In addition to making sports cars, the Lotus brand also offers engineering and consulting services. Clients of those services vary from race teams to automakers. Some automakers handed the design of the suspension systems to Lotus, be it a design from the ground up or an improvement to what the automaker designed but lacks the experience in perfecting. Sometimes the Lotus badges worked as a marketing tool, too. And other times the automakers kept quiet about it, possibly being too embarrassed about not being able to design a proper suspension system themselves.
Today we are looking for the cars that were improved by Lotus Engineering. Keep in mind that some wore the Lotus badges and some didn’t.
The Caveats (there are always caveats):
- Must not be a Lotus vehicle.
- One-offs, concept cars, and race cars, and other specials are fair game as long as they are not Lotus cars.
- Really, any non-Lotus vehicle with Lotus designed bits is a fair game.
- Bonus points for obscure stuff that you don’t find on the first fives pages of Google search.
Difficulty: 6.5 out of 10, 11 out of 10 for stuff none of us ever heard of – do some homework.
Lotus did most of the design work for the LT5 engine in the C4 Corvette ZR-1 and some of the suspension work too.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/ba/92_Corvette_ZR1.jpg
Colin Chapman had a lot to do with the design of this:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/DeLorean_DMC-12_with_doors_open.jpg
Some believe his involvement led to him faking his death.
How about a Kia Elan?
https://hips.hearstapps.com/roa.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/14/47/980×551/546b40674f3cf_-_kia-elan-lg.jpg?resize=768:*
Dang.
Well played!
I can’t find anything on the Wikipedia page, but seem to remember that Škoda’s 120-130 series had a harsh welcome in the UK due to its “unpredictable” rear engine handling. Even though customers didn’t seem to care, a refresh in the early ’80s or so included a somewhat improved chassis for export models, that Lotus was said to have been involved in:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/%C5%A0koda_105_BJ_1978_%28Foto_Hilarmont%29_%281%29.JPG
I’ll bring up the Lotus-designed chassis for the Sinclair C5, even though it’s perhaps the most widely known aspect of the C5. Well, either that or its Hoover motor.
https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images1/360/0512/31/sinclair-c5-information-disc-c5-owner_360_f6bed6efb53cd18d2cb370de10c109c2.jpg
https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2012/6/27/1340801003845/Chris-Boardman-in-action–002.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=1c9dd6563a5e784777d20612eab929ed
This seems to have little more connection to Lotus than a license to use the name, but here is the Lotus motorbike:
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/first-rides-tests/2016/august/first-ride-revisited-lotus-c-01/
https://mcn-images.bauersecure.com/pagefiles/584642/4.jpg
Wonder how the speed compares to the Lotus 119c Soapbox Derby Racer?
https://img.newatlas.com/5818_10706105006.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&q=60&w=1000&s=bdd1e4038184b05119e75ce72ac40bdc
Kind of obvious, but the Jensen Healey with a Lotus engine.
https://assets.hemmings.com/story_image/550661-1000-0.jpg?rev=2
The more obscure GT version.
I would suggest that this (and the various other clones) has more than “Lotus designed bits” — probably not what you were looking for though…
https://res.cloudinary.com/carsguide/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto,t_cg_hero_large/v1/editorial/caterham-seven-355-%281%29.jpg
or this?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Tesla_Roadster_Japanese_display.jpg
Cannot be denied.
No really but I am more than find with this. 9 points.
I think that this counts (it even has a ‘handling by Lotus’ sign on the roof):
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–sU6rpfYY–/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/189p46jehuvbhjpg.jpg
So: We already have a Kia and an Isuzu. Let’s lengthen the list of far eastern car companies Lotus have assisted:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Toyota_Supra_%282492707827%29.jpg/1280px-Toyota_Supra_%282492707827%29.jpg
…and a Proton
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/2002_Proton_Satria_%28C90%29_GTi_hatchback_%288085417900%29.jpg/220px-2002_Proton_Satria_%28C90%29_GTi_hatchback_%288085417900%29.jpg
Particularly the second generation, A60 model. In addition those wheels appeared on some Lotus Eclats of the time
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Toyota_Celica_Supra_coupe_%287708308118%29.jpg/1280px-Toyota_Celica_Supra_coupe_%287708308118%29.jpg
https://images.autouncle.com/se/car_images/b2a7c34e-a9fd-418e-960e-bd1f7ec99214_lotus-excel-eclat-83.jpg
And let’s not forget its more
ignoredobscure sedan sibling, the Stylus. The XS version also wore the “Handling by Lotus” badge.http://consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/92805061990001.jpg
And STILL, the only car with completely covered by doors, ‘C’ pillars.
