Lotus is a British automotive manufacturer that was founded in 1952 by engineer and racing driver Colin Chapman. The company is known for producing lightweight sports cars with exceptional handling and performance.
In its early years, Lotus focused on building racing cars. Its first production car, the Lotus Mark VI, was introduced in 1952 and was designed for club racing. Over the next few years, Lotus produced a number of successful racing cars, including the Elite, the Elan, and the Formula One-winning Lotus 25.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Lotus expanded its product line to include road cars as well as racing cars. The company produced a number of iconic models during this time, including the Lotus Esprit, which gained fame as James Bond's car in the film "The Spy Who Loved Me."
In the 1990s, Lotus was acquired by Proton, a Malaysian car manufacturer. Under Proton's ownership, Lotus continued to produce high-performance sports cars and also began to develop and supply engines for other manufacturers.
Today, Lotus is owned by Chinese automotive company Geely and continues to produce lightweight sports cars with a focus on handling and performance. The company's current lineup includes the Evora, the Exige, and the all-electric Evija hypercar.
Here are some more details about Lotus:
- Engineering philosophy: Lotus has always been known for its engineering philosophy of "simplify, then add lightness." Founder Colin Chapman believed that reducing weight was the key to improving a car's handling, performance, and efficiency. This philosophy has been a guiding principle for the company throughout its history.
- Innovations: Lotus has been responsible for a number of automotive innovations over the years. For example, the company was one of the first to use monocoque chassis construction, which helped to reduce weight and improve rigidity. Lotus also pioneered the use of ground effects aerodynamics in racing cars, which allowed for greater downforce and improved handling.
- Racing success: Lotus has a long history of success in motorsports. The company has won seven Formula One World Championships, as well as numerous victories in other racing series. Many famous drivers have raced for Lotus over the years, including Jim Clark, Ayrton Senna, and Mario Andretti.
- Ownership changes: As mentioned earlier, Lotus has changed ownership several times over the years. In addition to Proton and Geely, the company has also been owned by General Motors and Bugatti founder Romano Artioli.
- Future plans: Under Geely's ownership, Lotus has ambitious plans for growth and expansion. The company has announced that it will invest heavily in electrification and plans to introduce a range of new models over the next few years. Lotus also plans to build a new factory in China to produce cars for the local market.
What are some of the new models that Lotus plans to introduce?
Lotus has announced plans to introduce several new models as part of its expansion under Geely's ownership. Here are a few:
1. Type 131: The Type 131 is a new sports car that will replace the current Lotus lineup. It will be the company's first all-new model in over a decade and is expected to debut in 2022.
2. SUV: Lotus has announced plans to introduce an SUV, which will be the company's first-ever SUV model. The SUV is expected to be built on a platform developed by Geely and will likely feature hybrid or all-electric powertrains.
3. Electric sports car: Lotus is also planning to introduce a new electric sports car, which will be built on a new platform developed by Geely. The car is expected to be a high-performance model with a range of over 250 miles.
4. Hypercar: Lotus has announced plans to produce a new hypercar that will be even more powerful and advanced than the Evija. Few details are available about the car at this time, but it is expected to debut in the next few years.
These new models represent a significant expansion of Lotus' product lineup and mark a new era for the company under Geely's ownership. Many enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the debut of these new models and are excited to see what Lotus has in store for the future.
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