Since the Paris Auto Show in 2010, Lotus has been talking up big plans. It is part of a plan by Chief Executive Officer Dany Bahar to make the company profitable. For years, Lotus has been owned by Malaysian company Proton, and during that time it has never turned a profit.

The Lotus name is recognized though, so there is value there. Proton tasked Bahar with coming up with a comprehensive plan to make the company viable. Bahar knew Lotus wouldn’t be able to lean on Proton forever, and introduced five new concept models at the Paris Auto Show. Bob Lutz was brought on to advise the company, and he saw it as the only viable way forward. No doubt it is a huge undertaking though, and one that requires a very significant investment.

Now, Bahar is said to be looking for a buyer or investment partner that will let Lotus’ development plans continue unimpeded. The need to find a new owner has taken on a greater degree of importance after the Malaysian government sold its ownership stake in Proton to DRB-Hicom. DRB Hicom is unlikely to want to fund Lotus’ development program through to fruition. Auto Express reports that Dahar needs an investment partner willing to put up around $790 million (at current exchange rates). That isn’t chump change! Investors are especially hesitant with the topsy turvy economy and ongoing financial crisis in Europe.

So far Lotus hasn’t found the right partner, but Chinese companies (of course) are said to be interested, along with the owner of the Lotus Formula One team, Genii Capital. Hopefully someone will come along and see Lotus’ grand plans into reality. It will be a lot to digest for any new buyer. The best scenario would be a large, established manufacturer taking over – such as Toyota. Despite Toyota’s need to get its performance mojo, we don’t foresee anything like that happening.

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A quick look at the top 10:

10. Police in the Netherlands have a hand-built Spyker C8. The Spyder Roadster uses a V-8 Audi 4.2 Liter power plant to push this cruiser to its limits in terms of speed and handling. However, it doesn’t quite have the same curb appeal as:

9. Lamborghini Gallardo. Two vehicles in London’s Metropolitan Police have been used since 2005 and 2006 as publicity, provided by Lamborghini. Often referred to as the Yellow Gallardos they bear the yellow and blue markings and are fitted with a small light bar. They are not however, used as part of the department’s regular cruiser force.

8. There’s not much that can be said about the Mini Cooper version of a police car, other that their power plant and sturdy frame can take them many places that traditionally sized police cars can’t go.

7. For luxury, the Lexus IS Humberside features a 5 Liter V-8 with a top speed of 168 miles per hour, although it could be faster except for the electronic governor limits. The extra communications equipment and computers in the vehicle has not slowed it down any and aids officers in their pursuit of the ne’er do wells.

6. Not many crooks can take their eyes off a Porsche Carrera S, especially when it’s flashing red and blue lights in their rear view mirror. This cruiser was used in Germany to attempt to promote car safety as well as some of the illegal methods car lovers use to outfit their vehicles.

5. With many car companies developing show vehicles, putting together police cars, Ferrari wasn’t left out of the loop with its 612 Scaglietti HGTS. The special cruiser, housing the V-12 four-seat vehicle was part of its 60^th anniversary parade through the United Kingdom.

4. When Sussex police get together with young drivers and talk about road safety, the youngsters pay more attention with the police show up in their Lotus Exige. Showing up in such as vehicle often gets the youngsters’ attention and allows the police to address road safety issues.

3. The Mitsubishi Evo-X Lancer offers more than just performance and power. Its image plays a strong part in disturbing crime on the Yorkshire streets in the United Kingdom. The sight of the vehicle is often enough to eliminate the need for a high-speed chase.

2. Only one U.S. vehicle, the Chevrolet Camaro is considered one the coolest police vehicles, but this one, built on a Camaro SS frame, a local car shop built this vehicle for the Haltom City, Texas department and has a muscle-car influence in the community.

1. The number one coolest police car is the 225-mile per hour V-12 housed in a Mercedes CLS Brabus Rocket. It was built for a safety campaign in Germany, but it still causes excitement when it is seen at motor shows around the world.

The Article is a contribution by John Smith; John has a passion for cars and technology, he often looks out for new and innovative technology. His great knowledge makes him an avid writer as well. Visit his site Aanbesteding politievoertuigen and politie aanbesteding.

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Go big or go home – that is Lotus Chief Executive Officer Dany Bahar’s vision for the future of the company. Lotus has carved a niche out for itself selling lightweight, mid-engined sports cars like the Elise and Exige.

Unfortunately, according to industry observers that niche isn’t a profitable one – Lotus has lost money for 15 years. Bob Lutz, who is an adviser to Lotus, recently said that this new business plan is the only hope for the brand’s long-term survival. What most don’t know about Lotus is that while it is a British brand, it is owned by Proton, which is in turned owned by the Mayalasian government.

That backing has enabled Lotus to survive thus far, while that wouldn’t be the case if the company was independent. Now you get more of an idea why they brought in Bahar to shake things up and turn a profit. The drumbeat from investment advisory firms is that Proton should sell Lotus.

