Lotus's Six All-New Cars In Detail

Lotus has recently delighted fans by revealing plans for a dramatic expansion of its range of sports cars.

The British-based firm's range currently consists of four models; the Elise and its more furious, stripped out alter ego the Exige, the Evora and a track-day special called the 2-Eleven.

However, moves are afoot to revive three model names from Lotus's past in stunning all-new form; the Esprit, Elan and Elite. These will be joined by a car bearing a model name completely new to the firm, the Eterne, and finally in 2015 there will be an all-new Elise.

All these 'future cars' feature on the company's website, but rumours persist that they aren't the only novel developments in the pipeline.

The sixth of the firm's new models will perhaps be the most shocking of all for fans of the marque known primarily for lightweight, well-handling sports cars. Rumours are that Lotus is also developing a mould-breaking city car in a joint project with parent company Proton.

First of the new range to hit the roads will be the revived Esprit, due in 2013. According to the firm, this will be the 'ultimate Lotus'; a mid-engined two-seater designed to mix it with the new supercar elite, such as the Ferrari 458 Italia and new Mclaren MP4-12C, as well as Audi's storming R8 V10.

Power will come from an all-new supercharged V8 engine developed in-house by Lotus, with the possibility of an enhanced tie-up with Toyota leading to a V10 equipped range-topper. A later, entry-level model may be offered with the option of the Evora's V6 motor.

Next to roll out of the design studio will be the Esprit's 'little brother', an everyday sports car to rival the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin Vantage. Lotus expects the Elan to be their most popular model. Powered by a supercharged 4.0 litre V6 developed from the unit used in the latest Evora S, extensive use of aluminium will keep the car's weight down and '2+2' seating will be an option.

The following year will see the company launch the Elite; a front engined, four-seater GT car to take on the Ferrari FF and Aston Martin Virage. Featuring a Ferrari California style folding hard-top roof, use of the same 5.0 litre V8 as the Esprit indicates that it may out-power rivals as well as undercut them significantly on price.

The Elise has been the core of Lotus's range since the mid 1990s, but 2015 will herald an all-new design. The new car will feature a more luxurious interior that will be easier to live with every day and be powered by a 2.0 litre Toyota engine up-rated by Lotus engineers. However, prices will remain similar to those for the current car.

So far, so Lotus. But it's the firm's next steps that will see it break away from traditional thinking. In 2015, Lotus plans to launch the Eterne; a four-door luxury flagship model to match the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte. Four door supercars are taking off in popularity as car-makers eye Far East tastes for big sporty models, and it's that trend that's inspired this completely new concept for the company.

Finally, Lotus's sixth new model will be its boldest move yet; a premium city car to rival the Aston Martin Cygnet. Developed with parent company Proton and based on the Malaysian firm's EMAS concept, the new baby Lotus will take the sports car maker into completely uncharted territory.

Featuring trademark sporty design cues, the new supermini will be available as a full, all-electric version or as a hybrid utilising Lotus's 1.2 litre 'range extender' petrol engine offering a potential 100 mpg fuel economy.

Promising a 35 mile range on electric power alone and 200 miles if the range extender engine is employed, the car's purpose - as with Aston Martin - will be to lower the firm's emissions across its newly widened car range in order to comply with the latest European Union regulations.

All Lotus's new sports cars feature a very angular, Lamborghini Reventon style corporate face and will also be equipped with the latest in motor technology such as hybrid drive, semi-automatic gearboxes and an F1-style KERS system to deliver a temporary power boost on command. Various uprated engine tuning options are also likely to be made available, marketed as 'S' models.

These dramatic plans are certainly ambitious for such a small firm and whether they ever come to fruition remains to be seen. But if you're on the look out for something fresh in the supercar world, keep a look out for Lotus!

The Future's Bright at Your Used Car Supermarket

The one thing I've always promised myself would never occur happened last week - I became my dad. Now I love my dad and we get on brilliantly, but he does have a tendency to moan. Whether it's being stuck in a traffic jam, the price of milk or the quality of projection at the cinema, my dad can't resist the odd rant. Clearly then I'm my father's son as when we attended the British Motor Show, I had a list of things to have a pop at.

Now the motor show is essentially what a used car supermarket will look like in a few years time so it's important to gauge the quality of metal on show and pinpoint the highlights. Before I do that though, let me re-live my moan. I'm from a large town myself and am often out in a large city so a trip to London doesn't faze me in that respect however it takes forever to get anywhere. The underground network is great - there's always a train, always on time and always gets you to your destination. The problem is that they're cramped, sweaty and it appears that to get from one shop to another type of retailer takes 30 minutes and 30 tube stops.

The motor show was situated alongside the river Thames, snuggled up alongside the Millennium Dome or whatever they've called it this week. In essence then the motor show was in the middle of nowhere. I could've got off a stop too early and never been seen again quite frankly. So off the train I got feeling as though I'd already done a day's work and I was herded towards the exhibition centre. After being bombarded with dozens of flyers for all manner of goods within seconds of my arrival, I spied the entrance a mere 100 metres away and thought if I could keep my head down I'd avoid anymore trees being chopped down and handed to me.

Cunningly though the companies employed the most gorgeous girls to hand out the flyers and try as I might I couldn't avoid sneaking a glimpse at their perfect faces. This of course involved eye contact which might as well have been a signed contract for another ten flyers in my direction. Despite these distractions I made it inside and can report that there are plenty of automotive delights on the horizon.

For a kick off, Lotus premiered their Evora or 'first new car in 13 years'. The Evora is a 2+2 mid engined sports car aimed squarely at the Porsche Cayman. With looks to kill, a 3.5 litre V6 engine and prices starting around the £45,000 mark in the UK; their German rivals must be sweating like a turkey at Christmas.

