Encyclopedia Hoonatica: Handling by Lotus


In addition to making sports cars, the Lotus brand also offers engineering and consulting services. Clients of those services vary from race teams to automakers. Some automakers handed the design of the suspension systems to Lotus, be it a design from the ground up or an improvement to what the automaker designed but lacks the experience in perfecting. Sometimes the Lotus badges worked as a marketing tool, too. And other times the automakers kept quiet about it, possibly being too embarrassed about not being able to design a proper suspension system themselves. 
Today we are looking for the cars that were improved by Lotus Engineering. Keep in mind that some wore the Lotus badges and some didn’t. 
The Caveats (there are always caveats):

  • Must not be a Lotus vehicle. 
  • One-offs, concept cars, and race cars, and other specials are fair game as long as they are not Lotus cars. 
  • Really, any non-Lotus vehicle with Lotus designed bits is a fair game. 
  • Bonus points for obscure stuff that you don’t find on the first fives pages of Google search. 

Difficulty: 6.5 out of 10, 11 out of 10 for stuff none of us ever heard of – do some homework. 

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82 responses to “Encyclopedia Hoonatica: Handling by Lotus”

  1. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Lotus did most of the design work for the LT5 engine in the C4 Corvette ZR-1 and some of the suspension work too.
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/ba/92_Corvette_ZR1.jpg

  2. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Colin Chapman had a lot to do with the design of this:
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/DeLorean_DMC-12_with_doors_open.jpg
    Some believe his involvement led to him faking his death.

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Dang.

    2. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Well played!

  3. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    I can’t find anything on the Wikipedia page, but seem to remember that Škoda’s 120-130 series had a harsh welcome in the UK due to its “unpredictable” rear engine handling. Even though customers didn’t seem to care, a refresh in the early ’80s or so included a somewhat improved chassis for export models, that Lotus was said to have been involved in:
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/%C5%A0koda_105_BJ_1978_%28Foto_Hilarmont%29_%281%29.JPG

  4. mdharrell Avatar

    I’ll bring up the Lotus-designed chassis for the Sinclair C5, even though it’s perhaps the most widely known aspect of the C5. Well, either that or its Hoover motor.
    https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images1/360/0512/31/sinclair-c5-information-disc-c5-owner_360_f6bed6efb53cd18d2cb370de10c109c2.jpg

      1. Monkey10is Avatar
        Monkey10is

        This seems to have little more connection to Lotus than a license to use the name, but here is the Lotus motorbike:
        https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/first-rides-tests/2016/august/first-ride-revisited-lotus-c-01/
        https://mcn-images.bauersecure.com/pagefiles/584642/4.jpg

  5. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Kind of obvious, but the Jensen Healey with a Lotus engine.
    https://assets.hemmings.com/story_image/550661-1000-0.jpg?rev=2
    The more obscure GT version.

  6. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    I would suggest that this (and the various other clones) has more than “Lotus designed bits” — probably not what you were looking for though…
    https://res.cloudinary.com/carsguide/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto,t_cg_hero_large/v1/editorial/caterham-seven-355-%281%29.jpg

      1. Kamil K Avatar

        Cannot be denied.

    1. Kamil K Avatar

      No really but I am more than find with this. 9 points.

  7. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    I think that this counts (it even has a ‘handling by Lotus’ sign on the roof):
    https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–sU6rpfYY–/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/189p46jehuvbhjpg.jpg

    1. Monkey10is Avatar
      Monkey10is

      So: We already have a Kia and an Isuzu. Let’s lengthen the list of far eastern car companies Lotus have assisted:
      https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Toyota_Supra_%282492707827%29.jpg/1280px-Toyota_Supra_%282492707827%29.jpg

    2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar

      And let’s not forget its more ignored obscure sedan sibling, the Stylus. The XS version also wore the “Handling by Lotus” badge.
      http://consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/92805061990001.jpg

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        And STILL, the only car with completely covered by doors, ‘C’ pillars.

        1. tonyola Avatar
          tonyola

          Wow. I’ve seen several Styluses (Styli?) here in Miami but never noticed the C-pillar arrangment before.

    3. Tiller188 Avatar
      Tiller188

      Always thought these were a good-looking bit of 80s design, but somehow I never realized before just how much they look like the compact hatch that DeLorean never made.

