Lotus Engineering is delighted to announce that it has been commissioned by the Air Resources Board of California to undertake the second stage of a study investigating efficient, lightweight vehicles manufactured using lighter, stronger materials.

Lotus Engineering will conduct a detailed structural design and analysis of the prototype vehicle from an earlier study to demonstrate it meets the crashworthiness and stringent safety requirements for vehicles sold in the United States.

In April this year, Lotus Engineering concluded the first part of the study, released by the International Council on Clean Transportation in California, which recognised that a reduction in vehicle mass of 38% can be achieved for medium volume vehicles (around 50,000 units a year) with just an increase in 3% in vehicle cost and giving a 23% reduction in fuel consumption.

It is widely recognised in the automotive industry that a reduction in vehicle mass gives more efficient vehicles; with the global drive to reduce emissions, manufacturers are working hard to take mass out their cars. Lightweight vehicles have additional benefits in terms of performance, agility and cornering, (the lighter the car, the less power it needs to propel it along the road for the same performance as a heavier car).

For 62 years, Lotus has been leading the car world with ‘performance through light weight’ engineering. The strict adherence to this philosophy enabled Lotus to develop some of the finest sportscars of all time such as the Lotus Elite, Elan, Esprit from Lotus’ peerless past and the Elise, Exige and Evora from the current line up – all of which are the lightest cars in their class. But it is not just sportscars; Lotus’ consultancy division, Lotus Engineering has been applying its light weight principles behind the scenes for other car makers for years on many types of vehicles, both low volume and mass production.

This study will be led by Lotus Engineering’s Michigan, USA office with completion in April 2011. The vehicle design will use a mixture of materials best suited to its application including aluminium, magnesium, composites, high strength lightweight steel and plastics.

Lotus Engineering, the automotive consultancy division of Lotus Cars Limited,  and Fagor Ederlan, part of the Mondragon Corporation Cooperativa, the biggest co-operative group in the world, have completed a joint technical and market study analysing the best route to production for the Lotus Range Extender Engine. The study has culminated with an agreement for Lotus Engineering to develop the engine for series production and sale by Fagor Ederlan for the global automotive market.

The three-cylinder, 1.2 litre Range Extender engine from Lotus Engineering has been designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles and the production engine will offer a fast route to market for manufacturers wanting to source a dedicated range extender. The high efficiency, low mass design will enable low emissions vehicles to be produced cost effectively across a wide range of hybrid vehicle applications, as already demonstrated in both the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid and the PROTON Emas concepts, which were shown at the 80th International Geneva Motor Show this year.

In celebration of his now legendary input over the years, Roger Becker (RGB) who retired in January following 44 years of service, will have a series of Lotus Elise and Lotus Exige sports cars in bespoke RGB Special Edition specification produced and set for release from September 2010.

The Elise SC and Exige S RGB Special Editions will both be specified to a high level with Sports and Touring packs as standard. The Elise SC RGB Special Edition has a supercharged 217 hp (220 ps) 1.8 litre engine which blesses it with a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds (0-100kmh in 4.6 seconds). The Lotus Exige S RGB Special Edition uses the range topping 257 (260 ps) supercharged and intercooled 1.8 litre engine which endows it with a 0-60 mph in around 4 seconds and a phenomenal aerodynamic downforce figure of 92.5 lbs (42 kg) at 100 mph (160 kmh).

Roger Becker said, “I am honoured that Lotus has named these two special editions after me, especially as it allows me to offer the customer my favourite specifications. The past 44 years have been an incredible journey and I’m looking forward to watching Lotus progress in the future, I have no doubt that the company will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Both the Elise SC and the Exige S RGB Special Editions are available in four colours, Aspen White, Starlight Black, Solar Yellow & Carbon Grey and each one is identified by a numbered interior plaque, Roger Becker’s signature on the side of the bodywork and special monochrome Lotus nose badge.

At the end of 2010, production of the European versions of the Elise R and SC and the Exige S and Cup 260, which use the 1.8 litre 2ZZ VVTL-i engines supplied by Toyota, will finish due to changes in legislation and the introduction of “Euro 5” Type Approval which does not apply to these cars. Production of the Elise R and SC and the Exige S and Cup 260 will, however, continue for all other markets.

