Like the sound of a new Lotus?
As the Paris Motor Show nears, Lotus is planning at least four new models, as well as some interesting new aural technologyLotus is preparing for a multi-model launch at next month's Paris Motor Show. The extended line-up, although still a closely guarded secret, is set to expand the brand's model range significantly, Lotus says.
According to Steve Doyle, the head of Lotus' hybrid and electric vehicle integration, Lotus is expected to unveil four new concept cars, a notable quantity given the company's only significant new offering in almost a decade has been the four-seat Evora.
The concepts will combine a mixture of "new Lotus" and "old Lotus", with a revised version of the Lotus Seven (built between 1957 and 1972) and a modern-day Lotus Esprit (built between 1976 and 2004) slated to grace the "old Lotus" stage.
The revival models could be in showrooms as early as 2012.
On the "new Lotus" side of the fence, two petrol-electric hybrid models -- based on the modular chassis featured beneath Evora -- will likely be unveiled, at least one of which will offer the convenience of four doors.
The hybrid models will feature Lotus' range-extending three-cylinder petrol engine which is employed only when the car's batteries need recharging on-the-go.
"The world has changed," explained Mr Doyle, "from engine performance enhancements to engine performance and economy, reducing carbon dioxide emissions."
Lotus will also use the biannual Paris Motor Show to showcase its research in the sounds cars make.
Following many hundreds of hour's research and development, the engineers at Lotus are keen to exhibit the aural characteristics developed for their smaller capacity and all-electric engines -- some reengineered to sound like sportcars from the brand's illustrious past.
"You could make your four-cylinder Lotus Elise sound like a V12, and people want that," exclaimed Doyle.
Like other manufacturers of hybrid and electric vehicles, Lotus is eager to add sound to their environmentally friendly vehicles, both to keep customers happy, and to act as a warning to unsuspecting pedestrians.
So far sounds developed for otherwise silent-running Lotus cars include a growling V8 and futuristic "spaceship-ish" noise.
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