Wow. I’ve seen several Styluses (Styli?) here in Miami but never noticed the C-pillar arrangment before.
Always thought these were a good-looking bit of 80s design, but somehow I never realized before just how much they look like the compact hatch that DeLorean never made.
Still one of Guigiaro’s favourite designs, the minimal number of visible shutlines possible, very little changed for production from the Ace Of Spades prototype.
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–Rtgr_r5c–/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_675,q_80,w_1200/189r5kfta806wjpg.jpg
The first car on the US market with flush side windows. Beating the Ford Taurus and Audi 5000 by a few months.
Deserving of a ‘front end by Lotus’ badge;
https://www.welt.de/img/motor/mobile126466888/5772508207-ci102l-w1024/Hennessey-Venom-GT-Geschwindigkeitswelt.jpg
Lotus was responsible for quite a bit of the engine work in the MG Metro Turbo.
https://ranwhenparkeddotnet.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/mgmetroturbo4.jpg
The engine in the T595 Daytona was designed with help from Lotus.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Triumph_Daytona_T595.jpg
Dodge 2.2 Turbo III, as used in the Spirit R/T and Daytona IROC R/T.
https://www.allpar.com/photos/mopar/turbo-fours/turbo-III.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/2012_NRMA_Motorfest_-_Flickr_-_NRMA_New_Cars_%2853%29.jpg/1280px-2012_NRMA_Motorfest_-_Flickr_-_NRMA_New_Cars_%2853%29.jpg
Don’t forget the Mark 2.
http://www.lotuscortinainfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Lotus-Cortina-Mk2-S1a-1.jpg
http://www.classicandsportscar.ltd.uk/images_catalogue/large/ford-lotus-cortina-mkii_30220.jpg
Lotus helped with the suspension design for the Hyundai Genesis sedan. Possibly the Equus as well?
Cheating by just reading Wikipedia, but the Baojun 730 had suspension tuning by Lotus.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Baojun_730_01_China_2015-04-10.jpg/1024px-Baojun_730_01_China_2015-04-10.jpg
May win extra Hooniverse points for being the most unlikely vehicle to have ‘handling by Lotus’.
Rivalled perhaps only by the Isuzu Bighorn Lotus Edition;
http://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/27528/isuzu_bighorn_lotus_edition_3.jpg
They supposedly worked on the Mahindra Scorpio too.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Mahindra_scorpio_Nashik.jpg
Yikes. “A Galloper, a Landcruiser and a Wrangler meet at a bar…”?
And got drunk and all agreed build quality was unimportant.
They came VERY close to coming to the US market in about 2009 with a SUV very similar to this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Mahindra_Bilbao-_08_Marzo_30.jpg/220px-Mahindra_Bilbao-_08_Marzo_30.jpg
I’m not sure what facelift version the red one is. The potential US importer was around the corner from my employer at the time, so I saw the test ones on the road all the time.
Apparently their new plan is to enter the US market with one of their Chinese brands. I’m still not sure why they didn’t just use their Mahindra Tractor dealerships to sell the pickup and SUV here. They have a national distribution network in place and have a decent reputation here for a cheap tractor. It worked for International Harvester, sort of….
If you follow me on Twitter you’d know that I gave that one away yesterday. 🙂
https://twitter.com/CarGuyDad/status/1062851347161198592
This thread has sent me into reading up on Colin Chapman’s early work (when Lotus was still in its infancy); apparently — long before Lotus’ own Grand Prix cars — he contributed to the Vanwall:
https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/car/2998/Vanwall-VW-Grand-Prix-22973.jpg
“For 1956 more power was found in the engine while Colin Chapman who had built up a considerable reputation with his Lotus sports–racing cars was engaged to design a new stiffer chassis frame and revised rear suspension. At Chapman’s suggestion Frank Costin an experienced aerodynamicist, designed a new and distinctive low drag body which owed much to aircraft practice”
It’s believed to have won the first race after Chapman/Costin modifications.
