Lotus evokes positive associations in all car environments. Not only have they built great sports cars, they have also helped other car manufacturers with their special expertise. The company was founded in 1952 by Colin Chapman. After his death, the company ended up in financial instability, and has had several owners, including GM. Today, Chinese Geely has a majority ownership.
Lotus evokes positive associations in all car environments. Not only have they built great sports cars - they have also helped other car manufacturers with their special expertise. Now Lotus Norges is current with 3 new models - two of them electric.
Showroom at Steen & Strøm
My wife first discovered them at Steen & Strøm in central Oslo. There, it looks as if Lotus is establishing a showroom in the same way we know from, for example, Polestar and NIO. I'm not sure what the premises will be like, but it was interesting to get a glimpse of one of the new models – the Lotus Emira partially hidden behind a curtain. Now, it's not this model that's being hyped up, it's the Eletre , a high-built electric SUV in the premium class that hasn't arrived yet. Lotus' third new model is the Evija – a pure battery-powered supercar that I've neither seen nor heard anything about. Compared to the new electric cars, the Emira shows what Lotus stands for – the legacy of the Elise , Exige and Evora . A sports car concept based on low weight thanks to an aluminum chassis, high performance based on technology rather than displacement and a chassis that works for both track driving and touring.
Lotus emira
The car currently parked in Oslo, the Lotus Emira , probably belongs to last year's production batch – First Edition . It has a mid-mounted Toyota 3.5 liter V6 engine with supercharger, 405 HP and – either a 6-speed manual – or a 6-speed automatic transmission with torque converter – both from Aisin. According to Lotus' website, the First Edition with the V6 option is sold out, but cars in the standard version can be delivered from spring 2023.
The Emira Standard is equipped with a 2,0 turbocharged straight four from AMG, the same engine that sits in the Mercedes-Benz A-class A45S. In the Mercedes-Benz, it produces 421 HP, but "only" 360 HP in the Emira. The torque is 430 Nm and with an 8-speed dual clutch gearbox with rear wheel drive it should do 0-100 in 4,2 seconds. I don't know if Lotus will offer any manual option. Pricing has yet to be announced, but in the UK the Emira Standard costs £60, roughly the same as the Porsche Cayman 000 S, - and as the two models are comparable in several areas, it's not inconceivable that the Emira will be priced roughly the same as its equivalent Porsche here in Norway.
Lotus Eletre (source: Lotus)
lotus eletre
In 2017, Chinese Geely Holding bought 51% of Lotus Cars. They have later bought out the company. While Lotus' sports cars are still produced in England, the Eletre comes from a super modern new factory in Wuhan, China. The SUV-like design was created and designed in England. I would also like to believe that the English have been involved in constructing the chassis and more. The electric car concept is based on dual motor and 4-wheel drive. The range is stated to be 600 km (WLTP), the top speed to 260 km/h, and 0-100 in 2,95 seconds. As standard, the cars will come equipped with self-driving functions. They will have both LIDAR, radar, cameras and software for this purpose. In terms of price, the Eletre Standard starts at NOK 897,990. On Lotus' website, you can configure and choose which quarter you want the car delivered.
Be one of the first?
– “Be one of the first to drive the Eletre” , Lotus entices. I think with skepticism about being the first to buy a brand new model from a brand new car factory in China. But in today’s rapid change in the car fleet, the Lotus Eletre is no more uncertain than many other, new car brands and models that appear. It’s easy to like Lotus. The Eletre hasn’t arrived in Oslo yet, but of the two models, I would rather have a Lotus Emira in my garage than the Eletre, – despite the fact that I won’t get either a 688-liter trunk or a towbar 🙂
The Speedster Turbo is characterized by larger air intakes on the sides.
GM helped Lotus reach the finish line with a new aluminum platform and chassis for the Elise and Exige. In return, GM signed an agreement on the production of its own models on the same platform. The Opel Speedster and the right-hand drive sister model Vauxhall VX220 were a direct result of this collaboration.
No ordinary Opel
The Opel Speedster was designed by Opel's own designers and the lines have several features inspired by GM, - or perhaps the Speedster later inspired new GM models? Especially the rear section and the rear fenders are very successful. Looking more closely at new ones Chevrolet Camaro, the same alignment is found there. There is no doubt that the Speedster was a breath of fresh air for Opel when it arrived in the year 2000. But the Speedster was not a typical Opel.
I took a trip up to Kenneth Bakkejord. He has an Opel Speedster 2,0 Turbo in the garage. 200 horses distributed over 930 kilograms is not bad - even seen with today's eyes. But what makes the car a real sports car are the Lotus genes. The aluminum frame is a visual part of the car. Imagine a go-cart built on a low aluminum vessel with thick walls and an entire door built in one piece. When you sit in the car, you are surrounded by it. The aluminum in the lower part of the dashboard – for example – is a cross brace in the frame construction. Many people pay thousands of kroner to have cosmetic aluminum inlays in the interior. Aluminum has a function here. It's also stylish – especially when the rest of the car is in aluminum gray metallic.
Tough stern and original design of tail pipe
"G-forces"
uncompromising
The aluminum construction not only helps to keep the weight down, but provides a chassis that is completely rigid. I'm guessing that the chassis is signed Lotus - not Opel. Lotus can namely creating chassis for sports and racing. I remember the first tests of the then brand new Opel Speedster. They gave the impression of a vehicle shaking the fillings out of the teeth. It is not true. You sit low and take in the surface of the road. With "muscle servo", everything is communicated from the wheels. Lotus has indeed created a chassis that prioritizes road grip over comfort - but it is not uncomfortable.
The road grip is otherwise fantastic. When Kenneth went a little harder in the turns, you could really feel the G-forces. The Speedster offers a lot of incredible driving pleasure without driving fast.
At first glance, the seats look simple and the rough leather seems smooth. But on the road, you sit as if cast all the way up to your shoulders. The seats fit me well. I am 1,88 with a slim body shape. But I doubt they fit really big people. The frame construction steals a lot of space on the outer sides of the compartment. It also tapers inwards towards the front. It does not provide all the space in the world in width. Another "problem" is getting in and out of the car in a decent way. The frame walls are very high and wide. Again, you can see that the priority is on driving characteristics.
Vauxhall Speedster 2,0 Turbo
Driving pleasure
An additional gossip mirror on the passenger side reveals that Kenneth's Speedster is used for practice driving for the next generation of drivers. So one might wonder how practice driving will go in the future when all cars are silent and have automatic transmissions, hill holders and all sorts of systems for driver assistance? And what about the driving pleasure? Driving actively on a winding and hilly road, shifting manually with a click-clack feeling, hearing the revs, feeling the pull of the engine? Good reasons to have a Speedster in the garage.
GM's 2,0 turbo engine. No cosmetic plastic covers or anything else that increases the weight
Engines
The 2,0 Turbo first appeared in the 2003 model year. Previously, only the EcoTec 2,2 engine was available. It produces 147 horses, while the turbo engine produces 200. A simple search in the vehicle register reveals that there are 74 Opel Speedsters and 1 Vauxhall VX220 in the country, of which only 9 are the turbo version. With the previous one-time charge calculation, the turbo surcharge was probably unreasonably high. The turbo engine has been in GM's engine lineup since 1992. It was offered in the Astra and Vectra, and later editions of Opel's OPC models. The engine was available in three versions – 170 HP, 200 HP and 240 HP. Then it might be possible to extract even more horses from the 200 HP engine?
Turbo vs. EcoTec 2,2
When the power is delivered turbo-wise, it happens somewhat explosively within the rev range where the torque is highest. A naturally aspirated engine such as the EcoTec 2,2 and then sister model Lotus Exige's 1,8 Toyota engine with variable valve timing distributes the power over a wider rev range and can be pulled out more on the gears. For many, it provides a more sporty driving experience, preferably with an exhaust system with a sporty sound. But the 2,2 liter takes 1 second more to reach 100 km/h. The exhaust sound in the turbo version is discreet at low revs and increasingly sporty when the gas is applied.
It is difficult to move the body over the heavy frame in a decent way
Lotus
Lotus is a quality brand for all of us who like cars and driving. In addition to making their own cars, they have over the years provided "consulting assistance" to the rest of the car industry. They have had a long-term collaboration with GM both technically and financially. Among other things, Lotus has developed Opel's EcoTec engine series. Between 1986 and 1993, GM owned almost all of the shares in Lotus. The company was then sold to the optimistic Italian company that was to carry Bugatti forward. As you know, it didn't go so well, so the Malaysian car brand Proton bought the shares. Proton has for many years sold cheap right-hand drive cars to the UK. Now they are both under the Chinese Geely umbrella.
