So soon after telling you about Lotus’s plans to more than double production of automobiles based on its existing mid-engined platform, what about the a lot more distant future?
When we interviewed organization CEO Jean-Marc Gales at the 2014 Paris auto show, he was content to also speak about his longer term ambitions, but also noted that nothing at all beyond the quick-term method is signed off. For Lotus to have a long-term future, it’s going to want new models.
Gales admitted that, because Lotus is owned by Proton, technologies-sharing with the Malaysian automaker is overwhelmingly likely—and that’s regardless of the Toyota energy of the present Lotus lineup. “If we’re hunting at 4 to 6 years in the future then our partner is Proton,” he said, “Proton is a volume manufacturer and has components modules that we could use for future models.”
But what would those be? Gales confirmed reports that Lotus has been considering creating radically diverse sorts of automobiles from its sports-automobile base, such as sedans and even crossovers. “That’s a distinct possibility. I wouldn’t exclude anything at the moment. I would only exclude anything that does not fit the Lotus brand. There are several suggestions that would allow us to go into entirely diverse categories of solution.” In a globe exactly where Porsche has turn into an SUV manufacturer with a profitable sideline in sports cars, that doesn’t sound as insane as it probably ought to.
Proton Satria Neo (CPS version pictured at the best of the post): Is this exactly where the future requires Lotus?
But with Proton’s entire current lineup becoming front-wheel-drive, the obvious question is no matter whether Lotus could develop a credible model that didn’t send its energy to the rear axle. It’s been accomplished (after) prior to, as the 1990s Elan was a front-driver. Could it actually come about again?
“It was Colin [Chapman] who revolutionized Formula 1 style by putting the engine at the rear. He was the one particular who did it effectively, who won all those championships with it,” says Gales, conveniently neglecting to acknowledge Chapman had followed Cooper’s pioneering F1 vehicles. “For a sports vehicle, it’s a wonderful idea in terms of weight distribution, it is unbeatable on the track. But of course if you don’t construct a focused sports automobile then front-engined cars also have their virtues.”
We have to press him: Does front-engined mean front-drive?
“I can inform you that if we had been to do a front-engined sports automobile it would be a real Lotus. Which means for ride and handling it could be a benchmark. It will have Lotus DNA and be correct to it.”
That is not really an answer, but it’s all we’re receiving for now. Gales’s greatest present concern is securing the company’s future, so that it is nevertheless around to shock us with Proton-primarily based front-drivers.
Lotus Taking into consideration Front-Engined Future Models with Proton Drivetrains, Which includes Sedans and Crossovers
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