Lotus Renault GP is the New Kid on the 2011 Formula 1 Block

Lotus announced today that it’s taking over the “Renault F1 Team” and creating a new team named “Lotus Renault GP” that will compete in the 2011 Formula 1 season and onwards. This is not the first time that the two companies have worked together in Formula 1, as in the 1980s, Lotus used turbocharged engines sourced from the French carmaker.

While Renault will continue to supply engines and technical support, the Lotus Group will own and run the newly formed F1 team along with Genii Capital, a Luxembourg-based company that acquired Renault's stake in the team.

The British maker said that the new partnership brings the ability to quickly incorporate new technologies from F1 cars into its own road cars including hybrid technology, Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS), aero advancements and lightweight materials.

Genii will contribute to the partnership with non-Formula 1 technolgies such as lightweight braking systems, variable compression engine technology and software. Furthermore, Genii Capital will help Proton, owner of Lotus, to expand into new markets, such as Russia, and potentially access additional automotive technologies.

Gerard Lopez, founding partner of Genii Capital, said: “For Group Lotus, access to Formula 1™ opens up new marketing opportunities and a major platform for business exchanges and development. In this regard, Genii Capital possesses shareholdings in, and direct access to, cutting edge companies in the automotive industry. Our tie-up with Group Lotus and Proton, which will enable its future road car ranges to take advantage of significant new technologies, is a natural step.”

Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, commented: “I can think of no better platform for automotive brand communications than motorsport and F1 We’re well aware that there has been a lot of controversy around the usage of our brand in F1 and I’m delighted to be able to formally clarify our position: We are Lotus, and we are back.”

By Csaba Daradics

Proton Rebadges Lotus Europa to Create Lekir Sports Concept

Taking center stage at Proton's 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show booth alongside the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO-esque Jebat study, is yet one more concept model based on another manufacturer's vehicle, the Lekir. This time, Proton looked into its own car bin and in particular, Lotus, which it acquired back in 1994, as the Lekir is essentially a rebagded Europa coupe. Mind you, it's not the first time we've seen the Europa wearing different logos as Dodge displayed an EV concept of the model at the 2009 Detroit Show.

Depending on which part of Proton's description of the car you read, the Lekir is powered either by a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit or a 1.6-liter engine with some 220-ponies (167kW). Malaysia's state-controlled carmaker didn't say whether it plans to resurrect the Europa as a Proton.

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Proton Shows Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X Lookalike Concept of Inspira with 240HP Turbo Engine

The 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show at the Putra World Trade Centre in Malaysia saw local automaker and owner of Lotus, Proton, revealing a host of concept models including a sport prototype of the recently launched Inspira called the Jebat. Needless to say, it's clearly inspired from the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X.

As you may remember, the Inspira is a rebadged Mitsubishi Lancer sedan and is the result of an OEM collaboration between the Malaysian automaker and Mitsubishi Japan. However, we're not so sure if Mitsubishi had this in mind when it was signing the agreement with Proton.

In any case, the Jebat study, which could very well lead to a similar production model, features a wide body kit with blistered wheel arches and splashes of matte black paint all around the car. Power is provided by a turbocharged 4-cylinder MiVEC engine producing 237HP (177kW) at 6,000 rpm and 343Nm of peak torque at 3,000 rpm.

No word if the pseudo-EVO (that does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) comes with the real EVOs four-wheel drive system, but Proton has announced that the Jebat completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 232 km/h or 144 mph.

Via: Proton and CBT

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The Elegant Car Of Proton Exora

Proton Exora

Proton Exora

Proton Exora

Proton Exora

Proton Exora

Proton Exora

2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept

2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept

Proton, revealing a host of concept car models including “Jebat”, it is a sport cars prototype of the recently launched Inspira at The 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show in Malaysia. As design goes, 2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept has unique features, including matte black coat and left with a similar stripe around the bottom of the door. The 2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept has daytime running LEDs, and three holes in the hood and rear spoiler, which is clearly derived from the performance of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo package.

2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept

Finally, 2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept decided to 18-inch wheels for all sports and aggressive atmosphere complete add.While the Inspira is a rebadged Mitsubishi Lancer sedan and is the result of an OEM collaboration between the Malaysian automaker and Mitsubishi Japan. Speaking of sports and aggressive, the Proton Jebat Concept interior has a sporty look, including Recaro seats with red stitching and touch-screen ICE Clarion.

2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept

The latest  2010 Kuala Lumpur outside Motor demo in Malaysia. Proton has announced that the 2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 232 km/h or 144 mph. It’s comes with the real EVOs four-wheel drive system.

2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept

The 2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept has features a wide body kit with blistered wheel arches and splashes of matte black paint all around the car. Power of the 2010 Proton Sports Cars Jebat Concept is provided by a turbocharged 4-cylinder MiVEC engine producing 237HP (177kW) at 6,000 rpm and 343Nm of peak torque at 3,000 rpm.