LOTS of LOTUS on the way

Elise, Elan, Esprit and Elite. Famous names revived for what is possibly the boldest strategy undertaken by any sports car manufacturer in the last twenty years. Under the plans laid down by Danny Bahar, Lotus will have a whole new model range on sale within the next five years.

Elise: the current model will be replaced by one that has 296bhp as standard from a 2.0-litre forced induction engine, upped to 345bhp for an R version. Expect a Cayman rival. A convertible will also be available

Elan: Aimed squarely at the Porsche 911, the £75,000 Elan is a mid-engined 2+2 with a 4.0-litre transverse V6, producing 395bhp or 463bhp depending on whether you opt for standard or R models. Coupe and convertible choices will be offered

Esprit: The super car returns. Equipped with Lexus IS-F’s 5.0-litre V8. Expect 0-60mph in 3.5sec and 200mph max.

Elite: The first car announced last week, a front engine GT

Eterne: A four door Porsche Panamera and Aston Rapide rival, common with the Elite, being front engined and using the same Esprit powerplant.

Road cars are not just the big news. They are also going racing BIG TIME.

It’s developing a brand new LMP2 car for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours as part of a massive expansion of its motorsport strategy.

The GT4 version of its Evora model will be followed by GT2 and GT3 variations set to be made too.

Its LMP2 coupe is being designed by Paolo Catone, who was the chief engineer behind the Le Mans-winning 908 HDi FAP, and will begin testing late next year.

“This very special project is under the expert direction of technical genius Paolo Catone,” said a Lotus statement.

“The car is being developed to meet new ACO rules, it will have a closed cockpit and is due to be on-track late 2011, with an assault on the 24 Hours of Le Mans planned for 2012.”

Lotus has also promised that in addition to the GT2 version of the Evora, it will create an all-new GT2 car “based on one of our eagerly anticipated future road cars, set to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.”

Single seater racing is also part of the plan with a partnership with multiple champion team ART for GP2 and GP 3. Expansion in the US with its IndyCar involvement, as well as building a new test track at its Hethel factory in Norfolk that the company says “will be ideal for customer experiences, GT racing and F1 testing.”

Lotus Motorsport boss Claudio Berro said: “Lotus is motorsport and racing is in our DNA. We have a special place in motorsport history and now as we unveil the beginning of our future plans it’s important for people to realise just how committed we are to doing our heritage justice.

“There is no better platform to demonstrate the transfer of technology from track to road car than a full range of pure motorsport activity, we have to tick all the boxes.”