New suspension options for Elise owners

Posted on 6th June 2013

EliseParts BilsteinsElise owners looking to refresh or upgrade their suspension are in luck this month, with a pair of new options just announced.

First of all some great news for those looking to keep it OEM. Bilstein dampers have been in short supply of late, with many looking to replace a leaky shock finding themselves waiting for back-ordered parts, so EliseParts have worked with Bilstein to get a replacement with valving ‘very close’ to the OEM specification and available as individual shocks for K-series Elises, or a complete upgrade set for the S1. Continue reading →

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UK Exige S build slots available for September delivery

Posted on 4th June 2013

3M4A1913Good news has come today via our friends at Bell & Colvill that now their production is up to speed Lotus are making available another 15 build slots for the UK market for delivery in September.

The availability specifically excludes the Pearl White Premium paint option and Exige V6 Cup specification cars. For more details contact your local Lotus dealer.

Discussion: SELOC Chat – Lotus have released 15 extra UK Lotus Exige S Build Slots

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Show and Shine at the Lotus Festival

Posted on 29th May 2013

Shiny EliseThink you’ve got the best kept Lotus? This year at the Lotus Festival you can prove it by entering in to the Show and Shine competition.

The competition will be run on Sunday 25th August with three age-based classes: Pre-1974; 1974-1995; Post 1995. For owners who will be parking in the Cortina display area there will also be a Lotus Cortina class judged separately (no need to enter).

Competitors will have the chance to contend for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in class trophies, along with the coveted title of ‘Overall best in show’. Winners will be chosen by a special team of Lotus judges including ex-Lotus F1 driver Martin Donnelly.

Entry is free and places are very limited – just 15 cars will be permitted to enter each class and entries will be taken on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Entrants will receive 2 free weekend entry tickets per entry, and competitor cars will have a special display area within the Brands Hatch circuit where they will be required to be on display throughout the Sunday.

You can enter on the Lotus Festival website, and those looking to camp over the weekend can buy their tickets in the SELOC Shoppe.

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Lotus Cars – Get ready for the fastest ever Lotus convertible!

Posted on 22nd May 2013

Exige S RoadsterOver a year after it’s first announcement at the Geneva Motor Show 2012, Lotus have released full details of the Exige S Roadster – the convertible version of the V6-engined Exige S.

Discussion:

This summer the critically acclaimed Lotus Exige S loses its roof and gains a new character.  As capable as its coupé counterpart, the Exige S Roadster retains all the intent of a race-bred sports car but also possesses the poise of a sleek convertible.

Sitting alongside the Exige S, Exige Cup and Exige Cup R, the Exige S Roadster completes the Exige line-up and enhances the track focussed collection by providing a new facet to the range.  Powered by the same 3.5L V6 as the coupé variants and weighing in at 10kg less than the Exige S at 1166kg, none of the exhilarating performance of the phenomenal Exige range is compromised, yet the driver is only ‘two clicks and a roll’ away from cruising in open-top style thanks to the lightweight, factory-fitted soft top. Continue reading →

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LoTRDC – Fenn robs Hall of victory, whilst Gore and Mazza share wins

Posted on 19th May 2013

Round 2 of the 2013 DTMThis weekend the LoTRDC joined the DTM series at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit, with Rob Fenn taking victory in the Lotus Cup UK, while Gore and Mazza shared the honours in the Elise Trophy races.

Rob Fenn narrowly defeated Adrian Hall in round three of Lotus Cup UK as the championship supported the DTM at Brands Hatch. The pair, who both suffered poor starts to their seasons, battled
throughout the hour-long race, with the lead changing hands but two decisive moves from Fenn signalled his determination to win. Continue reading →

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Event: The Supercar Siege, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent May 18th

Posted on 16th May 2013

Leeds-Castle-in-UK_Aerial-view_4695Supercar Siege is a charity event being held to raise money for the Royal Navy & Royal Marine Children’s Fund being held in the grounds of the stunning Leeds Castle in Maidstone, Kent.

