Lotus to build an MPV!

[vanMould]

Lotus to build an MPV!

Stop the presses, keep telephone lines open and cancel all leave - Lotus is building an MPV! That's not a misprint, and it's not a mistake. One of Britain's most famous sports car brands has turned its hand to making people carriers.

This official design sketch has been revealed by the supercar firm to preview its new Geneva Motor Show APX star. With sharp lines and a practical five-door shape, the people mover is sure to send shockwaves though the industry.

However, before you write letters of complaint - or get out your cheque book - the show car won't be wearing Lotus badges. It has been produced by the firm's design and engineering teams on its hi-tech platform known as Versatile Vehicle Architecture or VVH. A spokesman told us: "We're using VVH in our new mid-engined supercar,

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but first we wanted to show the industry how versatile it could be." The Porsche 911 rival he is referring to will be the all-new Esprit, which we showed testing in prototype form in Issue 824. The APX also has a new 300bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6. Performance is key to this family lugger's appeal, and with a 190bhp per tonne power-to-weight ratio, it is a real driver's car.

Although Lotus will display the people carrier at Geneva during the press days, it will have disappeared by the time the public is admitted. That's because bosses want to advertise their design and engineering expertise to big car firms which might want to commission Lotus to develop new models for them. Meanwhile, the next-generation Esprit is due to go on sale early in 2008, and will be revealed late next year.
Chris Thorp

 

[fbc]

Oh. Dear. God. No. (I know it's just to display their engineering skills, but...)

 

[SL65]

What a shame. Such a specialised brand has just 'sold out' and gone in the direction of market-expansion just like all the other car manufacturers

Oh well, lets get over it. Its a happening thing these days. Wonder if it can take down the mighty R-Class!

 

[TechZ]

Could it be their owners (Malaysian company) influence?

 

[andyhui01]

I think it might be... Proton have been wanting to build a fast MPV for years... but then they just couldn't find the right design

 

[astroboymoto]

err wtf?? did any of you actually read that?? :? it's a proof of concept designed to get more motor industry interest in Lotus Engineering... and it works, that new Jaguar Xk has a lotus designed tub chassis.

I don't see any selling out

 

[fbc]

err wtf?? did any of you actually read that?? :?

Some of us did

it's a proof of concept designed to get more motor industry interest in Lotus Engineering... and it works, that new Jaguar Xk has a lotus designed tub chassis.

I don't see any selling out

I know, and I still don't like it whatsoever . The Lotus badge has no place on an MPV, proof-of-concept or not.

 

[hajj]

I don't see any selling out

I know, and I still don't like it whatsoever . The Lotus badge has no place on an MPV, proof-of-concept or not.

That's why they are not putting a Lotus badge on that thing.
I hope this going to make it to the market. At least someone tries to fight the ugly american made R-class

 

[teeb]

"A spokesman told us: "We're using VVH in our new mid-engined supercar, but first we wanted to show the industry how versatile it could be."

It's not an MPV, it's a hatchback.

They're not gonna build it, they're just showing how their VVT [Versatile Vehicle Architecture] can be used for any type of car, from a track car [Elise] to an exec [Europa] to a supercar [Esprit], and the hatchback above. Probably even a 4x4 if you wanted.

Nothing to panic about - remember, it's a sketch from Lotus Engineering, not the main Lotus group themselves.

Besides, if it was competing against the Focus I'd have that over the Focus.