Wednesday 5th October 2005

Posh Exige hits Harrods

Interior includes Savile Row styling for Mr Bond

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There's a posh Lotus Exige on show at Harrods -- and you'll be able to buy it too.

A collaborative effort between Lotus and Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes, it's part of "Truly British at Harrods", which runs until 15 October.

The idea is to showcase the best this country has to offer, and the philosophy behind the car was to create the ultimate vehicle for the ultimate secret agent -- James Bond. Dubbed the Espionage, the project to design the one-off car was led by Lotus chief designer Russell Carr.

Complementing the Gieves & Hawkes-designed bespoke classic navy pin striped Spy Suit, the Lotus Exige features a navy exterior and a central white pinstripe flash.

Inside the car, the design philosophy has been extended to the seat upholstery (squab and cushion), door inserts and dashboard, using the same Gieves & Hawkes pinstripe wool cloth used in the Spy Suit.

Silk, used in the lining of the suit, has been used to clad the back of the seats. The interior also boasts tailor-made leather floormats with “eyelet” detailing, taking cues from the classic shoes worn by the ultimate English secret agent.

Lotus' boss Clive Dopson said: "In this prestigious celebration of British lifestyle and culture, it has been an exciting opportunity to change the rules, combining the style and elegance of fashion with the interior design of a high performance sportscar.

"To be associated with a fashion collection such as Gieves & Hawkes, synonymous with a rich tailoring heritage, has provided a unique platform for the demonstration of the design qualities which make Lotus cars such an exciting and special driving experience."

The one-off Espionage will be on display in The British Tailoring Room, on Ground at Harrods, until 15 October, 2005.

The car will be sold for £39,995 following the event.

[boggy]

What the hell is this ?

Boggy

[Stephen White]

Some rich twit and his money will soon be parted...

[mr2john]

How GAY is that

[DanH]

tasty...

[Hughesie2]

Was i the only one hoping that this had "ACTUALLY" hit Harrods ??

[JonRB]

article said:

The idea is to showcase the best this country has to offer, and the philosophy behind the car was to create the ultimate vehicle for the ultimate secret agent -- James Bond.

Oh really? Where's the ejector seat then? Or the concealed weaponry (leave it)?

Seems to me the link between this car and James Bond is tenuous in the extreme.

[tonyhetherington]

I don't actually mind it - it's not that loud or ridiculous!?

Strange that it coincides with the next James Bond being announced next week. So, either Lotus are pushing to have their car as James Bond's in the next film, or they already know that James Bond drives the next Espirit!

[bunglist]

Hopefully this car will have all the secret weapons so whilst driving along it can destroy some of these sodding speed cameras.

But this car is a bit of a joke, and i bet the interior will look really shabby, really quickly, we all know how long these designer suits last!!!!!!!!!!!!

>> Edited by bunglist on Wednesday 5th October 14:22

[r988]

So its got a couple of pieces of cloth on it big deal.

Surely JB would rather an AMV8 than this?

[GTRene]

I don't like it eigther!! make a pair of trousers from it but leave the Lotus Exige/Elise interior alone! take it or leave it
I like the Exige/Elise as it is, but more hp like the 240 is welkom...and more, will be more then welkom

[anniesdad]

Maybe this pleb could buy it?

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=211329&f=63&h=0

[Wildfire]

Good god! Possibly the worst interior I could have imagined in a Lotus.

[boggy]

anniesdad said:

Maybe this pleb could buy it? www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=211329&f=63&h=0

Hi all,

I hope they don't let him buy another one, I don't think it's funny at all. What a complete ignorant Pearson.

I'm totally lost for words & very upset that's a bloody Lamborghini for god's sake !

Boggy

[anniesdad]

boggy said:

anniesdad said: Maybe this pleb could buy it? <a href="www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=211329&f=63&h=0">www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=211329&f=63&h=0</a> Hi all, I hope they don't let him buy another one, I don't think it's funny at all. What a complete ignorant Pearson. I'm totally lost for words & very upset that's a bloody Lamborghini for god's sake ! Boggy

Seems there's quite a number that disagree with you.

[bunglist]

anniesdad said:

boggy said: anniesdad said: Maybe this pleb could buy it? <a href="www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=211329&f=63&h=0"><a href="www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=211329&f=63&h=0">www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=211329&f=63&h=0</a></a> Totally agree with you Boggy, that tt should not be allowed to own such a car if he is going to do spazzish things like that to it. Do it to something less special. Hi all, I hope they don't let him buy another one, I don't think it's funny at all. What a complete ignorant Pearson. I'm totally lost for words & very upset that's a bloody Lamborghini for god's sake ! Boggy Seems there's quite a number that disagree with you.

[james]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It'll be dry clean only

It will fit in nicely with the "high class" image of Harrods since Mr. Al Fayed took over

>> Edited by james on Thursday 6th October 08:11

[rico]

I just started a thread saying how cool this is...

[paul_pot]

So the brief was to design a vehicle suitable for Bond, the result being an Exige with slightly different trim.

Design my arse.

This is 'design' in the Linda Barker sense. Pointless tosh.

Still a nice motor though.

[_VTEC_]

rico said:

I just started a thread saying how cool this is...

You numpty.

But seriously, there's a time and a place for fine tailoring and an Exige cockpit isn't amoung those.

It's a road racer FFS. It should be hardcore inside.

[jesprit]

article said:

Complementing the Gieves & Hawkes-designed bespoke classic navy pin striped Spy Suit, the Lotus Exige features a navy exterior and a central white pinstripe flash.

I don't see a blue exterior with a white stripe. Choosing a minimalist car to pay homage to a great British tailor is not very sensible - much more scope in a Bentley or Rolls.

Silly people.

>> Edited by jesprit on Wednesday 12th October 13:42