2023-11-17 09:15:04
After the Lotus Eletre, a 100% electric SUV released in 2022, the British brand presents the Emeya, a sporty Hyper-GT. Since 2018, Lotus has set itself the mission of fully electrifying its range. Light is always right? Answer with his new chief designer, Ben Payne.
At the head of design at Lotus, resurrected by the Geely group in 2018, you succeed designer Peter Horbury (he worked for Volvo, Ford, Martin Smith, etc.), who died last June. What is his legacy?
Ben Payne: I’ve worked with Peter for the last five years. The cars on display today were manufactured under his direction. This year we are celebrating 75 years of Lotus (in 1948, engineer Colin Chapman created the first Lotus model in the garage of his girlfriend and future partner, Hazel Williams, editor’s note), I have discussed this heritage a lot with Peter: how to combine futurism, electrification, digital technology and vehicle intelligence; it was the heart of our conversations. The Emeya, the Eletre before (Lotus SUV presented in 2022, editor’s note), and what will follow, were designed with Peter and our teams. We work at least four years to create a concept, which can last ten to fifteen years. In other words, we set the tone for the future of Lotus together, and its influence is very present.
In your opinion, what will mark the history of the electric car?
I think of a number of Peter’s observations, very simple for someone who has had such a long career. It has always been clear: Lotus must be a beautiful car, no matter what we do and no matter what category it belongs to. So there must be elegance and purity. To be a true luxury brand, you must not always follow fashions but look for timeless lines and styles.
What interests you most regarding the evolution of the automobile industry in recent years?
My biggest surprise is the speed of transition in the industry. Making a car in four years may seem like a long time, but ten or fifteen years ago, most luxury vehicles took seven to eight years to develop. Development cycles are shortening because the goal is to bring products to market more quickly to meet customer expectations. And then technology advances very quickly and evolves every year. So everything you find inside a car in terms of technology is like the latest iPhone: obsolete as soon as you buy it. If it takes you a year and a half or two to complete the final stage of development, then your technology is already outdated.
And what are the constraints that stimulate you the most with electricity?
Many people wonder if electric cars provide greater design freedom than thermal cars. In a certain sense, yes, because the biggest constraint is actually the regulations which have not yet completely changed. One of our biggest challenges, especially when it comes to exterior design, is regulations and how you protect pedestrians in the event of an accident. This largely dictates the shape of the vehicle. You can’t just put volume, shapes and lines wherever you want. So there’s sort of a very complex equation to solve between how the engineering develops, how you place the surfaces and volumes on top of it and how they need to relate to each other to manage the aerodynamics, certain quantities of vehicle packaging, but also protect pedestrians or other road users in the event of an unfortunate accident. Regulation is therefore our biggest challenge.
How to reinvent the Lotus line?
We are working on it. Lotus’ 75th anniversary is an opportunity for us to look at our heritage and reflect on where we stand as we move forward with a new group of customers who have evolved. They no longer want the feeling of a combustion engine car or a brand-specific sound. We must reinvent the relationship with emotion and think regarding creating a different sentimental connection. So it’s not just regarding a visual identity associated with Lotus, but regarding balancing the amount of history and future that we need. It’s a question of emotion and Lotus must provide it.
Comment ?
If you ask someone why they own a Lotus, he or she will talk regarding sensation and emotion. It’s not a functional brand, is it? It’s not a tool. So we need to figure out how to translate that with new experience-changing technologies. We’re not going to take what you had in a thermal car and then replicate it in an electric car. This is our mission: to offer even stronger sensations thanks to electricity, but also thanks to the digital and intelligence capabilities of a car. Reinventing “wow!” » that an automobile provides, that’s what we’re working on.
In terms of autonomy and recharging, is Europe ready?
In the big cities of Europe this really isn’t a problem, but to be honest people are still very anxious. However, these cars have over 500 kilometers of range and, personally, I don’t drive that much in one go, even for a long trip. So, we need a change of mentality. But I think that in markets where the infrastructure is present, the blockage has disappeared. In Norway, the majority of new cars sold are electric. Each hotel has ten to fifteen chargers. In Amsterdam, where I come from, there are public charging stations everywhere, stations, airports, businesses. France is a little late but all markets are changing. Globalization means that everyone sees everything. And when you see something spread, like electric cars, and it becomes massive, then eventually you want them too. So even if some markets are not ready yet, they will be ready very quickly.
Your key figures?
With good infrastructure and a good network, the Emeya can go from 10 to 80% battery in 18 minutes, or gain 150 km of range in five minutes of charging.
Your calendar for Emeya?
It will go into production in the first quarter of next year. Our European customers can reserve it now. 2024 will be our big year. The car will go into showrooms, then be delivered depending on the ramp-up of our factory.
Your biggest challenge?
The speed of change, and it’s exciting! Because you do something and you realize two years later that you were wrong and you need to change. It’s fun for me. In the creative industries, it’s great to adapt and make things happen. Responsibility may be a challenge, but it’s what motivates me!
By Alexis Lacourte
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