I agree, and it's a damn shame. They were pioneers of the "less is more" ethos that has now spread to other manufacturers, and their chassis and suspension engineering are some of the best in the world. Bahar clearly wants to to turn Lotus into Ferrari, but moving upmarket means facing some really tough competition -- he'll be in the firing range of Aston, Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi, McLaren, and Ferrari -- and in all probability it will end up being a disaster. I'm just sad that Colin Chapman's legacy has come to this.
Just so I can reserve the right to say "I told you so" - I predict that Bahar will be fired by Lotus/Proton by the end of August. I'm also predicting, unfortunately, that Lotus will then abandon Bahar's ridiculous plan for 5 new Lotus models, and Proton may even sell off Lotus to wash their hands of the whole Bahar fiasco. Lotus is in deep, deep trouble, and it's Bahar's fault.
Specific to racing, it seems most every legacy is gone now, except for two of them. I didn't think I'd see Brabham, Lotus, Tyrrell or Ligier pull the plug, but others I expected it. If McLaren doesn't keep their ship in order they could easily go the same way, they are a one-trick pony in the street car market, aren't they?
I don't know how the businesses are linked, but I don't think the street-car division will ever jeopardize the racing team at McLaren. I'd think the F1 team is self-sustaining in the way of what they bring home based on their position in the WCC and sponsorship money- how they've been doing it since before the MP4-12C. And McLaren Automotive may be a one trick pony for the time being, but from the looks of it they're off to a very promising start.
That's best summary. This guy is a real tw@t. The elise/exige are such wonderful cars. The fact that these cars are a success built on Collin Chapman's classic formula. This guy wonders into the Lotus company ignoring this reality and plans 5 cars that do not follow the Lotus niche and proven formula for success. Fire him and keep building elise/exige's.
My wife and I sat in an Evora Friday night. It was plastic-ey and cheap looking. I pressed on the guage shroud and it squeeked real loud and almost came off. She said, " Wow, you've got me quite spoiled." (She likes my 458 a lot.) This thing had the interior of a 1982 Plymouth Acclaim. When the sales guy closed the engine cover, the car rattled and sounded like parts were going to fall off. It was a sad little car. If they were selling it for $32k, I'd buy one and thrash it to pieces like I did with a TT Turbo. At $78k I am embarrassed for anyone who buys one.
The problem with Lotus is that its tried to be a real car company. Colin Chapman started Lotus as a racing car company first, and then sold cars to pay for the racing... much like Enzo Ferrari. He built some nice road cars - Elite, Elan, Europa, Esprit & the 7. Most of the others were failures. even the popular cars are not the best they could be. My dad has had his share of Lotus build quality, that is why he no longer has them. Things fall off, they break, they are not put to gether well... that was Lotus under Chapman. Today, I think, the cars are more reliable, and frankly are better than ever, however other than an Esprit, Lotus has never made really up market cars... that is what Lotus needs to stay doing. Elise, Exige type cars with an Esprit flag ship - high tech, but light and smiple. true race cars for the street. the folks who buy these cars are really hard core drivers. they will put up with un comfortable surroundings etc.. if you make the cars reliable its a huge bonus. Lotus really survived on its engineering for other marques... that is where the money was - and should be. This bahar guy, I dont know what the deal is, but seems that he has set out a huge - un acheivable task. maybe that is what he wanted to do so Proton would sell at a discount? I dont know. Its great to see Lotus back in F-1 but I wish it was for real and not a splash, and i htink that is where it will end up.. a huge splash.
Totally agree. Bahar was a not very good CMO at Ferrari, and clearly had ideas way above his station. Unfortunately, he landed at Lotus and seems to have completely lost his head in the belief that he can create a Ferrari-a-like by doing a cut and paste of the F business model at Lotus. Life isn't that simple evidently. It's a pity that good skilled folk have to lose their jobs as a result, and the Lotus brand will be faced with many years in the wilderness until someone credible comes along to rebuild from the soon to be ashes. Sad.
Hah. I thought the same thing (after reading Russ' post). Have you had the chance to drive an Evora or Evora S, Aedo?
