Lotus

Feb. 22, 2008 -- Lotus Engineering, the world renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus, has created a new research and development group solely for electric and hybrid vehicles. The formation of this group recognises the increasing global importance of hybrid and electric vehicles, and the increasing amount of consultancy project work in this area that is being undertaken by Lotus Engineering.

February 20, 2008 -- Lotus Sport, the motor sport division of Lotus Cars Ltd, has unveiled the MY2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260. A direct development of the 2007 Exige Cup Car, this year’s car has a revised engine management system to take the maximum power output to 257 hp (260 PS), up by nearly 5 hp (5 PS) over last year. Bespoke performance enhancements created to offer a car with even greater levels of handling and acceleration capable of taming Europe’s most challenging race circuits.

13th February 2008 -- Lotus Sport, the motor sport division of Lotus Cars Ltd, has unveiled the MY2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260. A direct development of the 2007 Exige Cup Car, this year’s car has a revised engine management system to take the maximum power output to 257 hp (260 PS), up by nearly 5 hp (5 PS) over last year. Bespoke performance enhancements created to offer a car with even greater levels of handling and acceleration capable of taming Europe’s most challenging race circuits.

Agreement Encourages Technology Development in Abu Dhabi

12/02/2008 -- Lotus Engineering and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) are pleased to announce the signing of a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The joint aim is to further enhance Abu Dhabi's position at the forefront of environmentally orientated technologies and accelerate the development of its manufacturing and business infrastructure.

21 January 2008 -- Lotus Cars has taken one of the most recognisable and iconic Lotus colour schemes from the early 1970s and reintroduced it for the first time with the limited edition Lotus Exige Sprint.

Just 40 right hand drive Lotus Exige Sprints will go on sale in the UK and Ireland in a duo-tone paint scheme of Aspen White on the lower portion of the body and a choice of Solar Yellow or Persian Blue on the upper portion of the body. The two colours are separated by a gold stripe bearing the name Exige Sprint on the doors on either side of the car.

16/01/2008 - Lotus, via its engineering division, has entered into a joint cooperation programme with KACST, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology with the intention to promote the establishment of an ecologically driven automotive technology capability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

BUFORD, Ga., Jan. 16, 2008 - Hyper Sport Engineering has announced the construction of a Lotus Exige S for competition in the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship.

The Lotus Exige S is the newest Lotus model to hit the streets. The Hyper Sport Engineering racecar will utilize the same light weight, forced induction 1.8 liter engine and sophisticated suspension design of the stock Lotus Exige. Kirt Wightman, Owner and Director of Hyper Sport Engineering, is convinced the ultra fast and nimble Exige will be right at home in SPEED GT.

“I am excited about the fantastic potential of this new program,” Wightman said. “SPEED World Challenge is the right series to showcase the outstanding capabilities of the Lotus chassis.”

Jan. 15, 2008 -- The Lotus Elise was first released in England in late 1996. This roadster has a hand finished fiberglass body shell on top of its aluminum extrusion and bonded frame. It is capable of speeds up to 150 mph.

K&N Engineering has designed a performance intake system (57A-6030) for the 1996-2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 liter engine. It is a custom design that uses K&N's Apollo air filter enclosure and a washable reusable K&N air filter. See application details below.

This K&N Apollo cold air intake system comes with adaptors to fit the Lotus Elise. The Apollo is designed to eliminate hot air problems and provide the benefits of an open cone filter and a standard air box in one unit.

23 November 2007 -- Lotus Cars is very pleased to release its limited edition for Mainland Europe – the Lotus Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition.

This unique limited edition is based on the entry-level model of the Elise Range – the Elise S – and commemorates the 40th anniversary of production at the Lotus factory in Hethel in 2007.

2008 Lotus Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition

The specification of the car is as follows:

Elise S – Model Year 2008, featuring twin airbags
Burnt Orange Premium Paint
Hardtop
Painted rear diffuser and wheels
Leather trim in orange stitching
Painted centre consol & exterior panels in body colour
Coloured brake calipers
Build plate

13/11/2007 -- The Lotus Exige S police car operated by East Sussex Police will head a convoy of the world’s most exclusive supercars in a parade of the roads of Britain this week to support ‘Children in Need’.

The supercar tour comprises some of the world’s most exclusive marques including: Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati and Pagani and will commence with an event hosted by organisers ‘GROUP20’ at their head office on Tuesday 13th November and will hit the road at 9am on Wed 14th November.