May 22, 2013

The Dawn of a New Era – One year on…

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It's been 365 days since Lotus announced to the world's press that there were 6 new cars in the pipeline, there was a new board of Directors and the company was making a transition from a niche sports car manufacturer to high end super car territory. Have they been successful so far? What's been achieved, what's to come? Lotus CEO Dany Bahar tells us that the company are confident that they are on track with his ambitious 5 year plan, put into place 17 months ago. They have ticked all of the expected economic and technological boxes and reached all milestones which … [Read more...]

[VIDEO] Evora GTE – The Road to Le Mans

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Here's a taster of the video "Evora GTE - The Road to Le Mans' from Lotus Motorsport. Join the key players in the team which saw the Lotus Evora GTE go from the drawing board to the finish line of the 2011 24 Heures Du Mans in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup's most challenging event in under six months. Hear from the drivers, the engineers and see exclusive footage from Spa, the 6 hours shakedown race and the 24 Heures Du Mans itself. You can read our full diary of the event here (parts I, II, III, IV) and view our entire image gallery from the race … [Read more...]

Lotus legends open new Hethel test track

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Nigel Mansell officially opened Group Lotus’s revised and restored Hethel test track with a roar from the 1981 Essex-Lotus 81B in which he started his glorious Formula One career more than 30-years-ago. Mansell led a convoy of seven stunning racing cars from the Lotus stable, including the innovative 1980 Type 88 twin-chassis car – which the rule makers never allowed to race; the Lotus Type 125 Exos Experience car driven by fellow F1 legend Jean Alesi; and a brace of Lotus Renault GP cars piloted by current F1 stars Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna. This was the … [Read more...]

[VIDEO] Lotus T125 – The Story So Far

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As part of our exclusive video series, currently focussing on the Lotus T125 please enjoy 'The Story So Far'. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar is joined by Cosworth Technical Director Bruce Wood, Lotus T125 Test Driver and Works Racing Driver James Rossiter and more giving you a unique insight into the design and philosophies behind this unique car. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mniPDFMmxg … [Read more...]

[PICS] Lotus in Le Mans

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You can read our reports from Le Mans here... http://www.lotuscars.com/motorsport/en/lotuslover-from-le-mans Please view our images from the weekend's Le Mans 24 hour below. … [Read more...]

Lotus in Le Mans (Part IV): Et fini

Evora over the line

The final 6 hours of the race are very exciting at the head of the pack with the lead 2 cars more often than not within 15 seconds of each other and at times the Peugeot even got close enough to threaten the Audi for overall lead. Even with 3 hours to go and rain giving the drivers something to think about the race was certainly not over. Down to less than 30 cars, almost half of the starters are out and the garage shutters are pulled down as the cars retire, almost in mourning but the Lotus Jetalliance car is carrying on as expected. No-one is patting their backs yet, … [Read more...]

Lotus in Le Mans (Part III): Into the night…

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  Le Mans is a race, it’s about the race but for most visitors, it’s also a social event and time to enjoy the pinnacle of GT motorsport with pals over a beer as the sun sets and the cars just don’t slow down! Thousands of people visit the track and camp out, some arriving a week beforehand to enjoy the weather and other attractions Le Mans has to offer with plenty of live gigs, support races, qualifying and other fun to be had. Some of the campers take this part more seriously than others, so far I’ve seen a 4-poster bed in gazebo, a panel van with … [Read more...]

Lotus in Le Mans (Part II): And they’re off!

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You can tell it’s race day. Simple. There are about a million people here! The circuit is packed to the rafters and the excitement is clear, everyone is a race nut there and can’t wait until 3pm, the start of the 79th 24 Heures Du Mans. Before the race there’s time to visit the Lotus garages and see numbers 64 & 65 being finally checked, checked and checked again for the race. I’m with a TV crew who are filming a short documentary film for Lotus and they interview Claudio Berro, Lotus Motorsport Director who is clearly looking forward and also Gavan … [Read more...]

Lotus in Le Mans (Part I)

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The Journey Has Just Begun Lotus? In Le Mans? Really? After a 17 year break from the La Sarthe circuit, Lotus are again fielding a works team in the 24 Heures Du Mans. Fortunately for me, I’m going to be able to cheer on the Lotus Jetallliance team from Le Mans as I’m here, currently sitting in the hospitality enjoying what is very, well, slick and polished and as impressive as any other team in the paddock and in many cases, more so. Nice start Lotus! For me, Le Mans is more than just the race though. This is my 4th trip here and for a car enthusiast, the … [Read more...]

Lotus Evora GTE ready for Le Mans

JA Lotus Evora GTE

June 12th, 2009 – didn’t something happen that day? Indeed – Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer, Thomas Gruber and Germany’s Alex Müller got to the finish of the 79th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, sensationally taking third place in their class in their very first appearance! “It was an incredible moment – it will live on forever in my memory”, Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer says looking back . . . Two years later – this weekend (June 11th & 12th) – the squad from Oeynhausen in Lower Austria will again compete in this classic event – but under completely … [Read more...]