Proton denies any interest in doing so, and they say they are moving ahead with a business plan that aims to reach profitability by 2014. Dany Bahar is confident Lotus will achieve that goal. Lotus needs to have a wide product lineup and be making money in order to be attractive to a potential buyer. Its value at this stage is probably quite low.

Speaking with Bloomberg, Bahar said: “The only thing we can do is show the current owners, or the new owners, that we are absolutely in line with the business plan that we have presented….without the funding support and the guarantees given by the Proton group, we would not survive, end of story.” No doubt, the lineup Lotus has presented requires a lot of money to be invested. At least so far, Proton appears to be going along with it. If everything goes well though, we wouldn’t be surprised to see them looking to offload Lotus at the height of its market value.

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In December of 2009, Lotus began what would be a radically different plan for the future. Proton, parent company of Lotus, hired Dany Bahar as Chief Executive Officer. Bahar, who formerly worked at Ferrari, was hired to chart a new path. Those plans were revealed at the Paris Auto Show last year when the company showed off numerous new models.

The Esprit super car is on its way, and Lotus plans to produce other models like the like the Elite and Eterne by 2018. What happened to a focus on lightweight design above all else? Well, the company thinks that isn’t a winning business plan. Instead, each car will aim to be the lightest in their respective segments. Bahar calls his vision for Lotus a “British Porsche.”

As part of that effort, the company is developing its next-generation of engines in house. Before, Lotus used Toyota as an engine supplier. That arrangement has caused some issues in the past, as Toyota recently discontinued the four-cylinder engine that powered the Elise and Exige.

Lotus wants to be able to control its own engine supply going forward. It is an expensive proposition – sourcing engines from other manufactures costs a lot less. For potential buyers, it also ensures things reliability and easier access to parts. Many speculated the Esprit would be powered by a version of the engine powering LFA. Alas, it was not to be. Autocar reports today that the Exige will be getting V-6 power standard next time around. V-6 power will help further differentiate the Exige from the Elise. Currently, the Exige is available with a 3.5-liter V-6 in S track guise. There has been some news that the Exige S is coming to the United States as a track-only model.

Lotus has also confirmed the signing of a new five-year contract with Bahar, so he can oversee the launch of all these new models that he is planning. You might remember, Bob Lutz is also an adviser to Lotus Cars. Other plans from Lotus include a hybrid Esprit super car, as well as much increased involvement in racing programs like Formula One. The company is also plotting a comeback to LeMans and IndyCar. These are big plans that we hope Lotus will be able to deliver on. It seems like it would have been smarter to take it slow, but if they can pull it all off then more power to them.

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At the Paris Auto Show in 2010, Lotus showed off grand plans for the future. They included new model additions like the Elite, Eterne, Esprit as well as a radically different next-generation Elise. Lotus is clearly planning to move upmarket and away from its lightweight-only focus of the past decade. For many, the Elise is the car that got Lotus on the map again here in the United States and around the world. We’ll see how forging a new path works out for them; we think they carved out a pretty good niche before.

In August, Lotus announced Elise and Exige final editions for the U.S. They are no longer able to be sold here due to a few issues; one being the fact that Toyota discontinued the 1.8-liter 2ZZ four-cylinder that powered them. The other is that NHTSA exemptions that enabled the sale of both cars expired.

The engineering to replace their airbag system was too expensive to undertake, especially when they were nearing the end of their lifecycle. We are going to have to wait for the next-generation versions of these cars. However, DuPont Registry is reporting that a new track-only Exige is under consideration in the U.S.

The model in question is the Elige S, which instead of a four-cylinder is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 making 345 horsepower. Selling as a track car would be a way to get around the governmental requirements. The Elise and Exige were perfect track-day cars; in fact they were better track cars than road cars.

DuPont says the car would be sold for around $85-90,000. Not cheap, that’s for sure, but it offers a lot of performance and kit. Top speed is 170 mph, and 0-60 arrives in 3.8 seconds. Track specs include a full roll cage, racing seats/harness and an electric cut-off switch. Lotus still has the bigger, more luxurious Evora to sell in the U.S for those who want a Lotus they can drive on the road. No word on when the Exige S will be made available for order.

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Born on September 5th 1946, Freddie Mercury was a prodigy for the music and entertainment world. Renowned for his stint with the high-energy rock band Queen and for a solo career including albums titles like ‘Mr Bad Guy’, Mercury earned some famous admirers. His death in 1991 due to AIDS-related illness brought sadness as well as awareness to the life threatening disease. For what would have been the 65th birthday of the iconic rock star, his dynasty lives on through rock anthems for social causes and especially sporting events. A cultural icon, the Freddie Mercury name has championed charities promoting the combat of AIDS. One effort to raise funds for the Mercury Phoenix Trust will arrive from a special edition version of the 345-horsepower Lotus Evora S.

