Category: Lotus

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Caterham Formula 1 Lotus

Joint statement on the Lotus position

2011 German Grand Prix

The two warring Lotus factions have issued a joint statement that proves everyone really does live happily ever after. In the public eye, at least. We expect behind closed doors there have been many toys thrown out of cots.

Apparently the two parties signed off an agreement in the last week or so with the terms to remain confidential.

Stick with us, this next bit might get a bit confusing. The brands ‘Lotus’ and ‘Team Lotus’ will be reunited under the Group Lotus banner. As previously reported, the former owners of the Team Lotus brand, 1Malaysia Team Racing, will become known as the Caterham F1 Team.

In 2012 we expect Lotus will continue with the black and gold livery and Caterham F1 has declared its intention to maintain its green and yellow colours.

The loving words of the joint statement can be read in full after the break. We suggest you imagine Dany Bahar, Group Lotus CEO, and Tomy Fernandes,  1Malaysia Team Racing owner, in a passionate embrace as you read the fairy tale below.

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evo Car of the Year videos

Evo magazine has assembled 10 of the world’s best performance cars to try and establish which one they think was the best to hit the market in 2011. Following a few phone calls, 10 turned into 11 when they added the just released BMW M5 to the list. As you would. The results of eCOTY 2011 are out there, but we won’t give that away just yet in case you’re waiting for the mag.

In the meantime here’s the list of cars gathered at the mercy of some heavy right feet. Highlight videos from Chris Harris on each can also be seen after the break. He was banned from driving the Ferrari, thanks to his rant against the Prancing Horse earlier this year, but managed to find way to get by.

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Caterham Formula 1 Lotus Renault

Hello F1, meet Caterham, Lotus and Marussia

2011 Japanese Grand Prix

The Lotus v Lotus naming saga has come to an end of sorts, with confirmation the FIA has approved three team name changes in Formula One for the 2012 season.

Team Lotus will change its name to Caterham, and follows the takeover of the British sportscar firm by the Tony Fernandes led Team Lotus Enterprise. Lotus Cars CEO Dany Bahar gets his way by turning Lotus-Renault into simply Lotus. And Richard Branson loses his naming rights with Virgin switching to Marussia, thereby acknowledging the financial support given by the Russian auto maker.

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2011 Indian Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Indian Grand Prix

Some are saying the Sebastian Vettel domination at the Indian Grand Prix made it the most boring race of 2011. Whatever your stance on that, we’re sure you’ll agree these aren’t the most boring pictures of the year. The world’s best photographers have found some great angles at the newest F1 circuit on the calendar. There’s 100 pics here for you, we hope you like them.

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2011 Korean Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Korean Grand Prix

After safely tucking away another world championship in Japan, Sebastian Vettel showed no mercy to his rivals by putting in a dominant performance on race day at the Korean Grand Prix. He was pretty happy about it too. It’s his 10th win for the year; third on the all time list. He’ll need to win the remaining three races to equal Michael Schumacher’s epic 2004 season, where he won 13 out of 18 races.

Of course, the first place for Vettel and third place for Mark Webber wrapped up consecutive constructors’ titles for Red Bull Racing. The team has courted controversy during its relatively short life span, but there’s no denying their effectiveness.

After the break you’ll see over 100 pictures from Yeongam. It’s not a surprise anymore to see just how many marbles the Pirelli tyres have spat out at F1 circuits this year, but it’s been illustrated very will in a few of the pics below.

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2011 Japanese Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Japanese Grand Prix

Here’s the pics from Suzuka where Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel were the stars at the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix. It’s one of AUSmotive’s biggest F1 race compilations ever, with 109 images for you after the break. There’s some fantastic shots in there too; the late afternoon light was captured perfectly by the world’s best photographers.

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Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz

2011 Japanese GP: Take a lap around Suzuka

Ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix we bring you two videos to refresh your memory of the legendary Suzuka layout. The first is onboard with Michael Schumacher in his Mercedes GP from 2010. Then, after the break Team Lotus puts Jarno Trulli into their simulator. It’s a bit low rent, to be honest, but the commentary from Trulli and the Renault F1 engineer offer a small insight into the 5.8km track.

