Lotus is planning to use rivet-bonded aluminium spaceframes and part-stressed aluminium skins on all five of the sports cars it revealed in Paris.
The move comes as it aims to raise its quality to the standards set by supercar makers Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.
Read more on Lotus's six new models
The firm’s dramatic revamp was unveiled in Paris, with celebrities such as Mickey Rourke and Naomi Campbell taking the covers off the Elite 2+2, the Esprit supercar, the Eterne saloon, a new mid-engined Elan and a new Elise.
Lotus engineering chief Wolf Zimmerman — a board director at AMG until a month ago — told Autocar that exterior finish and interior quality will improve dramatically as the firm moves upmarket.
Zimmerman also said the new city car concept, shown at Paris alongside the sports cars, will play a vital role in the company’s strategy. This is partly because it must lower its fleet-average CO2 figure, and also because Lotus envisages offering a high-end, urban commuter car along the same lines as the Aston Martin Cygnet.
Read more about the new Lotus city car
Lotus faces a challenge in meeting its CO2 target, since its new, bigger, more powerful and heavier range will push its average up compared with today’s range, while the average for virtually every other car maker is falling.
Zimmerman also revealed that although the V6 and V8 engines will be Toyota-sourced, the Elise’s force-fed 2.0-litre engine will come from elsewhere.
See all the latest Lotus reviews, news and videoRead the full A-Z review of the Paris motor show
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Re: Lotus aims to boost quality
I'll have to seek out some of my dustiest mags and remind myself of the old ads. I started my apprenticeship in 1970 (£7 a week initially) and probably like you spent a few years in more hum-drum machinery until I got a Europa twin cam in 1977. I pulled this wise deal off by using all my savings, a month's pay I'd just recieved and getting £50 cash on my Barclaycard. The Europa rewarded me by shedding a rear wheel two days after I had bought it... No real harm though - except to my empty wallet. I followed up with a series 3 seven and a series 2 Elan before defecting to Marcos in 1982. For me Lotus had already entered the wilderness years as far as new cars were concerned, and I had to wait until I was 44 for my next one - the Elise had just come out. For various reasons my last four cars have all been Porsches. Probably something to do with getting older and having more disposable income as you suggest. That said I wouldn't rule out another Lotus if they make the right model, but recent reporting suggests they won't be doing that anytime soon.
Keep up the good postings. It's nice to hear from a kindred spirit.
Re: Lotus aims to boost quality
Paul J, Indeed I remember the advertisements in Autocar when I was at school, "Lotus Quality and Reliability", men in white coats with clip boards ! Do you remember "Lotus Total Mobility Package", which included an Elan, a light aircraft, probably a Cessena, and a Moulton cycle ? Regards.
Re: Lotus aims to boost quality
Markus, There's a "watch to win". I'm RETIRED, I never ever wear a watch and besides, I've got one, somewhere ! But thanks for drawing my attention to such a wonderful opportunity ! Regards.