Lotus Drivers Guide

Newsletter issue 72, October/November 2013

The first words....

Ronald Ringma

To all the readers who have send a reaction to my last newsletter; thank you very much!

Once again a large part of this newsletter is devoted to miniatures. I can't help it, collecting these is part of my Lotus hobby and there is a lot of news to share with you again.

Please enjoy reading this newsletter en do not hesitate to give me your comments.

Ronald Ringma

Lotus cars extends its dealer network to the United Arabic Emirates

Lotus recently announced the opening of a new showroom in Dubai and the commencement of an exciting and ambitious plan to strengthen the Lotus brand across the Middle East by developing its operation in existing and new markets in the region over the next 24 months.

Lotus is represented in the region by Lotus Cars Middle East FZ-LLC whose commitment to development of the different markets in the Middle East, has been rewarded by the appointment of Trading Enterprises, part of Al-Futtaim Automotive, as the dealer for the whole of the UAE based in Dubai. The company will be building sales and after sales services capabilities to support this exciting introduction to the market. Trading Enterprises is to open a new showroom facility in Dubai in October in the prestigious waterside ‘Dubai Festival City’ complex.

Initially showcasing the stunning Lotus Evora and its supercharged sibling the Evora S, the 425m2 Dubai showroom will be a state-of-the-art customer focused environment decorated in Lotus’ signature monochrome scheme with bright yellow accents. Complete with Lotus Originals boutique and vehicle specification area, this facility will set a benchmark for all Lotus showrooms in the region.

The compelling demand for Lotus in the UAE is such that Trading Enterprises is planning further expansion in 2014 to coincide with the proposed introduction of the Exige S to the market.

Lotus Cars Ltd Chief Operating Officer Aslam Farikullah said, “The Middle East is a strategic market with significant potential for Lotus and the UAE is a substantial part of that opportunity. We are delighted to partner with Al-Futtaim, a company with undoubted expertise in the region, an exemplary track record and whom we know will offer a premium experience to our customers. Between us, we will introduce customers in the UAE to the world of Lotus”.

Len Hunt, President – Automotive, Al-Futtaim group also commented, “Al-Futtaim has built strength and credibility in delivering great customer experience through its well established automotive operations. We are excited to exclusively introduce the globally recognised brand of Lotus to this market. Representing Lotus and its products which are centred on style, passion and performance, offers our customers a whole new dimension within our automotive portfolio. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”

(source: Group Lotus PLC)

The Lotus Elise S Cup R

Following the success of the Exige V6 Cup and its hardcore sibling the Exige V6 Cup R, the Lotus Elise S is adorned with the Lotus Motorsport magic to present the track-only Elise S Cup R.

Evolving from the 1.6 litre Elise platform, this is the first time the supercharged Elise S’ mid-mounted, transverse, 1.8 litre 2ZR-FE engine has been used in a Cup variant. Priced at £39,125 + VAT and boasting bespoke livery and aerodynamic body kit, the Elise S Cup R showcases the marriage of form and function perfectly so that performance is optimised yet retains its stylish and iconic aesthetic.

Formula One: Lotus F1 Team update

Korea:

2013 Korean Grand Prix

Lotus F1 Team comments:

Lotus F1 Team scored its third double podium of the season as Kimi Räikkönen took second and Romain Grosjean third in an emphatic team performance at the Korean Grand Prix. Both drivers benefited from strong race pace and drove superbly – including dicing with each other – during a race which saw two safety car periods.

Kimi returns to third place in the Drivers’ Championship on 167 points – displacing Lewis Hamilton – and now lies 28 points behind Fernando Alonso in second. Romain Grosjean remains eighth in the standings on 72 points, 17 away from Felipe Massa in seventh. The team maintains fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship on 239 points from Mercedes’ 283.

Spyker with Lotus engine

The Dutch Spyker B6 Venator will be produced starting from November 2014 onwards. At least, according to the current planning. Spyker CEO Victor Muller is already taking orders (€ 20.000 down payment) and explaining new customers that the V6 3.5 litre engine will come from Lotus.

Caterham Group launches motorcycle division

I know, this is not "Lotus news", but bearing in mind what history Lotus and Caterham share, I thought you would like to know this....

Caterham Group has launched its first ever motorcycle division – Caterham Bikes – at the International Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA) in Milan.

Three prototype products – the Brutus 750 (dubbed the ‘SUV of motorcycles’), Classic E-Bike (an all-electric, bike with retro styling) and the Carbon E-Bike (a premium electric bike inspired by F1 technology) – have been unveiled for launch throughout 2014 as part of the Group’s strategy of growth through intelligent partnerships.

Production of the three launch bikes – all priced affordably – will begin as early as Spring 2014, with the Brutus 750 the first to be built, followed by the two electric bikes later in the year.

Lotus present at international car shows

We have missed "our brand" at the shows in Paris, Geneva and Frankfurt to name a few, but Lotus does attend to shows. Recently, at the 3rd China (Macau) International Automobile Exposition, Lotus did exhibit a series of special edition Lotus Elise cars, a Lotus Type 125, Lotus Evora GT4 and Lotus Exige.

And Lotus was demonstrating their commitment to the exclusive Swiss market at the 2013 Auto Zürich show with some highlights of the Lotus range.

Images of both show can bee seen at the Lotus Facebook page, click here.

Lotus also commented on the fact that they have not attended recent shows:

"As you probably know, Lotus has been through a recent period of considerable change, and our immediate priority is to invest in our quality standards and production facilities. Therefore, you will not have seen us recently at some of the major motorshows.

