Adamas Motor Group, the exclusive Retail Partner of Lotus Cars in the UAE, is thrilled to have introduced the ground-breaking Lotus Eletre hyper-SUV during a private gathering held in the vibrant city of Dubai.

The new Lotus Eletre is the first of a new breed of pure electric lifestyle vehicles from the iconic British manufacturer and marks a defining moment in its history. It is aimed at a new generation of Lotus customers and showcases the brand’s commitment to innovation, performance and sustainable motoring.

“Lotus Eletre represents the new brand identity by utilizing 75 years of sports car design and engineering and evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle vehicle.
The Eletre is a technological leader in its class with fully autonomous capabilities built in as standard. Furthermore, the Hyper-SUV boasts a long list of innovative and patented technologies that have never been seen in the automotive world. The Eletre drives just like a Lotus would, it is built For The Drivers.”

Dan Balmer, Regional Director, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Group Lotus

“Adamas Motor Group and Lotus Cars have always been united in our relentless pursuit of automotive excellence, and tonight we are extremely proud to host the inaugural launch of the world’s first pure electric Hyper-SUV in our home market of the UAE. The new Eletre features a unique blend of technology, performance and sustainability, which are perfectly aligned with the UAE’s status as a hub for cutting edge automotive innovation. We are confident that its exceptional attributes, coupled with our best-in-class customer service, will resonate deeply with our discerning customers and look forward to seeing the car on the UAE roads next year.”

Karl Hamer, Chairman & CEO, Adamas Motor Group

The Lotus Eletre sets new benchmarks in the all-electric and hyper SUV segments with a wealth of remarkable and highly innovative features. It redefines the boundaries of electric mobility, with up to 600 kilometers of range and lightning-fast acceleration that propels it from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds.

Its handling has been finely tuned by Lotus engineers to create a vehicle that drives like a true sports car and inspires confidence, while delivering the practicality of an SUV. The Eletre’s futuristic cockpit is upholstered with the highest quality materials, as well as an array of cutting-edge features such as Lotus Hyper OS infotainment system, immersive KEF Premium Audio, and a suite of advanced driver assistance technologies.

The new Lotus Eletre is available to order from Lotus Cars UAE, operated by Adamas Motor Group and priced from AED 480,000 with first customer deliveries scheduled to for Q2 2024. For further information on Lotus Eletre in the UAE, please visit: https://lotuscars.ae/campaign/eletre

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Lotus today has unveiled Emeya, the company’s first four-door hyper-GT, in New York City. “Bringing together our rich heritage with intelligent performance and the latest cutting-edge technologies, we’re pushing the boundaries for how a luxury electric vehicle should look and handle– making it truly for the drivers,” said Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Lotus Group.

Emeya is setting a new benchmark for how a Lotus drives and feels by combining the company’s 75-year expertise in engineering and design, with the latest advanced innovations – bringing drivers an electric car that is exciting to drive and performs exceptionally.

This includes advanced and active aerodynamic features such as the pioneering active front grille, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. All this, combined with a low centre of gravity that Lotus calls ‘hyperstance’, enhances stability when driving, and sets a new standard in the GT segment for ride and handling excellence.

Emeya has an electronically controlled air suspension system. Its advanced onboard sensors feel the road 1,000 times a second and automatically adjust the vehicle to ensure the smoothest ride.

The top specification model for Emeya features Lotus’ high-power dual motor set-up that delivers a top speed of more than 155mph (250km/h) and can accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in under 2.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest electric GTs in the world.

To provide customers with confidence wherever they’re travelling, the performance of Emeya is complemented by Lotus’ market-leading charging capabilities. It can add 93 miles (150km) of range with approximately five minutes of charge using a 350kW DC fast charger, as well as boost range up to 80% within 18 minutes.

Emeya has been consciously designed with advanced sustainable materials that are also sustainably sourced, to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes a new luxury thread made from repurposed fibres from the fashion industry – as well as PVD aluminium, Alcantara, Nappa leather, and Ultrafabrics PU.

Ensuring that every occupant can enjoy an unrivalled music experience, the Emeya will offer a truly immersive audio system developed with KEF. Emeya’s speaker system will elevate music listening to new levels. It features KEF’s award-winning Uni-Q^® speaker design and Uni-Core^™ space-saving subwoofer enclosure, as well as Dolby Atmos-enabled 3D surround sound – first seen in a Lotus on the Eletre Hyper-SUV.

