CAR News

The 2012 Beijing International Auto Show kicks off today, and Lotus Cars is showing off its full model range for the first time, including a very special supercar that’s been custom-made for China.
When the Lotus Evora GTE was unveiled at the Frankfurt show last year, the Chinese market went crazy for this, Lotus’ most powerful road-going model ever. Now the British sports car company has prepared the Evora GTE China Limited Edition, which makes its world debut in Beijing.

Lotus’ eminent chassis engineers have adapted the GTE to suit Chinese roads, and the interior comes with more leather and carbon fibre to make it more luxurious inside, without compromising performance at all. Its 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine fires out 444 horsepower. Well, this is the year of the dragon!
Only 118 examples of the limited edition will be put on sale, making it all the more exclusive and collectable. Each car features a numbered plaque inside, marked with the China Limited Edition insignia.
Making its first appearance in China, the Lotus Evora IPS and its automatic paddle-shift transmission is a sure-fire hit. Its 3.5 litre V6 engine provides 280 horsepower, which the acclaimed chassis fully exploits. The Intelligent Precision Shift allows a high and even level of power transfer as well as quick, smooth shifts. It makes for more comfort in the city, better fuel efficiency, and huge fun when it comes to the twisty stuff.

Accompanying these premium Evoras, stablemates Elise and Exige have also made the trip to Beijing.
Also on the stand, Lotus presents the black-and-gold Lotus F1 Team car which is impressing on the Grand Prix circuit this year. Team-mates Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean are flying the flag for Lotus just like heroes of yesteryear, like Mario Andretti, Ayrton Senna and Jim Clark.

Lotus China are taking the opportunity of the Beijing show to announce the Lotus China Racing Club. It’s currently the only world-class club of its kind in China, offering its members track days, performance and race driving instruction, race car rental and exclusive access to Lotus events. A car refitted by the Lotus China Racing Club as well as the Lotus T125 – the first F1-inspired single-seater race car to go on sale – are on display in the outdoor exhibition area.

Lotus China Racing Club, the Lotus Evora GTE China Limited Edition, and very encouraging sales in the past 6-months attest to Lotus China’s proactive development strategy and Group Lotus’ strong confidence in the potential of the Chinese sports car market and the global appeal of the legendary marque.

Dany Bahar, CEO, Group Lotus: “As the top potential market for sports car brands, China is a vital part of the five-year revival plan we announced 18-months ago. We are committed to bringing our unique products, distinctive style and rich history to China to provide Chinese customers with diversified and personalized product choices.”

Lichen Zhang, President & CEO, Lotus China: “Within six months of Lotus Cars’ entry into China, orders have exceeded our expectations, which has strengthened our confidence in developing the China market. At the same time, in accordance with the China market’s characteristics and customer requirements, we have developed the Lotus Evora GTE China Limited Edition which we are launching here in Beijing, together with the Evora IPS.”

Ask anyone to define Lotus in recent years and most people will hold up the Lotus Elise as a perfect example of exactly what makes Lotus such a firm favourite in the hearts and mind of sportscars enthusiasts.

The small lightweight agile 2-seater mid engine sportscar revolutionised the market sector 15 years ago when it was introduced and by aggressively sticking to Lotus’ core values of performance through lightweight, the Lotus Elise was, and still is, able to produce supercar performance with city car economy.

But if you know Lotus then you probably know all this already – what you may not know is that contrary to popular speculation, Lotus is not leaving the Elise behind – if anything the Elise is an essential part of the charge into Lotus New Era.

Year on year, Lotus has added to the Elise range, tweaking and improving on the much loved entry level sports car and this year is no exception. Making their joint debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show are the all new Elise S and the Elise SPS (Serial Precision Shift) option.

All Torque – Welcome the Elise S

Want more torque? Then the new Elise S is the answer to your prayers. The Elise S replaces the Elise SC with a new 1.8l super charged engine capable of delivering 220 PS and a power delivery which results in even more torque.

With the new engine and improved throttle response the Elise S gives an even more exhilarating and lively drive experience. The more efficient engine results in lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than the outgoing Elise SC.

All Action – Introducing the Elise with SPS (Serial Precision Shift) option

This latest gearbox option available for the 1.6l Elise utilises new lightweight robotised automated manual transmission technology to allow the driver to switch between manual and automatic driving modes via paddles fixed to the steering column giving an even more direct connection with the road.

Available later this year, both the Elise S and the Elise SPS option showcase Lotus’ clever approach to increasing the pure driving experience through innovative use of lightweight technology.

Raw performance, agility, unparalleled ride and handling and mind blowing drive experience, these attributes are what people have come to expect from Lotus. And we don’t like to disappoint. After months of media speculation Group Lotus is proud to announce the latest addition to the family: the extraordinary new Exige S, the ultimate lightweight high performance sportscar.

Alongside the staggering power to weight ratio, the Exige S has a completely new exterior and interior look and feel. The dramatic styling overhaul sees a completely new look for the Exige including a new front splitter and rear spoiler giving it a strong and aerodynamic profile.

There are two new interior package options available: Premium and Premium Sport. The Premium Pack provides added comfort and style where as the Premium Sport option focuses on creating an internal space optimised for ultimate driver involvement.

Built for the adrenalin hungry sportscar aficionado, the Exige S features high performance bespoke tyre package with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres as standard. A Lotus DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) switch allows the driver to switch between three driving modes: Touring, Sport and DPM off. And if three dynamic settings are not enough, an additional Race Pack option is available which adds a fourth driving mode setting: Race. This setting provides the maximum possible traction out of corners. The Race Pack also features Launch Control and an optimised suspension setting making the car perfect for letting rip on the track.

Commenting on the Exige S, Group Lotus Chief Executive Officer Dany Bahar said: “Anyone who has ever driven an Exige will tell you that it’s not for the faint-hearted. The new Exige S skips a few rungs on the ladder to give the driver the ultimate Lotus experience. Quite simply you can’t get more Lotus than the Exige S.”

Lotus Evora Enduro GT Concept

The Evora Enduro – GT concept car is an evolved version of the podium placing Evora GT4 Endurance. The Enduro has been developed by Lotus Motorsport under the expert eye of Lead Designer Nicola Scimeca.

The Enduro will be the base point from which the GT2/GTE homologated cars for FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) and ACO (l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest) endurance racing will be built.

Lotus Motorsport intend to contend the following endurance events this year:

23 – 26 June 2011 Nürburgring ADAC 24 Hour Race (GER)
28 – 31 July 2011 Spa 24 Hour Race (BEL)
8 & 9 October 2011 Silverstone 24 Hour Race (GB)

The 24 hour races in Dubai and Daytona are on the list for 2012.

The Evora Enduro can be bought by private individuals and adapted for racing.