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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 318
Smile, it confuses them Member of the Inner Circle
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Smile, it confuses them Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 318 |
I think I heard that a couple of ex Lotus people got involved in the CX setup. I often thought the skills they carried in the UK were under-estimated but then I guess much of it was under NDA for others. Autocar Business had an article around the factory being opened up for co-operation with other low volume and sports car makers. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/...ens-lotus-rd-and-production-other-firms.(some people report a paywall, others have been able to read the highlight page without issue) Given the changes in their car range with the imported EUV (Elephant Utility Vehicles) being added to their range and lower volumes of the quick things these days it makes a lot of sense.
Everyone loves a Morgan. Even me, unless it's broken again.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,685 Likes: 414
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,685 Likes: 414 |
Yes a pay wall after first short paragraph. Seems a sensible concept though.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7
1966 Land Rover S2a 88
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
1945 Guzzi Airone
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9,551 Likes: 134
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9,551 Likes: 134 |
The expertise of Lotus for suspension, chassis development is something they could commercialise and sell on. Provided it isn't to a keen rival to affect Lotus sales then a good option. Monetise their expertise.
Plus Four MY23 Furka Rouge
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
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Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,263 Likes: 321 |
Good to see, but I think Lotus has been offering their expertise to other car manufacturers for a long time, haven't they?
For example when Opel wanted to develop their Family 1 engine into 16V DOHC, it was Lotus that did the design work for them.
Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,591 Likes: 606
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,591 Likes: 606 |
Being the 'Technical advisor to the stars' seems to have been a successful business model for Ricardo for over 100 years. Maybe Lotus can find a niche there?
K
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 641 Likes: 15
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 641 Likes: 15 |
A Canadian Professional Services firm WSP acquired Ricardo Plc at the back end of last year.
They are apparently looking to dispose of the automotive part of the business as "non core" - so I think the business model that carried them for many years in the automotive industry is no more.
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,591 Likes: 606
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,591 Likes: 606 |
They had a lot of strings to their bow so I'm sure they'll still be about in other fields ..... that might leave a gap for Lotus ... the Ricardo name wasn't a household one despite their contributions in many fields ... Lotus has a higher car-related profile for rhat particular niche...
But we shall see
K
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Joined: Nov 2015
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Just barreling along Needs to Get Out More!
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Just barreling along Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Nov 2015
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IIRC, way back just as EV's were becoming more common Lotus developed some of the simulated sounds they used for pedestrian awareness, which ultimately became mandatory
Jon M
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