Minimalistic and sporty instrument panel
Facts Opel Speedster Turbo
Weights and Measures
Length, width: 379 x 174 cm
Wheelbase: 233 cm
Net weight: 930 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 2
Drivetrain
Engine: 2,0 Turbo DOHC 16V transverse mid engine
Engine type: Z20LET
Power: 200 HP at 5500 revs
Torque: 250 Nm at 1950 revolutions
Gearbox: 5-speed manual Getrag F23
Rear wheel drive without ESP
Brakes
ABS
Front brakes: Ventilated discs
Rear brakes: Discs
Tires
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Front: 205/45ZR17 88Y
Rear: 225/45/ZR17 94Y
Performances
Top speed: 242 km/h
0-100: 4,9 sec.
About the car
Place of manufacture: Norwich (Hethel), UK*
Owner: Kenneth Bakkejord
Model: 2003*
Mileage: 58000
Source: *Checked against the car's VIN number Vegvesen.no Lotuscars.com
PHOTOS
Implemented use of aluminum on all surfaces.
The most beautiful Opel in recent times?
Turbo has larger brake discs, Black rims suit the car well.
Sharp lines that wear age well
Beautiful details that fit into the alignment. Fuel cap, door handle and air intake.
When I have taken pictures from car shows and exhibitions, I want to show several cars of the same model before they are published. Then it becomes more legitimate to write a story about the model , not the car . But what do you do when you have only managed to take one picture? Here are 5 cars from carspotting that I have not found the same.
Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari, which was produced between 1984 and 1996, became super popular. "All" royalty and celebrities wanted a Testarossa.
Miami Vice
There was a wait of several years. Many got to know the car through the TV series Miami Vice. Ferrari had donated two cars to the production company. They were in black metallic with a cream colored interior, but were repainted because white probably suited Don Johnson better. The last two sales went for 175 and 000 dollars respectively.
Several celebrities have owned - or own a Testarossa. Elton John is said to have received one from the record company MCA Records. It was red with a "tan" interior. It is said that Elton John regularly drives all his cars. Also the Testarossa which was eventually auctioned off - and which has probably been auctioned off at least once more later. Other celebrities behind the wheel of the Testarossa are Mick Jagger, Miles Davis, Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Rod Stewart, OJ Simpson, Tom Selleck, MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.
Facts about the Ferrari Testarossa
Engine: 4,9 litres, 12 cylinders (boxer), 48 valves, naturally aspirated, dry sump, 390 HP at 6300 revs, 490 Nm at 4500 revs. 0-100 in 5,8 seconds.
About the pictures
The main picture was taken near the old control tower at Fornebu on the occasion of one of the Norwegian Sportscar Club's spring rallies at Fornebu. The bonus picture is taken of the traffic on the E18 exiting at Holtet in Bærum. Car spotting and car spotting.
Lotus spirit
Lotus Spirit Turbo
It is hard to imagine that the Lotus Esprit, the cool James Bond car, has become a proper old car.
The truth is inescapable. Beneath the hand-crafted fiberglass bodywork lies an old car, technologically low-tech by today's standards. I heard one owner say, "You don't buy an Esprit for performance - you buy it because it's an Esprit . "
Engines
The Esprit model was produced in several series from 1976 to 2004. The first cars were equipped with mid-mounted 2,2-liter inline-four engines developed by Lotus itself. Performance was a modest 160 HP. The Esprit was never a supercar until 1980 when it got a turbo and 210 HP. Eventually, Lotus managed to extract 300 HP from the turbo engine. In 1996 – twenty years after its introduction – the Esprit got V8 engines. The twin-turbo engine produced 350 horses and lifted the Esprit into the supercar class.
Heavy on the steering. Poor turning radius. Low stance and very direct contact with the road. "Everything" is communicated to the driver. This is a car that takes some getting used to.
The statements come from car testers who viewed the Esprit with today's eyes. One thing everyone agrees on. The interior. Everything is covered in genuine leather - handmade English quality - designed like a "man-cave". It is not only comfortable, but gives a real good feeling.
The picture was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. It is a Turbo Esprit with an estimated 210 HP. Car spotting.
