Exige S Deliveries to Begin September

Posted on 21st April 2012

After numerous delays it appears the customer deliveries of the new V6 engined Exige S are expected to begin in September, with Lotus focusing on building the first run of Elise S’ while the Exige S supply chain is ramped up following the funding freeze put in place after the DRB-Hicom takeover of Proton.

This news looks to be something of a setback for the 350 purported customers with pre-orders for the hotly anticipated new model, particularly those who were hoping to be able to enjoy the car over the summer here in the UK.

It’s not all bad news however, with another Exige S roadshow planned in the next month or so with one of the press fleet set to tour the dealers, giving those who are holding out to drive the car before placing their order the chance to get some time behind the wheel.

Discussion: SELOC Chat – Exige S V6 to arrive in September

Posted in Group Lotus | Tagged , , , ,

DRB-Hicom “Has not decided to sell Lotus Group”

Posted on 21st April 2012

Just spotted on Harry Metcalfes Twitter feed and now updated with the full press release over on the EVO website.

DRB-HICOM HAS NOT DECIDED ON SELLING LOTUS

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 April 2012 – Following numerous reports in the media on Lotus Group International Limited (Lotus Group), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PROTON Holdings Berhad (PROTON), DRB-HICOM Berhad (DRB-HICOM) as the new owner of PROTON would like to clarify some important matters.

DRB-HICOM is currently undertaking an operations audit on Lotus Group, as part of its governance exercise. Contrary to reports that Lotus Group would be put under administration, DRB-HICOM is still supporting Lotus Group, both financially and management wise.

DRB-HICOM has not decided to sell Lotus Group and do not know the source of the speculation about selling Lotus Group to a Chinese party i.e Youngman. As of today, DRB-HICOM has identified one of PROTON’s Senior Management personnel to take up a position in Lotus Group in an effort to strengthen its management.

Source: EVO – Inside Lotus
Discussion: SELOC Chat – DRB-Hicom “Has not decided to sell Lotus Group”

Posted in Group Lotus | Tagged , , , , , ,

Lotus F1 Team – Bahrain GP – Friday Practice

Posted on 20th April 2012

Despite fire-bombs, protests and safety concerns practice started for the 2012 Bahrain GP today, with Lotus looking for a strong performance after failing to capitalise on the cars potential in the first three races.

The team finished the first session in P9 and P10, but slipped a little to P9 and P13 in the second session, but seemed happier with the cars performance compared to in the first practice sessions at last weeks Chinese GP.

Lotus Cars – DESERT STORM – BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
Lotus F1 Team – What a Difference a Week Makes – Bahrain Grand Prix, Free Practice 1 Report
Lotus F1 Team – Going the Distance – Bahrain Grand Prix, Free Practice 2 Report

Discussion: Chapman Arms – Bahrain F1

Posted in Lotus F1 Team | Tagged , , , , ,

Lotus Driving Academy – The Lotus Experience Offer

Posted on 19th April 2012

Along with the Level 1 and Level 2 discounts they already offer for SELOC members the Lotus Driving Academy have got in touch with another offer, this time for an afternoon session (1:30-5:30pm) for up to 12 SELOC members on “The Lotus Experience” on the 4th of May for £249, a £50 saving off the usual price.

“The Lotus Experience” gives participants to take in a range of activities, including a Factory Tour, Track Driving Session in the Lotus Elise 1.6, and a Road Driving session in the Lotus Evora S.

You can find out more details and how to book in our forum thread.

Posted in Group Lotus, SELOC | Tagged , , , , ,

EVO – Harry Metcalfe: Inside Lotus

Posted on 19th April 2012

Harry Metcalfe has updated his blog over on the EVO website, talking a little about his thoughts on the recent controversy surrounding the company, giving some reasons to be hopeful for the future, and sharing these wise words….

But what Lotus doesn’t need right now is all this negative speculation on it’s survival, (which I believe is a given anyway). What we should be focussing on, though, is what the British sports car landscape is going to be like in 2015 because, along with McLaren and possibly Aston, it has the makings of being even better than what’s coming out of Italy right now. It’s about time car enthusiasts started celebrating this fact, rather than constantly looking for ways to stop it happening.

Here’s hoping!

