The new V6-engined Exige S has been hit with further delays, with durability issues leading Lotus to delay the car until revised parts can be supplied, and pushing back customer deliveries in to 2013.
Dealer cars are now scheduled to arrive in mid-November, while updated customer car build schedules should be with dealers shortly.
Discussion: SELOC Chat – New Exige S Begins Production
Last year we were able to take a look around Nitron’s Witney based factory as part of the factory tour organised by Seriously Lotus and were very impressed by what we saw. With the company joining forces with SELOC for 2013 for the Nitron SELOC Speed Championship we took the opportunity to pay a return visit and talk with CEO Guy Evans and Sales and Marketing Manager Mark Tapscott about the companies developments over the past 18 months.
Read on to find about the improvements the company has been making to it’s NTR range, their work with Lotus on the suspension for the Exige V6 Cup and Project N2 – an Exige GT3 race car.
Article: Nitron in 2012
Discussion: SELOC Chat – Nitron in 2012
Some interesting tid-bits for those of you interested in the development of the Lotus Evora 414E Electric Vehicle.
First up, Autocar have a first drive review of the prototype, getting behind the wheel at Lotuses Hethel test.
Those looking to dig a little deeper in to the technology behind the car and it’s range extender motor should be sure to check out the last issue of ProActive, the magazine from Lotus Engineering. They take a look at how power is drawn from the battery and range-extender motor to maximise performance and economy, along with how to safely and enjoyably deliver the torque from the electric motors.
Finally there is a big gallery of pictures from the cars testing, which you can find below, and you can let us know your thoughts in our forums. Continue reading
Exciting news from Lotus-on-Track this month as they become the first Track Day Organiser to offer a chance to drive your own car on the Lotus test track at Hethel, with their track day on October 8th.
The day, which is being run as a test ahead of potential future dates in 2013, is only for experienced Lotus on Track drivers who have completed a minimum of 5 open pit lane days with the company to help ensure smooth running and at Lotuses behest is only open to Lotus derived cars—so VX220s and Sevens are permitted, but Westfields, Porsches, Atoms, etc are not. Continue reading
The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012 may have been and gone, but for those of you wanting to relive one of the top motorsport events of this Summer Lotus have a video looking back at some of the highlights…
Discussion: SELOC Chat – Video – Lotus at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012
Chris Randall – or Randy as many know him – has been a long-standing member of the Lotus community, with experience not just in racing Lotuses but also in developing class leading race cars in his role as Director at Hofmann’s Motorsport – leading up to the creation of their Lotus Europa, which first raced in 2009. But what lured Chris towards Lotus cars?
Chris was kind enough to take the time to answer some of our questions on how he got in to Lotus car, racing and fire spitting Lotus Europa.
Article: Chris Randall and the Hofmann’s Lotus Europa
Discussion: SELOC Chat – Chris Randall and the Hofmann’s Lotus Europa
Images courtesy of Kevin Ritson
It was a very busy weekend for the Lotus on Track Racing Drivers Club – with Team LoTRDC taking on their third consecutive Barcelona 24hr race in their Elise Sport 160, while Gregory Rasse took two wins in his Evora in the Lotus Cup Europe races at Dijon.
Team LoTRDC endured a tough 24 hours, with the scorching Spanish heat taking it’s toll on the car – the team battling against two broken oil lines, a broken wheel stud and failing alternators – but they pulled together to take the chequered flag for the third year in a row. You can find the full race report on the LoTRDC site.
There were no such troubles for Gregory Rasse as he took victory in both the Lotus Cup Europe races in Dijon, France. Once again you can find the weekend report on the LoTRDC website.
Discussion: SELOC Chat – 24Hr de Barcelona 2012 :: Team Lotus on Track are doing it again
Lotus F1 Team where unable to match the pace of the top teams at this weekends Italian GP, but a high rate of attrition saw Raikkonen finish 5th ahead of some of his main championship rivals and move up to 3rd in the drivers championship.
Raikkonen had a tough race – the Lotus E20 appearing a little short of straight line speed and struggling to hold off cars attacking with the aid of DRS – but retirements from Button, Vettel and Webber helped move him up the order and battled right up to the end with Massa and Schumacher – with 4th, 5th and 6th covered by just over 1.5s. Continue reading
We think the new Elise S is the best Elise yet, and on this Friday 14th and Saturday 15th Bell and Colvill are holding an open day where you can try out their new demonstrator and enjoy an end of Summer BBQ.
Not only that but everyone who test drives the new Elise S will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win 1 of 4 places on a factory tour at the Lotus F1 Teams Enstone headquarters, and anyone placing an order for an Elise S during the event will be treated to a Lotus Driving Academy day at Hethel.
Places are on a first come, first served basis, so to book your place contact Jamie Matthews at Bell and Colvill on 01483 286419, or by e-mail at jmatthews@bellandcolvill.com
Discussion: SELOC Chat – Bell and Colvill – Elise S Open Event with end of Summer BBQ
Bahar may not have been able to deliver the new Esprit before being ousted from his role as CEO at Lotus, but he did manage to get one built before his departure – a completely rebuilt 2002 Esprit V8.
The car will be up for sale shortly, but PistonHeads have managed to get behind the wheel of the car on Lotus’s Hethel test track and tell a bit of the story behind what must be one of the best condition Esprits in the world.
Discussion: SELOC Chat – P/H DRIVE THE ALL-NEW ESPRIT
Source: PistonHeads – WE DRIVE THE ALL-NEW ESPRIT
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