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MEDIA INFORMATION 28th April 2016 Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race Over 200 kg cut from Lotus cars this year Unrivalled experiences in lightweight engineering Latest models continue the success story Lotus Evora Sport 410 Having slashed a substantial 207 kg from its cars this year alone, Lotus remains the leader in the engineering of lightweight, high performance supercars. From the iconic Elise, through to the hypercar humbling 3-Eleven, every Lotus benefits from the company’s approach to engineering in lightness at every stage of design and construction. With its heaviest model weighing in at just 1,395 kg, it’s still streets ahead of rivals.

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Page 1: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

MEDIA INFORMATION 28th April 2016

Lighter, Faster, Better

Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

• Over 200 kg cut from Lotus cars this year

• Unrivalled experiences in lightweight engineering

• Latest models continue the success story

Lotus Evora Sport 410

Having slashed a substantial 207 kg from its cars this year alone, Lotus remains the leader in the

engineering of lightweight, high performance supercars.

From the iconic Elise, through to the hypercar humbling 3-Eleven, every Lotus benefits from the

company’s approach to engineering in lightness at every stage of design and construction. With its

heaviest model weighing in at just 1,395 kg, it’s still streets ahead of rivals.

Page 2: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Lotus Elise Cup 250

With a heritage of efficient design, no other car manufacturer can claim a better track record when

it comes to honing road and race cars. In its 68th year, Lotus still remains true to the ethos of the

company’s founder Colin Chapman, and his approach to design and construction.

Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster

Page 3: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Leading the field in advanced construction techniques and technology, it has continuously strived

to push boundaries. The names Chapman and Lotus remain two of the most important names in

the evolution of automotive design with many innovations, including the GRP monocoque in the

Lotus Elite, and the bonded aluminium chassis in the Elise. Lotus was also the first company to

introduce a Formula 1 car constructed from carbon fibre.

Today, Lotus cars are developed through the company’s Lightweight Laboratory concept. Far more

than just a part of the famous Hethel factory, this philosophy has grown to provide a framework for

evaluating every component. Viewing components in isolation, as well as part of a sub-assembly

and even the car as a whole, it allows each to be assessed, optimised and re-engineered. This

approach means that each car represents the epitome of Lotus’ “light is right” approach.

Lotus 3-Eleven

Why light is right

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, sees the company’s approach to engineering as its

biggest strength. “We’re not concerned with following other car manufacturers. Innovation comes

from taking a new approach, and we don’t stop looking. Colin Chapman famously said, ‘Adding

power makes you faster on the straights, subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere,’ and

that thinking has become part of our DNA.”

Page 4: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

He continued, “To perfect a pure sports car, you must consider weight your enemy. Lose weight

and you will make significant gains: harder and faster cornering, better braking, greater agility and

responsiveness, along with faster acceleration.”

Looking at a car holistically allows for all redundant weight to be removed, with every part serving a

purpose. This includes the use of carbon fibre which, rather than included to just boost kerb appeal,

must produce tangible benefits.

Far more than just boosting straight-line performance, reducing a car’s kerb weight allows for the

correct calibration of the suspension. This allows sharper handling, and better body and roll control,

but not at the expense of ride comfort and composure. The overall reduction of weight also allows

for optimised weight distribution, a huge contributor to the poise and balance of a sports car during

high-speed cornering.

Lotus Evora 400

Proving this principle, Lotus’ aluminium vehicle chassis technology is still considered the

benchmark within the automotive industry. Utilising strong and stiff extruded and bonded aluminium

sections the simplicity off the tub construction belies its benefits.

Page 5: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Lotus Evora front subframe

Able to employ lightweight extrusions, joined by epoxy adhesive, it’s immensely strong and

torsionally stiff, yet the chassis for the Elise and the Exige tips the scales at just 68 kgs.

Lotus Elise chassis

Page 6: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Not only is this roughly half the weight of an equivalent steel chassis, it’s also substantially simpler

to produce than a similar weight carbon fibre alternative and easier to adapt to the requirements

of specific models.

Lotus Evora chassis

As an antidote to sterilised and attenuated modern cars, Lotus’s approach continues to deliver a

pure, undiluted driving experience. Avoiding systems that rob cars of their fun factor, including

electric power steering, it places function over convenience, to produce truly involving vehicles. Its

latest models continue the Lotus approach to light is right engineering.

With a kerb weight of just 1,325 kg, the Lotus Evora Sport 410 cuts 70 kg from the Evora 400 and

draws heavily on Lotus’s experience with carbon fibre.

Page 7: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Lotus Evora Sport 410

This includes a one-piece carbon tailgate, replacing five separate components on the previous

version into one and saving 10 kg. Another 10 kg was saved by fitting a Li Ion battery, while the 6

kg was shed though the addition of carbon sports seats.

Page 8: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Lotus Evora Sport 410 interior

Page 9: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Lotus Evora Sport 410 carbon tailgate

Lotus Evora Sport 410 carbon front panels

Page 10: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

The Lotus Exige Sport 350 weighs just 1125 kg and every detail of this latest version was

reconsidered in order to save weight and deliver a superior car including a louvered tailgate (3

kg), a redesigned gearshift mechanism (3 kg), a revised subframe (3 kg) and enhanced body

panels (12 kg), resulting in a lower centre of gravity and further track-honed handling. Optional

carbon composite components shed a further 30 kg, so allowing the new roadster version of the

Exige Sport 350 to weigh just 1,085 kg, a reduction of 91 kg compared to the previous Exige S.

Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster

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Lotus Exige Sport 350 carbon rear diffuser

The latest versions of the legendary Lotus Elise, the Sport and Sport 220 have become lighter

and even more performance-orientated. Both have both seen a weight reduction of 15 kg,

including the standard lightweight sports battery, saving 3.5 kg and optional forged wheels saving

5 kg, too.

Page 12: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Lotus Elise Sport 220

The new Lotus Elise Cup 250 is the fastest road-going Lotus Elise ever, adding 26 hp and

shedding 31 kg (with lightweight options) compared to the previous Elise Cup 220. Included as

standard in the Elise Cup 250 are carbon seats saving 6 kg, ultra light forged wheels saving 1.5

kg and a Li-Ion battery dropping the weight by a further 10 kg. A carbon pack (carbon rear, wing,

front splitter, rear diffuser and floor extenders of components) reduces the weight of the car by a

further 10 kg.

Page 13: Lighter, Faster, Better - Lotus Carsmedia.lotuscars.com/sites/default/files/Lighter, Faster, Better_0.pdf · Lighter, Faster, Better Lotus continues to lead in weight loss race

Lotus Elise Cup 250

For more information on Lotus expertise in lightweight sports cars, head to www.lotuscars.com

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Lotus media site – http://media.lotuscars.com contains news, images, specs, statistics and videos from

the latest models to heritage and engineering technology. Please register your details.

About Lotus

Group Lotus plc, wholly-owned subsidiary of DRB-HICOM, is based in Norfolk, UK, and has three operating divisions: Lotus Cars, Lotus Engineering and Lotus Motorsport.

Lotus Cars builds world class, high performance sports cars including the award-winning Evora, the iconic Elise and the stunning Exige. Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers and is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy. Lotus Motorsport builds and develops vehicles for GT racing with the Evora GX, GTC, GT4, and GTS, in addition to racing vehicles such as the Exige V6 Cup, Exige Cup R and Elise Cup cars. For more information about Group Lotus please contact:

PR Department, Group Lotus plc, Potash Lane, Hethel, Norfolk, UK, NR14 8EZ

Tel: +44 (0)1953 608264 Email: [email protected]

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