The Lotus CityCar Concept, essentially a three-door version of the Proton EMAS concept with Lotus’ new face, is confirmed for production, according to reports. Shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show alongside Lotus’ five concepts, the CityCar will not be alone in the premium mini car market, it will be accompanied by the Aston Martin Cygnet, which is a rebadged Toyota iQ with luxury trim.
“The city car concept is now confirmed for production. That’s called the Lotus Ethos, and it’s due about 2013,” said Lotus spokesman Alastair Florance, who added that the “Ethos” will be built by parent company Proton. “It’s being worked on right now – people out in Malaysia are working on that.”
So it’s a rebadged Proton then? “We’ll work extensively on the engineering – the Lotus version will be very much a Lotus,” Florance was quoted as saying. “But I believe there will be a Proton version.” That’s the EMAS folks.
It will be bigger than the Cygnet/iQ, and the Lotus city car is planned as a hybrid-only model. The concept is powered by a plug-in series hybrid drivetrain with the ability to run solely on electric power, but a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is there as a range extender, eliminating range woes.
Click here to view our live gallery of the Lotus CityCar from Paris 2010.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express excitement over Lotus CityCar, called 'Ethos', highlighting its premium features, engine options, and potential European market impact. Some believe Proton will benefit from technology transfer and manufacturing opportunities, while others anticipate the car's competitive pricing, possibly rebadged from EMAS. Discussions also touch on hybrid and electric options, with optimism about Proton and Lotus's future collaborations. Several comments note the car's design, practicality, and potential to elevate the Malaysian automotive image. Overall, sentiments are positive, with anticipation and support for the project, though some speculate on pricing and market reach.