New Lotus Seven?
Discussion
From Autoexpress via BlatChat
First to hit production in early 2012 will be a modern take on the Lotus Seven - a move which could ultimately prove the biggest risk of them all. Sources claim the car is heavier and more comfort orientated than the original and even runs such performance-sapping measures as air-con.
And in a potential source of embarassment for the firm so proud of its engineering expertise, the car was not even conceived designed or developed at its HQ in Hethel, Norfolk. Instead, the front-engined, rear wheel drive, open-top model will be heavily based on an aborted spanish sports concept, thought to be the IFR Aspid, and may even be built in Spain. A high price of £60,000 will put it directly in the firing line for models such as the Porsche Cayman S and Audi's RS5.
What is an IFR Aspid, you ask: http://www.aspidcars.com/
-Joao
First to hit production in early 2012 will be a modern take on the Lotus Seven - a move which could ultimately prove the biggest risk of them all. Sources claim the car is heavier and more comfort orientated than the original and even runs such performance-sapping measures as air-con.
And in a potential source of embarassment for the firm so proud of its engineering expertise, the car was not even conceived designed or developed at its HQ in Hethel, Norfolk. Instead, the front-engined, rear wheel drive, open-top model will be heavily based on an aborted spanish sports concept, thought to be the IFR Aspid, and may even be built in Spain. A high price of £60,000 will put it directly in the firing line for models such as the Porsche Cayman S and Audi's RS5.
What is an IFR Aspid, you ask: http://www.aspidcars.com/
-Joao
That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
A lotus seven-type car, with neither the outright performance of a stripped out racer, nor even the practicality of an Elise, at £60,000? Even if they could sort out the styling of the car it's rumoured to be based on, that is a hideous thing - neither fish nor foul.
It might be that they're talking about the rumoured front engined V8 GT - but that's not a Lotus Seven by any stretch of the imagination. It's particularly weird to suggest it's an external project, as Lotus seemed committed to use the Evora's VVA platform in their future line up.
Hard to ignore such a left-field rumour though, it's sufficiently unlikely that there must be some basis in truth?
A lotus seven-type car, with neither the outright performance of a stripped out racer, nor even the practicality of an Elise, at £60,000? Even if they could sort out the styling of the car it's rumoured to be based on, that is a hideous thing - neither fish nor foul.
It might be that they're talking about the rumoured front engined V8 GT - but that's not a Lotus Seven by any stretch of the imagination. It's particularly weird to suggest it's an external project, as Lotus seemed committed to use the Evora's VVA platform in their future line up.
Hard to ignore such a left-field rumour though, it's sufficiently unlikely that there must be some basis in truth?
joaovc said:
From Autoexpress via BlatChat
First to hit production in early 2012 will be a modern take on the Lotus Seven - a move which could ultimately prove the biggest risk of them all. Sources claim the car is heavier and more comfort orientated than the original and even runs such performance-sapping measures as air-con.
And in a potential source of embarassment for the firm so proud of its engineering expertise, the car was not even conceived designed or developed at its HQ in Hethel, Norfolk. Instead, the front-engined, rear wheel drive, open-top model will be heavily based on an aborted spanish sports concept, thought to be the IFR Aspid, and may even be built in Spain. A high price of £60,000 will put it directly in the firing line for models such as the Porsche Cayman S and Audi's RS5.
What is an IFR Aspid, you ask: http://www.aspidcars.com/
-Joao
I wonder who the next owners of Lotus will be after Proton..... First to hit production in early 2012 will be a modern take on the Lotus Seven - a move which could ultimately prove the biggest risk of them all. Sources claim the car is heavier and more comfort orientated than the original and even runs such performance-sapping measures as air-con.
And in a potential source of embarassment for the firm so proud of its engineering expertise, the car was not even conceived designed or developed at its HQ in Hethel, Norfolk. Instead, the front-engined, rear wheel drive, open-top model will be heavily based on an aborted spanish sports concept, thought to be the IFR Aspid, and may even be built in Spain. A high price of £60,000 will put it directly in the firing line for models such as the Porsche Cayman S and Audi's RS5.
What is an IFR Aspid, you ask: http://www.aspidcars.com/
-Joao
Edited by dom180 on Wednesday 28th July 22:18
The whole Autoexpress exclusive makes very depressing reading. For me the point is not whether or not I can afford a 911 or Boxster/Cayman - I don't want one, I don't care for the image or ubiquity, personally. I certainly can't afford any of these fantasy machines mentioned. I would, however, be quite happy to pay base Boxster cash for a new Elise with the same raw feeling and out and out grip if it gave me slightly more comfy seats, a better heater, modern interior and no (I mean zero!) goddamn rattles! Even a DSG would help it sell to the boyracers.
Nope, New Era is not going to work for me to the point that I may not hang onto mine now. Bad bad news. I hope they are forced to back down and bring out a rag top stripped out Evora called "Ethos".
Nope, New Era is not going to work for me to the point that I may not hang onto mine now. Bad bad news. I hope they are forced to back down and bring out a rag top stripped out Evora called "Ethos".
A new Lotus Seven from Lotus ? wasn't the Elise a modern Seven for it's times and why go back to an earlier concept ?...it doesn't make much sense to me, but what do I know...or maybe they have info that we don't have and customers are asking for this type of sportscars ?.
I'm confused but will wait for the next Show...
I'm confused but will wait for the next Show...
Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 3rd August 09:45
I think that this Lotus Hot Wheels Concept would make a stunning Seven type car.
Barbarossa said:
I think that this Lotus Hot Wheels Concept would make a stunning Seven type car.
+1 However, I think design has already moved on from this. But a fantastic follow-up to the F1-lite trackday project; the club-only Lotus dragster!
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