So.... Phil Popham

[Tuna]

New Boss, industry experienced, Jaguar, turned around Sunseeker Yachts... what do we think?

Popham said:

I have spent my career working with, and have a passion for famous British luxury, high-tech and pioneering brands, and Lotus, with its amazing history, definitely fits into that category, I am looking forward to being part of the team that will drive the substantial future growth of the Lotus business.

[Tuna]

So is the consensus that JMG was there to prepare Lotus for a sale? Cut costs and nothing else? It would make sense in retrospect. It wouldn't make him popular, but got us to where we are today.

[Tuna]

GregorFuk said:

So they really need to bite the bullet and design a carbon tub.

Depends which way they go. The point of Aluminium is you can do relatively short production runs cost effectively. It means they could have a few super-targeted niche models that do what the mainstream manufacturers can't without ending up with boutique prices.

Carbon fibre is more expensive and (I think?) harder to design for - so you have to go for fewer models with a much more premium price.

The first option was how we got the Elise. The second is how Mclaren delivered the 12c etc. Whilst I so want to see a halo 'new Esprit' that is a Mclaren killer, I'd also like to see stuff that a mere mortals can aspire to. Not Ford prices by any means, but not same price as a house prices either.