Lotus won't be at 2012 Paris Motor Show

Two years after Dany Bahar revealed Lotus plans to build a new range of Lotus supercars at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Lotus will be a no-show at Paris 2012.

Two years ago we were stunned by the grandiose plans for a range of Lotus supercars revealed by new CEO Dany Bahar at the Paris Motor Show. What a difference 24 months makes.

It’s been confirmed that not only have Dany Bahar’s extravagant plans for the new Lotus Elite et al been shelved since Bahar was ‘let go’ from Lotus amidst rumours of extreme overspending, it seems Lotus is intent on keeping a low profile and won’t even turn up at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

But perhaps, under the circumstances, that’s a pragmatic move. Until the way forward is clear at Lotus it’s fairly pointless turning up with little; perhaps better to re-think the way forward and come back at Geneva in the Spring with something interesting.

We can perhaps hope that something interesting may still include the long-planned Lotus Esprit – perhaps, sensibly, with a Toyota V8 under the skin instead of Bahar’s plans for a Lotus V8 engine – and an end to the idea that Mansory is the ideal ‘customiser’ for Lotus cars.

But for now, Lotus is on a PR sabbatical.