More news regarding the oft-reported Lotus SUV – this time with concerns about its performance. It’s no secret that the sports car manufacturer from Hethel will be looking to introduce its first-ever crossover in 2019 but now more details have been disclosed surrounding the unnamed model.
According to Auto Express UK, the new crossover will be introduced as a China-only model at first. Should said crossover become a sales success, Lotus could very well bring it over to Europe and, of course, its home market of England in the subsequent five years to come.
“The first market will be China but we haven’t yet decided if it will be sold anywhere else. But obviously if the car is a success there – and I strongly believe it will – we will go outside of China,” said Lotus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales. Aside from that, he has also fired the first warning shot to the model’s arch rival, the Porsche Macan, by openly declaring that “ours will be better.”
While exact specifications remain murky, the crossover will be expected to weigh around 200 kg less than the Macan, which in S trim, tips the scales at 1,865 kg. Apart from that, it has been reported that Gales is keen to maintain his relationship with Toyota – expect the 3.5 litre V6 to feature as a result. Additional info include the possibility of a hybrid version to cater to the Chinese market.
Should the Lotus SUV hit Europe, a diesel engine has been mooted to sit under its bonnet, making it the first-ever diesel-powered Lotus model in the marque’s history. Assembly of the Lotus SUV is scheduled to begin once licences have been granted. Earlier, Lotus’ owner, DRB-Hicom, signed a joint venture agreement with Lotus Group and Goldstar Heavy Industrial to assemble Lotus cars in a new facility in south-east China.
GALLERY: Porsche Macan driven in Malaysia
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LOL that’s cute.
Deliver it first, and make sure it doesn’t fall apart, then we will see.
Make sure keep Toyota engine inside. If Campro sure kena makan Porsche punya.
Yes, Proton did the “syiok sendiri” thing again like the last time with BMW and Volvo. Still using Toyota engine but want to say it will be better than Porsche? Malaysia is known to “jaguh kampung” but Proton is No.1 in the world!
I’d like to see them prove it. Saying is easy… Anyways, by 2019 who knows what Porsche will come up with then…
Lotus under Proton but Rakyat Malaysia can’t even enjoy the new car?!!!
Another cronies marketing by DrM decision… He make non-bumi policy permanent now he global the car to non-bumi market?!!!
No wonder Rakyat keep suffer expensive car price and 20-30 years behind develop country.
People like you talk kok comllaint here and there only.
work harder lah, don’t blame others for your fail in life.
oh he he he he ah ha ah ha e he he he…and I thought my jokes were bad.
Lotus no need to talk loud like Proton lah. Look at Preve, Suprima. Global car success konon.
If Lotus SUV better than Zotye Macan clone is good enough already.
Global success? Since when p1 claims it?
Ah Beng sing it everyday.
Pathetic Proton can’t even cross Kedah border or JB bridge.
For Ah Beng, Wangsa Maju is the world.
Lol you have been in cave for too long. Pity.
Then you have to repair your sarcasm joke troll sensor
Yes, you’re right. Global failure is more like it
Yes same as toyota bmw honda nissan etc that been recalled because of faulty airbags. Theor failure is not only gkobal but fatal
Its that a joke..Better than Germans
Yes last time problematic DSG also from german so……
The marketing has begun. But where’s the car?
2019
Hahahaha… Joke of the day. When it launch, it’ll be joke of the century.
Joke comment from joker lol
Idiotic joker
Last time I heard this not a long time before,”We make the BMW of Asia”. Sam Loo’s expected comments; “Sure it will be better than Macan, it used Toyota’s engine. Easy to find spare part and not forgetting; Rv, RV, RV..”
better than 2015 Porsche Macan? I believe…..
better than 2019 Porsche Macan? do you believe?
Make sure it’s better than Zotye Macan clone.
A Bold Statment.
To say it will be better than Porsche Macan, This SUV will have to give:
1) A better and more reliable engine than Macan (Normal engine is not going to cut it, you need a far better engine to do so)
2) An awesome interior design. Porsche Macan is a luxury SUV, so it is needless to say the interior is made of high quality material and designed in that manner. If we are to judge based on Lotus previous design, i would say no chance unless they hire a pro to create a whole new interior concept. Lotus is well known for its “performance and handling comes first, no fancy interior” motto.
3) Better Driving dynamics and comfort. On this aspect i actually have hopes as Lotus has one of the best handling in the world automobiles. But that’s all. Macan offers a full refined package as a luxury vehicle, and Lotus will need to focus on its suspension, NVH, and responsiveness.
From the info on we got from lotus, 2019 is still not enough unless they have a drastic strategy plan to make it successful.
Shut up and take my money….
hahahaha…. them Proton.
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toyota oso do carnival
Not only carnival and road shows, now they even give uo to RM6k discount on Vios, free reverse camera, free tinted, free LCD din, free chrome handle, free blue illuminition inisde the car. Hahaha…same loo..
What they should do is sell this for the 1st batch for china and also for malaysia.
But they did not tell where this 1st batch would be build. Hethel? Or china?
If Lotus build it in China, sure Zotye will clone it and sell it half price cheaper.
Lotus is planning to only launch this Apanama SUV in 4 years time! And they dare claim it to be better than Macan? Give me a break! Why not say it would be better than RR? First and foremost, Porsche makes all of its cars in their Porsche factory in Germany only. They take pride of their quality. Even their paint factory alone cost Euro800 million. Their SUVs are built sports car first and SUV second. Because of their success in building sports SUV, almost every luxury car company are starting to get into the SUV business except Ferrari. Porsche SUVs comes with full time 4 wheel torque vectoring plus for superb handling. So Hethel/Lotus, if you are so confident that your Apanama SUV is better than Macan, why only sell in China first? Where is it build? Test market? Do a global launch like the Macaan if you are so confident.
Proton : that’s my boy.
Cakap lebat no.1
Tak lebat pun
Maybe your bulu is lebat
Yeah tokmoh bulu
Haha lebat like gorilla, you like?
Hey! stop making stupid statements
let the finish product speaks for itself…..
Porsche is among the most valuable and reliable brands around….
Reliability i dun think so
maybe by 2019, there is not proton and lotus already sold to China.. is this a joke????
So what, they can scrap or continue even under diff company
I would rather put my money on German car. I spend aud 120k to get good quality car, not cheap lotus car which is made in China. Rather spend aud 20k to buy Toyota Corolla.
Corolla = perfect moving coffin
Much better than car made in China. Have a look at the safety rating.
Korean car is much better than Chinese and Malaysian car
Much better? Handling sucks big time
That’s a lot of promise to keep especially when you just touted your non-existent SUV against the industry’s best SUV.
Not best. Among the best
obviously 2019 car should be better then 2014. Its like saying 2030 proton better than toyota altis or something along the lines.