Lotus engineer Roger Becker was closely involved with the early chassis development of the first-gen MR2.
https://images.cdn.circlesix.co/image/5/1262/541/0/114/1470/630/uploads/articles/picture-13-54aeb53f7538c.png
My first AW11 wore “Handling By Lotus” badges, but I’m pretty sure a prior owner just snagged them from an Impulse.
All caught up in the death of Colin Chapman in ’82, related to the work being done by Toyota with Lotus, was the M100, the Lotus counterpoint to the MR2. Without the MR2’s mid engine but with it’s Toyota engine front mounted like the original Elan.
It would have been the new Elan, only one prototype remains, and it’s now in the USA, fully road legal. It was up for sale recently. http://dirtyoldcars.com/one-and-only-m90-x100-lotus-elan-prototype/ or here at Rod And Truck.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/a12151547/lotus-elan-replacement-concept-for-sale/
https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/PjM8G/s3/1984-lotus-m90-prototype.jpg
https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/lotusfront-1504198128.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.934xh;0,0.0478xh&resize=768:*
https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/lotusengine-1504198286.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=768:*
https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/lotusinside-1504198199.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=768:*
https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/lotusrear-1504198171.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=768:*
There are those 2nd gen Supra wheels again
Nice Reliant Scimitar SS1! 😉
Withering faint praise.:-)
The shutlines, panel gaps, and surfacing are a lot more considered and better resolved on the Lotus. IMHO even the William Towns re-style isn’t as good.But you’re right they are alike.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7104/7156684163_f878ce27bf_b.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/1990_Reliant_Scimitar_SST_1800_Ti.jpg
Something of the Vauxhall Equus too.
https://cardesignnews.com/media/12488282/vauxhall-equus-6.jpg
Ah yes, panel gaps and shut lines were a bit of a problem: https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/reliant/scimitar/the-cars-reliantscimitar-ss1-development-history/
Lotus Carlton, rebadged as a Vauxhall and a Opel Omega https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6fc9c4fccda40ac85acf9b9332cf75505d248b96f304224166b5cbabea683ecb.jpg
and another Vauxhall;
https://parkers-images.bauersecure.com/pagefiles/189671/cut-out/600×400/vauxhall_vx220.jpg
You mean alternately badged. They arrived in Hethel as Opel-built sedans, underwent crazy transmogrification and emerged wearing Lotus and either Opel or Vauxhall badges depending on where they were headed.
I’m in a mood for pedantry and splitting hairs tonight.
Are there other moods? Other moods worth having, that is?
I only have two moods / mindsets: pedantic and in need of a drink. They often combine.
Came to see this posted. Leaving satisfied.
Talbot Sunbeam https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7531f3359f3cce2fbcd5a7d4cbd2830913966bd827f10d743e8b01972a29b234.jpg
and why the Talbot Sunbeam actually existed… https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/47069be98c26595619deed738ecb903887d23653cc5c0bdd7789d367586d007b.jpg
and in the best pursuit of speed…. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/476a5cad553ef86a014dc62d960ff962c2d5d47a4e3da5067eee3a9486c6e54a.jpg
Citroen Visa rally concept, never made it out https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b80d006caa805714417cb2211d7d56550cbd35cb80b105701da6980c1f2995b7.jpg
My vote for most obscure. Imagine Lotus politics + Citroen politics + language barrier + Citroen/Peugeot motorsport politics. No wonder there was just the one!
“We’re going to make a rally car! Everyone, get out your straight edges!”
Anyone say the 08-12 Tesla Roadster? A Lotus Elise with a Tesla motif (and badges).
And running gear too.
https://img.autoplus.fr/news/2013/04/08/1464831/1200%7C800%7Cd3f34ef92876349e4824f083.jpg
Here is one I did not know: Lotus Engineering were technology partners for the Carbon Motors police interceptor concept:
https://cdn.officer.com/files/base/cygnus/ofcr/image/2009/03/960w/carbonmotorse7acopscar_10233728.jpg
How about a Peugeot 205 M16 with ‘handling by Lotus’? Read more about it here:
https://rallygroupbshrine.org/the-group-b-cars/special-project-cars/peugeot-205-t16-active-systems-special-projects-gm-lotus/
Now that, I’d never heard of, what a neat piece of history.