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Motions eleven

Motor Trend drag race

US publication Motor Trend has assembled a group of 11 incredibly desirable cars, sent them to an empty airstrip and planted the go pedal. Check the list below, form your opinion on which car you think will be quickest. Also consider which cars you reckon will make the top three. Which one will be the slowest? Then take the jump and watch ex-pat Aussie and former Wheels editor Angus MacKenzie guide you through the results.

[Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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Lotus Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2011: Lotus Evora GTE

Lotus Evora GTE

Lotus has just revealed the Evora GTE at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Powered by a 3.5 litre supercharged V6 producing 444PS (330kW) it’s the most powerful road going Lotus ever made.

It weighs 1276kg and while performance numbers haven’t been announced yet, it clearly won’t be slow. But will it be quick enough to match the likes of the Ferrari 458 and McLaren MP4-12C that it no doubt wants to mix with?

The Evora GTE was originally conceived as a limited edition for the Asian market the car will now go into full series production. You get the feeling Dany Bahar, Group Lotus CEO, wasn’t going to miss out on the chance to cash in.

“The response to this model in China has been so incredible, within days we had sold out with 114 orders. In response we decided that the only logical step from a business perspective was to increase production and widen our reach,” he said.

“What is unique about this car, is not just that it’s a serious race car – it’s a serious car. People get so excited when they see and especially hear it for the first time. It’s a very special car and will appeal to a very special type of driver – and they won’t be disappointed!”

UPDATE 15 September: Below is a brief comment on local availability on a few cars in the Lotus range, including the Evora GTE.

“The Evora S IPS, Elise SPS and the revised Elise S will arrive in Australia in the middle of 2012,” said Edward Rowe, Public Relations Manager for Lotus in Australia. “As the newly appointed Australian importer of Lotus, Ateco is very keen that the Lotus Evora GTE and Exige S should join the Australian range, but there are a number of homologation issues that need to be resolved before a date is able to set for an Australian launch of these two exciting new models. We are working with Lotus to ensure that this work is done as quickly as possible.”

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Lotus Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2011: Lotus Exige S

Lotus Exige S

Lotus has arrived at Frankfurt with a new Exige S. They’re not quite making the same splash they did in Paris last year, but check the raw performance numbers: 1080kg and 350PS (260kW). Nice!

The power is provided by the same supercharged 3.5 litre V6 found in the Evora S; placed right behind your ears it’s sure to sound as fast as it goes.

You’ll be at the 100km/h speed limit in around 3.8 seconds and the old ton (100mph) will take you just 7.9 seconds. Maximum torque of 400Nm is achieved at 4500rpm on the way to a 7000rpm redline. Perhaps a little peaky for a supercharged engine, but sure to be quick enough all the same.

Mind, with a tiny 40 litre fuel tank quick sprints are about all you’ll be able to achieve in this car. Forget long haul highway blasts.

Dany Bahar, Group Lotus CEO, also reckons you’ll need to be on your toes to handle this “mind blowing drive experience”.

“Anyone who has ever driven an Exige will tell you that it’s not for the faint-hearted,” he said. ” The new Exige S skips a few rungs on the ladder to give the driver the ultimate Lotus experience. Quite simply you can’t get more Lotus than the Exige S.”

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2011 Italian Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Italian Grand Prix

Here’s your pictorial reminder of what went down at the 2011 Italian Grand Prix. Unusually, this includes a few pics of Mark driving around in his busted car as well. Seems most teams don’t like showing broken cars when the driver is mostly at fault. There’s been a few exceptions, though, and we’re always keen to share them when they arise.

Lotus, Mercedes GP and Renault didn’t come to play with many pics from Sunday’s action. We’ve used a few Saturday fillers for you, which we prefer not to do. However, we can’t have you miss out on your fair share of pics.

There’s 80 pics in all this time around, all waiting for you after the break. Knock yourselves out!

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Formula 1 Lotus Red Bull Racing Renault

Renault Sport F1 drivers at the Nürburgring

Renault Sport F1 brings us this great little video showing half a dozen Formula One drivers fooling around on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Red Bull, Lotus and Renault all use the RS27 engine and Renault Sport figured it was a good enough excuse to get Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli, Nick Heidfeld and Vitaly Petrov to do some hot laps around the ‘Green Hell’.

Mostly they were driving Meganes and Clios, but at the end we get a small preview of Renault’s new DeZir and Twizy concepts. Looks like it was a fun day.