A £2bn Investment Could Turn Lotus Into ‘England’s Porsche’

Like Porsche, Lotus has a proud history of great road and track cars, but unlike Porsche, Lotus is short on investment cash to build a better future… until now
A £2bn Investment Could Turn Lotus Into ‘England’s Porsche’

Lotus cars are often compared to Porsches. The Elise to the Boxster, the Exige to the Cayman and to a lesser extent the Evora to the 911. Until now, though, Lotus hasn’t had the development budget to match the Stuttgart brand in every way that matters to buyers.

A new – and huge – round of investment from new parent company Geely could change that. A rumoured £2bn chunk of cash from China is said to be aimed at turning Lotus into a true range-wide Porsche rival with a series of sports cars, executive cruisers and SUVs.

A £2bn Investment Could Turn Lotus Into ‘England’s Porsche’

Firstly the money would transform the Hethel headquarters and add a second facility in the English West Midlands, with a host of new staff at both sites. As many as 200 more engineers could come on board, according to reports.

Geely is aiming to take on more than the 51 per cent stake it currently owns, signalling its desire to succeed with the English sports car maker. Better to buy shares now rather than wait until they’re more expensive.

A £2bn Investment Could Turn Lotus Into ‘England’s Porsche’

Secondly, Lotus’ range, which has long been the butt of ‘new-but-not’ jokes, will get a complete overhaul, with further lines added. We can expect the hardcore, small-volume cars Lotus is known for to be dialled back slightly to widen their appeal in the face of Porsche’s more refined rivals. A new flagship is already due in 2020, with an SUV to follow a year or two later.

The SUV has already been targeted not-so-secretly at Porsche’s Macan. A Cayenne-sized big brother could join it later in the 2020s.

Source: Motor Authority

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Comments

Ian MacDonald

Does this mean we might end up getting the Elan concept as a real car?

08/10/2018 - 11:32 |
196 | 0

They are making the new Elan along with some other great cars. It looks like the Elan might end up as a 911 rival as well as Lotus’ Halo car. I am feeling the route where Lotus is going into making the drivers car we all love

08/10/2018 - 11:38 |
46 | 0

Maybe they could collab with Caterham to make an Alpine rival.

08/10/2018 - 11:39 |
4 | 0
Audi Sport R8 LMS RWS quattro Sport Plus Ultra Evolution

In reply to by Ian MacDonald

It already exists

08/10/2018 - 14:38 |
134 | 10

The Elan concept looks so good in Matt black 👌

08/10/2018 - 17:46 |
18 | 4

It exists in GTA online

08/11/2018 - 05:37 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

As a fan of Porsche and all British cars, I’m really excited.

08/10/2018 - 11:36 |
22 | 0
5:19.55

More car could mean more depreciation meaning more car you want vs car you can afford

08/10/2018 - 11:37 |
2 | 0
Matt Kimberley

In reply to by 5:19.55

Over time, if Lotus really does start investing in new product that can ultimately compete with Porsche on every level, used vales will stay high.

08/10/2018 - 12:14 |
6 | 0
Benjamin

Hell f uck no. This would be the end of good cars from lotus.

08/10/2018 - 11:39 |
2 | 2
Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

In reply to by Benjamin

Umm, no it wouldn’t

08/10/2018 - 11:46 |
16 | 4

[DELETED]

08/10/2018 - 11:51 |
2 | 2
Rahul 1

I like where Lotus is going with this Porsche Rival. I hope you make it big, Lotus!!! They always had great engineers and making masterpieces…

08/10/2018 - 11:41 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Good news, Lotus has always had amazing chassis engineers. Investing in them and giving the engineers more resources will help Lotus develop even more refined drivers cars.

08/10/2018 - 11:45 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Return of the Lotus F1 team please…

08/10/2018 - 12:04 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

I’m excited, and I’m not really into British cars!

08/10/2018 - 12:27 |
0 | 0
Tomislav Celić

HELL YES

08/10/2018 - 12:29 |
2 | 0
Joel Peñaló

Does this mean we’re gonna get gold plated special editions every other day now?

08/10/2018 - 12:31 |
2 | 0