And the Seat Ibiza: http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/paul_dunny/89%20Ibiza%20Project/P1020124.jpg including the Seat Ibiza Bimotor from the same excellent website you linked to: https://rallygroupbshrine.org/group-s/seat-ibiza-bimotor/
How could I forget this, and they loaned me one for a week trying to get me to buy one. Another Guigiaro Ital design. All abandoned after the VW takeover.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Seat_Ibiza_premi%C3%A8re_g%C3%A9n%C3%A9ration_-_Mondial_de_l%27Automobile_de_Paris_2014_-_004.jpg/1280px-Seat_Ibiza_premi%C3%A8re_g%C3%A9n%C3%A9ration_-_Mondial_de_l%27Automobile_de_Paris_2014_-_004.jpg
The Volvo 480 had a Lotus-tuned suspension.
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/I60AAOSwfCpbBwsu/$_86.JPG
From personal experience I’ll conclude that one of its predecessors, the 66, does not.
Since the Lotus designed LT5 ZR-1 Corvette engine was built by Mercury Marine, Mercury Marine decided to drop one in a boat. The Wette Vette.
https://www.mercurymarine.com/static/img/75th/history/week12/wette-vette.jpg
But but but… this box handles pretty damn good!
Group B Talbot Horizon – another stilborn PSA rally car. Fitted with a mid-mounted Sunbeam Lotus engine.
https://image.redbull.com/rbcom/052/2017-08-10/355de9a3-2024-4e48-979a-af2b36a3e8f2/0012/0/0/38/397/634/1300/1/5-group-b-rally-cars-you-definitely-won%E2%80%99t-remember.jpg
Surprised this hasn’t come up yet:
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/topgear/images/1/1d/Lotus_Lada.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080805145525
The 2009ish Jaguar/Lotus/Caparo LimoGreen project. An XJ Jaguar with a Lotus developed three cylinder range extender petrol motor. Probably superceded now by better battery technology.
Some info here… http://www.greenmotor.co.uk/2010/11/on-road-in-jaguars-limo-green.html
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-pictures-jaguar-limo-green
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Hqof77NPcFo/TNGma1daqCI/AAAAAAAABFk/bAtgZr-kf9s/s1600/jaguar-limo-green-before-after.png
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Hqof77NPcFo/TNHMD9t2EzI/AAAAAAAABGM/mtOq01kNHtY/s1600/limo-green-engine-big.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Hqof77NPcFo/TNHOElwmDSI/AAAAAAAABGc/bhObiYwT9SM/s1600/Jaguar-XJ-Limo-Green-big.png
http://evworld.com/press/jaguar_XJ-limogreen_seethru.jpg
So, hypothetically, if a pair of Ford four-cam 255 engines originally intended for the 1965 Lotus 34 Indy car somehow ended up in a dragster at the 1971 NHRA Winternationals, that counts, right?
https://www.nhra.com/sites/default/files/2017-07/busby2.jpg
Of course it does.
With GRP being a very Lotus thang, it was little surprise that Colin Chapman should turn his hand to boatbuilding, too. Under his direction and funding, Moonraker Marine of Brundall, Norfolk became JCL Marine and built a series of rather Italiante craft, my favourite of which was the Mystere 43.
This is the least favourable angle you can view one from.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o201/bajansailor/Mystere1-1.jpg
Isuzu Bighorn Lotus edition. https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-sheds/sotw-isuzu-bighorn-lotus-edition/27528 https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/be1bb906566a6fc0f486863a77cc129fbef2d8ea86147cda8093b9471b009503.jpg
Lotus designed a shopping trolley – not a car, but my first job was in a supermarket, so I loved this.
http://www.hazelnet.org/images/Trolley_3.jpg
Wait, there is a surprise extra wheel. What more?
http://www.hazelnet.org/press.htm
Based on the press release, it sounds like the wheel arrangement is pretty much it, although apparently the wheels lock in place when pushed forward.
The Lobini H1 ride was considered too harsh, the face-lifted model had the suspension tuned by Lotus to became better for road use. For those who don’t know, the Lobini H1 is a Brazilian mid-engine sports cars, equipped with a Volkswagen 1.8 20v turbocharged engine from the Golf GTI MK4. Initially it was supposed to use the Fiat 2.0 turbo five cylinder engine, bot Fiat didn’t agree to sell the engines
http://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/l/lobini/h1/lobini_h1_5.jpeg