Lotus might still be hard at work developing its made-in-China SUV, but that apparently hasn’t stopped it from paying its attention on the car it is still most recognised by. That’s right – CEO Jean-Marc Gales has said that the Hethel is still committed to building a next-generation Lotus Elise, according to Autoblog.
Gales confirmed the existence of a plan to develop the next generation of the company’s iconic lightweight sports car. He also admitted that while the unassisted steering of the current car will not be around for much longer, an Elise with electric power steering is off the table, with Lotus sticking to a hydraulic system. “Lotus will not fit electrical steering [systems]. They take away the steering feel,” he said.
This comes hot on the heels of a report coming from Autocar at the end of last month, in which Gales said that the next Elise will be arriving in 2020, using the same extruded aluminium technology used on the first Elise. The British publication stated that while the car will remain the same length as the current Elise, it will be slightly wider.
That’s because the car will come with side airbags and additional side impact structures to meet United States crash protection standards, as the Elise will make a return to that market. The absence of these items caused it and its sibling, the Exige, to be withdrawn from showrooms there in 2011.
Gales added that the car will not be in any way related to the Elise Concept that was part of the infamous canned five-model plan introduced in 2010. That car was supposed to be more upmarket, heavier and powered by a larger, more powerful 2.0 litre forced-induction engine, whereas the proper next-generation car will go back to its roots as a lightweight sports car – with a target weight of 900 kg, no less.
Apart from the Elise, Gales also touched on the possibility of alternative power sources, saying that the company will not build a hybrid model as such technology adds weight and complexity, as well as taking up too much space. “Besides, when you have low mass it’s easy to be efficient,” he said.
However, Gales added that a pure electric vehicle is something Lotus is willing to consider, but won’t be built any time in the near future. In fact, an electric Elise already sort of existed in the form of the Tesla Roadster, which was built on the Elise’s aluminium chassis.
On the topic of its upcoming SUV, Gales said that the segment in which the off-roading Lotus will be playing in “is an interesting market,” adding that the car is still very much in the design phase. “We’re working on a concept but haven’t made a decision yet,” he said.
Previously, Bernama reported that the SUV will be sold not only across China, but in other Asian markets as well. This concurs with then-chairman of Proton Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s previous remarks that a Lotus SUV will indeed be sold outside China (and could be badged as a Proton as well), contrary to prior reports.
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This monster cost malaysian taxpayers BILLIONS OF BRITISH POUNDS to keep it afloat.
Even a nyanyok datuk can recall there isnt a year Lotus has achieved 1 pound sterling in profit.
THe question is : Why is Proton,under DRB still reluctant to ditch this ailing brand?
There is no dignity in buying this SYIOK SENDIRI MONSTER.
Considering to buy Lotus is near MADNESS.
Buying it leads to INSANITY.
Mr. Albert Ngu.. this year.. 2016.. Lotus Cars for a first time since ABC time, made a profit. They’re turning their book black for now and the outlook is promising. Jean-Marc Gales is doing excellent job to keep the cost down, improve the products, quality and sales. Ever wonder why so many interested parties looking for majority stakes in Proton recently despite Proton’s dwindling sales?
Buying Lotus could be a mistake, but why chop the tree when it starts to fruit after decades of investment? At least give DRB/Proton to earn back some, if not all, of their investment lah.
Personally, I would love to see Mr. Gales do some shake up in Proton itself. Plus, he was a PSA guys. That could help in Proton partner search required by the Gov’t.
Proton is not the CEO problem, but the corporate culture + cronies problem, you ask the whole team of X Mens + Avengers come also no use. Who care about making good and cheap cars in Proton? No one care. Now they care the most is how to spend the RM1.5b pocket money.
30 years already still wanna give time for Proton? 300 years also it won’t make profit.
We hoped there aren’t any invisible big black hands behind.
wheneva yo go black.. yo will neva go back. now who wants ma black money?
This is the brand that keep malaysian public and Proton bleeding. Got name but no sale.
you really need to read more…
Proton is a gud concept until become corrupted
those 5 models still looks good after all these years…stupid decision not making them 1 by 1 to introduce to the market..
Concept cars alwiz looks gud until become mass pro.
Time to cash out when the company is doing well. Seriously it needs a bigger partner .
No use flogging a dead mule cos soon driverless cars & plug in hybrid is the way forward.
Idris Jala , I hope you wake up & start chopping off these capital draining assets. .
A Lotus EV has already come and gone, its called the Tesla Roadster and was in production from 2008-2012