Tuesday 30th August 2011

McLaren F1 Designer Joins Group Lotus

Gordon Murray adds more weight to 'advisory council'

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This would look good on anyone's CV...

Gordon Murray has joined the Lotus Advisory Council, alongside fellow automotive 'alumni' Bob Lutz, Tom Purves, Burkhard Göschel and Frank Tuch.

The purpose of the Lotus Advisory Council is to give advice and guidance on strategic issues such as product strategy, technology, quality, brand, marketing and distribution, says Lotus in a statement out today. They also suggest the appointment fulfils a long-held ambition for Murray, who moved to England hoping to work for Lotus but ended up starting his career with Brabham following a chance meeting with their chief designer.

Regarded as a bit of an innovator and/or the genius of his age in Formula 1, Murray has also been responsible for a small but significant number of road cars. The McLaren F1, the M-B SLR McLaren, and the Light Car Company Rocket all leapt off his drawing board, while his wikipedia entry also includes the title of Director of Advanced Concepts at Caparo.

...this wouldn't look too bad, either

Since the F1, Murray has turned his hand to the T.25 Petrol and T.27 Electric Ultra Compact City Car project, which some PHers might regard as a considerable waste of the great man's talents...

As far as we know, the Lotus Advisory Council meets a couple of times a year, and no money exchanges hands, although its other members have been heard proselytising on the benefits of the Lotus Evora loan car that comes with the gig. When history retells this intriguing era in the Lotus story, it will be fascinating to look back at how individual members were able to make their skills and experience count.

"Gordon has never been afraid to trail blaze, take risks and do things differently, these are attribute that we are very familiar with and very proud of at Lotus, says chief exec Dany Bahar. "With his incredible and unique motorsport and design experience he will complement the existing council line up perfectly. We're very much looking forward to working with him."

Murray's 'creds' are unimpeachable

For his part, Murray says this: "For years I've been a huge admirer of Lotus, I have great respect for the legacy that Colin Chapman created and I think what Dany and the team are doing is a really good thing for the brand. He's taking the strength from Chapman's principals and taking the business to the next level whilst still keeping the general ethos - not an easy task! I'm really looking forward to contributing to Group Lotus during this exciting time."

[Pistachio]

2 Seat Electric city car anyone with Lotus badge ????

[Pistachio]

Munich said:

Pistachio said:

2 Seat Electric city car anyone with Lotus badge ????

as opposed to a Telsa badge.

[Pistachio]

35secToNuvolari said:

It's a good marketing step to add GM to the "team," but I'm not sure how influential he'll be. He might just end up arguing with everyone and get frustrated.

If the news were, "GM given full engineering control, given blank check at Lotus." That would be a different story. That's what happened at Mclaren.

He he heh he You know its true Bro!!
Sorry just speaking like they do at Lotus now

[Pistachio]

any way they will all look like this soon..remember this
Car is still registered but off the road, does GM still own it?

Edited by Pistachio on Thursday 1st September 09:33

Edited by Pistachio on Thursday 1st September 12:07

[Pistachio]

andyps said:

Pistachio said:

any way they will all look like this soon..remember this
Car is still registered but off the road, does GM still own it?

And of course, the creator of Midas still works for McLaren on the F1 having been taken on fairly early in the project, presumably by GM.

He (Harold Dermott) retired last year I believe.
Styling by Richard Oakes

Edited by Pistachio on Thursday 1st September 15:57