“This is a Lotus like you have never seen before. We’ve built on everything Lotus has achieved so far to create a luxury performance car for the drivers, designed to inspire confidence, exhilarate with raw emotion and pure joy – connecting them to the road,” said Ben Payne, Vice-President of Design, Lotus Group.

Emeya brings together emotion and logic, power, and precision, and connects the strength of Lotus sports car DNA with four-door luxury and comfort. The name Emeya was chosen to embody the ambition and commitment which Lotus has for this new vehicle.

Emeya joins as a flagship model in Lotus’ line-up of luxury lifestyle electric vehicles, part of the company’s vision to become a global performance brand by 2028. Production is expected to begin in 2024.

The global premiere of the car took place in the heart of New York City, USA, as part of a three-day immersive brand experience showcasing the past, present and future of Lotus at Studio Emeya.

The activation took over four storeys of a parking lot in Manhattan, inviting attendees on Lotus’ journey and showcasing its rich heritage and experience. The event gave guests an exclusive look at how Emeya was created, and the emotion evoked by driving, before it culminated with an immersive reveal of the car and a rooftop party that saw DJ and radio presenter Benji B entertain crowds as they got up close and personal with Emeya.

Studio Emeya will be open for one day only to the public. To experience the event themselves on Saturday 9 September by registering at: https://StudioEmeya.eventbrite.com

Further information on Emeya will be released in Q4. Details on market availability and pricing will be announced at a future date.

The Lotus Emira has been named Best Performance Car at the ‘UK Car of the Year’ awards 2023.

Now into its sixth year, the UKCOTY is wholly independent and designed to advise UK customers about the best new cars on the market. It is judged by almost 30 professional journalists who cover the whole automotive industry, including some of the most respected names from national newspapers, magazines, TV and online.

Comments from the judges included:
“It’s great to have Lotus back producing cars that put a big smile on your face – and with a huge step-up in interior quality.” – Paul Barker, Carwow

“As Lotus’ last-ever petrol car, the Emira two-seater sports car had to visually ‘go out with a bang’. Inside, the Emira’s cabin is one of its most well-appointed and comfortable ever to wear a Lotus badge. All in all, big bang achieved.” – Guy Bird, freelance journalist

“What a return to form! Rapid yet enjoyable at lower speeds, a ride/handling balance that defies belief and exotica looks despite being cheaper than its Italian rivals.” – Keith Jones, CAR magazine and Parkers Car Guide

Russell Carr, Director of Design, Lotus Cars, led the Emira design team and said: “It is a great honour for the whole team at Lotus to receive this award for the Emira, and from such respected and knowledgeable judges.”

He added: “This award is also an appreciation and acknowledgement for all at Lotus Cars, from the engineering and development teams, those in manufacturing and quality and in sales and marketing, who have worked to take this now multi-award-winning sports car from concept to production and record sales.”
The Emira now goes forward for the overall UK Car of the Year title, to be announced next month.
Powered by either a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine through a manual, automatic or Dual Clutch Transmission, the Emira delivers breath-taking performance and class-leading ride and handling. It is a junior supercar with everyday usability, beautifully balanced with excellent steering weight. Delivering a shift in practicality, comfort, functionality and technology, it is a true Lotus – nimble, mid-engined, exotic looking and competitively priced. It is the most accomplished Lotus road car ever to come out of the Hethel factory gates.

Two of the most famous names in Formula 1 have been behind the wheel of the stunning Lotus Evija all-electric hypercar during one amazing week at Hethel.

Emerson Fittipaldi is the Lotus legend whose racing success in the Type 72 exactly 50 years ago has inspired development of the Lotus Evija Fittialdi. He was at the home of Lotus for the car’s world premiere, driving it round the famous 2.2-mile test track. And just a few days earlier, Jenson Button – F1 World Champion in 2009 and an Evija customer – was involved in shakedown testing ahead of its public debut.

Their exploits on the circuit, which has played to host to so many other world-famous racing drivers over the years, are captured in a new documentary film from Lotus. It’s been created as part of the launch of the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi, marking the 50th anniversary of Emerson’s World Championship in 1972.

