If you thought the unveiling of five new models at the Paris Motor Show would keep the boys from Hethel in a bind, you’re sadly mistaken. Not only are they focused on the new product line up, they’ve also announced plans to expand their racing program extensively.
As we’ve reported earlier, Lotus Formula One arm will be dropping Cosworth and switching to Renault power for next season. They’ve also tied up with Red Bull Racing to use its gearboxes and other tech for next year. If that wasn’t enough, Lotus will be developing their own aerodynamics package for the new adaptable chassis that will line up on the grid come 2012.
Next up is the expansion of their efforts in Indy racing, a partnership with former Champ Car chief Kevin Kalkhoven’s KV Racing that will see them run two cars instead of the previous one.
Lotus will also be teaming up with ART Grand Prix in the GP2 and GP3 single-seater feeder series. ART are themselves champs in several single-seater series and will bring plenty of experience to the table. In a move that will surely not quell the damage from the use of the Lotus name in the Formula One team, Lotus Formula One boss Tony Fernandes has announced his own plans to run a team in the GP2 feeder series under his Air Asia banner.
Finally, just before calling it a day, Lotus will be working on GT2 and GT3 versions of the Evora GT4 due to the promising response received for the car. Looking to the future, they’ll also be building a GT2 racer based on the new generation of vehicles unveiled at Paris. While they’re at it too, they’ve decided to have a go at LMP2 by building a purpose-built closed-cockpit Le Mans Prototype car.
Source: Lotus
