Car Freak

whoops, forgot about this...

I apologise on his behalf. His brand of sarcasm can be a bit too subtle at times

I'd like to see a Honda Cub :p

Hmm, so you're more concerned with the shape of the exhausts than that putrid paintjob?

Redvette: What was it you were saying about no fanboys?

Well, crunch time's in just under 270mins...

uh? I'd say it's ok... Granted, the only Chrysler saloon that's in a game is the 300C, but that at least, is definitely a luxury car

Optimus Prime anyone?

The Chinese don't eat Octopus. I think you mean the Japanese ;)

I'm sure you guys must know the full story behind this right?

Lotus is planning a radical shake-up of its heritage as it pushes upmarket to take on Porsche' date=' Ferrari and Aston Martin[/b'] as part of what it is calling "the dawn of a new era".

 

The radical restructuring includes dropping founder Colin Chapman's 'lightweight and simple' ethos for all new cars, instead using more complex, more expensive and more upmarket manufacturing techniques.

 

However, its current range is expected to survive for now - with only the new models adopting the company's radically altered philosophy.

 

While Lotus has refused to divulge its vision for the company's future until the Paris motor show in September, company owner Proton has held a briefing in Malaysia outlining its plans to make Lotus profitable within five years. Lotus has not made a profit for Proton since it bought it in 1996.

 

Proton and Lotus chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh outlined the company's plans to build cars under a new motto, "Tomorrow’s luxury sports car, today".

 

The average car will cost £80,000-£110,000, the prices being justified by the use of technology including seven-speed twin clutch transmissions, active aerodynamics, continuously variable dampers, hybrid and range extender systems, heads up displays, and the option of more alternatively-fuelled variants.

 

Under the plan, Lotus plans to raise sales from the current 2000-25000 cars a year to 6000-8000 within five years. It will sell vehicles in 55 countries - up from the current 30.

 

These sales increases will be fuelled by a Lotus city car, which will be spun off Proton's own new city car, which was previewed by the EMAS concept by Italian design house Giugiaro at this year's Geneva motor show.

 

Both Proton and Lotus models will have the same powertrains and mechanical essentials. However there will be a high level of exterior and interior differentiation - leading to comparisons with the Aston Martin Cygnet, which is based on the Toyota iQ.

 

Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh also outlined key appointments from rival manufacturers, which he hopes will fast-track Lotus into the luxury sportscar market.

 

These include ex-Ferrari man Dany Bahar, who is now Lotus CEO, ex-Ferrari director of design Donato Coco, Andreas Schlegel from Aston Martin's marketing and network development, Andreas Prillmann, formerly director of sales and business development at Ferrari, Robert Hentschel from EDAG USA and Frank Tuch, who was director of quality management at Porsche.

 

Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh also announced that Lotus Engineering will become more heavily involved in developing vehicles for Proton and Lotus Cars.

 

Lotus Engineering has also formed a strategic partnership with engine component company Fagor Ederlan to put the 1.2 liter three-cylinder Lotus Range Extender engine into production.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/250659/

Colin Chapman is definitely turning in his grave right now, and frankly, I don't like one bit the company's new direction.

I actually think whoever made that did a pretty good job...

Man that looks like serious stuff... Didn't know RC cars could be that customisable

Oh, and welcome back! How long has it been?

Very nice silver Chevelle in the background of that Reventon shot

No threads about the World Cup because we watch F1! :p

I'm totally clueless and know nothing about football, so i have no idea who will win, what the score will be, and I have no favourite players.

As for why did I pick Netherlands? Well let me put it this way: When I think of Holland, I think of Spyker. When I think of Spain, I think of Fernando Alonso. I think the Brit guys will know where I'm coming from ;)

Ah yes, I was just about to ask if it was that Countach

I think there are enough people out there (even if they aren't car enthusiasts) who will be bowled over enough by the looks go get a Camaro. Especially if they liked the Transformers movies. GM probably missed a trick here though, should've brought in the V6 as well for the posers

I expect I'll need a new keyboard after all this, since saliva and electronics don't mix...

Well they should've revealed it to be her... Or maybe have her do the driving as herself! Also, I look at German Stig doing the laps and it didn't seem like Sabine-standard. Cornering was really sloppy in all 3 cars with random oversteer and everything...

Finally, an episode where I have nothing to complain about! This, I felt, was an episode for all us petrolheads and TG purists. Nothing staged, nothing over the top, just the 3 of them being themselves.

I just can't help but think they missed a couple of opportunities though... 1 - they ought to have gone to the 'Ring instead, 2 - German Stig should've been Sabine Schmitz! :D

Also, do you think it was really James doing the powerslides in the Boxster Spyder?

Very very good photos there, but I can't for the life of me figure out what that last pic is... :confused:

What a gaudy paintjob, but as a technical achievement, it's pretty awesome. What's it have? 1200bhp?

Unlike the majority of you here, I will shed a tear for this car. You'll never be able to imagine the impact this car had on me as a four or five year old, thanks to the VIPER TV show. The '96 GTS was, is, and always will be, my no.1 favourite car.

RIP Dodge Viper, you'll be missed :'(

I bought Audiosurf too. And DiRT.

And dad bought Crysis :D

Haha... Actually, I was going for a half-MINI (checkered roof), half-Clio 182 (bonnet stripe) look...

reventon09. Black + gold = <drool>