Photo: chinacartimes.com
Driving a low-slung sportscar like the Lotus Elise on the track brings joy to the heart. But on regular roads, you're constantly getting the feeling that you will be squashed by an SUV. And those Range Rover headlights are always too bright and constantly in your face, are we right?
That's why the people who are currently making the Elise will soon develop their own crossover SUV, mixing driving fun with a high riding position and family-friendly space.
The decision was revealed by the newly appointed Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales, who told Autocar that this will be the “the world’s first lightweight SUV.” The yet unnamed model will be about the size of the Porsche Macan, meaning it will also rival the Evoque and BMW X4 to a lesser degree.
An aluminum body and lightweight construction will help this British model be as much as 200 kg (440 lbs) lighter than its main rivals. Production won't take place at Hethel, but in China.
We don't know what Lotus' SUV will look like, but a precedent already exists. It's named the T5 and has been shown in China by a newly established brand called Youngman-Lotus (seen above). Apparently, it's based on Proton's Gen 2 car platform though not much else is known.
When production commences in 2017, Lotus' SUV will be sold exclusively in China. However, with Bentley, Rolls-Royce and even Lamborghini adding 4x4 instead of lightness, it's only a matter of time before Lotus reinvents itself as a company. Colin Chapman would be turning in his grave!
Gales, a 51-year-old from Luxembourg, joins Lotus from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA). However, his most notable position was with PSA Peugeot Citroen, where he pushed for the new brand strategy of the DS line of premium cars.
The new Lotus CEO has also held positions with Daimler, General Motors, Fiat and Volkswagen. Even though the SUV could prove profitable, we can't help but wonder if Dany Bahar's strategy revealed in 2010 was better. If McLaren can thrive without 4x4s, why can't Lotus?
The decision was revealed by the newly appointed Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales, who told Autocar that this will be the “the world’s first lightweight SUV.” The yet unnamed model will be about the size of the Porsche Macan, meaning it will also rival the Evoque and BMW X4 to a lesser degree.
An aluminum body and lightweight construction will help this British model be as much as 200 kg (440 lbs) lighter than its main rivals. Production won't take place at Hethel, but in China.
We don't know what Lotus' SUV will look like, but a precedent already exists. It's named the T5 and has been shown in China by a newly established brand called Youngman-Lotus (seen above). Apparently, it's based on Proton's Gen 2 car platform though not much else is known.
When production commences in 2017, Lotus' SUV will be sold exclusively in China. However, with Bentley, Rolls-Royce and even Lamborghini adding 4x4 instead of lightness, it's only a matter of time before Lotus reinvents itself as a company. Colin Chapman would be turning in his grave!
Gales, a 51-year-old from Luxembourg, joins Lotus from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA). However, his most notable position was with PSA Peugeot Citroen, where he pushed for the new brand strategy of the DS line of premium cars.
The new Lotus CEO has also held positions with Daimler, General Motors, Fiat and Volkswagen. Even though the SUV could prove profitable, we can't help but wonder if Dany Bahar's strategy revealed in 2010 was better. If McLaren can thrive without 4x4s, why can't Lotus?
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