New Car Thread Chat: Lotus APX

[Toua]

Check out Nobles new M15.

It looks fierce!

Damn, Kimbers can you get me one of these!

OMG, a Lotus MPV

Actually, I would love to see a lotus SUV but not a MPV

[Jonathan]

Not too hot on the Noble (M14 lol)...was released over a year back I think.

The Civic looks amazing imo - if I was still into hot hatches I'd have one in a shot (type-R of course)...might try and con the old man into buying one when he retires...working on a 60's Elan atm.

Is that the new Lotus ? Less said the better....

[JRTurbo909]

Ok I have never seen a Noble in person but the impression that I get is that the build quality is just not there. Just an impression, can anyone shed some light...

Also, I have more pics of the Lotus minivan (im sure Wayne is gonna love this...)

Info from the webpage...

APX by Lotus Engineering (APX stands for

[Jonathan]

Early Nobles were reportedly a bit suspect - however the later ones (inc the amazing M400) are reportedly good as far as supercars go - I've seen the M400 up close and had a good sniff around it and the build looks fine imo - great car.

[Paul C]

I'm in right now should anyone want

to just pop by and poke my eyes out.

[slade]

I love the M12 and hate the m14 noble. Yeah, they're not making the M14 anymore apparently (pictured car) but the M15 which they're skipping to is looking the same

I think most everyone can see why the APX is an utterly detestable thing that Lotus shouldn't have to waste money doing when they ought to be making righteous sports cars and supercars. so I'll refrain from commenting.

slade

[WayneB]

1. Noble needs to hire a decient stylist.

2. Lotus needs to stop f*cking around with this stuff, and crack on with the Esprit project.

I hope that the APX was bankrolled by a customer who is too timid to have put there companys name to it. Notice there are no Lotus badges in prominent positions? Another couple of million goes down the drain

Edited March 2, 2006 by WayneB

[Blue4Ice]

To be honest looks and performacne wise that APX looks like a good car. However it shouldn't be wearing a lotus badge as it devalues the brand as a serious sports car manufacturer. Pop an Audi/BMW/xxx badge onto it and you have a good mix between practicality and performance

[tinywillyuk]

Some telling stuff here I think chaps.. as hypothesised on the last thread..

APX is a demonstration of Lotus Engineering's ability to create innovative and exciting, high performance products through its world class capability in Vehicle Design, Performance Powertrain Engineering and niche vehicle development, the first production car from this technology will be the new Lotus mid-engine super sportscar.

- here we have an idea they can sell commercially to others and will use or have available to in the new Esprit. Sensible to have an avenue aside your own niche product from which to recover development costs?

APX is manufactured predominantly from aluminium in the form of high-pressure die-cast corner nodes, stampings and extrusions. It uses advanced assembly techniques, including adhesive bonding, self-piercing rivets and flow-drill screws for construction - joining techniques that Lotus calls Riv-Bonding. Lotus has optimised the use of these technologies thus significantly reducing the number of mechanical fixings within the monocoque structure. This has reduced the level of investment required in manufacturing equipment.

- again a way of trialling new techniques our future Esprit may benefit from - but also skills and techniques the other players may chose to invest in or license with a revenue stream therefore associated.

it is not a concept indicating a strategic direction of Lotus Cars; it is, however, a brilliant demonstration of VVA and the skills of the team from Lotus Engineering into what is regarded as the future of niche vehicle manufacture.

- there we go. No reflection of the next Esprit I feel. (after all it doesnt look enough like an Elise.. )

Like the vehicle, the engine is not just a Lotus Engineering concept, but a feasible prototype close to production, however it is not a concept indicating a strategic powertrain direction of Lotus Cars. The engine is production feasible and it is expected that the commercialisation of this engine will be of interest to the automotive clients of Lotus Engineering.

- final point there - they have made their own engine, or breathed on someone elses very heavily - they might not produce it but they can still make it happen and have a product close to marketable position that someone somewere without time or resource will pay for. Perhaps the likes of niche players of which Noble is an example. Potenitally then more money for the Lotus Engineering (so eventually Group Lotus and then Lotus Cars?) piggy bank.

Therefore we dont need to worry about Lotus Cars blinding us with ugly cars. We can relax too that somewhere someone at Group Lotus is tinkering with ideas, techniques and technologies that will make that car hopefully very good from an engineering standpoint. One that might not rust too much also..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Kimbers]

1. Noble needs to hire a decient stylist.

2. Lotus needs to stop f*cking around with this stuff, and crack on with the Esprit project.

I hope that the APX was bankrolled by a customer who is too timid to have put there companys name to it. Notice there are no Lotus badges in prominent positions? Another couple of million goes down the drain

Wayne,

As an Engineer you do suprise me. Remember my post earlier last month saying to watch for something unusual from Lotus? Well now u know what it is.

Let me elaborate: Lotus Engineering was never designed or meant to be just there to develop new Lotus's. Lotus Engineering, for many years was the backbone of the company making profits where the car company loses money. Until a year ago both were losing money faster than you can say "New Esprit". Some changes were implimented by those in the know and Lotus are out and about touting for confidential business to companies that many of you would consider serious competitors but THIS IS WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO SURVIVE. I don't mean to sound preachy but if they don'd do projects like this you won't get your new Esprit....believe me, please.