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        Still one of Guigiaro’s favourite designs, the minimal number of visible shutlines possible, very little changed for production from the Ace Of Spades prototype.
        https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–Rtgr_r5c–/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_675,q_80,w_1200/189r5kfta806wjpg.jpg

      2. P161911 Avatar
        P161911

        The first car on the US market with flush side windows. Beating the Ford Taurus and Audi 5000 by a few months.

  8. mdharrell Avatar

    Lotus was responsible for quite a bit of the engine work in the MG Metro Turbo.
    https://ranwhenparkeddotnet.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/mgmetroturbo4.jpg

  9. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    The engine in the T595 Daytona was designed with help from Lotus.
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Triumph_Daytona_T595.jpg

  10. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Dodge 2.2 Turbo III, as used in the Spirit R/T and Daytona IROC R/T.
    https://www.allpar.com/photos/mopar/turbo-fours/turbo-III.jpg

  11. Fuhrman16 Avatar
    Fuhrman16

    Lotus helped with the suspension design for the Hyundai Genesis sedan. Possibly the Equus as well?

  12. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Cheating by just reading Wikipedia, but the Baojun 730 had suspension tuning by Lotus.
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Baojun_730_01_China_2015-04-10.jpg/1024px-Baojun_730_01_China_2015-04-10.jpg

    1. Monkey10is Avatar
      Monkey10is

      May win extra Hooniverse points for being the most unlikely vehicle to have ‘handling by Lotus’.
      Rivalled perhaps only by the Isuzu Bighorn Lotus Edition;
      http://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/27528/isuzu_bighorn_lotus_edition_3.jpg

      1. P161911 Avatar
        P161911

        They supposedly worked on the Mahindra Scorpio too.
        https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Mahindra_scorpio_Nashik.jpg

        1. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          Yikes. “A Galloper, a Landcruiser and a Wrangler meet at a bar…”?

          1. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            And got drunk and all agreed build quality was unimportant.

          2. P161911 Avatar
            P161911

            They came VERY close to coming to the US market in about 2009 with a SUV very similar to this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Mahindra_Bilbao-_08_Marzo_30.jpg/220px-Mahindra_Bilbao-_08_Marzo_30.jpg
            I’m not sure what facelift version the red one is. The potential US importer was around the corner from my employer at the time, so I saw the test ones on the road all the time.
            Apparently their new plan is to enter the US market with one of their Chinese brands. I’m still not sure why they didn’t just use their Mahindra Tractor dealerships to sell the pickup and SUV here. They have a national distribution network in place and have a decent reputation here for a cheap tractor. It worked for International Harvester, sort of….

      2. Kamil K Avatar

        If you follow me on Twitter you’d know that I gave that one away yesterday. 🙂
        https://twitter.com/CarGuyDad/status/1062851347161198592

  13. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    This thread has sent me into reading up on Colin Chapman’s early work (when Lotus was still in its infancy); apparently — long before Lotus’ own Grand Prix cars — he contributed to the Vanwall:
    https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/car/2998/Vanwall-VW-Grand-Prix-22973.jpg
    “For 1956 more power was found in the engine while Colin Chapman who had built up a considerable reputation with his Lotus sports–racing cars was engaged to design a new stiffer chassis frame and revised rear suspension. At Chapman’s suggestion Frank Costin an experienced aerodynamicist, designed a new and distinctive low drag body which owed much to aircraft practice”
    It’s believed to have won the first race after Chapman/Costin modifications.

  14. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    Lotus engineer Roger Becker was closely involved with the early chassis development of the first-gen MR2.
    https://images.cdn.circlesix.co/image/5/1262/541/0/114/1470/630/uploads/articles/picture-13-54aeb53f7538c.png

    1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
      smalleyxb122

      My first AW11 wore “Handling By Lotus” badges, but I’m pretty sure a prior owner just snagged them from an Impulse.

