Skip advert
Advertisement

Electric Lotus Esprit restomod under consideration by Hethel’s new bespoke division

Simon Lane, boss of Lotus Advanced Performance, has given some indication of what’s on the horizon for the newly launched division

Lotus Esprit - cornering

Earlier this year, Lotus Advanced Performance was launched, promising to bring various existing elements of the British sports car brand (including motorsport and the Lotus Driving Academy) under one roof, with various new services added to the roster. 

Speaking to Auto Express at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Simon Lane, who’s heading up the new endeavour, gave some indication of what’s to come.

Perhaps the most interesting part involves special vehicles, which Lane explained will be arranged in three “tiers”.

Advertisement - Article continues below

“The first one is using existing platforms to develop our own low-volume, special runs of cars,” he said, adding, “So we've got three platforms down there [Emira, Evija and Eletre] - we could potentially top out those cars, do something different with the powertrain and so on.”

Possibly giving some context to an image of a mysterious single-seater included in the original Lotus Advanced Performance press release, Lane revealed another part of this plan. “We've got a really good relationship with Clive Chapman and Classic Team Lotus across the road [from Lotus’s Hethel HQ], and discovered some incredible designs that were done in the Colin Chapman era that never saw the light of day,” he said. “So wouldn't it be amazing to bring one or two of those to life but maybe with a modern twist?” 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Tier two involves restomods, with Lotus having no shortage of revered cars in its back catalogue to make more useable. “Some of the most iconic classic cars if you drive today, I'd argue they're not actually that nice to drive”. Under the skin would go modern suspension, updated interiors and drivetrains with “modern power levels”. 

Lotus Esprit Turbo - rear static

One way Lotus may do this is with electric conversions. “We can potentially electrify an Esprit for example – that's something we're thinking about doing,” Lane said. 

We won’t have long to wait before seeing the fruits of these efforts, with the first official restomod Lotus set to arrive in 2023.

The final tier of special vehicles involves motorsport, from which we’ve already seen something – the new Emira GT4. 

Meanwhile, Lotus Advanced has already started planning and executing events for owners, and its first bespoke vehicle options will appear on the Evija electric hypercar.

The Emira will join the fray, starting with a Lotus Advanced colour palette arriving on the configurator towards the end of 2022, and special graphics are also on the way. 

Anything more intensive will have to wait. “To go into true bespoke, I'd like to get there, but we need to learn to walk before we try and run.”

Now read our full review of the Lotus Emira...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Razor-sharp Lotus Theory 1 concept points the way to future electric sports car
 Lotus Theory 1 concept - front

Razor-sharp Lotus Theory 1 concept points the way to future electric sports car

The Theory 1 takes inspiration from Lotus’s latest road cars, and its history in Formula One
News
17 Sep 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
Best cars & vans
23 Jul 2024
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 - MG sculpture

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights

2024’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was a celebration of over 130 years of engine tech, but it also looked well into the future
News
17 Jul 2024
New electric cars coming soon: the fresh EVs of 2024 and beyond
Future electric cars - header image

New electric cars coming soon: the fresh EVs of 2024 and beyond

The EV explosion has brought a huge range of choice to the market already but it’s only going to get bigger in the coming months
Best cars & vans
4 Jul 2024

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: grab the Vauxhall Grandland family SUV for only £169 per month while stocks last
Vauxhall Grandland - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: grab the Vauxhall Grandland family SUV for only £169 per month while stocks last

Our Deal of the Day for 3 October lets you get a fully loaded family SUV for well under £200 per month
News
3 Oct 2024
New entry-level Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD boasts 373-mile range
Tesla Model Y update 2024 - front

New entry-level Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD boasts 373-mile range

Tesla’s best-selling Model Y electric SUV now costs from £46,990 – exactly £2,000 more than before
News
4 Oct 2024
EVs outlasting ICE cars says Renault boss
Renault Zoe - front tracking

EVs outlasting ICE cars says Renault boss

Electric car batteries are holding up very well against the test of time
News
4 Oct 2024