Lotus' concept for the next Elise. Image: Lotus
If you’re a fan of Lotus, here’s some good news to kick off your week: the temporary production freeze has been removed, and new parent DRB-Hicom has funded Lotus to resume production of Elise, Exige and Evora models. Better yet, there’s funding for Lotus to resume development of its flagship Esprit model and V-8 engine that will power it.
As Autocar (via Autoblog) explains, Lotus had been under a production freeze, prompted by the sale of former parent Proton to DRB-Hicom. Even prior to the sale, rumors were flying that Lotus would be put on the block as a separate entity; while a crown jewel for former owner Proton, Lotus never managed to earn a profit for the Malaysian automaker.
Lotus head Dany Bahar denies that the company is for sale, and we’re adopting a “wait and see” attitude. For now, two things are clear to us: Lotus will be worth more to prospective buyers after the development of the new Esprit and updated Elise, and everything in the world is ultimately for sale, if the price is right.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