Initially the Brazilian took to the test track in chassis 72/5, the car he drove multiple times during the 1972 season as he claimed the F1 Drivers’ title for himself and the Constructors’ title for Team Lotus. Emerson said: “It’s a very special day for me to be back at Lotus to commemorate 50 years since my first World Championship. My Lotus 72 is one of the most iconic cars in the history of Formula 1, and the most important car from my life.”

Later Emerson swapped into the Evija Fittipaldi. Showcasing the world-famous black and gold Lotus colour scheme – also 50 years old in 2022 – the hand-painted exterior and numerous other unique design features have been created to commemorate the successful 1972 season. They include a hand-tinted plan view of the Type 72 etched into the exposed carbon fibre roof, and Emerson’s signature hand-stitched into the dashboard.

Perhaps the most emotive detail of all is the rotary dial on the floating central instrument panel. It has been hand-crafted from recycled original Type 72 aluminium, ensuring a genuine piece of the iconic F1 racer is part of each Evija Fittipaldi.

After completing numerous laps of the Hethel test track, the 75-year-old racer commented: “The Evija Fittipaldi is going to be as iconic as the Lotus Type 72. It’s beautiful handling, incredible power, the next level of performance for hypercars and different from all the other cars I’ve tested. It is a beautiful piece of art. Look at the outside, look at the technology – to have my name on the car is an honour for me.”

Earlier in the week Jenson Button had also been at Hethel, finalising the specification of the Evija that he’s buying. He also lapped the test track in the Evija Fittipaldi car as part of the shakedown process ahead of the car’s launch event.

Quickly getting up to speed Jenson took full advantage of the chance to explore Evija’s performance. He was also seen unleashing the power in several standing starts. As he jumped out of the driver’s seat of the world’s most powerful production car, Jenson commented: “It sounds like a jet engine! You think of an EV as quiet but it’s not. The torque is astronomical. It’s amazing, it puts a big smile on your face. It feels like a spaceship, the drivability and direction in the steering certainly lets you know you are driving a Lotus; I am amazed by the agility of it. It is a Lotus of the future and I can’t wait to drive my own Evija.”

Despite its incredible power and performance, the driver remains at the centre of the Lotus Evija experience, just as it was for the Emerson Fittipaldi and the Type 72. The technical specification and performance figures of the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi are truly astonishing; more than 2,000 PS makes it the most powerful series production car in the world, creating more than 1,700Nm of torque. The 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) is completed in under three seconds, and 0-186 mph (0-300 km/h) takes less than nine seconds from a standing start.

Another highlight of the Hethel celebration was the first time in history that all eight surviving examples of the Lotus Type 72 were brought together in one place. The owners had travelled from all over the world with their cars to be part of the event.

Lotus has announced the appointment of Ben Payne as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) for Lotus Technology.

Ben has most recently been Managing Director and Head of Studio at Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Coventry, UK. He remains in charge of the LTCC team, which is leading the design of an all-new and all-electric range of lifestyle cars, the first of which is the Lotus Eletre Hyper-SUV.

Ben’s new role as CCO expands his remit to cover all creative aspects of the Lotus lifestyle vehicles and co-ordinating the design output of visual assets for the Lotus brand. The LTCC team works in close collaboration with the sports car design team at Hethel, which is led by Design Director, Russell Carr. Both teams report to Vice-President of Design, Peter Horbury.

Ben commented: “This new role will help the LTCC team build the influence of design within the wider business, which is important as we continue to focus on creativity and consistency for the brand. This will be invaluable as Lotus continues to evolve. Although this is personal recognition, what it really reflects is the creativity and spirit of the entire team at LTCC. I thank them all sincerely for the continued support, and I look forward to realising the full potential of the team we are building.”

Peter Horbury added: “The design team at Lotus is enjoying a period of great success, with our latest three products – Evija, Emira and Eletre all becoming award winners. The recent worldwide acclaim for the Lotus Eletre Hyper-SUV, reinvigorated just this week with the announcement of pricing and specs, is testament to the hard work of the recently established LTCC team which Ben leads. His new role will continue to drive forward the global growth of all elements of the iconic Lotus brand.”

Ben joined Geely Design UK in 2018 – the facility was renamed LTCC in January 2022 – and has a strong background as a consultant in automotive design. Working on an international level, he has extensive technical knowledge and production car experience, spanning a number of major manufacturers and ranging from volume production to bespoke one-off models.