This car was (as pointed out) never designed to be built by Lotus, infact originally it wasn't designed to be built at all. It's designed to say "Hey we're back, and look what we can do...a 7 seater MPV that looks like a hot hatch" and despite what die hard Lotus fans think it's been well received by those in the industry. So well infact that Lotus have said they're willing to sell the design and concept to the correct buyer.

20 years ago the company was kept afloat doing such items as ride and handling on light tanks, Rover Vanden Plas SDI, Light aircraft engines, suspension for 4x4's (Trooper) etc etc, So that it could sell you an Esprit at a

[Paul C]

- here we have an idea they can sell commercially to others and will use or have available to in the new Esprit. Sensible to have an avenue aside your own niche product from which to recover development costs?

Is very true mate.

The badge suffers for it a bit though (in my opinion).

Tell people you have a ferrari and they don't ask if it's the shopper/school

run model, they know from the badge alone that it's something special.

Tell them you own a nissan, and you yourself have to tell them it's not

the school/ shopper model. The nissan 350Z stands in a model line up

that includes the nissan Micra.

This APX will be lotus's Micra, and no longer will the badge evoke only

the image of a sports car, even if the APX helps fund a rather special one.

[Kimbers]

Damn, Kimbers can you get me one of these!

Damn Kimbers is getting one of these!!!!! And yes I can supply....form an orderly queue or wait for the Type RR......

[Paul C]

Though to be fair to Kimbers, Fiat prop ferrari up

[Kimbers]

Though to be fair to Kimbers, Fiat prop ferrari up 

Agreed Paul but Fiat are backed by the Government of Italy and have themselves been in recievership twice just recently. However the Italian Governement supports it's Manufactoring base, Our governement doesn't own Lotus and couldn't give a toss about manufactoring.

[WayneB]

O.K. Tony , I consider myself chastised

What I find peculiar in this case is other manufacturers make knockout dazzling showcars to showcase technology and design skills.

Are Lotus using reverse psycology on us with this one?

[Kimbers]

O.K. Tony , I consider myself chastised

What I find peculiar in this case is other manufacturers make knockout dazzling showcars to showcase technology and design skills.

Are Lotus using reverse psycology on us with this one?

No they're very cleverly aiming at a different market and offering a car ready for production. To many companies this could be a lifeline (MGR went bust because it couldn't afford to develop new cars).

[WayneB]

Is John Miles still in charge at Lotus Engineering?

Edited March 3, 2006 by WayneB

[karluk29]

love the M14 very lambo(esk), and better than the stuck together noble they first released.

the mpv is just plain funny

[JRTurbo909]

It seems, to me, that when Noble designs there cars, the headlights are an after-thought and just kinda splatted on there...

Doesnt seem to flow and looks a tad big for the car...

Shah

[MKE40]

Agreed Paul but Fiat are backed by the Government of Italy and have themselves been in recievership twice just recently. However the Italian Governement supports it's Manufactoring base, Our governement doesn't own Lotus and couldn't give a toss about manufactoring.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"BUT IT SURE AS HELL KNOWS HOW TO TAX YOU,WHETHER YOU SEE IT OR NOT"

Cynical English Manufacturer.

Mike

[Paul C]

Our governement doesn't own Lotus and couldn't give a toss about manufactoring.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe if they built the APX in Northern Ireland the goverment would chip in?

[neal]

Early Nobles were reportedly a bit suspect

I think that's certainly true. I remember Dermot saying he got a ride in one at a VMAX and the thing was literally falling apart during the run - bits falling off, window seals flying open, etc.

[Jussi]

I'm in right now should anyone want

to just pop by and poke my eyes out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Star Wars are coming back

Isn't that cylons new car...although it looks meaner than cylon itself.

[lotustt]

Wayne,

As an Engineer you do suprise me. Remember my post earlier last month saying to watch for something unusual from Lotus? Well now u know what it is.

Let me elaborate: Lotus Engineering was never designed or meant to be just there to develop new Lotus's. Lotus Engineering, for many years was the backbone of the company making profits where the car company loses money. Until a year ago both were losing money faster than you can say "New Esprit". Some changes were implimented by those in the know and Lotus are out and about touting for confidential business to companies that many of you would consider serious competitors but THIS IS WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO SURVIVE. I don't mean to sound preachy but if they don'd do projects like this you won't get your new Esprit....believe me, please.

This car was (as pointed out) never designed to be built by Lotus, infact originally it wasn't designed to be built at all. It's designed to say "Hey we're back, and look what we can do...a 7 seater MPV that looks like a hot hatch" and despite what die hard Lotus fans think it's been well received by those in the industry. So well infact that Lotus have said they're willing to sell the design and concept to the correct buyer.

20 years ago the company was kept afloat doing such items as ride and handling on light tanks, Rover Vanden Plas SDI, Light aircraft engines, suspension for 4x4's (Trooper) etc etc, So that it could sell you an Esprit at a

[esprit350]

In Autocar today a two page spread on the APX and how it is similar to the new Esprit. The new Esprit will have the same basic chassis VVA (Variable Vehicle Architecture) that Lotus are developing. this can be used for a 4x4 or a 2 seater.