Lotus : The False Dawn (from 2009-2013)

[geoffbland]

Interesting and well made video about Lotus in the era before Geely

 

[LotsOfTriumphsUsuallySexy]

Thanks for sharing. I lived through that announcement and was always in love with the future Esprit that sadly wasn't to be. However, Danny Bahar was not a worthy CEO.

 

[F1 SML8R]

This was an interesting time indeed and much like now, Lotus was in the midst of a new product rollout with the Evora then, and the Emira now. I personally thought Danny got a bad wrap. He was absolutely a visionary being asked to build the future with essentially no budget for R&D and vaporware for the concept cars. As always, the investors (Genii Capital back then, Geely now) wanted profits out of the gate and when they didn't get it, they quickly tried to just let it die on the vine.

I will say, it was an entertaining and last time for Lotus Formula 1 (really the old Benetton team). We got to see Kimi at the end of his career doing his thing in the classic "Kimi" way.

 

[Dean76]

Funny you post this, I was doomscrolling through Youtube and saw this just last night. Man all those names coming back - Dany Bahar, Donato Coco, etc. I always thought those cars tripped over one another and looked too similar. The Esprit with the Lexus V8 I thought was on the right track. 500 hp NA 5L monster from the ISF would have been beautiful.
I did think the sedan was a good idea too. At the time the Rapide was a huge deal amongst friends in my circle, I nearly bought one myself. If that sedan had been out I would have 100% gone for it. I still think they should take the Emira, stretch the chassis, add two seats and two doors, and make it a Panamera competitor. Keep the same engines, plenty of power for a family car. Call it the Emir