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> Lotus Considering Front-Engined Future Models.., with Proton Drivetrains, Including Sedan

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TSonlyme&you
post Oct 14 2014, 08:04 PM, updated 10y ago

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So after telling you about Lotus’s plans to more than double production of cars based on its existing mid-engined platform, what about the more distant future?

When we interviewed company CEO Jean-Marc Gales at the 2014 Paris auto show, he was happy to also talk about his longer-term ambitions but also noted that nothing beyond the short-term strategy is signed off. For Lotus to have a long-term future, it’s going to need new models.

Gales admitted that, since Lotus is owned by Proton, technology-sharing with the Malaysian automaker is overwhelmingly likely—and that’s despite the Toyota power of the current Lotus lineup. “If we’re looking at four to six years in the future then our partner is Proton,” he said. “Proton is a volume manufacturer and has parts modules that we could use for future models.”

But what would those be? Gales confirmed reports that Lotus has been considering building radically different kinds of vehicles from its sports-car base, including sedans and even crossovers. “That’s a distinct possibility. I wouldn’t exclude anything at the moment. I would only exclude anything that doesn’t fit the Lotus brand. There are many ideas that would enable us to go into completely different categories of product.” In a world where Porsche has become an SUV manufacturer with a profitable sideline in sports cars, that doesn’t sound as insane as it probably should.

But with Proton’s entire current lineup being front-wheel drive, the obvious question is whether Lotus could build a credible model that didn’t send its power to the rear axle. It’s been done (once) before, as the 1990s Elan was a front-driver. Could it really happen again?

“It was Colin [Chapman] who revolutionized Formula 1 design by putting the engine at the rear. He was the one who did it properly, who won all those championships with it,” says Gales, conveniently neglecting to acknowledge that Chapman had followed Cooper’s pioneering F1 cars. “For a sports car, it’s a fantastic concept in terms of weight distribution, it’s unbeatable on the track. But of course if you don’t build a focused sports car then front-engined cars also have their virtues.”

We have to press him: Does front-engined mean front-drive?

“I can tell you that if we were to do a front-engined sports car, it would be a real Lotus. Which means for ride and handling it could be a benchmark. It will have Lotus DNA and be true to it.”

That’s not really an answer, but it’s all we’re getting for now. Gales’s biggest current concern is securing the company’s future so that it’s still around to shock us with Proton-based front-drivers.


http://blog.caranddriver.com/lotus-conside...and-crossovers/
phunkydude
post Oct 14 2014, 08:11 PM

FuNkT@st|c~
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rebadge current gen elise & exige to.... putra & satria gti

heck! even last gen. also ok'

This post has been edited by phunkydude: Oct 14 2014, 08:11 PM
ahchat
post Oct 14 2014, 08:24 PM

WISE KUCENG
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why proton car all body besar, small tyre...
Boy96
post Oct 14 2014, 08:25 PM

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Why that neo rear disc brake bigger then front disc brake?

This post has been edited by Boy96: Oct 14 2014, 08:25 PM

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