Lotus has unveiled the prices and specifications for one of the most eagerly anticipated models in its history – the award-winning Eletre Hyper-SUV. The news was delivered during Lotus Eletre: Unleash the Future, a global broadcast watched by tens of thousands of customers and fans around the world.

The Eletre is the all-new and all-electric lifestyle model from Lotus, as it continues its transformation from a UK sports car company to a global performance car business and brand.

It is the first of a new breed of pure electric SUVs. It takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from almost 75 years of sports car design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle car for the next generation of Lotus customers.

The company’s famed expertise in the fields of ride and handling, steering and optimised aerodynamics, have been carefully and respectfully evolved. The Eletre takes the soul of the latest Lotus sports car – the Emira – and the revolutionary aero performance of the all-electric Evija hypercar, and reinterprets them as a Hyper-SUV.

With a world premiere in London in March this year, the Eletre is ‘Born British, Raised Globally’, a collaboration between highly experienced and dedicated Lotus teams in the UK, Germany and China. They include the product definition and attributes teams at Hethel, the home of Lotus since 1966; the design teams at Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Coventry; the engineering teams at Lotus Tech Innovation Centre (LTIC) in Raunheim; and the Lotus Tech engineering and manufacturing teams in Wuhan.

Matt Windle, Group Vice-President and Managing Director, Lotus Cars, commented: “Confirmation of the pricing and specs of the Lotus Eletre is a key moment in the transformation of Lotus through our Vision80 strategy. We know from media and customer feedback that they’re hugely excited by the arrival of this car – indeed, the Eletre has already won awards as 2023’s ‘most excited to see’ new model. Customer deliveries start during the first half of next year.”

He added: “The launch of the Eletre is the natural next step for Lotus. Two-seater sports cars are not for everyone, and we want to offer a Lotus for every stage of your life. The Eletre is the start of that.”

Already thousands of customers around the world have placed deposits to secure their Eletre. Three different versions of the car are available – Eletre, Eletre S and Eletre R – with the choice of two powertrains. Eletre and Eletre S feature the 450 kW / 603 hp single-speed version, with a maximum range of 600 km (373 miles). The Eletre R comes with the flagship 675 kW / 905 hp dual-speed system and a maximum range of 490 km (304 miles). Torque figures are 710 and 985 Nm respectively, delivering a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) performance of either 4.5 or 2.95 seconds. The 112 kWh battery for both versions has a charging time (10%-80%) of just 20 minutes using a rapid charger.

As part of the Unleash the Future global news broadcast, key Lotus personnel explained the company is embarking on an ambitious future based on three key pillars – Life, Tech and Speed. They also previewed how the world’s first Hyper-SUV, the Eletre, measures up against the original Lotus EV hypercar, the Evija.

As part of the Tech story, Lotus announced more details of its advanced ‘digital cockpit’ cabin on the Eletre, including the name of the Operating System – Lotus Hyper OS. Lotus is using ‘Unreal Engine’ technology from the gaming industry, allowing the Lotus User Experience / User Interface (UX/UI) team to create next-generation real-time 3D content and experiences. The Eletre boasts state-of-the-art processing power which includes two Qualcomm 8155 System-On-Chips.

Lotus Hyper OS provides a seamless interactive experience that offers best-in-class performance in terms of visual effects and interactive feedback, putting the user – driver or passenger – in complete control.

A next-generation Digital Head Unit from global mobility tech company ECARX will debut on the Eletre. It reconfigures the user’s in-car experience by providing fully customisable displays, hosted on an advanced Driver Information Module (DIM), and ultra-slim floating one-billion-colour OLED touchscreen for more realistic graphics and a more futuristic visual effect.

The platform includes ECARX’s first dual-chip system to enable server-level computing power for rapid processing and smooth rendering. The resulting immersive multi-screen user experience can be continuously improved during the lifetime of the car via future Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.

Lotus has also revealed it is partnering with HERE Technologies to deliver integrated navigation services for the Eletre. The service includes EV Routing, EV Range Assistant and Predictive Routing, and can be updated via OTA updates.

