There are numerous reasons why an automaker may wish to develop a product completely in-house. It will likely wind up cheaper, provided it has the necessary facilities to develop such a project at its disposal, and it can better ensure the secrecy of the project, shielding innovations from competitors.
However, there are just as many reasons why an automaker would want to turn to an outsider for assistance in development. A lack of expertise, no time or space, or departments already working at full capacity are just some examples of why automakers occasionally reach out for assistance. And when they do reach out, it’s usually Lotus that greets them with a smile, plus all the answers they’re looking for.
More Than A Sports Car Manufacturer
lotus elan front yellow on a trackLotus
Any conversation that centers around sports cars ought to include Lotus. The tiny British automaker has been producing some of the most focused sports cars the world has ever seen, from the nimble Seven and Gordon Murray-praised Elan through to more modern creations such as the beloved Elise and hardcore Exige.
In more recent years, it would be easy to argue that Lotus has lost its way somewhat, experimenting with SUVs and electrification, but the firm cannot be blamed for trying to adapt to the times. Too many niche English automakers have been consigned to the history books after refusing to move with the times, and it’s understandable that Lotus wouldn’t want to join them.
However, aside from toying with electrification and unsuccessful SUV launches, Lotus found other ways in which to keep the doors open and staff paid. It used its deep pool of knowledgeable engineers to assist in the design and development of cars for other automakers. From legendary GT cars to hot hatchbacks and even farm-ready 4x4s, Lotus has been working diligently behind the scenes to improve the quality of cars from other manufacturers for decades.
Lotus Had A Hand In The Development Of Some Real Icons
It would be a very long article indeed if we were to highlight every car that has ever benefited from Lotus’ involvement, but there is certainly time and space to cover a few industry favorites. Some will likely come as no surprise, like the Tesla Roadster and Vauxhall VX220, as they clearly align well with Lotus’ own core values and strengths, but others do a much better job of disguising their Lotus influence.
Here are just five examples of what might now be considered modern classics, which Lotus had a hand in developing:
- Aston Martin Vanquish
- Vauxhall VX220
- Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR-1
- Tesla Roadster
- Proton Satria GTi
Both the Vauxhall and Tesla actually look like Lotus products, and being two-door, two-seat, open-top sports cars, they clearly fall into an area that the English automaker knows a lot about. In the case of the Tesla, the EV firm licensed chassis technology used on the Elise, but adapted the design to suit a sports car capable of accommodating hefty batteries. Lotus designer Barney Hatt was particularly influential in designing the Roadster’s final form, and Lotus held the contract to assemble the finished products at its Hethel-based factory.
As for the Vauxhall VX220, Lotus basically did the works. The entire vehicle was engineered by Lotus under contract to GM, sporting modified Elise underpinnings alongside a different suspension setup and of course unique bodywork. The cars were built in Hethel alongside the Elise, but using GM-supplied 2.0-liter turbo and 2.2-liter EcoTec (N/A) four-cylinder engines. The engineering, dynamics, and production were all Lotus, and so in many ways the VX220 is a Lotus, just with Vauxhall (or Opel, depending on market) badges and a GM engine under the hood.
Green 2002 Aston Martin Vanquish nose shotBring a Trailer
Lotus was also instrumental in the development of Aston Martin’s first Vanquish, building the GT’s underpinnings around the Elise’s existing aluminum tub design. Aston Martin managed the development of such aspects in-house after the Vanquish, but worked from the design that Lotus provided, meaning Elise DNA is hidden within many a modern Aston.
Now turning to a seldom-spotted gem from the Lotus back catalog, the Proton Satria GTi. The standard Satria was a forgettable hatchback deserving of little celebration, but with some Lotus magic interwoven into the car’s suspension setup and Mitsubishi-sourced 1.8-liter engine, in addition to some sporty aerodynamic tweaks, the little Proton quickly became one of the best-handling hot hatches of the era. A subtle ‘Handling By Lotus’ badge adorning each car pays thanks to Hethel’s contribution.
1993 Chevrolet C4 Corvette ZR-1 40th AnniversaryBring A Trailer
The impact Lotus had on all of those examples is notable, but perhaps the best example of the firm’s work was on Chevrolet’s C4 Corvette. When developing the ZR-1, Chevrolet turned to Lotus for additional performance, and the tiny sports car brand certainly delivered. Lotus developed the LT5 V8 from scratch, which boasted 375 horsepower (405 in later models) from its 5.7-liter capacity. Elsewhere on the C4, Lotus tweaked the suspension, braking, and steering systems, to improve dynamics.
What resulted was the C4 Corvette’s transition from lazy sports coupe into Ferrari-slaying legend. It smashed a number of high-speed and endurance production car records, with the technologically fascinating LT5—with its dual-overhead cams, all-aluminum construction, and four valves per cylinder—responsible for the newfound turn of pace.
Automakers Had Good Reason To Put Their Trust In Lotus
But why Lotus? After all, Lotus is hardly the biggest name in sports car manufacturing, and other, more-established firms have been known to assist in similar matters over the years. Porsche helped Audi and Mercedes-Benz develop the all-important RS 2 Avant and 500E super-sedan, and more specialist firms like Roush Industries and Tom Walkinshaw Racing had been known to assist automakers with sporting developments in the past, too.
To put it simply, Lotus had built a reputation that was hard to beat. By the 1970s and 1980s, Lotus was well-regarded for developing sports cars that both handled sharply and rode beautifully. Manufacturers could therefore safely turn over their mediocre creations to Lotus, and receive something altogether more special in return. Such was the reputation of Lotus’ ability, those ‘Handling By Lotus’ badges across various models became something of a marketing advantage.
Plus, Lotus had the experience to quickly handle areas of development that other automakers didn’t have the time, space, or expertise to handle themselves. And while other automakers also offered engineering consultancy services, like Porsche, Lotus was so niche that it posed a serious threat to virtually no one. These automakers could therefore be confident that they could hire Lotus without having to worry about sharing technological insights with a mainstream rival.
Finally, Lotus worked as something of a one-stop shop. The Hethel-based manufacturer could handle chassis development, suspension and steering enhancements, aerodynamics, powertrain design, and matters of production. Being able to engage one firm to handle a wide range of specialties would no doubt be easier to manage, as well as cheaper and quicker to execute, than having to deal with a large number of independent contractors, each tackling just one aspect.
A Legacy Hidden In Plain Sight
1996 Isuzu Trooper ‘Handling By Lotus’Bonhams
What resulted from Lotus’ involvement was a legacy many know little about, but one that is deserving of much celebration and all the credit that comes its way. The humble automaker produces very few cars and occupies a tiny physical footprint in the auto industry, but its impact through involvement with other manufacturers has been significant—and it knows a thing or two about how to win races, too.
In the modern day, such collaborative projects aren’t so well documented, although Lotus and Zenos have signed a Heads of Terms agreement, signifying that this chapter of Lotus’ story certainly is not over. Instead, Lotus has been busy working on Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture (LEVA), with integrated battery-and-chassis concepts plus modular layouts for various configurations and wheelbases forming part of its research. Interestingly, such platforms haven’t been developed for the sole use of Lotus, but also as platforms which Lotus could commercialize for other manufacturers.
Lotus’ own EV releases might have fallen a little short of the desired mark, but the historic brand appears to be working diligently on developing the blueprint upon which future releases from across the auto industry could be based.
Sources: Lotus