A one-off creation from Lotus’ bespoke team, the Freddie Mercury Evora S is a rolling tribute to the former Queen lead. British-based sports car builder owned by Malaysian auto company Proton, the employment of Lotus uniquely captures the likeness of Freddie Mercury’s life. A man born with British citizenship in the protectorate Zanzibar, Mercury spent much as his childhood in Asia. Besides geographic links, the Lotus Evora S supercar’s loving sensation of life and adventure goes hand-in-hand with the rock legend Mercury.

Wearing a paint scheme of white with red and hold striping, the 2+2 seater Freddie Mercury Lotus Evora S exterior replicates a costume design worn by the music star in 1986 (the final year Mercury toured with the band Queen). Accompanying the slick costume-inspired outer skin, a sharp interior coloured yellow with black accents. Like the Exterior, the Evora S sports car’s cabin colour scheme is also derived from a concert worn outfit. Details added to interior surfaces on the Lotus Evora S include a recreated Freddie Mercury signature on the dash panel. Featuring custom Recaro racing seats, Queen’s coat of arms logo is entered on the headrest while the image of the Union Jack flag is worn on the backside.

Powered by the supercharged 3.5 liter V-6 engine, this Freddie Mercury Lotus Evora S is set to be a hot auction item at Monday’s auction. Guaranteed to be a major draw for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, one successful one bidder for this unique Lotus Evora S will provide a close encounter with a “Crazy little thing called love”.

Information and photo source: Lotus Cars

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Praise the lawd! Praise the lawd! Praise the lawd! Here comes Gordon Murray to the rescue! Hopefully … I was filled with terror and repugnance as much as every other gearhead out there when the current head guy of Lotus (the car company, not the race team(s)), Dany Bahar said (in effect), ‘Screw all this lightweight sportscar crap – we’re heading up market and adding more luxury stuff!”

I know, I know. This, from the head of a car company founded by Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman. The guy that said, “To go fast, add lightness,” and, in the process of putting that divine wisdom into practice ended up kicking some serious sports car ass over the past five decades. I know, it insulted me too.

Well, hopefully Lotus won’t be doing anything too stupid in the future, that is if they pay attention to one of their newest hires, Gordon Murray. Murray, of course, is best known in automotive circles for such trivialities as various Brabham Formula One cars, the McLaren F1 supercar and, most recently, the T.25/T.27 city car project that makes a Smart Car look like a delivery truck. Sure, he’s only joining forces with Lotus in an “advisory capacity”, but you have to say it’s a step in the right direction.

Murray will sit on Lotus’ Advisory Council, a board that already includes such names as known car nuts as Bob Lutz, Tom Purves (former BMW North America chief), former BMW designer Burkhard Göschel and Volkswagen engineer Frank Tuch. It don’t sound like a list of idiots to me.

Lotus and Murray said that his new (advisory) gig with the boys from Hethel shouldn’t get in the way of Murray’s independent design outfit. There’s also some Karmic justice at work here too. When he first started out as an engineer in F1, Murray hoped, above all, to join the legendary Lotus team before being snapped up by Bernie Eccelstone to work at Brabham instead.

“Gordon has never been afraid to trail blaze, take risks and do things differently, these are attribute that we are very familiar with and very proud of at Lotus. With his incredible and unique motorsport and design experience he will complement the existing council line up perfectly. We’re very much looking forward to working with him,” said Group Lotus Chief Executive Dany Bahar on the selection of Murray.

Gordon Murray had this to say: “For years I’ve been a huge admirer of Lotus, I have great respect for the legacy that Colin Chapman created and I think what Dany and the team are doing is a really good thing for the brand. He’s taking the strength from Chapman’s principals and taking the business to the next level whilst still keeping the general ethos – not an easy task! I’m really looking forward to contributing to Group Lotus during this exciting time.”

But now, as the saying goes, is when the rubber will meet the road. If Lotus does as Bahar threatened, and seriously head up-market, slathering on more leather and wood and doodads and knick-knacks and other things that don’t help the cars go faster, it will be a huge mistake. Or at least in my opinion it will.

Every serious sportscar maker out there ladles on the luxury and comfort and convenience crap whether the car needs it or not. Have you seen what a Porsche weighs these days? Don’t even think about rolling a newer Aston Martin onto the scales, you won’t like the read out. Hell, even Ferrari, in as potent a car as their F430 Scuderia has air conditioning. Air conditioning!! Yes, yes, I know, it’s only supposed to be a track car 20% of the time, but if you’re making a balls out, factory stripper race car, you don’t give it AC. Hell, I remember when the heaters in Austin-Healeys were options. Their default was to give you less, so you could enjoy the car more.

And that, is what separates Lotus from everybody else: “To go fast, add lightness.” Or at least it used to (that is if Bahar’s plans see the light of day). Our only hope is that Murray et al will talk some sense into him.

