 4k cars a year.
sell off Norfork and move it all to Silverstone.
So going back to what would be best for Lotus
The modular architecture giving various car types for relatively low development cost is exactly what the Bahar plan was. Or am I due a whoosh parrot?
I worked at Lotus at that time and whilst I may be biased, it was a good plan, but the funding was cut off at the critical stage due to issues outside of Lotus's control.
I'm so happy that Geely are treating Lotus with respect, rather than an inconvenience (DRB Hicom only bought proton for the Malaysian factories, they never gave a s
t about Lotus IMO)
I worked at Lotus at that time and whilst I may be biased, it was a good plan, but the funding was cut off at the critical stage due to issues outside of Lotus's control.
I'm so happy that Geely are treating Lotus with respect, rather than an inconvenience (DRB Hicom only bought proton for the Malaysian factories, they never gave a s
t about Lotus IMO)Since Lotus ( or their fans anyway) go on and on about light weight blah blah blah, i would suggest building a lightweight SUV along the lines of a Suzuki ignis or Dacia Duster but with lotus handling to fly along B roads. Sort of like a Ariel Nomad but in a conventional car body.
I would love a reasonably (not crazy) fast higher sitting position car with more suspension travel to go along the broken B roads in this country. some roll is acceptable (essential, even) but good sterring feel is a must!
I would love a reasonably (not crazy) fast higher sitting position car with more suspension travel to go along the broken B roads in this country. some roll is acceptable (essential, even) but good sterring feel is a must!
I've seen comments before that Lotus shouldn't try to be Porsche, but maybe they could be McLaren, or at least move in that direction.
I'll probably get shot down, but on the face of it, McLaren (at least to me) has sort of one product.
The 3.8 engine fits all and even the 4.0 litre in the 720 is fundementaly the same construction. The cars all seem versions of a theme, which is fine....I'm not knocking it, but for Lotus it's do able.
Personally I think McLaren would benefit from having an entry level car just below the 540 and I think that's where Lotus could start.
If the Evora is over priced, as some have said, then maybe the new Esprit could be designed as that new car, effectively starting at Evora 430 money.
If the new Geely tie up provides access to a cheaper and more deeper parts bin, it's possible.
Also Lotus have a lot more currently going for it in terms of dealer support with the capacity to service and cover warranty work, which McLaren seem to be failing on and dare I say it, but McLarens do also appear to have more reliability issues than Lotus as well.
Sure McLaren dealers have all the bells and whistles, but that doesn't count for much if the lead-time on fixing a broken down car is closer to a month.
Once Lotus have that car in place, they could go either way on the next model and probably use the same architecture and even the engine.
An SUV could follow, but only when the time is right and for me, not at the expense of a true halo/brand orientated sports car that puts the company back on the map.
I'll probably get shot down, but on the face of it, McLaren (at least to me) has sort of one product.
The 3.8 engine fits all and even the 4.0 litre in the 720 is fundementaly the same construction. The cars all seem versions of a theme, which is fine....I'm not knocking it, but for Lotus it's do able.
Personally I think McLaren would benefit from having an entry level car just below the 540 and I think that's where Lotus could start.
If the Evora is over priced, as some have said, then maybe the new Esprit could be designed as that new car, effectively starting at Evora 430 money.
If the new Geely tie up provides access to a cheaper and more deeper parts bin, it's possible.
Also Lotus have a lot more currently going for it in terms of dealer support with the capacity to service and cover warranty work, which McLaren seem to be failing on and dare I say it, but McLarens do also appear to have more reliability issues than Lotus as well.
Sure McLaren dealers have all the bells and whistles, but that doesn't count for much if the lead-time on fixing a broken down car is closer to a month.
Once Lotus have that car in place, they could go either way on the next model and probably use the same architecture and even the engine.
An SUV could follow, but only when the time is right and for me, not at the expense of a true halo/brand orientated sports car that puts the company back on the map.
My two penn'oth.
Geely aren't daft and they aren't going to let Lotus pour a fairly meagre development budget into new ICE-only platforms. Lotus have always been an engineering company, even consulting to other automakers in the past. So if I were Geely I would be treating Lotus as my new Skunkworks, letting them build the next generation of light, fast EVs. I would also be straight on the phone to Liberty Media, asking politely but firmly for a slot on the grid of a future Formula E series.
Polestar are going to fill this niche for luxury super-coupes, Volvo will be building hybrid and electric SUVs, so it falls to Lotus to build EV sports and trackday cars.
Geely aren't daft and they aren't going to let Lotus pour a fairly meagre development budget into new ICE-only platforms. Lotus have always been an engineering company, even consulting to other automakers in the past. So if I were Geely I would be treating Lotus as my new Skunkworks, letting them build the next generation of light, fast EVs. I would also be straight on the phone to Liberty Media, asking politely but firmly for a slot on the grid of a future Formula E series.
Polestar are going to fill this niche for luxury super-coupes, Volvo will be building hybrid and electric SUVs, so it falls to Lotus to build EV sports and trackday cars.
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