Automobile News

British sports car makers Lotus and Ginetta have recently announced that they are looking forward to expanding their business sphere in the current year by building road-going electric cars. The announcement has generated a mixed response and there are many who are against this move, especially in case of Ginetta who is a total novice concerning the logistics behind the production of the announced cars.

Lotus is in a better proposition to deliver goods, as the Hethel-based outfit has already been rolling chassis for the Tesla Roadster, known as the ‘leccy Elise’, apart from building the Dodge EV for Chrysler, codenamed ‘leccy Europa’. It theregore appears a bit logical for Lotus to take the next step in the direction of expanding the company wings.

Regarding the recent developments, Lotus Chairman Michael Kimberley, while speaking to Financial Times asked the discerning public not to be taken aback when they see the company’s electric model, which he added will be launched shortly. He also expressed the hope that the model will unveil the latent potential that lies with electric vehicle technology.

Critics have however derided the tactics of the company saying that the new models are nothing, but a comparatively poor version of some range-extended vehicle like the Chevy Volt or Fisker Karma, and in no way accepted as a purely electric plug-in as per the Tesla. There are also claims doing the rounds that the new versions take the concept from a forthcoming car by the name Evora, and you shouldn’t be surprised if it goes to even earlier models for inspiration, like the Geneva Motor Show held in March.

The day we’ve been waiting for is almost here as the British International Motor Show finally kicks off tomorrow. The show will take place in ExCeL London from July 23rd to August 3rd and we are sure to see some stunning cars on exhibition. All of the top car manufacturers are represented and over 600 cars, including premieres for over 20 new models, will actually be presented at the show.

As with any car show, we can expect all the hottest cars to be on display, including Maseratis, Ferraris, Aston Martins and Bentleys. In fact, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed (which we reported on earlier) will actually be making its debut. In addition to cars, there will be plenty of exciting features and events on hand, including a Drift School where you can learn how to drift your car like in the movies.

Despite all the flash and glamour, many industry insiders are predicting this Motor Show will not be unaffected by the fundamental shift currently taking place in the auto industry. The industry has been receiving a lot of gloomy news lately, as car sales in Europe fall due to the sinking economy and higher petrol prices. Increases in the cost of raw materials, particularly steel, have not helped auto producers either. The shift is even more pronounced in the US where car sales have hit a 15 year low, with American manufacturers like Ford, GM, and Chrysler being particularly hard hit. What this means for the Motor Show is that we can expect to see many electric cars, and cars with green technology, in the spotlight.

Nevertheless, we here at Automobile News can’t wait to see what the Show will bring and will of course report on all the latest developments as they happen.