Lotus also announced a new collaboration with Dolby, creator of the renowned immersive audio experience Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is a new way to enjoy music that takes listening to new heights through unparalleled depth, precision and clarity. Together, Dolby Atmos and the Eletre’s KEF speaker system combine to elevate music listening to new levels. Driver and passengers will feel like they’re sitting in the middle of the recording studio alongside the artist. The Eletre is the world’s first car to combine Dolby Atmos and KEF Audio.

In the UK the Eletre is priced from £89,500 (from €95,990 in Europe). The standard spec includes five drive modes, active air suspension, torque vectoring, matrix LED headlights, active front grille and 22-inch 10-spoke forged wheels.

The premium cabin takes Lotus interiors to an all-new level of desirability. As standard the Eletre comes with wireless smartphone charging, 12-way electrically adjustable front seats, four-zone automatic climate control and many other features. The ‘intelligent cockpit’ infotainment system, which includes Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and a 1,380-watt, 15-speaker KEF Premium Audio, is operated via a centrally mounted 15.1-inch full High-Definition OLED centre screen. All versions of the Eletre feature five seats as standard, with a four-seat version available as part of the Executive Seat Pack.

Also standard is the deployable LIDAR technology, a world-first in a production car which supports end-to-end autonomous driving (AD) technology. Integrated OTA software update capability ensures the system will be fully ready when individual market regulations allow for the more advanced levels of AD.

In the UK the Eletre rides on 22-inch wheels as standard, though 20-inch and 23-inch are available. There are five different wheel designs and six colours of brake caliper. At launch there are six exterior colours to choose from – Natron Red, Galloway Green, Stellar Black, Kaimu Grey, Blossom Grey and Solar Yellow. More will follow later.

Six unique interiors are available, all offering premium high-grade materials and detail choices. Sustainability has been at the heart of the development. For example, the Eletre is available with a state-of-the-art alternative to leather that is environmentally friendly, odour-free, and lasts longer than genuine leather. In addition, a new man-made fibre has been used in the carpets and boot liner. It is 100% recycled and 100% recyclable, and there is no waste in the production process.

The Eletre S costs £104,500 (from €120,990 in Europe). The enhanced specification includes numerous additional features such as privacy glass, active rear spoiler, configurable ambient lighting, illuminated side sills, soft door close, auto-dimming side mirrors and an air quality system. It also includes a 2,160-watt, 23-speaker KEF Reference Audio.

The flagship version is the Eletre R and is the world’s fastest dual-motor pure electric SUV. It has a top speed of 165 mph (265 km/h) and can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 2.95 seconds.

During the Unleash the Future broadcast Lotus revealed how the car has been testing on the Nürburgring, which is just two hours’ drive from LTIC. Maximilian Szwaj, Vice-President of Lotus Technology and Managing Director, LTIC, explained: “The Nürburgring circuit is very challenging, and we are proving with our tests there and our simulations that we will achieve the performance targets we have set for the Eletre.”

He also revealed that Lotus is working on advanced technology which will ultimately allow customers to drive the Nürburgring circuit autonomously. It means they can experience the thrilling driving performance and dynamic capability of a Lotus from the driving seat supported by AD technology.

The experiences from the Nürburgring have been implemented into the Eletre with Track Mode, which is exclusive to the Eletre R and part of its standard specification. Compared with other versions, it provides a lowered ride height, and more performance-oriented settings for the dampers and anti-roll control. It delivers a higher level of dynamic performance at longitudinal and lateral limits for the most ambitious drivers. Track mode also includes a fully open active grille and a launch control with instant access to the car’s full power.

As part of Unleash the Future, Gavan Kershaw, Director, Product Definition and Attributes, Lotus, spent a day on the test track at Dudenhofen, also close to LTIC. Gavan commented: “The Eletre is truly a global car with involvement from the best engineers around the world. The Dudenhofen test track is tight, twisty and undulating – like the perfect English B-road – and the Eletre is so enjoyable to drive, exactly like a Lotus should be. The Eletre is a true Lotus.”

The standard specification of the Eletre R also includes Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack, Carbon Fibre Pack, gloss black wheels, stainless steel sports pedals, black badging and high-performance tyres. The Eletre R is priced £120,000 (from €150,990 in Europe).

