Devout Lotus fans, and employees for that matter, have had to endure mental anguish through the years that the company changed owners frequently. We've all enjoyed a prolonged period of stability now under the control of Proton and we are happy to announce the company's ambitious new five-year plan that will see the introduction of three new models.
We already knew that Lotus was planning a replacement for its Esprit supercar, but the new plan puts the new car back until the very end of 2009. Before that we'll be treated to two unknown new models. Lotus is understandably vague about what these are. The first is said to be "a Lotus/Proton high-performance model, due in
May 2008" and the second is "a new mid-range Lotus set for launch in December 2008". Watch out for feverish activity around the Lotus factory next year as the company puts its resources into the development of these two new models.
With the recent launch of the new Europa S indicating that there is plenty of room for a proper Lotus GT car, we would expect that to be one of the new models, but we're not sure what the Proton model will be, or even if it will be sold in Europe. Watch this space..
Shane O' Donoghue - 22 Sep 2006
