RE: Lotus to hire 200 engineers in new expansion

[framerateuk]

kambites said:

The Elise has always looked comically underpowered for its price but that's hardly the point (and anyway it still has a power to weight ratio well above that of a standard Boxster which costs the same). Unfortunately for Lotus not very many people want what it offers instead of power.

I don't think it's ever been comically underpowered. Yes, the output looks low compared to other cars, but as you say it's not a fair comparison given the weight difference.

But yes, it's a limited market.

I'm hoping to buy an Elise Cup in the next year or so (either 220 or 250) to replace my Caterham. I see a lot of new ones for sale at dealers that don't seem to be going anywhere.

I guess what Lotus really need is a Boxter/Cayman rival that's easier to live with every day. The Evora is priced way above that market now.

[lotuslover69]

Chamon_Lee said:

Exactly how I have felt about both those cars! both those cars should have some sort of halo variant

Seen a Subaru BRZ yesterday, looked great but it just couldn't keep up with my Evora and i felt kinda sorry for the guy driving it.

[Vee12V]

Chamon_Lee said:

Frimley111R said:

otolith said:

No, they appear to have dropped the 1.6 - and the naturally aspirated 1.8, they only have supercharged 1.8 cars on the website now.
They've kind of done the opposite of downsizing, given that the two Elise platform cars now only come with superchargers and 1.8 or 3.5 litre engines!

I think they learnt and responded to the fact that people don't want little engines in sports cars.

Controversial I know, but I am convinced the GT86 and MX5 should have had at least 1 higher powered variant.

Exactly how I have felt about both those cars! both those cars should have some sort of halo variant

It exists now and is called the Supra. I'm pretty sure that's the reason why they never gave it a power boost.

[skidskid]

Max_Torque said:

Right now it'll be pretty dam hard to hire 200 decent automotive engineers in the Midlands, and just about impossible to do the same out in the Norfolk badlands.....



(right now, if you're an experienced automotive engineer with good EV experience you can already pretty much name your price, given that everyone is hiring, and people like Dyson are blank-chequebooking their way towards a significant number of staff "stolen" from other OE's..... ;-)

Getting newer engineers shouldnt be a problem but getting anyone at a senior level will be impossible unless they pay through the nose. Its a competitive market as you say and their reputation of uncertainty wont help attract the right experienced people. It seems a risky move going there compared with anyone else in the area.

I wouldnt do it and I'm target applicant, I work in the industry and own an Elise variant (VX, wrong badge I know). Maybe the JLR situation will help them if they change direction on powertrain development.

[ds666]

Haven't JLR just got rid of 3500 engineers ?

[skidskid]

People I believe but not engineers exclusively. Still, its experienced people thats hard to come by and I would be they havent let many of them go.

[Cold]

ds666 said:

Haven't JLR just got rid of 3500 engineers ?

Engineers or engineers?

Anyway, Honda in Swindon is about to shut down too. There's a big pool of experienced potential staff in the commutable Warwickshire area right now.

[skidskid]

Do they design/develop anything there or is it all manufacturing types?

[j_s14a]

Miserablegit said:

Renault have a suitable 4 pot turbo that lotus could use- power from 250-300+ in std trim
There is some history...

I really like the lotus cars but I was too much of a wuss to think I'd use an elise except on perfect days. Had considered the Europa but still struggled getting in and out. I had an extended drive in an Elise some years ago- rear view mirror fell off during the drive but the rest of the car was great- like a big go-cart.

I do like the v6 Exige however which doesn't stack up with anything that I've written above.....

Lotus sister company Volvo already has a cracker of a lightweight 4 cylinder petrol engine, the VEP, which made 362hp in the V60 Polestar. There is also a 1.5 litre, 3 cylinder derivative available in the XC40. These have already been married up to hybrid systems too. Sadly they are known for oil leaks, thanks to Fords penny pinching, but they have been around for 5 years now and the issues have largely been ironed out.