All Eletre customers have further opportunities to customise and personalise their car to their requirements using option packs. Those available at launch include the Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack, Ceramic Brake Pack, Executive Seat Pack, Comfort Seat Pack, Carbon Fibre Pack, Extended Carbon Fibre Pack and Interior Carbon Fibre Pack. Many options from the packs are also available individually. Two Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Packs are also available – the Parking Pack and a Highway Assist Pack.

In the UK the Lotus Eletre will come with a five-year / 100,000-mile vehicle warranty, plus five years of pan-European roadside assistance.

Pricing in eight key European markets is detailed in the table below, with launches in other countries in the region to follow. Plans for the arrival of the Eletre in North America, Middle East, Asia Pacific and other regions are well-advanced and roll-out will begin from 2024. Prices and specs for those will be revealed nearer the time.

During the Unleash the Future broadcast, Matt Windle revealed it isn’t just the Eletre which has been to the Nürburgring. The all-electric Evija hypercar has also been lapping the track, albeit via an advanced vehicle simulator. He commented: “Our simulations are showing us that the Evija is very quick. That’s exactly what they should show because the car is ultra-powerful, lightweight for an EV and it’s got incredible downforce. In terms of taking the car itself to the circuit, all I can say at the moment is watch this space.”

The world’s most powerful production car – the stunning Lotus Evija hypercar – now delivers even more exclusivity and desirability. Inspired by the past to enhance the future, Lotus has unveiled the Evija Fittipaldi, a tribute to one of the greatest car-and-driver pairings that Formula 1 has ever seen.

That driver is, of course, Emerson Fittipaldi, the young Brazilian racer who joined Lotus and became a legend, cementing his place in F1 history in 1972. Behind the wheel of the now-iconic Lotus Type 72 and winning five of that season’s 11 races, Fittipaldi secured the Drivers’ Championship for himself and the Constructors’ Championship for Team Lotus.

Exactly 50 years on, the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi is a fitting celebration of that partnership. Just eight examples of the all-electric two-seater are being hand-built at Hethel in Norfolk, UK – the global HQ of Lotus sports car design and manufacturing – and all are sold. Customer deliveries will begin early next year. It is the latest project from Lotus Advanced Performance, the bespoke design and experiential division of the business launched earlier this year.

Showcasing the world-famous black and gold colour scheme – also 50 years old in 2022 – the hand-painted exterior and numerous other unique design features have been created to commemorate this amazing collaboration. They include a hand-tinted plan view of the Type 72 etched into the exposed carbon fibre roof, and Fittipaldi’s signature hand-stitched into the dashboard.

And perhaps the most emotive detail of all is the rotary dial on the floating central instrument panel. It has been hand-crafted from recycled original Type 72 aluminium, ensuring a genuine piece of the iconic F1 racer is part of each Evija Fittipaldi.

Such a special car deserved a special world premiere; customers, their families and other VIP guests have taken part in an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience day at Hethel to celebrate the launch of the new car and the iconic Type 72.

Guest of honour was Emerson Fittipaldi himself, who said: “It’s fantastic to be back at Hethel for such a special occasion. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this project and it’s been a wonderful experience revealing the car to some of the new owners. Having the opportunity to drive both the Evija Fittipaldi and my championship-winning Type 72 Formula 1 car on the test track at Hethel has been an incredible experience.”

Other highlights of the day included the first time in history that all eight surviving examples of the Type 72 – hence the number of Evija cars being built – were brought together in one place and run on the Hethel test track.

Simon Lane, Director, Lotus Advanced Performance, commented: “The word ‘legend’ is often overused, but this project has brought together the Lotus Evija hypercar, Emerson Fittipaldi, the Type 72 race car and our brand’s celebrated Formula 1 heritage. No argument, that is four legitimate legends, all collaborating to deliver a truly unique hypercar and a world premiere that was a real ‘pinch yourself’ moment.”

He added: “Production of the Evija has commenced at Hethel, and these eight cars are a very special celebration of this important moment in our history.”

The bespoke specification of the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi starts with its unique paint finish, which includes its designation written on the body work in gold lettering to the side of the rear window. Complementing it are black and gold ‘Type 72’ wheels complete with anodized centre lock surrounds – red on the left side of the car and green on the right – as well as black and gold brake callipers.

Decals that celebrate the Type 72’s race victories from the 1972 season are presented on the active rear wing, while a number 8 has been applied to the B-pillar. Fittipaldi raced with that number on his car during the 1972 season, including for his win at the British Grand Prix. A carbon and gold Lotus nose badge completes the exterior styling.

