What could Lotus and Williams be working on?

Lotus. Remember them? Y’know, the iconic sports car maker and one of the world’s most cherished automotive brands? Now, we know that over the last few years the most exciting news to come out of Hethel has been an Elise in some heritage paint, but things are set to get properly, properly exciting.

Aside from the news that its new owner, Geely, (which bought Lotus in May 2017 and Volvo back in 2010) is considering investing £1.5bn into reviving the brand, we’ve just learned that Lotus is now collaborating with Williams’ forward-thinking arm – Williams Advanced Engineering – to develop next-generation ‘propulsion technologies’, specifically, electric powertrains.

Williams Advanced Engineering has been busy working with Formula E for the last four seasons (as well as helping Singer create the incredible DLS, developing Nissan's Bladeglider and sweeping things like the ambitious nature-inspired two-seat Dendrobium EV under the carpet) to make electric race cars fast and go the distance. Could they now be working on a secret all-electric hypercar with Lotus? Well, that’s what the rumblings from Norfolk are, even if Lotus is refusing to comment.  

“Our new technology partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering is part of a strategy to expand our knowledge and capability in the rapidly changing automotive landscape,” Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars said. “Applying advanced propulsion powertrains can provide numerous exciting solutions across multiple vehicle sectors. Our combined and complementary experiences make this a very compelling match of engineering talent, technical ability and pioneering British spirit.”

Imagine all of Lotus’ light weighting and chassis nous paired with Williams’ EV powertrain knowledge, plus LOTS of investment from the Chinese, and we could have something more exciting to write about than a Elise with a new, lighter gear knob. With two companies with F1 backgrounds coming together to create something, consider our ears pricked. So, as they say in that part of the world: let’s be having you!