2009 Lotus Elise Sc Upgraded Exhaust Tan Leather Ac Clean on 2040-cars

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Lotus F1 confirms Grosjean, Maldonado for 2015

With the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix now just ten days away, the focus is beginning to shift to next year's Formula One World Championship, with more and more pieces to the puzzle falling into place. And the latest news comes from the Lotus team. The Enstone-based outfit has confirmed that it's keeping both its drivers right where they are for next season, with Romain Grosjean partnering Pastor Maldonado once again.
Swiss driver Grosjean, now 28 years old, made his grand prix debut with the team in 2009, returned as test driver in 2011 while winning the GP2 title, returned to the F1 grid in 2012 and has been driving for the team ever since. He's scored nine podium finishes to date, but has finished no better than his eighth place this season.
Venezuelan pilot Maldonado, 29, won the GP2 the year before his teammate, and moved up to F1 with Williams, for whom he drove for three seasons before switching to Lotus for this one. He shocked the field when he won the Spanish Grand Prix in 2012, but has only finished in the points once this season.

Lotus introduces Certificate of Provenance program

Lotus is diving into its vast archives to make it easier for owners to trace their car's history. It launched a global program called Certificate of Provenance that provides historical information about a specific car. Available through authorized Lotus dealers, the Certificate of Provenance includes details like the car's VIN and its original color. It also notes the date the car rolled off the assembly line in Hethel, England, and the date it entered the company's dealer network. Key specifications, including the engine, the transmission, and the extra-cost options the original owner ordered, are printed on a personalized Build Specification Letter. Owners who order the certificate will also receive a letter from Lotus CEO Phil Popham in which he pledged to explain the changes going on at the company, and how it's preparing for the future. Summing up the situation in a letter will likely be easier said than done, because Lotus (which is now controlled by Geely) is undergoing a complete transformation that includes a major product expansion and a renewed focus on the American market. It called the Evija, its first electric model, a trailblazer whose technology will permeate other battery-powered cars.   Related: Geely, with Volvo's help, plans to grow into a global auto giant   In addition to the aforementioned documents, enthusiasts who order a Certificate of Provenance will also receive an aluminum plaque engraved with the owner's name, a leather keychain, a carbon fiber bookmark, and a Lotus pen. Pricing starts at GBP170 plus the cost of shipping in the United Kingdom, a sum that represents about $225. And any Lotus owner can order it regardless of whether they own a 1959 Elite or a 2020 Evora GT. The first car certified by Lotus is a 1981 Esprit Turbo (pictured) that stands out as the last company car ordered by company founder Colin Chapman. Wearing registration number UVF 464X, it remained in Chapman's possession until his death in 1982, and it was sold to a private buyer the following year. Lotus recently purchased it with 11,000 miles on its odometer, and it plans to restore it before adding it to its heritage collection. Chapman didn't settle for a regular-production Esprit Turbo. He ordered his car with power steering (which wasn't available on the Esprit at the time), a lowered suspension, and modified brakes. He also ordered BBS wheels. Related Video:

2020 Lotus Elise Classic Heritage Editions celebrate past race car liveries

For 2020, the Lotus Elise is getting a very limited edition. The Elise Classic Heritage Edition is a version that can be had in one of four liveries that reference past Lotus race cars. While the paint schemes are fitting tributes, the redundancy of having "Classic" and "Heritage" in the same name seem antithetical to Colin Chapman's philosophy of "simplify and add lightness." Name aside, the color schemes look good. Naturally, one of them is the famous black and gold of the John Player Special Lotus race cars. Others are less familiar, but still significant. Two of them highlight cars driven by famous racers. The blue, red and silver combo references the 1980 Lotus Type 81 driven by Mario Andretti, Nigel Mansell and Elio de Angelis. The red, white and gold version is for the 1968 Type 49B driven by Graham Hill. As for the blue and white car, it celebrates the first Lotus F1 car to win pole position and the race, the 1960 Type 18. The flashy paint is matched with equally flashy interiors. The upper door panels and other trim pieces are painted in coordinated colors, and the seat centers are finished in matching fabric. The one exception is the blue and white model that gets red seats. While the car is based on the 217-horsepower Elise 220, it gets features that are normally extra-cost on that car, including air conditioning, cruise control, a radio, carpeting and floor mats, two-piece brake rotors and forged wheels. Available as options are a hardtop, lithium-ion battery and titanium exhaust. All of these extra features, plus the colors and exclusivity help make the extra GBP6,350-pound upcharge worthwhile, which makes the car cost GBP46,250, or just over $57,000 at current exchange rates. Speaking of exclusivity, only 100 of these cars will be sold internationally. Lotus notes that the split between the different colors will be dependent on demand, so certain liveries could be rarer than others. Don't expect any of them to be offered in the U.S., though, since the Elise isn't available here at all. Related Video: