Lotus Blog
CEO Dany Bahar looking for a buyer for LotusFiled under: Lotus, Earnings/Financials, UK 
Reports this week out of London indicate that Lotus CEO Dany Bahar seeks a partner, or even a purchaser, for the Hethel firm. Malaysian automaker Proton currently owns Lotus, but Proton was taken over in January when Malaysian auto parts supplier DRB-Hicom bought the government's controlling interest. The trend with new ownership is to put every project on the table for review, and with Lotus in the midst of massive initiatives - Esprit, Elan, Eterne, new Elise and in-house V8 - it makes sense that Bahar isn't wasting time arranging options.
Although it's not exactly as if Bahar just started looking for a buyer. In summer 2011, Proton's position was shaky enough that Bahar publicly sought outside investment, with Toyota often mentioned as a hypothetical mate.
It is said that Bahar wants £500 million ($792 million U.S.), roughly two-thirds the amount Proton (via bank loans) was said in 2010 to be committing to the brand's revival. As one would expect, Chinese interests are suspected as potential buyers, but only one possible suitor has been named so far, that being Genii Capital, which owns the Lotus Formula 1 team.CEO Dany Bahar looking for a buyer for Lotus originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus headed to Le Mans with Lola LMP2Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Lotus, Racing 
The suitably rapid expansion of the Lotus Racing division is showing no signs of slowing down. The British marque has its own Formula One team, is supplying engines to the IndyCar Series, oversees both GP2 and GP3 teams, has competition versions of its road cars in various GT and rally championships, runs its own karting program, and offers enthusiasts top-notch trackday programs with the Evora GT and Exos/Type 125 single-seater. But that's not enough: now Lotus is gearing up to take on Le Mans.
The company was planning to design its own LMP2 racer, and it had snagged the designer of the 908 HDi away from the now-shuttered Peugeot Sport racing program. But that apparently didn't go quite as smoothly as planned, so Lotus has instead opted to back an independent team to run a second-tier Le Mans prototype on its behalf.
That team is Kodewa, headed up by former HRT F1 team principal Colin Kolles and his father Romulus. They'll be running a chassis built by Lola and powered by a BMW V8 prepared by Engine Developments - the same arrangement by which Lotus is powering its Indy program. The car, as you can see, features the same iconic black and gold livery as other Lotus racers, penned in this case by Daniel Simon - a former Volkswagen Group designer responsible for the Tron:Legacy lightcycles and the livery run on last year's HRT F111.
Look for the Lotus LMP2 to debut when the FIA World Endurance Championship kicks off here at Sebring in March, with a second car expected to join at Spa in May. Press release after the jump.Continue reading Lotus headed to Le Mans with Lola LMP2 Lotus headed to Le Mans with Lola LMP2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRubens Barrichello next F1 driver to follow Lotus to Indy?Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lotus 
There once was a time when Indy was considered not just a stepping stone to F1, but a viable alternative. Those were the days when proven grand prix drivers looking for a new challenge - drivers like like Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fittipaldi, Graham Hill and Mario Andretti - could take to America's fastest ovals and obtain glory on par with Europe's finest circuits. Those days may seem long behind us, but they could be coming back around.
The road to Indy's revival as a premier racing series is being paved with a number of developments. The reunion of the IRL and ChampCar series was one major stepping stone. The arrival of multiple engine suppliers this year is another. But what Indy really needs is big name talents instead of losing its stars to NASCAR. And it just might be getting what it needs, thanks in no small part to Lotus.
After bringing former F1 driver Takuma Sato to Indy, Lotus announced it had signed notable former grand prix pilots Jean Alesi and Sebastien Bourdais to IndyCar contracts as well. So who's next? Rubens Barrichello.
The elder statesman of the F1 grid, Barrichello was left without a ride when Williams showed him the door in favor of fellow Brazilian Bruno Senna. Now reports indicate that he is gearing up for a test drive with KV Racing, the team with which Lotus returned to American open-wheels a couple of years ago.
While Rubens has no oval-track experience and reportedly promised his wife he wouldn't try it, the 2012 schedule - having come a long way from the oval-dominated days of yore - includes only four speedways (those at Indianapolis, Texas, Iowa and Fontana, California), leaving Rubens with a real opportunity to contest the remaining dozen road courses and street circuits on the calendar.Rubens Barrichello next F1 driver to follow Lotus to Indy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus shows off slushbox equipped Evora S IPSFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lotus 
Lotus would like to sell more Evoras, and it's no secret that there are some customers who want to buy them, if not for the lack of an automatic transmission standing in the way. That hurdle's been cleared for 2012, with the Evora receiving the six-speed automatic that Lotus calls IPS, for Intelligent Precision Shift. Mechanically it is the same Aisin unit found in the Toyota Camry (paired with a supercharged version of Toyota's 3.5-liter V6) upgraded with Lotus electronics and actuators.
Company test driver Matt Becker gives it a whipping around the Lotus test track in the video after the jump. On top of the other upgrades the 2012 Evora gets, it doesn't look like anyone will be upset with the changes.Continue reading Lotus shows off slushbox equipped Evora S IPS Lotus shows off slushbox equipped Evora S IPS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsKimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video]Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus 
Few drivers have caused the kind of speculation that Kimi Raikkonen has in the past few years alone. Will he take a Ferrari payoff and make way for Fernando Alonso? Will he find another ride in Formula One? Will he make it in the World Rally Championship? Will he make a real go of it in NASCAR? Will he ever come back to F1? And if so, with which team? Well, the speculation can now stop - or at least change focus - because the 2007 World Champion has officially returned to Formula One.
After signing on with the Lotus team (previously known as Renault, and before that as Benneton and Toleman), Raikkonen has had his first chance to get behind the wheel of a modern F1 car since leaving the Scuderia at the end of 2009. The test took place over the course of two days at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain. But since driving the current car with current tires would constitute an unfair advantage under the present regulations, Kimi was stuck driving the 2010 Renault R30 on demonstration tires (probably from the GP2 series) with a fresh coat of paint (and a new helmet design).
The acclimation run appears to have gone smoothly enough, but we'll have to wait until the start of the season in March to see if Raikkonen's still got what it takes. Then Raikkonen will be squaring off against a huge field of fellow former World Champions, including Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Follow the jump to watch the video clip.Continue reading Kimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video] Kimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and LeggeFiled under: Motorsports, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows 
The only thing more ambitious than Lotus and its expansive new product plan is the company's racing program. In the span of just a few years, the British automaker has launched forays into Formula One, IndyCar, endurance sportscar racing and even karting, all with its own factory-backed works initiatives. And in true Lotus style, it's not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon.
In line with its ambitions, Lotus rolled into the Autosport International Show - the preeminent annual motorsport expo in England - with a whole mess of racing cars and programs to go with them. The firm's F1, GP2 and GP3 teams have all fallen under the new Lotus Racing banner and all will wear the same black and gold livery. A new Lotus Club GT offers the full racing experience to gentlemen racers with the money to pony up for a track-spec Evora, similar to the Type 125 customer single-seater that just underwent further development by the company's grand prix team. But the real news comes from the IndyCar program.
After five years of exclusively using Honda power, the IndyCar Series is switching to a new chassis next season and with it is bringing both Chevrolet and Lotus on board as alternative engine suppliers. Lotus is already contracted to power three independent teams - HVM Racing, Bryan Herta Autosport and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing - who will each choose their new livery from the Lotus back catalog of color schemes. Dragon Racing, however, has been selected by the factory as its new works team in the series, running the same black and gold livery as the F1 team.
The team is owned by Jay Penske (son of Roger Penske), and has just announced its driver lineup for the upcoming season, bringing multiple Champ Car champion and former grand prix driver Sebastien Bourdais on board together with Katherine Legge, another DTM and Champ Car driver eager to steal some of Danica Patrick's spotlight. With Lotus providing the motivation, the upcoming season of open-wheel racing in America is shaping up to be an interesting one. Follow the jump for the full announcement.Continue reading Lotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and Legge Lotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and Legge originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsDRB-Hicom to buy ProtonFiled under: Government/Legal, Lotus 
A deal has been reached to sell the Malaysian government's controlling, 43-percent stake in Proton Holdings Bhd to Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom for $410 million. Rumors surrounding the deal have been in the news for a few months, with Proton's deteriorating profits leading to speculation about if the government would get out and who be the savior. Of course, the other big question was: what happens to Lotus in the event of a sale.
Analysts had uniformly suggested that Proton sell Lotus, citing Proton's sales difficulties and lack of synergies as more than enough reason. DRB-Hicom has interests in various industies from automobile and car-part manufacturing to ports and aiports, but doesn't provide any more synergies with Lotus than Proton alone.
However, with founder and head Syed Mokhtar so closely associated with the firm it could be that he decides to keep Lotus as a jewel in the corporation just because he can - Lotus could do its work in a quiet corner of the DRB-Hicom empire. The deal for Proton is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, so it shouldn't be long before we find out the fate of the so-close-yet-still-so-far-away Esprit.DRB-Hicom to buy Proton originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsInvestors' advice to Proton: Sell LotusFiled under: Government/Legal, Lotus 
There's a lot of smoke going on over at Lotus, but we still have a while to wait before we get the first evidence of fire: the new Lotus Espirit and it's in-house V8 won't be here until 2013. On the other side of the world, there's a fair bit of smoke and fire happening at Malaysian automaker Proton, which owns Lotus.
The Malaysian government controls Proton and has been investigating a partnership for or sale of the company for a couple of years, but despite its efforts, it hasn't made any deals. The 28-year-old automaker has been losing large chunks of market share, and the government feels that sale to a well-funded global player would be the best solution to insure Proton's long-term future. Although it has named its chosen candidate for a purchase, it isn't clear if anyone has made any serious overtures to that end.
Outside observers believe the first thing Proton should do is get rid of Lotus. The mass-market Malaysian carmaker has almost nothing in common with the tiny, English niche sports car producer, and has done nothing but throw money at Lotus' carmaking arm since 1996 (Lotus Engineering, the technology consultancy, is profitable).
Proton has said it has no intention of selling Lotus. However, if Proton is sold then the new owners could reverse that stance. And if Lotus were unloaded, that puts everything CEO Dany Bahar has planned in serious doubt.Investors' advice to Proton: Sell Lotus originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus Exige R-GT rally car gets first shakedown testFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Lotus, Racing 
Lotus has been busily preparing its new Exige R-GT rally car, and the automaker just put the racer through its first shakedown tests in Turin, Italy. So far, the Lotus team is happy with the vehicle's progress, but testing will continue in 2012 as the company prepares to take on the 2012 FIA World Championship. Don't expect the Exige R-GT to take on too many gravel stages, however. Lotus says the rally car will lock horns with competitors in the FIA GT Class on the asphalt events in Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse and San Remo.
Lotus began working on its rally fighter in July, 2011, which is a pretty quick turn around for the vehicle's first shakedown run.
But the Exige R-GT Rally Car isn't the only tasty piece of news from the company. Lotus also fired up the company's IndyCar engine for the first time as well. Hit the jump for the full press release.Continue reading Lotus Exige R-GT rally car gets first shakedown test Lotus Exige R-GT rally car gets first shakedown test originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus Exige to get V6 power, Esprit gets optional hybridFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Lotus, UK, Luxury 
Autocar has the skinny on the next-generation Lotus Exige and Esprit. Dany Bahar, Group Lotus chief executive, dropped a few details on both models while speaking to the publication about the renewal of his contract with the sports car maker.
Bahar has signed on with Lotus for another four years, which means he'll be around to see the launch of the 2013 Esprit. The vehicle is crucial to Bahar's five-year plan for Lotus and should give the company a legitimate halo vehicle when it goes on sale. Motor Authority reports the vehicle will be available as a hybrid that uses an in-house V8 engine paired with an electric motor.
Meanwhile, additional Esprit models will provide no-compromise performance. Speaking of performance, word has it Lotus will work up its own V6 engine in the near future for use in the company's next-generation Exige. Currently, Lotus relies on Toyota to supply its powerplants.
Bahar has also made it clear that Lotus will expand its motorsport endeavors in the near future as part of his quest to make Lotus a British version of Porsche. We certainly can't complain about that.Lotus Exige to get V6 power, Esprit gets optional hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus Renault GP calls Grosjean back up to partner RaikkonenFiled under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lotus, Renault 
Consistency is paramount in racing, but sometimes a thorough shake-up is called for. And that's what's taking place at the Lotus Renault GP team next season.
Not only is the team formerly known as Toleman, Benetton and Renault changing names once again to Lotus, but it's thoroughly shaking up its driver lineup as well. After the surprising announcement that former world champion Kimi Raikkonen is coming back to fill in for the injured Robert Kubica, the team revealed that it's called Romain Grosjean back up to the plate to take Vitaly Petrov's place.
The Franco-Swiss driver has longstanding ties to the team, having served as an official test driver since 2008. He was summoned to the race seat in 2009 when Nelson Piquet was ousted in the wake of the Crashgate scandal, but failed to score a single championship point in those seven races. Now with the experience of having taken the titles in the GP2 Series, the GP2 Asia Series (twice), and the Formula Three Euroseries, Grosjean is getting another shot at the big leagues.
What will happen with Petrov (or Bruno Senna, for that matter) remains to be seen, but given his talents - and the massive sponsorship dollars he brings from a key developing market - we wouldn't be surprised to see him find another ride for next season. Marussia Virgin Racing: we're looking at you, comrades.Continue reading Lotus Renault GP calls Grosjean back up to partner Raikkonen Lotus Renault GP calls Grosjean back up to partner Raikkonen originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments2012 Lotus Exige headed to U.S. as track-only carFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Lotus, UK, Racing 
Lotus may have something special for you if you're still mourning the loss of the Exige here in the States. According to the DuPont Registry, the British sports car maker may be planning to bring the new Exige S to the U.S. as a track-only vehicle for $85,000-$90,000. If true, that means American buyers will be able to sink their teeth into the same 345-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 European buyers are enjoying right now. If you're keeping tally, that's almost 100 horsepower more than the old Exige S260, and that grunt is good for a top speed of 170 mph and a 0-60 dash of 3.8 seconds.
As you may recall, the expiration of a smart-airbag exemption given to small volume automakers as well as difficulty sourcing a new powerplant (the 1.8-liter Toyota engine used in previous models ceased production) conspired to keep the Elise and Exige from American roads after the 2011 model year.
For those interested in a track-only car, the DuPont Registry indicates American that buyers will be able to take advantage of the vehicle's Dynamic Performance Management system, which provides drivers with three traction control settings. An additional Race Pack system may also bow with the vehicle, providing handy tools like launch control and suspension settings pre-dialed for most tracks.
Sounds like fun.2012 Lotus Exige headed to U.S. as track-only car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsThe art of threading the needle, as demonstrated by a Lotus ExigeFiled under: Motorsports, Videos, Lotus, Mazda, Australia 
Professional racing drivers are a different breed than the rest of us mere mortals. While fear - of dying, of killing or of simply making a fool of yourself - keeps most men and women from pressing their automobiles to the very limits of their capabilities, some people choose instead to embrace the fear, turn it into adrenaline and hit the track.
That includes Barton Mawer, who was chasing down a Lamborghini Gallardo for the overall lead in his Lotus Exige during Australia's Island Magic Enduro 2011 race at Phillip Island. Only one problem: in his path were a pair of slower cars; a Porsche Boxster and the Mazda MX-5 of Team Chapman Racing.
What happened next is the things dreams are made of... or nightmares, depending on which seat you're in.
See for yourself, from both points of view, in the videos pasted after the break.Continue reading The art of threading the needle, as demonstrated by a Lotus Exige The art of threading the needle, as demonstrated by a Lotus Exige originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsKimi Raikkonen returns to F1 with Lotus Renault GPFiled under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lotus, Renault 
We expected Kimi Raikkonen to return to Formula 1, but we didn't expect it to be with Lotus. The 2007 world champion, as you may recall, left Ferrari and all of F1 at the end of 2009, competing in the meantime in the World Rally Championship and in NASCAR. Rumors of his potential return to F1 have been circulating ever since, and have now been confirmed by way of a two-year contract with Lotus Renault GP starting next season.
The Finnish driver's return answers a number of questions: For one thing, who would fill injured driver Robert Kubica's seat while he recovers. For another, Kimi was linked to a drive next season with Williams, leaving Rubens Barrichello - the oldest driver on the grid - to potentially continue for at least another season. With Kimi back behind the wheel next year, it should be an interesting season of F1 racing ahead. Follow the jump for the official announcement.Continue reading Kimi Raikkonen returns to F1 with Lotus Renault GP Kimi Raikkonen returns to F1 with Lotus Renault GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRobert Kubica won't be coming back next seasonFiled under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lotus, Renault 
You haven't forgotten about Robert Kubica already, now have you? Of course not. Who could, after all, forget the first Formula One driver ever to come out of Poland, and one of the most promising talents in the sport.
Unfortunately, Kubica's career was put on hold earlier this year when he suffered a devastating crash in a pre-season Italian rally that saw a roadside safety barrier impale his Skoda Fabia S2000 and partially sever his forearm. The injury took him out of the F1 season that was about to start, and sent the Lotus Renault GP team looking for a replacement, Nick Heidfeld brought in for the start of the season before being replaced by Bruno Senna.
A general lull in news subsequently fell over Kubica's recovery as he recuperated in private, but the team has now issued a statement that he won't be back in the cockpit for the start of next season. His recovery is apparently going well, just not that well: he's said to be able to move the injured arm, but moving is one thing - the rigors of driving a modern F1 car competitively is quite another. His management and team are discussing an extension of his contract that will expire at the end of next year so that Kubica can come back when he's ready, and are they are keeping the simulators and test cars running for when the time comes.
In the meantime, LRGP will have to choose who will fill Kubica's seat for another season. His Russian teammate, Vitaly Petrov, is confirmed through 2012, but whether the team opts to keep Bruno Senna in the race seat remains to be seen. Renault keeps a large roster of reserve drivers on call - including Romain Grosjean (who raced for the team in 2009 and is the reigning GP2 champion), Chinese up-and-comer Ho-Pin Tung (currently in IndyCars), former Le Mans Series and F3000 series champion Jan Charouz and Malaysian driver Fairuz Fauzy - but could, as with Heidfeld, bring in an experienced outside driver to fill the void.Continue reading Robert Kubica won't be coming back next season Robert Kubica won't be coming back next season originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus confirms in-house V8, Lego-like chassis has potential [UPDATE]Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Lotus, Luxury 
Lotus is working overtime getting the next Esprit ready for its late-2013 production target, and that means development of everything from an in-house V8 to a slew of new chassis components are under way.
Lotus officials confirmed to Autoblog that the automaker is working on its own 4.8-liter V8 that will power the mid-engine Esprit, along with the front-engine Elite and Eterne. Naturally, they're remaining mum on outputs, but it's safe to assume that the naturally aspirated version will top out around 570 horsepower while a higher-tuned variant would crest 620 hp.
Additionally, the chassis set to underpin the entire range of next-generation Lotus vehicles will be fully modular, allowing the automaker to swap front, middle and rear sections as needed and with very little modification. Front- and mid-engine platforms will be different, but the same basic components holding the Elite together would also be used for the Eterne. Similarly, the Esprit chassis could be reworked for the next Evora (or Elan, depending on whether the Evora name carries enough cache in the following years) and could mean that the Evora could get V8 power - although don't hold your breath for that one.
UPDATE: Sources at Lotus have informed us that the base 4.8-liter V8 will produce 570 hp and that an higher-spec version - without turbos - will boost output to 620 hp. The text of the post has been amended to reflect these figures.Lotus confirms in-house V8, Lego-like chassis has potential [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsAmerican driver Alexander Rossi racing his way into F1Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lotus 
Formula 1 may be coming to America - with two races within the next two years, no less - but it's been a long time since an American has taken on Formula One.
Scott Speed was the last standard-bearer The U.S. had in the series, but after showing early promise with Formula Renault 2000 titles in Europe, he failed to shine in his seat with Scuderia Toro Rosso, ultimately moving back Stateside to NASCAR. Mario Andretti and Phil Hill both took the trophy home for America, but those titles were decades ago. What America needs now is a new talent to waive the Stars and Stripes at the grand prix circuits of the world. And it could have just that in Alexander Rossi.
The twenty-year-old Californian has shown serious promise in the feeder series, winning the Formula BMW title and landing third in the critical Formula Renault 3.5 series where, with two wins, he emerged as this season's rookie of the year. Rossi was linked to the failed USF1 team, and in 2009 was awarded a test drive for BMW Sauber F1, making him the only American to currently hold the FIA Superlicense required to compete in Formula 1.
Now Rossi's coming back for another try at F1, participating in the young driver test at Abu Dhabi for the outfit currently known as Team Lotus (soon to be renamed Caterham). He'll already be on hand for the GP2 race the same weekend, in which he'll drive for Caterham's feeder squad, Team AirAsia. We'll keep an eye out to see how the young Yank does. Follow the jump for the press release.Continue reading American driver Alexander Rossi racing his way into F1 American driver Alexander Rossi racing his way into F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus enlisted to regulate BTCC engine performanceFiled under: Motorsports, Lotus 
Of the many motorsport disciplines in which Lotus is competing these days and will be in the near future, the British Touring Car Championship isn't one of them. And of all the manufacturers taking part in the BTCC, Lotus isn't among them. Which could be why race organizers have solicited the services of the Norfolk, England-based engineering consultancy in regulating the performance between the various cars competing in the series.
The issue comes down to the variety of racing formulas employed in the touring car series: some are naturally aspirated, some are turbocharged. Some follow the S2000 rules, some the BTCC's own Next-Generation Touring Car regulations, while others are still on the old BTCC rule book. It's a heck of an act to juggle, particularly when as many as 30 cars from a dozen or so different manufacturers are all racing towards the same checkered flag.
After Lotus presents its findings to the BTCC's Engine Technical Review Panel, organizers will then be able to establish what amount of boost the turbocharged cars can run in order to make it a fair fight for those running without them. Details in the press release after the jump.Continue reading Lotus enlisted to regulate BTCC engine performance Lotus enlisted to regulate BTCC engine performance originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus, Renault and Virgin F1 teams change names for 2012Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus, Renault 
What's in a name? More than you might think, particularly in Formula One where two teams have been fighting for use of the Lotus moniker for a couple of years now.
The battle, as you may recall, involves two outfits - neither of them directly owned by Lotus. One is based in Malaysia and licensed the name from Lotus' parent company, Proton, before subsequently "acquiring" the name from a third party that laid claim to it. The issue was further complicated when Lotus itself teamed with the Renault F1 team (which also happens to supply engines to the other Lotus team), resulting in two squads called Lotus-Renault.
The two operations have now reached a compromise. The green-and-yellow Malaysian outfit known until now as Team Lotus be named Caterham in 2012 (having bought that company recently), while the Renault team will be cleared to use the Lotus name.
The move further distances Renault from direct involvement with any particular team, stepping back to a more traditional engine-supply role with teams like Lotus, Caterham, Williams and, of course, the world-champion Red Bull Racing team.
The F1 Commission also approved a name change for Virgin Racing, which will drop the name of Richard Branson's company from its official moniker and adopt that of Marussia, the Russian exotic carmaker that bought into the team last year. All three team name changes will require official ratification from the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA, but that's seen as a pro-forma step that isn't expected to derail any plans.Lotus, Renault and Virgin F1 teams change names for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLotus aims to get 'em young with new karting programFiled under: Motorsports, Lotus 
Sports recruiting keeps starting at younger and younger ages. While professional-league scouts used to hit the college games, these days they're scoping out the high school fields. And not just for graduating seniors, either. That's certainly the case (minus the school teams) in professional motorsports, where the drivers are getting younger and younger, too.
These days, major teams are securing future talents at earlier stages than ever, with many F1 constructors - like Renault, Red Bull and Ferrari - operating their own (often extensive) young driver development programs. But while most look to feeder series like Formula BMW or GP2, Lotus has just staked its claim at an even earlier stage with its new karting program.
In partnership with Jefra Racing of Treviso, Italy, the Lotus Racing Karts program is the first factory-backed team in the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship - a common starting point for aspiring young racers. For the 2012 season it will field two karts - a Colin C30 and a Jimmy C32 - in the KF and KZ categories, and will come complete (as pictured above) with the trademark JPS-inspired black and gold livery as featured on the Lotus Renault GP cars and the latest special edition Evora.
The karting program is just the latest - and earliest - step in the rapidly expanding Lotus motorsport division that has already taken Hethel into such series as Formula One, GP2, GP3, IndyCar and various classes of GT racing. Details in the press release after the jump.Continue reading Lotus aims to get 'em young with new karting program Lotus aims to get 'em young with new karting program originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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