use of materials and engine reprofiling aforementioned provides vehicles that address the spectrum of consumer requirements. There is a model correlated with every point on the line between cost and what Lotus refer to as ‘focus’ – the end-user’s ratio of performance and outright comfort. A second line on that graph is in the planning phase is Project Eagle - the next generation of Lotus cars which will be previewed at the British Motor Show in July at the Lotus stand. Currently, Lotus IPR is being protected by patents amongst other things on the Espirit shape which remains the iconic outline of a sports car in many people’s minds. Don’t be surprised to see elements of that design in models from Lotus.
Our thanks to the PR Team and Engineers, race drivers and track officials for the friendly reception we received at Lotus.

Living with the Lotus Elise SC
Continuing our series on living with amazing cars, we take a look at the Lotus offering falling mid-range in terms of outright performance and comfort. Dealing with the latter first, all lounge lizards out there with a penchant for near-death experiences will not be disappointed. I’m not really into in-car sushi makers so lets be concise: Air con and a thumping stereo which can handle mp3 and any Ipod. One to make you feel better while the other delivers the requisite headache. I’m guessing that at 130 mph the Ipod won’t be the only shuffle you experience randomly. With the lid off, the noise is like being trailed by the LSO with PMT – a crescendo of mechanical complexity that sound caution and advise a wide berth even evasive manoeuvres. So the midmounted engine works both as propulsion and air raid siren. With the top down, the lounge lizard can remain at full vertebrate potential by the judicious use of climate control. The boot doesn’t fare too badly even despite the location of the engine as the roof is non-automatic, which I actually like, you don’t need all that stuff. I know you didn’t get where you are today through hard work but honestly rolling up the small but effective roof won’t actually kill you. With the lid on sound, warmth and the need to never have to deal with reality is taken care of nicely.
Performance, one should find a global correlation between the release of a new Lotus model and the sale of brown

haberdashery and apparel generally. Also squeezed in to the engine compartment is the supercharger which is a real achievement restoring vision in the rear view to see who you’ve passed and study their various states of alarm and if lucky disgust. The supercharge unit is primed to boost between 4,000 and 6,200 revs depending on the driver’s anger. 4,000 if the throttle angle is steep and the approach rapid but a more gentle surge at 6,200 if the dive angle is shallow. Some of this technology might be better covered in our sister publication www.DefenceIntegration.org To drive this carefully with your partner is possible and once they alight then the monster inside can be freed. The 870 Kg can be propelled to 60mph from stationary in 4.4 seconds, which I’m sorry to say is as fast as you’ll want to accelerate. May I suggest, before purchasing a Lotus, perhaps you could line up your nearest and dearest and ask them to refrain from knitting you anything this Christmas and consider taking your points instead. For this reason, owning a Lotus should make you think of your children’s driving lessons as an investment. For a little over 35k you get a race car driving experience everyday. The Lotus should be your car of choice if in the words of Oscar Wilde you can ‘resist anything but temptation’. The photography in this article was provided by the ‘Metropolitan’ – our thanks and wishes to them.