Andreas Prillmann, Chief Commercial Officer for Lotus Cars said, “I would like to thank Roger for his dedication to Lotus It’s fitting that an exclusive number of the last of the 1.8 litre Elises and Exiges for Europe are dedicated to Roger, who has been instrumental in the development of so many Lotus cars over the years, in particularly the Evora, the Exige and the recent versions of the Elise. Not only has his extensive knowledge and learning been passed on to our team of talented and skilled engineers, but also his passion for the Lotus brand and heritage has helped Lotus grow into the world class organisation that it is today.”

The new, super efficient 2011 Model Year Lotus Elise, introduced to the market earlier this year, will continue for all markets where it is sold including Europe.

The Lotus Elise SC RGB Special Edition in more detail

· 217 hp (220 ps) supercharged 1.8 litre engine

· Lotus ultra lightweight forged alloy wheels

· Sport pack

· Touring pack

· Four paint colour : Aspen White, Starlight Black, Solar Yellow & Carbon Grey

· Roger Becker signature on rear of the car

· Roger Becker numbered plaque

· Monochrome Lotus badges

· Air conditioning

· Recommended Retail Price:

o UK: £38,550 (including VAT)

o Euro Zone: € 43,655 (excluding regional taxes)

o Switzerland: CHF 71,435 (excluding taxes)

Official European Combined Cycle = 8.5 litres / 100 km (33.2 mpg)

Official European Extra Urban Cycle = 6.4 litres/100 km (44.1 mpg)

Official European Urban Cycle = 11.8 litre/100 km (23.9 mpg)

199 g/km of CO2

The Lotus Exige S RGB Special Edition in more detail

· Standard Features

· 257 hp (260 ps) Supercharged 2ZZ 1.8 engine

· Lotus ultra lightweight forged alloy wheels

· Performance pack

· Sport pack

· Touring pack

· Four paint colours – Aspen White, Starlight Black, Solar Yellow & Carbon Grey

· Roger Becker signature on rear of car

· Roger Becker numbered plaque

· Monochrome Lotus badges

· Structural shear panel which gives increases lateral stiffness to the rear subframe by 30%

· Air conditioning

· Recommended Retail Price:

o UK: £41,950 (including VAT)

o Euro Zone: € 50,042 (excluding regional taxes)

o Switzerland: CHF 81,887 (excluding taxes)

Official European Combined Cycle = 8.5 litres / 100 km (33.2 mpg)

Official European Extra Urban Cycle = 6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg)

Official European Urban Cycle = 11.9 litre/100 km (23.7 mpg)

199 g/km of CO2

Click here for the press release announcing Roger Becker’s retirement ()

Major new projects with three Chinese clients ensure an excellent start to 2010 for Lotus Engineering, the automotive consultancy and technology division of Lotus Cars Limited. These projects result in a fourth consecutive year of growth in new orders for Lotus Engineering’s global third party consultancy work, with a quarter of the financial year still to go.

To continue to build on the success of both the Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars divisions, Lotus has also made changes to the senior management structure. Dr Robert Hentschel joins Lotus as Director of Lotus Engineering. Dr Hentschel’s task will be to lead the expansion of Lotus Engineering’s third party consultancy work and to further develop its position of technology leadership in lightweight architectures, driving dynamics, efficient performance and electrical/electronics. Dr Hentschel will have full responsibility for Lotus Engineering worldwide, reporting to Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus plc. Dr Hentschel brings a wealth of experience from the automotive industry and engineering services sector, most recently from positions at EDAG as Chief Operating Officer for North American operations and previously as Head of the Electrical/Electronics Business Unit.

Paul Newsome, previously Managing Director of Lotus Engineering, takes up a new role as Director of Product Engineering for Lotus Cars to develop an exciting range of new Lotus cars.

Dr Hentschel commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to contribute to the continued success of this outstanding business which boasts talented engineers and an iconic brand. Lotus Engineering has an exceptional heritage with an exciting array of future products, technologies and services that will further enhance its position as a pioneer in the new automotive era. Our key areas of expertise allow us to deliver exciting vehicles and sustainable transport solutions that are exactly aligned to the needs of the global automotive industry.”