ALPINE AND LOTUS ANNOUNCE TECHNICAL COLLABORATION
With Geely as it owner, Lotus Cars is ready to expand far and fast and already there is chatter about a new range of sport cars coming with new platforms and engines. Even a full electric version and some rather quick and agile machines to challenge established sports car brands, for the first time in many years. Meanwhile, there is news that another sports car manufacturer is in talks with Lotus for a new sports car collaboration.
As part of the Alpine Business Unit development, Groupe Renault and Group Lotus have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to study a number of areas of cooperation, including the joint development of an EV sports car.
The Alpine and Lotus teams will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the joint engineering, design and development of an EV sports car by leveraging the resources, expertise and facilities of the respective entities in both France and the UK.
Alpine and Lotus will also explore the development of a joint services offer combining their engineering expertise. A collaboration to leverage Alpine’s motorsport platform covering Formula One to Endurance is also under study.
Laurent Rossi, CEO Alpine, said: “The signing of this MoU with Lotus shows the lean and smart approach we’re implementing as part of the new Alpine brand strategy. Both brands have an amazing legacy and we are most excited to start this work together, from engineering tailored solutions to developing a next-generation EV sports car. This collaboration along with our transformation mark the beginning of a new era in which we’ll be taking the Alpine name and line-up to the future. We’re putting F1 at the heart of our business, leveraging our in-house expertise and best-in-class partners such as Lotus to inject our cars with leading-edge performance, technology and motorisation”.
Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, added: “Today’s announcement is the first step in what is set to be a hugely rewarding collaboration between our iconic brands. We are proud to be working with Groupe Renault in this collaboration – sharing Lotus’ technical expertise and abilities, and leveraging our long track record of successful collaborations. Our companies have much in common – from a pioneering pedigree in light-weighting, to championship-winning sports cars which perform as impressively on the road as they do in the motorsports arena. It is a natural fit in many ways and the co-development of an EV sports car is hugely exciting for our companies, our fans and customers around the world. The joint-services element of our agreement will additionally make our engineering expertise available to those wishing to engage our innovations.”
Despite the many global challenges of 2020, Lotus Cars also reported that its new car retail sales increased by 4.4 percent compared to 2019.
Sales increased in many key markets around the world as the transformation of Lotus continues. Highlights include growth in the USA, Germany, Italy, UK, China, Singapore, Netherlands and others.
The most popular Lotus model globally was the Elise, followed by the Exige and Evora.
