Lotus delivers!
March 19th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
DEMANDS from Lotus dealers led the company to halt its top-end supercar, and build the Evora instead.
‘It answers the question of where people go after the Elise’ said a spokesman. ‘It stops people leaving the brand.’
Lotus chief Mike Kimberley is the man behind it all. He rejoined the company 3 years ago, and made sweeping changes right away.
‘He listened to dealers, and asked the design guys what they were doing. They showed him the mid-engined supercar they were planning.’
‘No you’re not, he said! We’re going to do something else – a step in between.’ And the Evora, just 27 months later, is that car – Kimberley’s vision of answering Lotus dealers’ calls.
What’s more, so efficient has the design process been, it’s even come in under budget. The new model costs £47,500, a healthy amount below estimates.
Dealers are very excited, said Car Dealer Magazine’s source. ‘We don’t want to be Porsche, so won’t be building more than 2000 a year. By July, we’ll be making 35 Evoras a week, and will double that soon after – but no more.’
‘The initial response has been extremely encouraging, though.
‘It is tough out there, but we’re very lucky, as we have a new car. For some people out there, that’s still a must-have.’
The car has been a particular hit in the online community, he said.
25 UK Lotus dealers will soon be seeing the same Evora Car Dealer Magazine sat in at the Geneva Motor Show. It’s going on a country-wide roadshow, as Lotus gives them the full rundown on the vital new motor.
‘Our dealers are as loyal as anything. We want to reward them, by taking it to them.’
The Evora hits the market on 27 April. Even now, though, ‘there’s a definite buzz building…’
Look forward to first words on what it’s like from behind the wheel here!