BMW 503
BMW 503 Coupé Series II – 134 produced
Only 413 of this BMW model were produced. There should be one other BMW of the same model somewhere in Norway, but the probability of meeting any of them on the road is very small.
A beautiful baroque angel
BMW's distinctive 50s models 501 and 502 were colloquially called baroque angels. First appearing as a 503 model, the 1956 Coupé model was a 2-door, 2+2-seater GT model that was offered with only one engine option. The engine was taken from the BMW 502. 3,2 liter V8, 2 carburettors, 140 HP and 4-speed manual gearbox. There is no doubt that under the beautiful costume was a baroque angel - a very beautiful baroque angel.
Little profitable
Production continued from 1956 to March 1959. Considering the gorgeous design and motorization, the model could certainly have been produced well into the 60s. But BMW stopped production due to poor profitability. A total of 413 cars were produced. Of these, 270 were Coupés with a fixed roof and 143 cabriolets with electric raising and lowering of the canopy.
Expensive car
A simple search on mobile.de for the BMW 503 reveals prices between 200 – 250,000 euros for coupes and 400 – 500,000 euros for convertibles. There are several factors that indicate a high price – few examples, built as a quality car, beautiful and expensive for its time. It is surprising that these cars did not do better. The BMWs could not keep up with the American cars of the time in terms of chrome and external dimensions, – but neither could the Mercedes-Benz SL. Despite this, the SL sold well in the USA in the 50s.
About the picture
The picture was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. The car is a Series II Coupé with a fixed roof – a variant of which only 134 were produced. Car spotting.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
It was typically Italian to make a model with many bodies. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was initially a compact family car, but could also be delivered with special bodies.
The Giulietta Spider follows a genuinely minimalist roadster concept. Under the hood is a 1,3-liter aluminum engine with wet cylinder walls, DOHC and single Solex carburettor (Normale) or twin Weber (Veloce). It produced 80 HP in the Normale and 90 HP in the Veloce version – enough to give a lot of driving pleasure in a car that weighs only 860 kg.
Lived on as the Giulia Spider
The Giulietta series (2- and 4-door) was produced from 1954 to 1965, but the Giulietta Spider was called the Giulia Spider when Alfa Romeo began producing the legendary Giulia in 1962. The “new” Giulia Spider received a 1,6-liter engine and an additional air intake on the hood. Otherwise, there were few visual changes between the two models.
Prices
The Giulietta Spider is a true classic, and the prices reflect that. They range from 500,000 kroner to a million on mobile.de.
About the pictures
The white Spider is one of the last cars produced as a Giulietta. It is a "tipo 101.03" - as the registration number indicates. The photo was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. Car spotting.
The dashboard – Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Opel Kapitän
Opel Kapitän P2
1959 was a good year. Lolita topped the charts with "Seemann". Mercedes-Benz launched a brand new model and Opel got a new Kaptein.
It has been a long time since an Opel could measure up to a Mercedes. It could do that in 1959 when both came with completely new models. Mercedes' new W110 and W111 – the so-called "find Mercedes" was perhaps the best mass-produced car of its time. The year before, Opel had launched a brand new Opel Kaptein with large fins and panoramic windows at the front and rear. The P1 looked like an American, but was too strong a diet for sane Europeans. Many complained about poor visibility through the panoramic windows and tight access to the back seat because the rear window actually curved into the door opening. It sold so poorly that the management at Opel began to design a new Kaptein – the P2 – which came already the following year in 1959.
Most beautiful Opel ever
It was no secret that the P2 was designed on the same platform as the P1. The two cars had the same wheelbase, while the new one was a little wider, a little longer – and a little less American. The new Opel Kaptein was not only beautiful – it also sold better than all the Kapteins both before and after.
Facts Opel Kapitän P2
Production time: 1959-1963
Engine: 2,6 liter inline six.
90 HP at 4100 rpm
191 Nm at 1900 revolutions
Front suspension: Double A-arms
Rear: Rigid rear axle with leaf springs
Brakes: Drums
0-100: 16 seconds
Top speed: 150 km/h
Consumption: 1,21 litres/mile
Source: Auto Zeitiung test of Mercedes 220SE against Opel Kapitän
The picture was taken in the parking lot at the Bendix meeting at the Bendix house (old Lunner Dairy). Car spotting.
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