For the Hyundai enthusiast, the Genesis had jaws dropping. It is envisaged that the orange monster on display will morph into the latest Coupe next year with the aggressive yet curvy styling remaining unaltered. The Genesis is definitely going on sale in the United States - and judging by the reaction it got in London - in the UK as well.

For the more realistic buyer two cars were the definite standouts. Firstly Ford unveiled the long awaited return of the RS badge, this time adorning the new Focus. Developing a staggering 296bhp from just 2.5 litres, the Focus RS is the company's wildest hot hatch yet. Vauxhall offered a more modest new car in the Insignia, the replacement for the Vectra however the word 'elegant' just doesn't do it justice. Aimed squarely the existing customer base, Vauxhall hope the Insignia will entice others out of their Fords and to their way of thinking. With prices set to range from £16,000 to £22,000 they are surely onto a winner.

Speaking of winners, may I be so bold to say that we as paying customers are in a very good position. You see with such an influx of new cars due imminently or in early 2009, establishments such as used car supermarkets will be flooded with the older Vectra or Ford Focus ST as people grab the new stuff. Just because a new car is out, doesn't instantly make the old one bad - the Honda Civic Type R being one strong example. Used car supermarkets specialise in providing a wide choice of cars and the coming months should give the buyer even more variants to choose from. The upshot being that prices will tumble and you'll end up with an exceptional car rather than a dog eared ex-commuter one as all the others have already been sold.

Lotus Elise 1600 CC

What happens when your dream car is about as much a reality as bumping into Lady Ga Ga in Tescos? Well it just becomes something you think about when you feel you need to escape the boundaries of your every day life. Not a bad a thing I guess, it gives us all goals and a place to aim.

Now let me ask another question. What if your dream car could actually become a part of your lifestyle? without you having to sell your organs. And no Lady Ga Ga won't be a part of this. Sports cars are designed to be lusted after, to be sexy and admired with their sweeping curves, powerful engines and exclusive price tags. On the subject of change, sports cars and the word 'affordable' don't tend to go in the same sentence, unless we're talking about old classics.

I'm not talking about a rusty old MGB but still an iconic British sportscar. The Lotus Elise. Now in its 15th. year of production the titchy fibre glass sports car offers an eco alternative to its pedigree of superb handling, race breed roadsters. The Lotus is made in Norwich, the same place as Turnips and Mustard.

This is the new entry level Elise, powered by its smallest engine yet. A 1.6 litre Toyota unit, coupled with a new 6 speed gearbox. This car is all about economy and at £27,000 offers supercar looks for sales rep saloon money. Now for the part that appeals to me. 56 mpg is impressive and must be considered a huge attraction with its 500 mile range. The team at Lotus have nick named this car the 149 due to its low emission output of 149g of Co2 per Km. I just think it's a nice way of saying 'yes we have the worlds most eco friendly petrol powered sports car. With the confidence of a reliable Japanese powerplant the Elise is kind of in its little world. Of course there are rival brands and models to consider but all of these lack the little Lotus's charm, lines and stunning drive. Don't think that the small engine makes the Lotus experience any less either. It doesn't. It will reach 60 mph in just 6 seconds and is capable of making you grin with ease. This new Elise handles, grips and snoggs the road like a teenage love affair, you could almost forgive yourself to think that winding roads and bends were designed 100 years ago as these industrial pioneers knew that someday a car would be built to drive around them without almost flat out.

However as much as I love this car, I feel I must say that it's not perfect. The indicator stalks are still sourced from the Vauxhall Senator parts bin which I feel could at least have used the Ford set up from the Lotus Evora or why not a nice set of their own? I understand that this car is all about economy but if you close your eyes and fire the engine up you would think you are in a Toyota Avensis, one of the dullest machines on the road. Such a disappointing engine sound, however this changes when you drive the Elise. Once taken past a certain engine rev limit a second camshaft opens up, producing a much satisfying deeper engine tone whilst aiding the power. I can't winge about the boring engine sound on this new Elise, if they had added a sporty exhaust system then the emissions would have been higher and thus taking the whole point away of this car. If you want that then get the next model up or better still an Evora if you have the money. The Elise is a car for anyone, it's at home in a supermarket car park as it would be with a WAG. Qwerky, iconic and owned by many celebrities including Jay Lo, Jennifer Lopez or what ever she wants to call herself. Oh and one other thing.. dead flies on the windscreen. Both of which will put everyone off wanting to buy a Lotus Elise. Not bad if that's all I can find to moan about.

This new Elise has been subtly tweeked. At the rear a deeper defuser aid the exciting airflow reducing drag while at the front a similar thing, although you wouldn't really know it. Lotus has always been about weight saving rather than monstrous amounts of power and this Elise is still true, weighing in at just 876 kg. This is not a car for those that want to drive flat out everywhere. It's a great touring car with this engine. Capable of keeping up but definitely not that quick. But once again I don't need to state that, this Elise is what it is. A low powered Lotus that won't get you into trouble unless you slap its face and make it angry. I am definitely of the opinion that this car, as with any little Lotus is not just a car but more of a part of you and should be described as a being rather than an object. You don't drive an Elise, you wear it like a well fitting shoe.

This car is two cars in one. Its low power means that its safe for even the most novice of drivers to handle while still retaining enough poke once pushed to waken the little car into a torrent of excitement. So who's going to buy the new 1600 cc Elise? I think those that want to own an environmentally considerate sports car. After all the Lotus will never rust so you won't need to replace it. It's bonded aluminum chassis and fibre glass coach work keep the rust factor away. Thankfully all the issues of the previous Elise's now behind, mainly the old Rover K series engined cars which went through head gaskets like no tomorrow.