Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora enters final year of production



After new reports that Lotus will be revealing a new model as early as June this year, the company has announced that the Elise, Exige and Evora, are now in their final year of production.

By the time the Elise, Exige and Evora leaves the assembly line for the last time this year, the company will have sold a combined 55,000 units (approx).

The Lotus Type 131 prototype (right) with three new models.

The Elise, Exige and Evora have been around for more than a decade, with the Elise being the oldest after it was first revealed in 1995. It was named after the granddaughter (Elisa Artioli) of then Lotus Chairman, Romano Artioli.

Following the announcement, the company also said that a new series of sportscars have been confirmed and production of the new Lotus Type 131 prototype will begin this year. To fuel the fire even more, Lotus also released an image of three covered cars with individually distinct headlamps, next to the new electric Evija.

When it was first revealed, the Elise not only revolutionised the low volume sports car industry but also introduced the method of extruded and bonded aluminium, high-tech composites and lightweight knowhow.

The Exige followed in the year 2000 and together with a supercharger to go with the lightweight sportscar, it was widely seen as a race car for the road. As for the Evora, it returned Lotus to the masses with more refinement without losing any of the signature Lotus driver-focus.

Locally, the Lotus brand is also making a comeback (of sorts), through Toycarz Garage, who will now take on the sales and after-sales roles for the Lotus brand in Malaysia.

They’re located at 43, Jalan Astaka U8/84A, Bukit Jelutong, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor. For more information, call 012-317 6606.