Lotus to build an MPV!

[Ridgemanron]

Auto Express - Feb. 8, 2006

Stop the presses, keep telephone lines open and cancel all
leave - Lotus is building an MPV! That's not a misprint, and
it's not a mistake. One of Britain's most famous sports car
brands has turned its hand to making people carriers.

This offical design sketch has been revealed by the supercar
firm to preview its new Geneva Motor Show APX star. With
sharp lines and a practical five-door shape, the people mover
is sure to send shockwaves through the industry.

However, before you write letters of complaint - get out your
checkbook - the show car won't be wearing Lotus badges. It
has been produced by the firm's design and engineering teams
on its hi-tech platform known as Versatile Vehicle Architecture
or VVH. A spokes man told us: "We're using VVH in our new
mid-engined supercar, but first we wanted to show the industry
how versatile it could be." The Porsche 911 rival he is referring
to will be the all-new Esprit, which we showed testing in proto-
type form in Issue 824. The APX also has a new 300bhp super-
charged 3.0-litre V6. Performance is key to this familiy' lugger's
appeal, and with a 190bhp per ton power to weight ratio, it is
a real driver's car.

Although Lotus will dusplay the people carrier at Geneva during
the press days, it will have disappeared by the time the public is
admitted. That's because bosses want to advertise their design
and engineering expertise to big car firms which might want to
commission Lotus to develop new models for them. Meanwhile,
the next-generation Esprit is due to go on sale early in 2008, and
will be revealed late next year.

[MattG]

Old news:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19244
They only built a prototype to show off their engineering skills, it does not mean they're actually going to BUILD it! They just want an automaker or two to license their VVA architecture.