Jays, I have to agree..the existing tub was never engineered to make cheaply...this was brought home today whilst having the headlight aim adjusted today I was able to go into the pit and study the underside of the Plus 8.
Now I understand why that tub is both so good and so expensive. The quality of the engineering, the alloy welds, the fit and finish is stunning. It is precision, race quality engineering. It is far too good for what it is!
I still think with suffiicient violume production a production engineering developed version of the tub would be possible for the +4, Roadster +6 and the Plus 8 / Supersport.
Lotus need to sell 3000 of their tub based cars a year for the profit to be what they need to develop new cars, according to the interview with the new CEO in CAR.
If MMC could buld and sell 3000 Aero based cars a year the cost of the tub would fall and it would all begin to look rather nice.
So, my vision..
Plus 4 with the new JLR GDI motor, and ... dare I say it...diesel for some markets....
Plus 6 with the AJ 126
Plus 8 with the JLR V8
The 4/4 would continue as a totally traditional ladder frame trad but with more modern rear suspension.
