The next NEW Lotus will be an SUV

The new Lotus boss – Jean-Marc Gales – has said the next new Lotus to arrive will be an SUV / Crossover as Lotus aims for profitability.

We’re not sure what Colin Chapman would make of plans for Lotus to build and SUV, but despite his hatred of superfluous weight he’d probably conclude that, done right, a Lotus SUV is the right route to go.

After all, Porsche has transformed themselves in a to a proper cash cow with a move in to SUVs in the last decade, with first the Cayenne and now the Macan making mountains of money, allowing them to develop and improve their sports cars. And that’s just what Lotus need

No one is suggesting that Lotus would make anything other than a light, nimble and dynamic crossover, but a light and nimble crossover has got to be the way to give Lotus a chance at a profitable future, and a future where they can afford to make sports cars.

Lotus boss – Jean-Marc Gales – told Automotive News:

We’d do an SUV that is very light, very fast on the track and has outstanding handling.

I’m a bit torn between an SUV and a four-door sports car — but in the end I can see that the SUV has the bigger market.

Gales also said that the board would be likely to make a decision on a new four-door Lotus this year, and that’s going to be an SUV.

But why not do both? Just like Porsche.