Discussion
Because Colin Chapman decided that words begining with 'E' flowed well from the name 'Lotus'. Don't know what the correct terminology is; assonance, perhaps?
Started with 'Eleven' (up to and including then, models had been identified by type numbers and continued to be so for the racing cars).
From the Eleven:
Elite
Elan
Europa
Elite (again)
Esprit
Eclat
Etna
Excel
Elan (again)
Elise
Exige
Europa (again).
There have been three exceptions to the rule, that I can remember: the Seven (which actually came after the Eleven, but since it was manufactured by Lotus Components rather than Lotus Cars might be thought of as falling into the numerical type numbering of the racing cars), the Plus 2 (officially Lotus dropped the 'Elan' prefix for later 2+2 models) and the 340R.
The Elise narrowly avoided being called the One Eleven, after its internal project number.
Started with 'Eleven' (up to and including then, models had been identified by type numbers and continued to be so for the racing cars).
From the Eleven:
Elite
Elan
Europa
Elite (again)
Esprit
Eclat
Etna
Excel
Elan (again)
Elise
Exige
Europa (again).
There have been three exceptions to the rule, that I can remember: the Seven (which actually came after the Eleven, but since it was manufactured by Lotus Components rather than Lotus Cars might be thought of as falling into the numerical type numbering of the racing cars), the Plus 2 (officially Lotus dropped the 'Elan' prefix for later 2+2 models) and the 340R.
The Elise narrowly avoided being called the One Eleven, after its internal project number.
Edited by Sam_68 on Saturday 23 September 22:40
I thought the official name for 340r was 'Elise 340r'.
And I thought the seven was only referred to as 7 (in number form, not written).
I thought the E sequence started with the Eleven because was it not the first road going model offered by Lotus as a fully built car, everyhting before it being a kit form. You could purchase an 11 for racing and an Eleven for the road.
(many thoughts there......I do hope some are correct!)
doogalman said:
What about the 340R?????
like I said:
There have been three exceptions to the rule, that I can remember: the Seven (which actually came after the Eleven, but since it was manufactured by Lotus Components rather than Lotus Cars might be thought of as falling into the numerical type numbering of the racing cars), the Plus 2 (officially Lotus dropped the 'Elan' prefix for later 2+2 models) and the 340R.
Perhaps the Lotus Sport division, which developed the 340R, is seen as the successor to Lotus Components/Team Lotus, in which case they would normally use type numbers? 340 isn't a sequential Lotus Project number, AFAIK, however - it was intended to refer to the car's power:weight ratio, until they discovered they couldn't build it light enough.
The 'E'-naming policy isn't set in stone, anyway - it's not as if it's wirtten into the company's constitution or anything, just a loose tradition. Like I also said earlier, the Elise was nearly the 'One-Eleven' until Romano Artioli decided to name it after his grand daughter.
Edited by Sam_68 on Tuesday 26th September 12:36
Sam_68 said:
doogalman said:
What about the 340R?????
like I said:
There have been three exceptions to the rule, that I can remember: the Seven (which actually came after the Eleven, but since it was manufactured by Lotus Components rather than Lotus Cars might be thought of as falling into the numerical type numbering of the racing cars), the Plus 2 (officially Lotus dropped the 'Elan' prefix for later 2+2 models) and the 340R.
Perhaps the Lotus Sport division, which developed the 340R, is seen as the successor to Lotus Components/Team Lotus, in which case they would normally use type numbers? 340 isn't a sequential Lotus Project number, AFAIK, however - it was intended to refer to the car's power:weight ratio, until they discovered they couldn't build it light enough.
The 'E'-naming policy isn't set in stone, anyway - it's not as if it's wirtten into the company's constitution or anything, just a loose tradition. Like I also said earlier, the Elise was nearly the 'One-Eleven' until Romano Artioli decided to name it after his grand daughter.
Edited by Sam_68 on Tuesday 26th September 12:36
The Elise was also referred as the "step-in" as it's original concept was not to have doors. But for practicality they designed in doors at a later stage, and at a compromise from the original design, as talked about on the "Elise story" programme that was on Sky a few years back. probably on DVD too
we had a conversation at work a few years ago on a similar line, if i can remember, I think we came up with :
Lotus Entrail
Lotus Explosive
Lotus Explosion
Lotus Erratic
Lotus Expensive
Lotus Elsie (after Artioli came up with Elise after his Granddaughter)
Lotus Eric
Lotus Expire
Lotus Expletive
Lotus Expatriate (if it were to move production abroad)
Lotus End
We probably had some more, but I can't think of them at the moment.
Lotus Entrail
Lotus Explosive
Lotus Explosion
Lotus Erratic
Lotus Expensive
Lotus Elsie (after Artioli came up with Elise after his Granddaughter)
Lotus Eric
Lotus Expire
Lotus Expletive
Lotus Expatriate (if it were to move production abroad)
Lotus End
We probably had some more, but I can't think of them at the moment.
Sam_68 said:
DBSV8 said:
not forgetting the type 20 /22
like I said:
Started with 'Eleven' (up to and including then, models had been identified by type numbers and continued to be so for the racing cars).
Pay attention at the back!!
Who mentioned racing cars !!!
try type 20/22 road car
Sam_68 said:
DBSV8 said:
Who mentioned racing cars !!!
Erm....you did. Your profile describes it as a road registered racing car, does it not?!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it left the factory with lights, mudguards and a Kawasaki bike engine, either, did it?
kinda heinz variety lotus
Lotus type numbers:
www.race-cars.com/utility/lotusr.htm
Interesting that the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus shares a type number with an F1 car.
www.race-cars.com/utility/lotusr.htm
Interesting that the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus shares a type number with an F1 car.
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