We are happy to report that thanks to investment by our shareholders and our strategy to invest in facilities and our supply chain, our product line-up stands strong with new products (Exige S) and new variants (Exige S Roadster, Evora Sports Racer and Elise S Club Racer). We feel that this approach is the right one and the product is proof of this.

Moving forward we will be appearing at select events and activities on a brand-level and we continue to support our dealer network in their localised activities to showcase the products we are so very proud of."

Lotus on Track Racing Drivers Club - 2014 Calendar

Lotus on Track is Europe’s largest track day club and prides itself on providing friendly, safe and good-value track days. The Lotus on Track Racing Drivers’ Club was formed to create a race series for Lotus Elise owners, and aims to carry Lotus on Track principles to the starting grid. You can find more informeration on the website: http://www.lotrdc.com/

Elise Trophy

Snetterton – 6 April
Silverstone – 26 April
Brands Hatch – 18 May
Oulton – 14 June
Spa – 10,12 Juy
Brands GP – 16,17 August
Donington – 21 September
Snetterton 300 - 16 October

Lotus Cup UK

Snetterton 300 – 5 April
Silverstone – 26 April
Brands Hatch – 17 May
Oulton – 14 June
Spa – 10,12 July
Brands GP – 16,17 August
Donington - 20 September
Snetterton - 25,26 October

Lotus Cup Europe

Hockenheim - 11,13 April
Dijon - 2,3 May
Zandvoort - 7,9 June
Spa - 10,12 July
Zolder - 20,21 September
Le Mans - 25,26 October

LoTRDC Lotus 6 Hour – 7th-8th November 2014
Lotus Cup UK Speed Championship – 10 rounds over 9 weekends.

Modelcars

Quartzo has announced a re-issue of their 1:18 Lotus Type 49, Jim Clark winner of the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix. Her is the first image that I can show you. It is not yet known when the model will be in the shops but it is said to be December 2013. For all 3 Quartzo 1:18 scale models that I am mentioning here Suggestion: let all of us collectors get a large Christmas tree this year so there will be lots of space under it...
	Also announced by Quartzo, this 1:18 Lotus Type 49 that was driven by Graham Hill, winning the 1968 Spanish Grand Prix.
And the 3rd model that will be in time to find a place under the Christmas tree is this Lotus Type 72D, winner of the 1972 British Grand Prix, Emerson Fittipaldi. Also 1:18 scale by Quartzo
Please note that there are also SunStar versions of the Type 49 models. A while ago Vitesse was purchased by Sun Star Models of Macau, usually a maker of well-detailed 1:18 scale diecasts. Three former Vitesse lines are now supported by Sun Star: Vitesse Models, Vitesse Rallye, and Quartzo which does race car replicas.
	Corgi has recently announced this Lotus Evora S in Starlight Black, scale 1:43
The 1:20 scale Lotus Type 72E platic kit by Ebbro can now be converted to have a metal front subrame, by using this new Ebbro metal kit.
	Bell has announced a 1:2 scale replica of Kimi Raikkonen's 2013 Lotus helmet. This helmet model is constructed from fibreglass and has high quality polyurethane paintwork. Features include vinyl sponsor logos, tinted and tilting visor, realistic buckle and foam internal padding. Measures approximately 12,5 cm in height.
There will also be a Grosjean helmet made by Bell!
	And if you like miniature helmets, you may also like this one, Mario Andretti used it driving for Team Lotus in 1978! Made by TrueScale Miniatures, 1:8
New from Corgi, the Lotus F1 Team 2013 showcar, 1:43 diecast model. Based on the E20. The showcars differ from the 2013 race cars in that they are the previous season's shape finished in the team's new livery. Corgi is already looking forward and has also announced a 1:43 scale model representing the 2014 showcar! This will probably be the E21 in new livery.
	This is the third version of the new 1:43 Elan Plus Two model, that will be produced by Oxford Diecast. This red version will be available in 2014 as far is I know now.
..and the first image of the 1:76 version Elan Plus Two that will also be released by Oxford Diecast in 2014
	Corgi has promised us their 1:43 version of the E21, this is the test car that was used by Davide Valsecchi during the Young Drivers Test on the 18th July 2013. Will be released in 2014.
And Corgi will also produce this 1:43 E21 Kimi Räikkönen Australian GP 2013, also due for release in 2014.
	Due in January 2014, this 1:43 Lotus Type 33 that will be made by Spark. Driver Mike Spence, British Grand Prix 1966.
News without images: Corgi will produce a 1:43 model representing the Exige S, both in street and race versions, expected in 2014

Books and video

If you have come second you have lost, Winning the World Championship with Jim Clark.

Cedric Selzer used to be Jim Clark's mechanic, until and including Jim's first world championship year. This book tells Cedric's story, from coming over from South Africa, getting work at Team Lotus and then becoming Jim Clark's mechanic in the World Championship year of 1963. The foreword is by Jackie Stewart.

There is a softback version and a hardback version, the latter is limited to 63 pieces. Number 63 of 63, signed by Jackie Stewart, was auctioned at Goodwood on the 14th of September by Bonhams and reached a very neat GBP 1.125! (No 1/63 made £1000 at a charity event with Ross Brawn on Sept 27th)

It's 200 pages with 60 rare photos.

ISBN:9781859604236

ALL profits will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

More information: http://www.selzer.uk.com/