Inside, the theme of luxury and bespoke design continues. Black leather interior with gold contrast stitching can be found throughout the cabin, along with exclusive roof liner stitching, plus gold finishes to the air vent surrounds, centre rotary dial, start/stop button and pedals.

The car has been developed with the generous support of Classic Team Lotus, the historic motorsport business run today by the family of Lotus founder Colin Chapman to maintain and operate Lotus F1 cars. Also based in Hethel just across the road from Lotus, it hosted the gala dinner at the launch event.

Clive Chapman, Managing Director, commented: “Emerson Fittipaldi and my father enjoyed a very special relationship, and their spectacular success was a brilliant team effort by the dedicated designers and mechanics at Team Lotus. One of motorsport’s most admired drivers, it is always emotional whenever Emerson is reunited with the Lotus Type 72, which he describes as the greatest car he ever raced.”

He added: “Bringing together the Lotus Evija, the Lotus Type 72, the black and gold livery and Emerson Fittipaldi, all in celebration of his World Championship victory 50 years on – need I say more?”

Despite its incredible power and performance, the driver remains at the centre of the Lotus Evija experience, just as it was for the Emerson Fittipaldi and the Type 72. The technical specification and performance figures of the Lotus Evija Fittipaldi are truly astonishing; more than 2,000 PS makes it the most powerful series production car in the world, creating more than 1,700Nm of torque. The 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) is completed in under three seconds, and 0-186 mph (0-300 km/h) takes nine seconds from a standing start. The limited maximum speed is 217 mph (350 km/h). The full technical specification is detailed in the table below.

From one world champion to another, earlier in the week Jenson Button visited Lotus to test drive the Evija and Emerson’s Type 72 on the famous Hethel test track. It was the first time Jenson had seen the Evija in production and took one out on track to give it a shake down before the launch of Evija Fittipaldi. Quickly getting up to speed Jenson drove the car around the 2.2-mile test track, testing the car’s ride, handling and performance. He was also seen unleashing the power in several standing starts. Full of praise when he jumped out of the driver’s seat of the world’s most powerful production car. Jenson commented: “It sounds like a jet engine! You think of an EV as quiet but it’s not. The torque is astronomical. It’s amazing, it puts a big smile on your face. It feels like a spaceship, the drivability and direction in the steering certainly lets you know you are driving a Lotus; I am amazed by the agility of it. It is a Lotus of the future and I can’t wait to drive my own Evija.”

Jenson also got the chance to turn back the clock and drive Emerson’s 1972 Lotus Type 72. The car that helped Emerson clinch his first driver’s championship. Jenson Button added: “It’s lovely to get into a bit of racing history. There isn’t a lot of space, but everything is in the right position. It was easy to heel and toe. It’s a real privilege to drive such a special car.”

A stunning piece of contemporary automotive design – the work of a team led by Lotus Design Director Russell Carr – the Evija features a dramatic Venturi tunnel through each rear quarter, giving it a truly breath-taking presence. This ‘porosity’ means optimised airflow, with air channelled not just over, under and around the Evija but through it, maximising downforce while minimising drag. Its front splitter aids grip while channelling cooling air to the battery pack, E-motors and brakes, and active aero features such as a Formula 1-style DRS (Drag Reduction System) bestow the Evija with cutting-edge performance. With driving dynamics overseen by the team of Gavan Kershaw, the world-renowned Vehicle Attributes Director for Lotus, the Evija is a car like no other.

The first Lotus road car to feature a one-piece carbon fibre monocoque chassis, the cabin – from the fully adjustable race-style seats to the multi-function steering wheel – is the very pinnacle of motorsport-inspired road car design and technology.

Just as the Lotus Evija is defining a new era of pure electric performance, so the Lotus Type 72 remains the most successful racing car not just of its day, but in F1 history. In 2019 Autosport magazine named it the greatest ever F1 car. A revelation both on the drawing board and on the track, the Type 72 was the first racing car to incorporate aerodynamics as part of its initial design. The integrated rear wing and front splitter were designed specifically to allow the car to slice through the air while also creating vital downforce.

The Type 72’s air intake was relocated above the driver’s head, ensuring undisturbed and clean air could be sucked straight into the engine, while its radiators were placed in the sidepods of the car rather than the nose. This not only increased cooling efficiency but improved weight distribution – and therefore performance – in the process.

