It would appear that preliminary reports surrounding the oft-rumoured Lotus SUV are beginning to materialise into concrete facts. As Autocar UK understands, the Hethel-based sports car manufacturer is hard at work developing a five-door crossover model, with a market introduction deadline scheduled for 2019.
Tipped as “a real Lotus” by CEO Jean-Marc Gales, the “world’s first lightweight SUV” is the first of many upcoming projects touted by the joint venture agreement between Lotus Group, Proton Holdings Berhad and Goldstar Heavy Industrial. As such, the Lotus SUV will be positioned to capitalise on China’s growing demand for crossovers with the new model slated to be assembled at a facility in the south-east region.
While exact details remain unconfirmed, the new Lotus SUV will square up against the likes of the Porsche Macan. The latter has been selling at an impressive rate of 30,000 units per annum, with figures tipped to hit the 50k mark in the near future. Other information includes mentions of an all-wheel drive layout and a name beginning with the letter ‘E’, as per usual with all Lotus models.
As for its styling, the Lotus SUV is slated to feature a lower overall stance compared to its rivals while maintaining roughly the same wheelbase as the Porsche Macan and Audi Q5. The marque is adamant that the lower roofline will in no way compromise the rear cabin space – a priority for most Chinese customers.
The crossover will feature a steel monocoque structure with composite and aluminium outer body panels. Elsewhere, an all-independent double-wishbone suspension setup is likely to feature which in combination with its lightweight construction, should result in a model weighing around 200 kg less than its competitors.
Gales has also stated that the new crossover will feature “some Proton parts… but that’s nothing unusual.” He adds that one “can find VW parts in a Lamborghini.” As for powertrain options, Lotus is still mulling over the idea of its engine and layout plan. With Lotus strengthening its relationship with Toyota, expect similar engine options from its sports cars such as the supercharged 1.8 litre four-banger and 3.5 litre V6 to feature.
A diesel and hybrid variant is likely to be introduced later on from launch, as well. The former would prove popular with European customers, should the car go on sale there, while the hybrid version should please Chinese officials, who are now adamant that new models introduced at the end of the decade feature “a hybrid element” of some sort.
Following its market introduction into the Chinese domestic market, Lotus will be looking to sell its crossover in Europe, as mentioned, and in Japan, where safety legislations more or less mirror the Chinese requirements. Breaking into the American market would be a different story altogether as Gales has mentioned that some modifications are required to satisfy American safety laws.
GALLERY: Porsche Macan
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Anything drop into China’s hand, amazing thing will happen.
This will beat Porsche flat. Because of Proton tech in it. You see, Proton now is at par with Volvo and BMW. Our Ministers say so.
Our Education is also at par with Oxford University United Kingdom. Our Ministers say so.
This car will have Proton and Lotus brains it it. Our culture of makan nasi lemak, tidur, tunggu contract, malas, pakai tongkat dan kahwin empat. It will definitely be a world seller.
Our country is soon on par to Hollan
Holland
You want to profit but you don’t want to change. Proton, your syiok sendiri attitude never change and this will be your downfall
Correct, Proton = Real Man cars.
MITI CEO comfirm quality same as BMW and volvo… so don’t complaints and keep support BN and Proton to win next GE !!!
MITI CEO education from Harford university and best in world. So just shut up !!!
Proton = Real Stupid Man car.
Your comment get more thumb down…
BN still win big, opposition macai go to others country if don’t like here !!!
BN won’t change BECAUSE we always right !!!
What a stupid comment. Proton can nevrr catch up with other makers as long as we still have Syndrome 3S..that’s syndrome SUKA SYIOK SENDIRI.
Ya…u right. Next GE win P2 will be conquer 70% market share
2019 for mass launch is too long..people will be not interested to buy it, further the design is outdated by time.
“some Proton parts… but that’s nothing unusual.”
“can find VW parts in a Lamborghini.”
Proton = VW. Hahahahaha share some ketum please.
No tiny body.
Must make it 1800mm height, 2088mm width and 4888mm length.
Do not make any SUV if you plan for 1798mm width, simply lame.
And, sportsvehicles with no sunroofs = detached house with no swimming pool. Of course there are some people who don’t want private swimming pools in their house.
Maybe they will make it look like a Porsche Macan :)
Bahahaha. Inspired by the Macan.
