Lotus ' fortunes have changed since passing from Proton to Geely . Proof of this is that we should pay close attention to their moves in the coming years. The first announcements are clear: relocating production from Hethel to China and investing in new models. For this purpose, their new parent company has put a significant financial package on the table. However, we didn't yet know how they would implement it.
That has been the case until now, as Lotus has announced a major partnership with another leading firm in the sector. The selected company is Williams Advanced Engineering , and its support will be vital for the development and research of advanced propulsion technologies. This will allow them to address one of their weaknesses: the lack of their own technology and engines for their current and future models. However, the approach here is different.
Electric technology inherited from Formula E
A few days ago, we learned that Lotus might be developing an electric supercar in collaboration with Geely . This model could boast 1.000 hp and a price tag of around €2 million. However, it seems it won't be developed with Geely, but rather with Williams Advanced Engineering . The reason is simple: Lotus needs a very lightweight and relatively powerful model, and Geely doesn't currently know how to create one.
In this way, Williams would be responsible for developing the powertrain , which would be fully electric . This important component would benefit from the knowledge the company has acquired in Formula E. Meanwhile, Lotus would be in charge of designing and manufacturing the chassis and structural components. Thus, they would be shaping the project with the internal codename "Omega ," a name that has existed previously at the Hethel-based company.
Phil Popham, CEO of Lotus Cars, has stated that
“Our new technology partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering is part of a strategy to expand our knowledge in the automotive landscape. The application of advanced propulsion systems can provide exciting solutions in multiple vehicle sectors.”
For his part, Craig Wilson, CEO of Williams Advanced Engineering
“Williams Advanced Engineering is proud to offer innovation to our customers that stems from our Formula One heritage. We will continue to develop new, state-of-the-art engines in this partnership with Lotus.”
We'll have to keep an eye on this, because these plans could foreshadow something very big at Lotus.
Source – Lotus – Williams