Vision Thing: There'll be no spinning in graves, actually

[Hagerty]

It's perceived wisdom that these days that an SUV a day keeps the administrators away. As if the cost of selling sporting machinery involves a Faustian pact with raised suspension and all-wheel drive. Look at the Aston Martin DBX, which is obviously just about keeping the lights on in Gaydon.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-design/vision-thing-therell-be-no-spinning-in-graves-actually/

[CitationMan]

At first glance it reminds me of the Lamborghini SUV. Nothing about this SUV says Lotus, but then again, how could it? You are correct that they missed an opportunity to do something different, especially since it’s their first SUV.
That front end is really a mess. These days it seems that designers have a hard time integrating headlights and making them the right size and shape.

[iamwho2k]

Yep. Lambo's Urus was the first thing I thought of when I saw this hideousness. This ain't no Lotus. Geely should have formed a new brand, then advertised it as "Tuned by Lotus" if it wanted to trade on the name.

[Snailish]

"Lotus Equipped" as your high-end sport package makes sense to me.

I had been hoping for GM to do similar with the "Oldsmobile Rocket" moniker on a new engine family... but I don't see that happening anytime.

I looked at the pictures several times thinking this must be the Buick Electra that is coming. Looks-wise it could be.

[AdrianClarke]

Yeah, there’s a superficial resemblance in the nose area, especially the DRLs, but I think this is a much cleaner design (not a high bar to clear I admit).

[MustangJim]

Lotus has a soul, the design of this car pays no homage to that soul...but look who owns Lotus... They are now owned by Geely, the Chinese conglomerate so.. to me, the soul is gone anyway. I'll add that I feel the same way about Volvo, they are lost to me.

[AdrianClarke]

I think both Volvo and Polestar are doing consistently excellent work, but current Volvos are long way from those old Swedish tanks of yore. Recently they’ve really lent into their Scandi-cool vibe and clever details. Remember Volvo had an image problem for a long time so this doesn’t surprise me.

[joesurfer]

And speaking of Chinese, just take a look at the recent issues from Li auto and Nio. This Lotus looks that part which to me is a sin. But who am I to say when I drive a GMC Acadia AT4? LOL

[hyperv6]

Lotus has no need of a CUV or SUV just as Ferrari or Corvette. 

Sure add on profits but Ferrari can easily make the money with a new super car and Chevy is making it with the Escalade V. 

It is not worth the watering down of image and name equity. 

Alfa and Maserati both are not what they once were. 

[MustangJim]

Agree , but adding to Hyperv6,  Ford had no need to call the Mach E a Mustang. 

[AdrianClarke]

I think another issue is that Lotus was essentially a dead brand, and they’ve been on life support for so long. Then they can wheel this out, and use all their glorious heritage to sell it.

[DUB6]

Going to Lotus to buy an SUV is like going to Boeing to buy a couch.

If those things don't make sense to you - exactly... 🙄

[AdrianClarke]

I’m sure in some big book somewhere there is a manufacturing mantra that simply states ‘build what you’re know for and where your expertise lies’.

[audiobycarmine]

Et tu, Lotus?
Is Harley-Davidson next on the SUV bandwagon? Maybe Vespa?

Mr. Chapman evidently skipped his Physics courses — you REMOVE WEIGHT, you can't "add lightness".
Unless you've got some helium balloons handy, but think of the drag...

[olde_blue]

As a GMT-400 collector, I would welcome a column discussing the design of the Suburban, the 1992 and 1993 Chevrolets having the cleanest, if not most durable, grill design. The 1995 and later interiors don't harmonize as well with the exterior design.

[Sajeev]

+1 this would be awesome. 

[AdrianClarke]

At the risk of being hoist by my own petard, if I can find some quality resources I'll do it.

[AdrianClarke]

The later ones got a bit soft and rounded. The earlier crisp ones are were it’s at. No kidding I actually used one as a mood image when we looked at doing those nineties two tone color breaks.

[fueledbymetal]

As usual, the perfect blend of education and entertainment, thank you!

“Meridian stereo booming with industrial music”
Any suggestions from this genre post 1992? That’s where my industrial CD library ends.

[AdrianClarke]

Can you give me a couple of reference points? Do you like something more melodic or more ‘anvil falling down a metal fire escape’

[RokemRonnie]

As Colin Chapman got older and his and Hazel's family got larger, so did Lotus cars. All of the early Lotus cars were either single seat racers or two seat sports cars. Then there was the Elan +2, with a rudimentary back seat, later the four seat Elite and Eclat, and finally the sedan concepts proposed at the time of his death. I suppose Colin could have squired the family around in a Lotus Cortina but he appreciated the finer life so for a long time the family car was a 450 Mercedes.

[AdrianClarke]

Good point, well made.

[hyperv6]

No grave spinning here as Colin would sell his soul if it would bring in needed funds. At times I feel he may have sold it several times. 

If anyone could cheat satin he is one that may have done it. 

[DUB6]

How does one cheat satin, exactly - by wearing pure silk?  😆