Proton: Our quality is actually on par with BMW
Goldstar: Ok great, our next product target should target higher. Em…targeting Porsche…
Cheng Cheng Cheng Cheng…
Perodua: Our quality is actually same with Lexus
Toyota: Ok great, your next product should target more stupid Malaysian. Em…reduce few more thickness of iron, target 500kg for each unit…
And yet Proton still JV with China to make “Lotus” cars. Real stupid. Why JV? Sell to your kampung people in Bolehland lah. They are “smart” enough to accept your Proton as Lotus
because there is demand, so they should supply. to go into china’s market, one must have ‘local company’ to produce and sell under their local brand.
learn and do some research please before comment.
Demand? How much does Proton sell in China? Please research before comment
Proton parts + China made.. Ho seh liao.
Proton Savvy
That proton part better not include Punch CVT gearbox.
Punch is not Proton
that is because the market is big. with huge population.
on the other hand, the new name for this model… Lotus Entah. perhaps?
literally means… i dont know.
Very funny? The truth is Lotus SUV will be named Ebola then export to Malaysia land to infect all stupid Malaysian, so prepare coffin urself
LOL … I’m definitely wth U on this.
If Lotus serious abt selling as premium marque, I doubt average Malaysian can afford it. No wonder they have to start in China.
hahaha……….
Sounds like a cut cost lazy ass development, ‘just to meet the safety requirement of Chinese market’. Why not develop it to meet the North american safety requirement? Never learn their lesson, keep on sucking protons profit. The world wants cheaper i3 i8 Teslas and not another SUV. Epic fail.
Proton won’t develop model meet N.American market.
They will only declare their car are as safe as Lincoln…M’sian Lincoln coming up next.
Stupid comment of the year
Oh yeah…cut cost ass project similar to Toyota and Perodua
and even all Jap’s/Euro’s brand is a cut cost project since they too have JV with chinese company to sell their product there then. ror…
China will utilize much Lotus better than Proton. Proton is just a tool from Gov for their political finance channel. Every year announce loosing money.
If proton stands by itself, there is no proton any more. Bankrupt loong time ago.
Past 20 years making money, not every year sohai
Bcos Malaysian lazy and refuse to improve,so the project national car always fail.
National car project fail want to blame the rakyat? That’s why Proton always fail
At first glance, I thought something wrong with the title. Then it make sense upon seeing Lotus in it. Proton wants to take on everyone. Ukurlah badan dulu.
It’s kinda epic to see so many flooding the comment site with their own insights and predictions on what’s gonna happen with the yet-to-be-seen SUV.
For once, for god’s sake, try not to act smart please. Like people always say, If you have nothing positive to say, don’t say anything!
when headed to production, will Lotus sell it well against Evoque, Macan etc??!
i dun think so…
engine for Lotus i think will use Toyota 3.5 v6 engine
Soon we will many PPP on street
Preve Pretend Porsche
Porsche Macan Made In China coming soon!!!
Oh my god.
So many hatred for Proton.
Paul, please, next time don’t include any news regarding Proton in this blog.
Bashing Proton everyday, everyhour, every minutes.
Many of us are getting tired of reading about Proton bashings.
Yes, we already know Proton is bad. So please people, get a life. No need to bash Proton all your life.
China has tried for many years to change their dubious perception but to no avail…
And here I’m still waiting for a Proton SUV/Pick-Up truck (not the arena crap)…
Arena crap?Bro,Australia,UK people got the biggest Proton Arena (Jumbuck) fans.They like,love and appreciated the car till now.But in Malaysia,all people say that Arena is crap,stupid.
lol, Proton Savvy design battle against porsche
Good luck Lotus,Proton and Goldstar!!I’m always behind you to support you guys!Show to the stupid haters that you guys can do it!
Yes, show the world that you can syiok yourself
Oh,syiok sendiri attitude?You change your attitude first lah.Syiok sendiri selalu.^_^
Not just Proton syiok sendiri but the fanboys also. Comment above is the proof
i think you should include this in your post for people to understand more before giving critics.
“European and U.S. carmakers are keen to raise their presence in China, but have been confined to owning 50 percent or less of joint venture companies run together with Chinese enterprises.”
last month MITI says Proton is same as BMW and Volvo. now they say Chinese made Lotus Proton Suv is same as Porsche Macan?????
Can you ppl stop being so arrogant. do you have any brain???? how can you now compare your car to Porsche? maybe tomorrow Accordana will be as good as Bentley. Like that Bufori car still believe they are better than RR and Bentley with their ugly car… why like this???
Syiok sendiri attitude never change