Source: Autoblog

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Despite the physical toll on drivers and team members, mental focus along with the obvious rush of competition, auto racing is often disregarded or completely neglected from professional sports. Some critics against the ‘sports’ classification on auto racing references car as largely responsible for the athletic aspect during an event. A sharply untrue statement, the truest most example of a motorsports athlete the legendary Brazilian Ayrton Senna. 65 pole positions, 41 wins and three world championships earned through 161 races at the highest Formula 1 competition captures the 10-year career of Ayrton Senna numerically. Impressive statistics, the film documentary Senna personifies the late athlete behind the Formula 1 achievements.

Giving a detailed look at a charismatic individual, Senna works with some rich source material. Better than the fictional work of almost any Hollywood blockbuster producer, the real life chronicle of Ayrton Senna presents a superb story of love, action political drama, conflict, heroism and ultimately tragic loss.

Competing in Formula 1 from 1984 to 1994, Ayrton Senna’s career and life is beautifully documented. While cold, hard statistics is of interest to hardcore Formula 1 racing fans, Senna avoids burying itself in statistics giving a more personal look at the Brazilian legend. Through Senna family home video, interviews, and through a rare peek into the Formula 1 drivers meetings of the early 1990s, the racer’s personality is brought to life 15 years after his tragic crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Senna’s parents and sister, McLaren team principal Ron Dennis along with Formula 1 series’ chief doctor Sid Waltkins enlightens us on the life of the legendary sports figure.

Ayrton Senna’s famous second place drive at Monaco driving a Toleman race car, first win with Lotus, all three championships with McLaren and the climatic 1991 victory at his home Grand Prix of Brazil are highlighted as grand moments in a 10-year career. Showing some of the greatest drives of the Brazilian professional, Senna’s mastery in the rain is a continuing theme in the documentary as a supernatural force connected for an arguably supernatural being.

Customary for any detailed look at Ayrton Senna is the famous feud between his McLaren teammate through the late 1980s Alain Prost. Entering the McLaren team in 1988 with Prost being the established driver, Senna’s addition to the league’s top organization was exhibited as an acrimonious situation which boiled over into the most volatile relationships among sports teammates. After Ayrton Senna grabbed his first driver’s world title in 1988 through a brilliant drive, the following year’s championship was decided with a controversial collision between Senna and Prost. By virtue of this incident, this documentary gains two antagonists through Alain Prost and the past FIA president Jean-Marie Balestre. A Frenchman like Prost, Balestre elected to punish Senna for driving through a chicane in rejoining the race. Though the McLaren team feud showed to competitors at their best (and possibility worse), Senna’s relationship with both of those figures shows off a more layered relationship than a basic ‘hero and villain’ battle.

From beginning to the end of Ayrton Senna’s life in 1994, the film dramatically characterizes changes to the driver’s psyche. While Senna remains a kind, caring and passionate person throughout his racing career, Ayrton Senna is seen as one eager, young hot shoe upon receiving a ride in the Toleman. Early in the movie, Ayrton Senna was a man deeply in love with life and racing following many carefree years in go-karting. Through the story of the young Senna, he is quickly caught up on the auto racing series’ politics.

While Senna correctly portrays the Formula 1 driving legend as a hero to the impoverished and opposed people of Brazil, the documentary also shows Ayrton Senna as a person pushed to conflict with even his own competitive principles. In the 1990 Formula 1 title fight, the documentary replays footage of how Senna took the champion through a collision with Prost at the Japanese Grand Prix mirroring the incident one year before. As politics become a main theme to Ayrton Senna’s career as he rose to a three-time world champion, the Brazilian legend would ironically to shown initiating arguments in the latter years of his career. One such incident occurred as Senna wanted his Williams team to issue a protest against the Benetton racing team car piloted by eventual 7-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.

Featuring graphic crash footage, the documentary plainly reveals that Ayrton Senna was not oblivious to dangers of racing. As a benchmark competitor, it was important for the Brazilian driver to know his fellow racers were alive after the most vicious crashes. Relying on a deep belief in god, there were times Senna commented he felt a surreal connection while racing. Near the end of Ayrton Senna’s life, the documentary illustrates a man in conflict with an unbalanced Williams-Renault race car as well as an unsettled soul.

Though so many viewers realize the conclusion of Senna, the film brilliantly concludes after 1 hour, 45 minutes as more than just a motorsport movie. A human being pressing himself to greatness, Ayrton Senna’s humble nature becomes the basis for what is now an enduring dynasty.

Photo source: Chris Nagy, MPH The Prestige & Performance Motor Show, Veloce

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Receiving the most corporate motivation since founder Colin Chapman’s heroic time helming the Lotus brand, the British sports car company has laid down their product line-up groundwork last year at Geneva. Showing off a brand new esprit, a four-door performance car and a firm commitment to KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), Lotus Cars revelation includes five new production vehicles within the next five model years. Building for a new future, Lotus Cars is required to gracefully dismiss their current product line-up.