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        There are those 2nd gen Supra wheels again

      2. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        Nice Reliant Scimitar SS1! 😉

        1. Rover 1 Avatar
          Rover 1

          Withering faint praise.:-)
          The shutlines, panel gaps, and surfacing are a lot more considered and better resolved on the Lotus. IMHO even the William Towns re-style isn’t as good.But you’re right they are alike.
          https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7104/7156684163_f878ce27bf_b.jpg
          https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/1990_Reliant_Scimitar_SST_1800_Ti.jpg

          1. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            Something of the Vauxhall Equus too.
            https://cardesignnews.com/media/12488282/vauxhall-equus-6.jpg

          2. Vairship Avatar
            Vairship

            Ah yes, panel gaps and shut lines were a bit of a problem: https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/reliant/scimitar/the-cars-reliantscimitar-ss1-development-history/

    1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

      You mean alternately badged. They arrived in Hethel as Opel-built sedans, underwent crazy transmogrification and emerged wearing Lotus and either Opel or Vauxhall badges depending on where they were headed.
      I’m in a mood for pedantry and splitting hairs tonight.

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        Are there other moods? Other moods worth having, that is?

        1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

          I only have two moods / mindsets: pedantic and in need of a drink. They often combine.

    2. nanoop Avatar

      Came to see this posted. Leaving satisfied.

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      My vote for most obscure. Imagine Lotus politics + Citroen politics + language barrier + Citroen/Peugeot motorsport politics. No wonder there was just the one!

    2. salguod Avatar

      “We’re going to make a rally car! Everyone, get out your straight edges!”

  15. Sean Avatar
    Sean

    Anyone say the 08-12 Tesla Roadster? A Lotus Elise with a Tesla motif (and badges).

  16. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    Here is one I did not know: Lotus Engineering were technology partners for the Carbon Motors police interceptor concept:
    https://cdn.officer.com/files/base/cygnus/ofcr/image/2009/03/960w/carbonmotorse7acopscar_10233728.jpg

  17. Monkey10is Avatar
    Monkey10is

    How about a Peugeot 205 M16 with ‘handling by Lotus’? Read more about it here:

    Peugeot 205 T16 / Active Systems Special Projects by Lotus (GM)

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      Now that, I’d never heard of, what a neat piece of history.

    2. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      And the Seat Ibiza: http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/paul_dunny/89%20Ibiza%20Project/P1020124.jpg including the Seat Ibiza Bimotor from the same excellent website you linked to: https://rallygroupbshrine.org/group-s/seat-ibiza-bimotor/

  18. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    The Volvo 480 had a Lotus-tuned suspension.
    https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/I60AAOSwfCpbBwsu/$_86.JPG

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      From personal experience I’ll conclude that one of its predecessors, the 66, does not.

  19. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Since the Lotus designed LT5 ZR-1 Corvette engine was built by Mercury Marine, Mercury Marine decided to drop one in a boat. The Wette Vette.
    https://www.mercurymarine.com/static/img/75th/history/week12/wette-vette.jpg

  20. Kamil K Avatar

    But but but… this box handles pretty damn good!

  21. mdharrell Avatar

    So, hypothetically, if a pair of Ford four-cam 255 engines originally intended for the 1965 Lotus 34 Indy car somehow ended up in a dragster at the 1971 NHRA Winternationals, that counts, right?
    https://www.nhra.com/sites/default/files/2017-07/busby2.jpg

    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      Of course it does.

  22. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

    With GRP being a very Lotus thang, it was little surprise that Colin Chapman should turn his hand to boatbuilding, too. Under his direction and funding, Moonraker Marine of Brundall, Norfolk became JCL Marine and built a series of rather Italiante craft, my favourite of which was the Mystere 43.
    This is the least favourable angle you can view one from.
    http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o201/bajansailor/Mystere1-1.jpg

  23. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    Lotus designed a shopping trolley – not a car, but my first job was in a supermarket, so I loved this.
    http://www.hazelnet.org/images/Trolley_3.jpg

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Wait, there is a surprise extra wheel. What more?

      1. Maymar Avatar
        Maymar

        http://www.hazelnet.org/press.htm
        Based on the press release, it sounds like the wheel arrangement is pretty much it, although apparently the wheels lock in place when pushed forward.

  24. Eduardo Rodrigues Avatar

    The Lobini H1 ride was considered too harsh, the face-lifted model had the suspension tuned by Lotus to became better for road use. For those who don’t know, the Lobini H1 is a Brazilian mid-engine sports cars, equipped with a Volkswagen 1.8 20v turbocharged engine from the Golf GTI MK4. Initially it was supposed to use the Fiat 2.0 turbo five cylinder engine, bot Fiat didn’t agree to sell the engines
    http://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/l/lobini/h1/lobini_h1_5.jpeg