SELOC will be at the show with over 30 cars set to attend, and while it’s too late to sign up to display your car at the show there are still plenty reasons to attend, with Dream Rides from the Sporting Bears motor club, a Royal Navy Sea King on display, and access to tour the stunning Castle and grounds along with a range of displays from various clubs.

To find out more about the day be sure to check out the Supercar Siege website and our forum  thread and show your support for this great cause.

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Article – Jim Clark and Kev Harvey Memorial Tour

Posted on 13th May 2013

Elise SC Type 25 at The Jim Clark RoomLast year we were unfortunate enough to lose a few prominent members, and amongst them was Kevin Harvey who passed away after suffering a heart attack in September.

For years Kev had been a firm favourite, helping to orchestrate countless trips across Europe to the Stelvio Pass and around the UK, and after his passing, with the help of Michael Hipperson, SELOC members banded together to raise money to have the Jim Clark Memorial clock tower in Chirnside restored in his memory.

It seemed only right therefore that for the May bank holiday a group of SELOC members should get together for a trip up to the Scottish borders to pay their respects to both Kevin and the man who gave Lotus their first F1 drivers and constructors championships 50 years ago.

Article: Jim Clark and Kev Harvey Memorial Tour
Discussion: SELOC Chat  – Some pics from The Jim Clark weekend

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LoTRDC – Rasse wins the battle of the sixes at Dijon

Posted on 13th May 2013
Image courtesy of Kevin Ritson

Image courtesy of Kevin Ritson

The V6 domination of this years Lotus Cup series continued, with Gregory Rasse in the Evora GT4 leading home the Exige V6 Cup R of Jon Walker in both the weekends Lotus Cup Europe races at Dijon.

Source: Lotus Cars – Rasse wins the battle of the sixes at Dijon

Gregory Rasse proved to be too quick for Jon Walker in the battle of the V6 drivers as Lotus Cup Europe headed to Dijon-Prenois. The Englishman’s Exige was the class of the field in qualifying but when it came to the races, his Belgian rival was able to keep up the pressure in the Evora, taking the lead on both occasions. Continue reading →

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Lotus proActive Issue 48

Posted on 9th May 2013

Lotus proActive Issue 48Issue 48 of the Lotus Engineering proActive magazine is now available on Issuu, featuring:

  • Spring 2013 – Dave Leggett takes a look at the automotive industry
  • Hydrogen propulsion– Utilising and storing hydrogen
  • Material trends – Current trends in use of materials to reduce weight
  • Crashtesting a lightweight vehicle – Lotus Engineering USA discuss phase 2 of their lightweight study
  • Jon Shaw – Industry interview with Bombardier Transportation’s Project Director Aventra & Head of Engineering
  • Nathan Leeming – Interview with Lotus Cars’ head of quality

The interview with Nathan Leeming is particularly worth a read, with insights in to quality auditing, supplier relationships, causes of previous delays to the Exige S and where they need to improve with future products.

Discussion: SELOC Chat – Lotus Engineering article on Quality at Lotus

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Lotus F1 Team – Driving Force – Nick Chester Appointed Lotus F1 Team Technical Director

Posted on 8th May 2013

Nick ChesterWith the departure of James Allison, the Lotus F1 Team have announced that Nick Chester will be taking up the position of Technical Director for the team.

Source: Lotus F1 Team – Driving Force – Nick Chester Appointed Lotus F1 Team Technical Director

otus F1 Team is pleased to announce the promotion of Nick Chester to the position of Technical Director. Nick will replace the departing James Allison, who will leave Enstone after working with the team most recently since 2005 and previously from 1991-1992 and 1994-1999.

Nick has worked at Enstone since 2000, most recently as Engineering Director, and previously as Head of Performance Systems, Head of Vehicle Performance Group and Race Engineer. Prior to coming to Enstone, Nick worked for Arrows Grand Prix for five years. Continue reading →

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