Lotus Cars appreciated some of its greatest commercial success with the Esprit supercar. Eventually powered by a Twin-turbocharged V-8 engine, the Lotus Esprit would leave a void that another British sports car needed to fill. Constructed on the principles Colin Chapman constructed his Lotus Seven, the sports car maker concentrated with production of a lightweight track performer. While the Esprit was in production, Lotus introduced the European market to the mid-engined Elise. A hardtop version of the Lotus Elise, called the Exige, was added in 2000.

Selling on the roads in Europe, the Lotus Elise and Exige first arrived in United States for only club racing. It wasn’t until the second generation redesign and the 2005 model year that the small Elise sports car was approved for American roads. Though the Elise and Exige might not be regarded the Lotus’ most attractive offerings as horsepower often measures desirability, the supercharged Toyota engine added into the second generation vehicles made them stout sports cars. Despite the longish entrance into the United States and Canadian markets, Lotus cars assure the countries will be part of the exit plan with the Final Edition models. Along with the changing look of Lotus, the Elise and Exige production for North America has been ended due to the discontinuation of their Toyota engine supply.

Arriving from Lotus’ Norfolk, England production facility for the last time in August 2011, only a total 70 examples of the Final Edition Lotus Elise and Exige imported to North America. Of the 70 vehicles, 30 will come in the form of Lotus Exige S260 hardtops and 25 will be Exige coupes finished with a special matte black exterior. The 2011 Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition is available exclusively to the North American market coupled with black alcantara sport seats and the 257 horsepower supercharged/intercooled 1.8 liter engine. The rarest Final Edition version is the Elise SC where just 15 cars available to the United States and Canada.

All three Lotus Final Edition models can be equipped with options reinforcing the performance creditability and prestige for the last vehicle issue. The Lotus Exige Final Edition models includes the Sport Pack that features Lotus Traction Control System for better all-around handling. The Exige’s Touring Pack presents a pompous sense of luxury to the small sports car with touches such as leather inserts throughout the interior. To unleash the top performance potential from the Toyota four-cylinder engine, the Track Pack which offers an adjustable Track suspension. The Final Edition of the Lotus Elise can also be ordered with the Touring Pack option as well as an available matte black removable hardtop.

A last moment for North American buyers to experience the lightweight sports car, the Elise and Exige Final Edition models provides one last moment to explore simple, successful performance. Capable of acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in as little as 4 seconds, the Lotus platform accomplishes the fast rush with a most unusual property. Exploiting the efficiency of their vehicle design, the small Toyota engine can scream well past 20 miles before burning a gallon of gasoline.

Prior to the 25 Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition models sale at a $69,900, the rare sports car will make a first appearance during the events of the upcoming 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. As for the prices of the other two Final Edition Lotus vehicles, the Elise SC model will go on sale for $57,500 while the last built Lotus Exige S260 coupes will be snatched for $67,500.

Information and photo source: Group Lotus

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Lotus has big intentions for its future. The Paris Auto Show last September resulted in a whole slew of new concept unveilings that point to much more ambitious goals. Clearly, one Lotus era is coming to a close and a new one is dawning.

The Evora is the first production model to illustrate this. The Evora is mid-engined and more sumptuously appointed than previous cars like the Elise, Exige and Europa.

With the Elise ceasing sale of the car in the United States, it also is the only car sold by Lotus here. Now it gets its chance to prove itself in racing, as Lotus has announced its entrance into the American LeMans Series (ALMS) in 2012.

The team is called Lotus Sport USA, located in North Carolina. It is an offshoot of the global Group Lotus. The U.S team is headed up by Ian Dawson and John Pritzlaff.

Ian Dawson was previously at Lotus in the 1970s. Lotus director of Motorsport Claudio Berro commented on the announcement, saying: “We are very happy to confirm the formal plans for Lotus Sport USA. This part of the world represents a very important market to Group Lotus now and for the future. With Ian Dawson and John Pritzlaff on board, I’m sure Lotus Sport USA will go from strength to strength.”

Entrance into U.S racing marks a full international schedule for Group Lotus. Internationally, the team will focus on GT2 and LMP2 classes in the International Motor Sport Association (IMSA). The car Lotus will be racing is a specially-modified Evora GTE.

The Evora GTE is powered by a Toyota Cosworth V-6 engine making 470 horsepower. Testing will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, and next year Lotus plans to compete in full force. More details will be forthcoming, with a driver lineup and calendar of events to be released soon. Overall, this is a good move for Lotus in the U.S, as it should help increase brand awareness in preparation for new models to come.

