THE STUNNING LOTUS M250 CONCEPT CAR - FUTURE PERFECT?

The first public viewing of the fantastic Lotus M250 concept car was at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. It was met with a speechless audience. Since then, however, the media can not say enough it. I understand how they feel!

My first viewing of the car in the metal (and composite) was at the London Motor Show. Mark Sims, responsible for the photography from that show agreed with my vote of Car of the Show for the M250. As you can see in one of his pictures to the right, he felt the same way about a few other 'models'.... They, however, did not influence our decision, and in fact were asked to move out of the way so that Mark could successfully snap the whole car! I'm sure they are not used to that. But come on - this is a new Lotus - and a very special one at that.

The Frankfurt car was nothing more than a styling mock-up. However, the car shown at London contained a full interior and functioning scissors-action doors, reinforcing our belief that this is one concept that will not be left in the corner of a warehouse gathering dust. Lotus just must make the M250. It is widely acknowledged that the Esprit, individual and dynamically capable as it is, is past it's realistic sell-by-date. Don't get me wrong - I love the sight and sound of the latest V8 version as much as the next car enthusiast, but next to the likes of the Porsche 911 and Boxster and TVR's line-up, the Esprit is flawed - a new car is needed.

The M250 may well be that car. We would expect the M250 to slot in between the Elise and the current Esprit though - in size and price. Does that mean that a new supercar is on the horizon from Lotus or are they setting their sites lower down the market, higher up the volume sales chart? The latter we suspect. There seems to be a period of stability at Lotus at present, being owned by the same industrial conglomerate as a rejuvenated Proton. This, coupled with the super-success of the Elise has given the Lotus management the confidence to move forward in the market. Hence the exciting M250.

Expect a production version of the concept car to house a V6 version of Lotus Engineering's own V8 powerplant mid-ships, giving near-perfect weight distribution, and a torquey, flexible powerplant. I would also presume that the driver appeal should surpass the Porsche Boxster's, rivalling even more expensive competition such as Ferrari's stunning F360 Modena.

However, I am just theorising. I do hope that Lotus find the capital / guts to build this exciting car. I also hope that I am in the market for such a car when they do!

Later this week we will be adding the latest Lotus press releases to the site detailing the interior of the M250, it's changes between the Frankfurt and London shows, as well as news on the Elise range (340R, Sport, 111S, 49). Should be online by Wednesday.

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