Source: EVO – Harry Metcalfe: Inside Lotus
Discussion: Forum Thread

Posted in Group Lotus | Tagged , , , , , , ,

Lotus Cars – Production To Return To Full Speed By May

Posted on 18th April 2012

Lotus Cars have posted an update to their Facebook Page with news that production at it’s Hethel factory has been ramping back up again since the start of April after the DRB-Hicom induced funding freeze and will be back to the full 44 cars per week by the first week in May.

LOTUS – TRUE FIGHTING SPIRIT: As you know, production has been running at a reduced rate, but we have been ramping up from 1st April and plan to be back to normal by the first week in May (44 load units per week – Elise, Evora, Exige S).

Source: Facebook – Lotus Cars
Discussion: Forum Thread

Posted in Group Lotus | Tagged , , , , , , ,

Lotus Cars – Lotus ambassador Jean Alesi reflects on the Chinese Grand Prix…

Posted on 18th April 2012

After an eventful Chinese Grand Prix Lotus ambassador Jean Alesi has talked to Lotus about his view on the teams performance.

Source: Lotus Cars – Lotus ambassador Jean Alesi reflects on the Chinese Grand Prix…
Discussion: Chapman Arms – Chinese GP

Well, first of all what a fantastic race. China was really thrilling right to the end, and it was thanks to the different tyre strategies the teams adopted…

Kimi Raikkonen slid from second to 14th in the closing laps – where did it all go wrong?

Kimi’s strategy was quite optimistic, staying out on his third set of tyres. I was so shocked when he lost all those positions in just a couple of laps. He did a great job of keeping those cars behind him as long as he did, but suddenly there was a big drop-off of grip and when Sebastian Vettel got past, Kimi was forced to go off line and picked up the discarded rubber marbles. He had no chance to clean his tyres and everyone else passed him. Fernando Alonso suffered more or less the same thing, but there weren’t so many cars behind him and he only lost a couple of places. Continue reading →

Posted in Lotus F1 Team | Tagged , , , ,

CAR Magazine Interviews Lotus Cars CEO Dany Bahar

Posted on 17th April 2012

CAR Magazine has posted up an interview with Lotus Cars CEO Dany Bahar having returned from his business trip to the Middle East.

In the interview they discuss the recent take over of Proton by DRB-Hicom, the effect this has had on funding, development and manufacturing, Formula 1, the potential of a future sale of Lotus and how the company is progress in it’s 5 year business plan. There is also a teaser for some potential surprises at the Goodwood Festival of Speed…

There have been a lot of rumours flying around of late, so this is a highly recommended read, and be sure to let us know what you think in our forum thread…

Posted in Group Lotus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lotus Cars – Something from the Weekend – 16/04/12

Posted on 16th April 2012

A busy weekend for Lotus’ in motorsport, with not just the Formula 1 and LoTRDC series, but also Indycar and the first race for the Team Lotus AJR Evora GTE at Long Beach, California.

Source: Lotus Cars – Something from the Weekend

FORMULA ONE – CHINESE GRAND PRIX

The Lotus F1 Team embarked on an aggressive strategy in Shanghai that saw both drivers pit twice. The gamble worked for Romain Grosjean, who improved on his tenth place grid slot to come home sixth, while Kimi Raikkonen fell back. The Finn started an excellent fourth place and ran as high as second during laps 41 to 47. Having pitted for the second set of medium tyres four laps before Romain, he suffered huge degradation and was swamped by his rivals during the final laps. Grosjean’s sixth place yields eight points – the first of his F1 career. Continue reading →

Posted in Group Lotus, Motorsport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Joe’s Fund – Dyno day at TDI-Lakeside – 12th May

Posted on 16th April 2012

SELOC members and TDI-Lakeside are holding a dyno day on Saturday 12th of May in a effort to raise money for Joe’s Fund to help complete a wheel chair for the 10 year old son of a long time SELOC member suffering from Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.

The day is a great chance to find out exactly what power your car is putting out at the wheels, meet some fellow enthusiasts and raise some money to help improve the quality of life for a young boy.

Minimum donations are £30, although any more is of course much appreciated. If you’re interested then see our forum thread for more details and contact Bruss to arrange a place.

Posted in Charity | Tagged , , ,