Automotive News Europe says work on the electric sports car Lotus and Alpine were stopped. The companies decided to work together in 2021 to make a new electric sports car that is light and fast. The new vehicle, which would be an excellent replacement for the Alpine A110 with an internal combustion engine, would have features from both companies. Former Lotus CEO Phil Popham said, “Today’s announcement is the first step in what is sure to be a hugely rewarding partnership between our iconic brands.” “We’re excited to work with Groupe Renault on this project. We’ll be able to use our long history of working together successfully and Lotus’ technology know-how and skills. Our companies have a lot in common, like a part of making things lighter and making sports cars that do well on the road and in races and have won championships. It makes sense in a lot of ways, and making an electric sports car together is very exciting for our businesses, our friends, and our customers all over the world. But the project is no longer going on. Lotus told Automotive News Europe they and the other company had yet to proceed with the project. The British company said that this was a choice made by both sides. But the two companies can still work together. In an email to Road & Track, Lotus said, “We have halted our work with Alpine on a sports car project.”This is the conclusion we both agreed on, and we will keep discussing other possible future choices.” “Lotus is still as committed as ever to making an electric sports car,” the Lotus representative said.