The same approach was also taken for the brakes, mounting them inboard rather than on each wheel to aid cooling as the tops of the discs protruded through the bodywork. The Type 72 was the first of what became the traditional “wedge on wheels” designs that soon inspired every other competitor on the grid.

Lotus announces the appointment of John Paul Gregory as Head of Exterior Design at the Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Coventry, UK. The LTCC team, headed up by Ben Payne, takes the lead on creating the range of all-new, all-electric lifestyle cars, working in close collaboration with the sportscar design team at Hethel, led by Russell Carr.

John Paul joins from previous leadership roles at Aston Martin and Bentley, bringing a wealth of creative experience from some of the world’s most recognised premium brands. At Bentley, John Paul was responsible for the exterior designs for much of the current lineup.

John Paul will embody the values of the brand and lead a team to research, design and progress the future of Lotus, reporting directly to head of LTCC, Ben Payne.

At LTCC John Paul joins an ever-growing international creative team, where diverse minds come together to design Lotus’ all-electric lifestyle vehicle lineup and continue to influence world-class creativity and innovation across Group Lotus.

Ben Payne said “JP is a world-class talent with a proven track record in creativity, communication, and leading people. His appointment comes at a key time when we are moving our business to the next level. His mindset and experience will be invaluable as Lotus continues to evolve and LTCC continues to develop – I look forward to realising the full potential of the team we are building.”

John Paul added “Lotus is a brand that has already started its transition into its future as a true global performance brand, and LTCC has so far played a big part in that. With an iconic history to honour, I look forward to working with Ben and the team to help shape the next chapter of the brand”.

JAMES ANDREW APPOINTED CHIEF BRAND OFFICER

Group Lotus announces a new Global Brand and PR centre structure has been established. The new centre will be headed up by James Andrew, who has been appointed Chief Brand Officer.

Initially with offices in the UK, Netherlands and China, the new centre will oversee the evolution and deployment of the Lotus brand around the world.

The Global Brand & PR Centre will report into Group CEO Mr. Feng Qingfeng, with the regional divisions headed up by Nigel Bromley (UK office – covering UK and RoW regions), Giuseppe Mele (Netherlands office – covering Europe region) and Chen Qi (China office – covering Greater China region).

The newly formed team will embark on establishing systems, processes, teams and facilities around the world, ensuring the most impactful and consistent treatment of the Lotus brand as the business evolves and develops in line with the company’s Vision 80 strategy.

In addition to heading up the Global Brand Centre as Chief Brand Officer, James Andrew will also continue his responsibilities as Executive Director of Communications for Lotus Cars Limited, reporting to Group VP and Managing Director of Lotus Cars, Matt Windle.

It was an exceptionally busy day for Lotus at Goodwood Festival of Speed as crowds flocked to the stand for the world public debut of the Eletre.

The highly anticipated hyper-SUV was a star attraction. with visitors eager to see the car and ask questions of the many product specialists on hand. The bold, progressive and exotic EV has the soul of a Lotus and the usability of an SUV, and the retail team reported that several customers placed orders immediately after seeing it in the metal.

Yesterday also marked the premiere of the ultimate three-car garage from Lotus, as the Eletre was joined on stage by the beautiful Emira sports car and the pioneering Evija hypercar. Also there – in a vibrant yellow competition-inspired finish – was the Emira GT4 race car, unveiled just last month and already sold out for the first year.

All four cars are taking part in the iconic Goodwood Hill Climb over the weekend, with Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button behind the wheel and on the Lotus stand throughout the weekend.

Visitors were also treated to a ‘VIP walkaround’ of the Lotus stand, hosted by motoring TV presenter Andy Jaye. He interviewed Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars; Ben Payne, Head of Studio at Lotus Tech Creative Centre and the man who led the Eletre design; and Russell Carr, Lotus Design Director and the man behind the Evija and Emira.

Matt Windle commented: “What an amazing first day at Goodwood – with such a passionate and knowledgeable crowd it never disappoints! The Lotus stand was busy from the moment the gates opened at 7am, and was great to see the fans new and old getting up close to our cars and chatting with our team. If day one was anything to go by, the rest of the weekend will be a massive success too!”