While we know to some degree that Lotus is keener than ever to roll out its first SUV, company boss Jean-Marc Gales said that the future crossover model may well be built outside of the UK, and not at its existing Norfolk facility.
Lotus, now largely owned by Geely following a RM556 million acquisition, finally has the means to breathe new life into its portfolio, and it has plans to launch a range of new-generation models by 2021. According to Gales, this includes an SUV, one that will help carve a comfortable niche for the brand.
“We will always have sports cars, but we’re looking at other segments. The SUV market changes as well – it’s not just cars that are six feet high and wide now, it’s a huge market that’s becoming more segmented. There is a niche within that for a Lotus crossover that is light and aerodynamic and handles like nothing else,” said Gales.
Not much is known about the SUV, but if our previous report is anything to go by, then we can expect the Toyota-sourced 3.5 litre V6 engine to be within the lineup. It’s reported to weigh 200 kg less than the 1,865 kg Porsche Macan S, and a hybrid variant may also be spawned at some point to cater to the Chinese market.
The sports cars on the other hand, will continue to be built in Norfolk. “We stay in the UK for sports cars, what we do for other cars needs defining,” added Gales, who also plans to launch the next-generation Elise, Exige and Evora models on a common platform. The targeted launch for the trio is by 2021.
“We are still looking at the next generation. There is an open book, which is good. We have a world-class automotive manufacturer behind us and I see it as a new chapter. One has closed and we can start afresh, which is good news for us and for the region. There’s loads to do and I’m here to stay,” said the Lotus boss.
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Lotus Volvo Geely > All
Lotus SUV, glorified volvo xc60.
Made in China !!!
Lotus RHD Made in Tanjung Malim !!!
Yay! Finally no more sharing side mirrors with Proton Saga.
when Malaysian owned the lotus, there’s nothing much to sell except keep paying debts for proton but when international owns it, there’s so many things to sell. That really explained why we lost our national brand that we keep pretending cared so much about.
Not really. Lotus made money in their last financial year and its under P1. They never achieved that in their history. Lotus cars arent suitable for mass pro and this wun change unless lotus identity is tampered. By and large P1 at least got some benefits from it, and lotus was their ace in hand when nego with Geely. So it was a beneficial partnership for all.
More like Lotus is one of the reasons why proton need saving in the first place! you got it the other way around!
Not really. While it was quite a burden, Lotus was alredi starting to carry their own weight under Gales. Unfortunately their own turnaround was too late, if only they gotten him in earlier instead of Bahar.
Nasi lemak mgmt to blame too late.
Lotus was their ace? Not Suprima? or Iriz? or Proton’s tiga suku engineers?
Suprima & Iriz got their superb handling via Lotus, unlike longkang sampan Mivi.
And if P1 engineers that made real cars r 3 suku, what makes of P2 bodykit & badging R&D “engineers”?
Both are same category. Let the buyers decide who are tiga suku.
Yess Iriz the game changer.
Its 51% owned by Geely, not wholly owned
If with 49%, you can appoint your own CEO. Imagine what 51% can do?
You don’t need 100%. 51% is sufficient to control a company. The article above correctly mentioned “largely owned by Geely”.
Lotus > all
Should take Volvo’s CMA platform, Drive-E powertrain, then everything else they can customise to their liking.
finally the lotus crossover can be release again
This APX looks like a Satria Neo SUV.
lotus apv should use v6 3.5 geely engine or volvo VEA engine. Proton car can just die ater lying to the rakyat or 30 over years…
Great write-up. Last paragraph sounds like a punch in the face for Malaysia, in a very subtle manner heh. Let’s just hope that the new partnership weeds off the weeks and usher in new benefits for Malaysians and the world.