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The only true disappointment with many auto shows is the limited or non-existent opportunity of seeing the greatest creations in motoring in motion. Taking place on the first weekend of July, the 2011 edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is an outside exhibition where museum-quality, near priceless machines are seen and heard. Within a well-forested area where plenty of green space, the event is also considered as “the largest motoring garden party in the world”. First held in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has grown as a multi-day world gathering that featured some of the most marvellous pieces of motorsport history.

With motor vehicles as ancient as the 1909 Blitzen-Benz, presentations of auto racing’s golden age within the 1950s through to the 1970s intrigued as signs of automotive technology progression. The Chaparral 2J CanAm sports car and a Ford GT40 were a few of the classic motorsport combatants in motion at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed. A fantastic opportunity for 150,000 spectators to be willingly schooled in auto racing history, the hills of Goodwood connected to the 21st century with future classic vehicles. Fresh off a victory at the 24-Hour of Le Mans, the Audi R18 Tdi was driven by Audi Team Joust driver Marco Werner. A British touring car-fitted Chevrolet Cruze as well as GT3 class sports cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the all-new McLaren MP4-12C brought into prospective over 100 years of power and glory. In amongst all the motoring history, automobiles transcending the timeline included the Audi Ur-quattro S1, Porsche 917/30, Jaguar XJR9 le mans prototype and a Hennessey Venom GT supercar.

Beyond the beauty of the race cars themselves, the most attractive quality for the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the reuniting of the world’s most successful motorsport drivers with vehicles having provided a significant role in defining their careers. This year, the spectacle of cars and drivers side-by-side has never been stronger as Indy car, Formula 1, sports car, rally car and motorcycle racing. Awaking the hills on the Friday kicking off the three-day event, past racing greats such as Formula 1 World champion Emerson Fittipadi, three-time open wheel champion Bobby Rahal and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser began navigating the Goodwood hill, a 1.16-mile rising 300 feet to a finishing summit. While there were some timed runs with certain cars, it could be forgivable that most vehicles were more paraded up Goodwood‘s track.

With internal combustion engines powering most of the cars of yesterday and today, 1963 Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones revved-up something completely different. Called the Lotus 56, Jones piloted a 1968 jet turbine powered Indy car designed to go after a Brickyard victory. An aerodynamic wedge-shaped vehicle, the Lotus 56 was a revision to a 1967 vehicle Parnelli Jones almost guided to a win at the Indy 500. As the race’s sanctioning body outlawed turbine-powered cars in 1969, the Lotus 56 retired winless in competition. Shown off at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the car was brought back to life projecting its unusual automotive sound to the crowd.

As an assortment of modern race vehicles rolled at the English motoring festival, current motorsport stars presented themselves to the crowds through the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the show. Recent Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, Formula 1 driver for Red Bull Racing Mark Webber and Mercedes GP’s Nico Rosberg were among a few names at Goodwood. IZOD INDYCAR Series point’s leader for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing Dario Franchitti showed some respect to some older racing machines than his regular Dallara-Honda. Driving a Mercedes-Benz 190 Evo II, Franchitti also received a second chance to pilot the 1965 Lotus 38. First rear-engined vehicle to win at the Indianapolis 500 in the hands of the legendary Jimmy Clark, Franchitti first connected to his fellow Scottish driver Lotus 38 last year in a photo-op at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Other active racers at Goodwood Festival of Speed included the McLaren Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Trusted with a variety of McLaren cars, the pair drove the 6-time winning 1980s McLaren MP4/1, the 2008 driver championship-winning MP4/23 car and the McLaren MP4-12C supercar. The Ferrari, Lotus-Renault GP and Red Bull Racing Formula 1 cars would also take to the Goodwood hill.

Having formally announced his retirement during mid-June, 81 year-old British driving ace Sir Sterling Moss gave the Goodwood crowd a show of motoring greatness. Well-regarded as the best Formula 1 driver never to win a world championship, Moss appeared to have exempted the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed. On the two days he was attended the event, Sterling Moss took the wheel of the 1961 Ferguson Project 99 (a car Moss declared his favourite Formula 1 car). For those wondering, yes the Ferguson name on the Formula 1 car was connected to the farm tractor company. In fact, the all-wheel drive open wheel racer was built as a showcase for the gearboxes employed on the tractors. Driven by Sterling Moss to victory in the 1961 International Gold Cup, non-championship Formula 1 held at Oulton Park, England racing in wet conditions. The victory is recorded as the last win by a front-engined Formula 1 car and the only victory by a four-wheel drive. Timed on the Goodwood hill, Moss negotiated the classic Ferguson Project 99 through the circuit in 1 minute, 42.6 seconds. While Sterling Moss was 6th fastest in the machine, the Ferguson Project 99 was wheeled to a best in category time of 1 minute and 2.3 seconds on Saturday in the hands of Stuart Rolt. Stuart Rolt is the son of the car co-developer and Formula 1 driver Tony Rolt.

