In the early 1990s, Lotus Engineering, a subsidiary of British sports car manufacturer Lotus, developed a new small car platform. It would revolutionise the automotive industry. This platform, known as the Lotus M Series, was designed to be a lightweight, high-performance platform. It could be adapted for use in a range of small cars. Over the years, the platform has been used in a number of different vehicles. Most notably, the Lotus Elise, the Tesla Roadster, and the Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220.
The origins of the Lotus M Series platform can be traced back to the late 1980s, when Lotus Engineering began working on a new concept for a lightweight, high-performance sports car. This concept would eventually become the Lotus Elise. It was designed to be a pure driving machine, with a focus on agility, handling, and performance. To achieve this goal, Lotus Engineering developed a new platform. It was significantly lighter and more rigid than traditional car platforms. It also offered improved aerodynamics and handling characteristics.
The Lotus M Series platform was based on a unique aluminium extrusion chassis. It was created using a process known as hydroforming. This process involved using high-pressure water to shape and form aluminium tubes. These were then welded together to create the chassis. The resulting chassis was significantly lighter and more rigid than traditional car platforms, making it ideal for use in a high-performance sports car.
Caffeine & Machine
LDC gets to go all over the place. Not least, Caffeine & Machine
The formula remains the same. It is the tried and trusted cocktail of motorsport memorabilia, food, coffee, and drinks. All in a great location. All in all offers car enthusiasts (and more) the chance to compare cars, compare notes and chew the cud.
The LDC meet was no different. Thirty odd Lotus from the very latest – 4 Emiras – to something a little older – a rather neat Elan with almost everything in between. There was even a VX220 boasting 100k miles still looking pretty good. As ever Elises and Exiges were much in evidence and there a couple of interlopers – a red 911 GTS, an equally red SF90 and a lurid green AMG GT which I have to say sounded fantastic.
As an interloper myself – I am normally part of the Northamptonshire clan – it was good to meet new members and compare our history of car niggles. We have all had them. Also got to catch up the history of all the cars present. Alas no Esprits / Excel / Eclat – (do we know how many we have in the club?) but plenty of others. I am always drawn to the new Emira although there were a few horror stories about insurance and the size of modern garages.
For C&M there is more space inside with maybe slightly less parking outside and we have yet to see any of the tepees that feature at C&M Leicester, but with all the latest ‘Cult of the Machine’ merchandise alongside some great artwork. Well worth a visit.