Apart from the moving motorsport history lesson, many automotive companies provided traditional static displays. Showing off their latest products, Jaguar exhibited their CX-75 supercar while Ferrari brought the upcoming FF grand tourer to the public show. Displaying some modified performance with a hybrid powertrain, Honda allowed viewers to witness the Mugen-prepared CR-Z sports car.

After three days, the fortunate motoring-adoring crowds left having sampled a feast of dynamic automotive and motorcycle racing history. A 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed is an event words would fail to fully-encompass.

Information source: The Goodwood Estate Company Limited, Ferrari, Honda UK, Jaguar
Photo source: Ferrari, INDYCAR, Jaguar

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It is definitely an end of an era for Lotus, the lightweight mid-engined purveyor of cars hailing from Britain. Lotus stole the Paris Auto Show last year with its dramatic introductions of five different concept models. The debuts startled the automotive press, as Lotus kept them all under wraps prior to unveiling.

While it is unlikely that every one of the cars introduced will it to production, they did show off a different strategy for the company than the one it was pursuing.

While in the 1980s and 1990s Lotus made the exotic Esprit, in recent years it revived itself following the lightweight philosophy of its founder Colin Chapman. Cars like the Elise and Exige have made Lotus what it is today. Now, that focus is changing.

Autoblog reports that Lotus is going to stop the sale of Elise and Exige models in the United States. This decision isn’t due to change in direction though. Instead it is because of a federal law. Until now, Lotus has been operating under an exemption to a federal “smart airbags” requirement.

This year the waiver ends for manufacturers like Lotus and Lamborghini (who previously needed the waiver, but says its vehicles now meet the standards). This exemption expiring could also raise issues for Tesla and its Roadster 2.0, which is based on the Elise and uses the same airbag system.

That isn’t the only issue however; the Exige and Elise are powered by Toyota’s 2ZZ four-cylinder engine, which is ending production. To continue sale in the U.S, a new engine would have to be sourced that is certified for our market (emissions and the like), along with the cost and complexity of reengineering the airbag system.

Sales of the car will continue in the United Kingdom and European countries with a new 1.6-liter engine. The next Elise doesn’t arrive until 2015however, which will leave a big gap for sales of the Elise on our shores.

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There’s no doubt who was the star of the Paris Auto Show. Lotus introduced five new models that showed a totally different direction for the brand. Prior to the show, Lotus Chief Executive Officer Danny Bahar hinted at a grand new plan for the automaker and to most that signaled the reintroduction of the Esprit supercar.

That did come, but so did a whole host of other models. Clearly Lotus pursuing a far different plan then it did with the Elise over the past decade.

Bob Lutz, who is serving in an advisory capacity to the Lotus board, recently pegged the company’s chances of success with its ambitious new lineup at 60 percent. The chances of continuing under the former strategy were even less he said. Now, CEO Danny Behar is speculating about the possibility of the brand developing its own engines.

The Elise is powered by Toyota engines, and the partnership with Toyota was expected to continue with the company’s new models. This time around however, the engines would be sourced from Lexus. The Esprit was expected to be powered by the LF-A’s V-10 engine with other models in the pipeline possibly getting power from the IS-F’s V-8.

Talking to Autocar, Bahar says it is important to have a Lotus-developed powerplant: “We have done three engines for other manufacturers; why not do it ourselves?” he said. “The engine is the heart of a sports car; we should do our own product.”

The question to do it or not comes down to cost. He says the final decision to develop the engines will be made in January and that the reasoning will be “purely financial.” There are benefits to be had from Lotus producing its own engines though, with future cost savings from parts commonality and economies of scale spread across the lineup.

Also in the report is news from Lotus engineering chief Wolf Zimmerman that there will be a lot of parts sharing between the three mid-size Lotuses. The cars will share a platform and key components like brakes, suspension and electrical systems.

If the numbers work out, we’re looking forward to seeing what Lotus comes up with in developing its own powertrains. The previous Esprit, which went out of production in 2004, was powered by a Lotus-built V-8.

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Indulging the eccentric demands of deeper pocket motorists, the Lotus sports car company is spawning a revolutionary five-vehicle lineup by 2015. Consisting of four exotic cars of the typical two-door variety, a conspicuous addition to the resurgent British sports car organization is a four-door super saloon. The Lotus Eterne is the latest entrant to a new premium car category building four-door coupes. Attaching the Lotus badge to a four-door vehicle for the first time, the Eterne will perhaps receive the deepest intrigue.

Correspondence to styling guidelines within the new four-door coupe category works to deemphasize the rear passenger entrance. The 2015 Lotus Eterne’s streamlined door handles and a larger roof grasshouse are are subtle enough to initially go unnoticed Fashioning design cues first revealed on the 2+2 passenger Lotus Elite, the super saloon Eterne headlamps, front grille work and hood line are mirroring representation of the Grand Turismo-styled Elite. The rear deck lid appears wider on the Lotus Eterne than compared to the Elite with an unique lower diffuser and exhaust tip layout.

In true Lotus style, even the Eterne super saloon aspires to become a lightweight package. Weighing about 3,960 pounds, the use of composite materials keeps the Lotus Eterne about 300 pounds lighter than an Aston Martin Rapide and within par of a V-8 powered Porsche Panamera. An achievement to market an under 4,000 pound premium four-door, Lotus will miss out on the lightest car in category honours to the aluminum-bodied Audi’s A7 Sportback.

Under 4,000 pounds of total weight, expect this four-door coupe to fly thanks to V-8 power. Derived from a Toyota powerplant, the Lotus Eterne’s power potential will really shine by adding the optional KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) integrating electric motors with an unique transmission. Delivering a maximum output of 612 horsepower when KERS works in companion with the 5-liter V-8, performance for the British super saloon is set for 4-second flat 0 to 60 mile per hour acceleration. With 531 foot-pounds of torque muscle meeting the road at either the rear or through available all-wheel drive, the Lotus Eterne will shoot over roads at a maximum speed of 196 miles per hour.

Lotus has made the statement that their future sports cars seek high-performance credentials while obtaining excellent occupant space and comfort. A tough task but obtained goal with their traditional two-door supercars, the Eterne represents an opportunity for Lotus’ interior designers to flex luxury and comfort interpretations for the future of the British brand. At the time that the advanced production model is being shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, little information was given out on the Eterne’s other than the fact the super saloon will have 4-passenger seating.

With a due date of spring 2015, the Lotus Eterne will be the crowning completion of the new generation of Lotus Cars.

Information and Photo Source: Lotus Cars via Newspress

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Looking into the future, the next generation of Lotus cars indicates The Esprit, Elite, and Elan all sported names of the British sports car company’s past. Resurrecting the Lotus brand with legendary names is certain to spark enthusiasts attention (as appears to have already happened through the mass Paris Motor Show). However, Lotus Cars’ renewed focus also includes recognizing the current exotic auto company. Among the future Lotus offerings expected through the next 5 years, the Elise name is shown after 2015 with a new lease on life.

The first all-new Lotus sports car marketed after the auto brand’s acquisition by their current corporate parent Proton, the Lotus Elise made a statement that core values of Lotus have not been lost. Built in the tradition of the Colin Chapman’s Lotus Seven, the Elise became a super-lightweight pleasure vessel making the most of a small four-cylinder engine. Out in Europe since 1996, the tiny sub-five second ride did not enchant North America soil until the 2005 model year when the NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) made a temporary exemption for the Elise. Receiving a well-earned redesign after what will be 13 years without a major change, the 2015 Lotus Elise projects that the high-speed small car’s adventure is just starting.

Weighing less than a current Chevrolet Aveo, the 2015 Lotus Elise gently taps the scale at 1,095 kilograms (approximately 2,409 pounds). Assembled with the continuous dedication to low-weight materials, Lotus’ smallest car embodies the most youthful look of the new sports vehicle lineup. Lotus has said to have retained elements of the current Elise design. Apparently, those cues are flooded with a deeper inspiration from Lotus’ styling look forward. Besides enhancing performance and good taste, the 2015 Lotus Elise grace is also more considerate to driver and passenger. Unlike the current version of this compact sports car where cabin ingress for moderately-proportioned individuals is similar to trying on a tight pair of jeans, the upcoming Elise features a more accommodating set of doors allowing for an easier entry and exit.

More so with the 2015 Elise, modern Lotus styling touches inside capture an aggressive look. The Lotus Elise’s colourful, bright interior features the simple charm of a club racer is added to the aesthetics of a two-seat cabin. The use of silver accents along the doors and around the center console, the appearance of a tubular reinforcements commonly found in racing car is created.

The entry-level of the future Lotus lineup, power is less robust than the Esprit. Serviced by a mid-mounted two liter, four-cylinder powerplant, nearly 316 horsepower and the Elise’s lightweight construction promises not to provide an entry-level performance experience. Acceleration times for the future Elise will fall from the current variant. Depending on whether the 2015 Lotus Elise owners elect for the 6-speed manual or the 7-speed dual clutch transmission, times are penciled to be about 4.3-4.5 seconds in a 0 to 62 miles per hour run. Top speeds just under 168 miles per hour rests at the upper performance echelon of this small Lotus.

Unlike the next-generation Lotus sports cars, the Elise will not be equipped with an optional KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). Still potentially classified as a hybrid sports car (through my a mild hybrid), the Lotus Elise will employ an available stop/start system which shuts down the engine during idling conditions.

Another one of Lotus’ 2010 Paris Motor Show treats, the trick comes in waiting until Spring of 2015 when the first new Elises can be snatched at price equal to £35,000 (currently about $55,600).

Information and photo source: Lotus Car via Newspress UK

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